A client recently called Extreme Audio to let us know he’d finally purchased the 1961 Chevrolet Corvette of his dreams. He described the car as his unicorn, since he’d been looking for a clean example to add to his collection for years. Based on his enjoyment of the audio system we installed in his ’55 Read More…
Bench Brawl: Car Audio Subwoofer Amplifiers — High Quality or High Power? – Precision Audio
Have you ever purchased something, then regretted your decision a few days later? We recently ran into a situation regarding car audio subwoofer amplifiers where the answer to “Which is better?” became a complicated discussion. We’re going to look at two amplifiers – one is a consumer-grade product that’s extremely popular, the other seems to Read More…
Options Abound To Update or Transform Dodge Challengers and Chargers
Reintroduced as 2006 models, the Dodge Charger sedan and Challenger coupe are some of the most popular vehicles to upgrade. Whether your car has a V-6, the popular 5.7-liter V-8 or the tire-smoking supercharged 707 horsepower Hellcat, these cars all look amazing and offer a style not available from anything else on the market. Of Read More…
Do I Need To Upgrade My Car Audio Speaker Wire?
If you’ve browsed any of the online car audio forums or Facebook groups, you’ve inevitably run across someone asking if you have to upgrade the speaker wire in a vehicle to support a new car audio system. Unlike a sure-fire upgrade like new speakers or adding an amplifier, the answers to the benefits and drawbacks Read More…
Upgrades Abound for Ford Transit, Mercedes Sprinter and Ram ProMaster Vans
In the ’70s, owning a van was cool. In the ’80s, Chrysler moved those buyers into its new car-based platform, the minivan, with the Caravan. This compact cargo- and people-friendly vehicle kicked off a trend that’s only recently lost momentum. When it’s time to move a large group of people, or you need the most Read More…
How To Buy Your First Car Audio Subwoofer System
Adding a subwoofer to your car audio system is a great way to improve the quality and accuracy of the music you hear. As we’ve explained many times, sending bass information to a dedicated amplifier and a larger speaker alleviates the need for the small speakers in your vehicle to work hard trying to reproduce Read More…
Product Spotlight: Sony XAV-AX5600 Multimedia Receiver
When it comes to bang-for-your-buck car audio receiver upgrades, the Sony XAV-AX5600 offers amazing value and performance. This double-DIN multimedia unit is based around a 6.95-inch capacitive touch display. In addition, it includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration and support for playback of most of your digital media files. Best of all, the Read More…
Here’s How Car Audio Amplifier Classes Maximize Efficiency
In the past, we’ve looked at Class AB and Class D amplifier classes, the two most popular configurations in the mobile electronics industry. With that said, a few other classes deserve some explanation, as they can deliver improvements in amplifier efficiency without altering the sound quality. This article will review Class AB and Class D Read More…
Product Spotlight: Rockford Fosgate HD14-SBSUB Motorcycle Subwoofers
The team at Rockford Fosgate continues to lead the industry in Harley-Davidson motorcycle audio system upgrades. Their latest offering is the HD14-SBSUB dual 10-inch saddlebag subwoofer kit. That’s right! The kit adds a pair of 10-inch subwoofers to the saddlebags of most 2014 or newer Road Glide, Street Glide or Electra Glide bikes. With 800 Read More…
Sony Mobile ES Car Audio Speakers and Source Units
Though the name has been dormant for many years, Sony Mobile ES is back! The speakers, subwoofers and source units currently in the line offer fantastic performance and exceptional value, making them a perfect addition to the solutions available from Extreme Audio. Let’s look at what the folks at Sony have created! Sony Mobile ES Read More…
Product Spotlight: Alpine iLX-407 Digital Multimedia Receiver
If you’re looking for a multimedia receiver upgrade for your car or truck, drop by Extreme Audio in Mechanicsville or Midlothian and check out the Alpine iLX-407. This double-DIN receiver includes both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration technologies. It also has an integrated HD Radio receiver and a rear USB pigtail to charge Read More…
Sound Deadening Strategies Help Create a Quiet Ride
We all know that having sound deadening installed in your car or truck is a great way to improve its comfort while allowing your stereo upgrades to sound better. In this article, we’ll look at some of the strategies for adding sound deadening. We’ll talk about different areas of the vehicle and the benefits associated Read More…
Your Car Audio Budget Deserves a Solid Plan
A significant car audio system upgrade takes four items: a budget, great gear, expert installation and proper configuration. If you’ve read any number of the articles here on BestCarAudio.com, you’ll know we hold the importance of quality equipment, proper installation and expert calibration in the highest regard. Deciding how to distribute your budget should include Read More…
Chevrolet Camaros Get a Boost from Audio, Accessory Upgrades
Just as we’ve looked at the Mustang in the past, it’s now time to check out the car audio and convenience upgrades available for the Chevy Camaro. As one of the veteran pony cars, the Camaro went on sale in September 1966 as a 1967 model. These midsize coupes have been synonymous with performance with Read More…
Your Car Audio Amp Needs Power To Make Power
Day after day, we see clients who have purchased extraordinarily large car audio amplifiers and expect them to make their full rated power using the stock electrical system in their car or motorcycle. This article will look at amplifier efficiency, how vehicle charging systems work, and why it takes power to make power. Let’s Talk Read More…
The Evolution of Car Radio Though the Years
For decades, driving has been synonymous with listening to the radio in our cars. From the early days of AM radio, through advances in FM technology to the latest satellite and streaming services, we’ve been able to enjoy someone else’s music collection for about 100 years. Each advance in technology has improved sound quality and Read More…
Premium Audi A7 Upgrade for Beaverdam Client
A longtime client of Extreme Audio recently brought his new-to-him Audi A7 in for a custom stereo system upgrade. We’ve done audio systems in every vehicle this customer has owned for the last two decades. This time, the Bose audio system in the Audi didn’t deliver the performance he wanted in terms of clarity, detail, Read More…
Personalize and Enhance Your Jeep Wrangler with These Upgrades
Few vehicles on the road have a more recognizable profile than the Jeep Wrangler. The popularity of the Wrangler and the multitude of upgrades available for every aspect of its features and performance have created a dedicated segment in the aftermarket industry. It’s time to take a look at some of the most popular upgrades Read More…
Product Spotlight: ARC Audio MOTO CX6 Motorcycle Speakers
ARC Audio has offered class-leading amplifier and speaker upgrade solutions for Harley-Davidson touring motorcycles for more than a decade. Their experience and obsession with sound quality have led them to create a new generation of high-performance speakers that balance output capability and efficiency, bass extension and accuracy. The latest evolution of their motorcycle and powersports Read More…
HD Radio Upgrades Give AM and FM Clearer Sound
HD Radio is a broadcast technology that adds digitally encoded information to an analog AM or FM station. Where once you were limited to listening to, say, 101.1 in New York City, the broadcaster has added a news and talk channel as well as a sports channel to the same 101.1 MHz frequency. The best Read More…
Don’t Get Bogged Down by Car Speaker Specifications
Though it seems contrary to what I’ve preached, sometimes it’s better to avoid purchasing car audio speaker upgrades based on specifications alone. The information most manufacturers provide does very little to describe the actual quality of the product. A prime example of this are speaker Xmax specification numbers. Does this linear measurement tell us how Read More…
Enclosures Help Car Audio Subwoofers Sound Their Best
Most of us have heard of many types of car audio subwoofer enclosures. Many enthusiasts have debated the benefits and drawbacks of acoustic suspension (sealed), bass-reflex (vented), bandpass and infinite baffle designs in hopes of choosing the best solution for their application and expectations. In all cases, the enclosure has two specific purposes that are Read More…
Easily Enhance Your Ford Mustang with Upgrades
When it comes to upgrades and accessories for your Ford Mustang, your local mobile enhancement dealer has a nearly endless supply of options. Whether you’re shopping for a new radio with CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, or you want new speakers, subwoofers and an amplifier to bring your music to life, there are thousands of Read More…
Car Radio Controls and Other Control Interface Options
When it comes to ways to control the volume and tracking or seeking on a car radio, the three most popular options are rotary volume controls, pushbuttons and touchscreen interfaces. While many buyers focus on features like Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and backup cameras when shopping, there’s more to consider. A key and often Read More…
How to Properly Audition New Car Audio Speakers
There are two reasons why we’d want to upgrade the speakers in our vehicle: the original speakers may be damaged, or we want to improve the clarity of the audio system. In either case, you’re going to need to visit a local mobile enhancement retailer and choose a speaker solution that fits your vehicle, works Read More…
DSP 101 – How Signal Delay Can Improve Car Stereo Realism
When it comes to upgrading a car audio system with a digital signal processor, you’ll typically hear about a discussion of signal delay. Maybe people refer to this as time alignment or setting the delays. No matter what term is used, understanding the benefits and drawbacks of this technology is crucial to creating a car Read More…
Product Spotlight: Compustar CS852-A Car Alarm System
A car alarm system like the Compustar CS852-A helps protect the contents of your car or truck and dramatically reduces the chances of vehicle theft. As a step-up solution from the CS697-A, this alarm system offers increased remote-control range and a high-output siren to ward off would-be criminals. Reliable Vehicle Theft Protection At the heart Read More…
DSP 101 – Proper Equalization Ensures Great Sound
As we roll forward with our look at the importance of digital signal processors in car audio systems, we’ll talk about the need for proper equalization. Even if you’ve purchased the best speakers available and invested in having them integrated into your vehicle with the utmost precision – compensating for the acoustic characteristics of the Read More…
DSP 101: The Importance of Crossover Adjustments
As we continue our deep-dive into the functions of car audio digital signal processors, we’ve reached the topic of crossovers. Many people overlook the importance of configuring crossovers properly to achieve a smooth frequency response. Let’s take a look at what a crossover does and why your technician must set them correctly to protect your Read More…
Upgrading Car Audio Systems with Data Bus Interfaces
As vehicle manufacturers work to reduce the number of wires that need to be run in a vehicle, more and more have switched to using the vehicle data bus to control amplifiers. Using data commands in concert with digital or fixed-level audio signals also helps to ensure that these audio systems deliver noise-free performance. Finally, Read More…