Car audio enthusiasts often invest in high-quality speakers, amplifiers, and subwoofers to achieve the best sound. However, the vehicle’s interior acoustics play a crucial role in how the system performs. Factors such as interior materials, seating positions, and speaker placement can dramatically impact sound quality. Understanding these elements and employing professional tuning can help optimize Read More…

Car audio amplifiers are one of the most misunderstood components of an upgraded sound system. Misconceptions about power ratings, gain settings, and efficiency can lead to poor system performance, unnecessary equipment damage, or wasted money. This article will clarify some of the most common myths surrounding car audio amplifiers so you can make informed decisions Read More…

The landscape of car audio upgrades has changed dramatically over the years. As automakers integrate more advanced technology into their vehicles, upgrading the sound system has become increasingly complex. Features like active noise cancellation (ANC), complex DSP-equipped factory amplifiers, and controller area network (CAN) bus systems present unique challenges for aftermarket audio installers. Understanding these Read More…

A few weeks ago, one of the major head unit manufacturers announced they would include a TOSLINK digital output on their new flagship source unit. Most of us know that digital signals are effectively impervious to noise and aren’t affected by cable losses. Pure digital signals sound better than analog counterparts when used with a Read More…

Upgrading your car’s audio system is an exciting way to enhance your driving experience. However, achieving the best possible sound quality requires more than just installing high-quality speakers, amplifiers and subwoofers. The magic happens when your system is calibrated correctly using a digital signal processor to adjust signal delays and equalization. These elements work together Read More…

Why High-Res Audio Matters for Car Audio Enthusiasts Car audio enthusiasts constantly seek ways to enhance their listening experience, and one of the most impactful upgrades involves improving the quality of the audio source itself. Thanks to advancements in lossless music streaming and high-quality digital formats, high-res audio is becoming more accessible. But does it Read More…

There’s no denying that electric vehicles are here to stay. Whether we like the way they drive, the sounds they don’t make, or their cost, their popularity is undeniable. Car audio companies like Focal and Alpine have stepped up to the plate with audio upgrade kits for the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y in Read More…

Whether you’re an audiophile or a casual listener, the quality of your car audio system plays a significant role in your driving experience. From crystal-clear vocals to defined and accurate bass, high-quality audio can make your daily commute or road trip far more enjoyable. But achieving that perfect sound in a car isn’t always straightforward. Read More…

Car audio upgrades are an exciting way to enhance your driving experience. Whether you’re looking for improved sound quality, more powerful bass, or advanced features, choosing the right audio system components and a reputable installer is key. Let’s explore the best practices for shopping for a car audio system that fits your vehicle, budget, and Read More…

When it comes to upgrading your vehicle’s audio, electronics, or other enhancements, the choice of retailer is as critical as the products you select. A trusted retailer ensures that you get high-quality products and ensures the installation and configuration process is done professionally to deliver optimal performance and reliability. Let’s explore why selecting a quality Read More…

The gain control is one of the most misunderstood features of a car audio amplifier. It is often mistaken for a volume knob, leading to improper usage and potential damage to the audio system. Understanding what gain control does—and doesn’t do—can help you set up your car audio system for optimal performance without risking distortion Read More…

From the 1960s through the 1980s, car radios used mechanical potentiometers to adjust volume. As time progressed, volume controls moved to the digital domain, and radios employed rotary encoders that sent commands to a dedicated volume IC to adjust the output level. As we advanced further, radios required volume controls for different functions. This complexity Read More…

Many of the car stereo shops in the Northern US and Canada shift focus to installing remote car starters in the late fall. If you are shopping for a remote starter, you may be asked by the Product Specialist if you have two keys to the vehicle. Further, in a few applications, you may need Read More…

Talking about the performance of audio equipment without objective measurements is like describing the taste of food without eating it. Maybe that’s a bit over the top, but the concept is accurate. You’ll hear many folks into high-end audio describe listening experiences that are sweet or emotional. However, those adjectives do very little to describe Read More…

A while back, we examined the difference in sound quality between wired and wireless Apple CarPlay. Now that many Android-based smartphones have access to additional audio streaming codecs like LDAC and aptX, it’s time to check out how they perform in terms of signal accuracy and frequency response. We’ll use the Sony XAV-9000ES digital media Read More…

Many professionals in the car audio industry started their careers as novices installing equipment for themselves or friends in their driveways and garages. That hands-on experience typically led to a job at a local shop and allowed them to learn more about electrical theory, acoustics, physics, and fabrication. Those who have invested time in understanding Read More…

While participating in some brand-specific online discussion groups, we often encounter the question: “Is it better to use two good subs or one great one?” Are two 12-inch KICKER L7S subs better than a SoloX? Should you opt for two Hertz Cento CS 250 S4s instead of a Mille ML 2500.3 Legend? What about choosing Read More…

Having music playing while driving is not only entertaining, but it can be very relaxing. Enjoying your favorite songs while stuck in traffic or on a long drive can help time pass much quicker. We recently received a question from one of our readers about the best way to manage a large music collection. Specifically, Read More…

Over the years, many car audio enthusiasts have complained that while new speakers made their car stereo systems sound better, the new speakers didn’t make the systems any louder. In fact, the more you work to upgrade your speakers, the more you often find that you have traded efficiency for smooth frequency, accuracy and clarity. Read More…

A short while ago, while testing an amplifier’s maximum power output, we observed how significantly the power increased with higher supply voltage. This observation made us realize that we’ve never thoroughly examined the relationship between a vehicle’s battery voltage and a car audio amplifier’s maximum power output. It’s time to address that. Why Does Battery Read More…

When 99% of car audio enthusiasts think about a digital signal processor (DSP), they associate it with equalizers, crossovers, and signal delays. In more advanced solutions, a consumer-grade car audio DSP might add the ability to include all-pass filters, an upmixer for a center channel and signal summing. However, at an engineering level, much more Read More…

Crossovers are an essential part of designing any audio system. From the passive designs used with a bookshelf or floor-standing speaker to three- and four-way electronic designs employed in car audio systems, ensuring signals combine correctly is crucial for delivering great sound. Crossovers can have different frequencies, slopes, and alignments. Understanding how audio signals from Read More…

Though it might surprise you, human hearing is significantly more sensitive to some frequencies than others. You can think of this phenomenon as our built-in frequency response. However, unlike a speaker or amplifier, variations are not something we want to compensate for in an audio system—at least, not directly. Let’s discuss how human hearing works Read More…

A reader requested that we compare the sound quality performance of wired and wireless Apple CarPlay. This is a great idea, as very little information is provided about the communication standards used to send audio signals wirelessly to a source unit. So, let’s look at distortion characteristics and frequency response to see if there is Read More…

Unlike home audio systems, car stereo upgrades have to withstand harsh conditions. Your car, truck or SUV subjects your system to vibration, bumps and massive temperature changes. At home, as long as there isn’t a flood, everything should work fine for decades with regular dusting. Your car stereo system might not be quite as foolproof. Read More…

One of the most common questions we receive is whether you can use car audio products, like radios and amplifiers, in the home or shop. The answer is a resounding yes! However, the real challenge lies in finding a suitable power supply, especially for high-power amplifiers. We’ve recently dedicated a significant amount of time to Read More…

Even though most car audio speakers are chosen without regard for genuine performance, our goal of educating consumers remains steadfast: If you’re searching for a high-quality car audio system, understanding how speakers work and what differentiates the great from the mediocre is essential. In this article, we’ll explore the topic of speaker inductance, what affects Read More…

If you’ve looked at an amplifier installation kit, you’ll see it comes with about 17 feet of power wire, a shorter length of ground wire and a fuse holder. The intent of this fuse holder is for it to be installed as close as possible to the positive battery terminal. As for the fuse size, Read More…

If you’re looking for the best performance from your car audio system, the limitations of Bluetooth sound quality might be holding you back. Even if you’re streaming lossless or high-res files from Tidal or audio files stored directly on your phone, wireless connections to a car audio source unit are often optimized for bandwidth, not Read More…