Stand next to any road, and every so often a young person will go by with the latest rap CD blaring. If it happens to be a cold day, he (it is always a he) may have the windows up. Then, all you will hear is the thud of the overworked bass speaker in the back. After he turns 30, the young driver probably won’t even be able to hear that, if he continues this unwarranted assault on his ears.
That big bass bin can’t handle the vocal sounds, and the front speakers would melt if they had all those thumps going through them. So the car audio separates out the various frequencies using filters, sending only the bass to the big bins in the back, and only the higher and more delicate sounds to the little speakers at the front. Both, and especially the bass, are then amplified so they are audible in the next county.
Marketers have borrowed the same terminology as a way of looking at how their business treats its customers. Marketing graduates will often talk about ‘Filters’ and ‘Amplifiers’ almost as if they actually understood them.
Filters
A filter in marketing speak is anything which prevents your customer from doing business with you. Some filters are ‘natural’ – if you provide personal training services for example all of your clients will need to be within easy reach. This natural, geographic filter means that you are unlikely to sell to someone in another country.
Others are contructed. Mercedes Benz dealers the world over have large, bright, glassy establishments. They tend to intimidate anyone who can’t afford the prices, acting as a natural, probably intentional, filter.
Filters can also be fairly subtle. If you send out a mailing by post, research shows many are discarded without even being opened. If you have a leaflet delivered, the ‘open an envelope’ filter is removed, so people can’t help reading it, even while they are trying to throw it away.
Amplifiers
An amplifier is anything which increases the ease of doing business with you. Any business which decides to take payment via credit cards, for example, will find the number of people who can do business with them is amplified compared to when only cash was acceptable.
Marketers probably won’t admit it, but filters and amplifiers are opposites of the same thing. Removing a filter has an amplifying effect, and vice versa.
I insured my car the other day over the Internet. The first few sites I tried only supported Internet Explorer. That, at least to me, is a filter and I went somewhere a little more Firefox friendly!
Many corporate web sites insist you provide a lot of information before they will send you that ‘free’ White Paper you are interested in. No doubt that information is required by someone in the business, but it filters out a lot of otherwise interested people who simply won’t take the time to fill out the form and inevitably receive all the sales calls afterwards. After all, they can’t be sure they’re even a prospect before they read the White Paper!
Apple has potentially filtered out a large portion of their target market for iTunes by only accepting credit cards. Most under 18s won’t have a credit card, and they are the major buyers of chart music. The ‘Music Store Card’ is an attempt to turn this filter into an amplifier.
What Filters and Amplifiers Mean to Your Marketing
Importantly, this way of thinking allows you to look at all of your marketing, online and offline, in a critical way to improve your response rates and your sales. Every time you look at any aspect of your business, ask yourself if this filters out customers you want to serve, or if you can amplify the target market by improving the process.
Perhaps you could send postcards or use leaflets instead of putting brochures in envelopes. Don’t insist on a customer’s life history before you will allow them to buy from you. Make your web site informative and easy to use, rather than slick, ‘cutting edge’ and hard to understand. If you are providing services, make it clear on your site where you are and the distance you will travel. Use local town and county names as keywords to filter out people who will never be able to buy from you, but to amplify the chance of attracting locals.
If you do this consistently, over time you will get your filters and amplifiers to attract profitable customers to you, not send them away to your competitors, never to return.
by: Mike Street
October 25, 2007
What Your Car Audio Can Teach You About Marketing
Why You Can't Do Without A Car Audio Crossover
I've heard the question asked many times before, 'Do I really need a crossover?' Without wasting any time I quickly answer, 'Yes you do'. Whether it's a passive crossover or an active crossover, your car audio system will never sound good without a crossover. I want to make myself very clear here, so before you get confused let's talk about what a car audio crossover is and why you need one.
A crossover is a filtering device which limits the frequencies that reach a speaker. It splits a music signal into separate frequency ranges and sends them to speakers that are designed to best reproduce each frequency range. For instance, only high frequencies would be sent to your tweeters, midrange to your mid range speakers, and lows to your subwoofer.
The passive crossover is very common. It's basically a capacitor or coil installed on the speaker leads between amplifier and speaker that stops certain frequencies from reaching a speaker. It's relatively inexpensive and easy to install.
But for your car stereo system to perform better and be efficient, you need an active crossover, also referred to as an electronic crossover. It is installed between your head unit or equalizer and your amplifiers. Your electronic crossover sends the proper frequency ranges to each amplifier. Some people run three separate amps: one for bass, one for mids and the other for highs.
Active crossovers are almost infinitely adjustable. You can vary the crossover points and adjust the level of separate speakers to achieve the best overall sound in your vehicle.
If you're serious about sound you must have a car audio crossover. Otherwise your system will sound terrible. Oh what a mess it will be when your subwoofer and mid-range speakers duplicate many of the same frequencies! How about when your mid-range speaker attempts to put out high notes that your tweeters are supposed to handle. Can you bear such grief? I can't.
And this is just the beginning of your sorrow and pain. Since low frequencies are being sent to your tweeters there will be distortion. As a result of this distortion your tweeters will be destroyed. Loud bass will eventually destroy your mid-range speakers as well. Now you've got to start from scratch and buy a new set of speakers, all because you started on the wrong footing.
by: Mantius Cazaubon
Planning A Car Audio System Installation
I've heard the question asked many times before, 'Do I really need a capacitor?' Before answering that question I ask, 'Do you have a high powered system?' 'Does it require sudden power bursts?' 'Is your amplifier being robbed of power?' If the answers to my questions are yes, make every effort to connect a capacitor to your car audio system.
A capacitor is a bit similar to your car battery; it stores electrical energy. But unlike a battery it doesn't produce its own power, it simply stores it. A car audio capacitor will help you get the most from your amplifier. It will store power for release on demand, delivering it to your amplifier just when it's needed.
Your car amplifier requires a lot of power to play loud music, especially when there's lots of heavy bass. Without a capacitor your amplifier will be robbed of power by parts like your lights, engine, and air conditioner.
So what happens when your car audio amplifier doesn't receive enough power?
A common occurrence is dimming lights. In such a situation the light will follow the beat of the music. The light will dim each time a heavy bass note sounds. If you were to turn off the lights, your car stereo system would suddenly sound louder and the music would be cleaner.
Your amplifier is simply trying to use more energy than the electrical system can supply. If a capacitor had been present there would have been enough energy to power your amp. That electrical energy would have already been stored.
When you want to reduce headlight dimming, improve bass response, and increase the power of your amp, a stiffening capacitor is a must. Equipped with capacitor and an adequate power supply, your system will get every bit of current it needs. Voltage drops will be a thing of the past.
With so many brands available online, it's easy to find a capacitor that meets your needs. You can choose from popular brands like Phoenix-Digital, Blitz-Audio, Kole-Audio, Pyramid, SoundStorm, Lanzar, Power-Acoustik, Pyle, Legacy, Nitro-BMW, SPL, and Volfenhag. No longer will your car amplifier be hungry for power.
by: Mantius Cazaubon
Planning A Car Audio System Installation
With such a wide range of components and gadget on the market for car audio systems, the big question is "Where do I start?"
First you must decide what exactly you wish to do. If you are wanting to build a car audio system for a daily driver (the car you drive back and forth to work) with good sounds, but you are not interested in competing, a system can easily be put together for under $1000. However, if you are looking for the all-out bass monster, be prepared to drop in some big bucks into your system.
One of the most important things to keep in mind when building a car audio system is planning. Get an idea of where you are going to place components, subwoofers, amplifiers, and power distribution. A lot of headache can be avoided with the proper planning!!
For the basic system, lets look at some of the components needed.
Let's first start with the head unit (CD player). Obviously you are going to want a nice head unit. If you start with a good quality cd player, and choose to upgrade your sound system in the future, purchase a head unit that will grow with you. Some of the features you may want to keep in mind are:
1. CD changer controls
2. XM / Sirius controls (if you decide to add Satellite radio in the future)
3. Dual RCA outputs (carries signal to the amplifiers)
4. Pause button (important for competing)
5. Detachable face, or other security devices
6. High voltage line driver - this will send the sound signal at a higher voltage to your amplifier/s reducing noise and improving overall sound quality.
After you have chosen your head unit, you will want to make a decision on amplifiers and subwoofers. Keep in mind that you get what you pay for. A $30 subwoofer will be as big as a $300 subwoofer, but the capacities of each will differ greatly. Look at the power handling of each subwoofer and decide accordingly. You will want subwoofers will work with your amplifier/s (see compatibility).
You must also keep in mind the available space in your vehicle. Are you willing to give up your entire cargo area? How many subwoofers will fit? Decide on the size. Sizes will vary from 8" up to 18", some are square (Kicker), but most are round. Also keep in mind the resistance (ohms) of the subwoofer and make sure they are compatible with your amplifier/s (see compatibility). The subwoofer decision will also have an effect on the enclosure you decide to build or buy. For the basic system, I would recommend purchasing a pre-fabricated subwoofer enclosure. This will save you a bit of money and headache (especially if you end up building it two or three times!!). Make sure you take accurate measurement of your cargo area before building or buying an enclosure!!
Other components may be needed depending on the type of system you are building and how elaborate you want your sound to be. For the competition vehicle, figure on upgrading your alternator, adding a battery to your system (maybe more), running high quality RCA cables, power cables, ground cables, and speaker cable. You may need to add a capacitor to provide your amplifier with a reservoir of power for bigger hits from the subs. You may need an electronic crossover, an equalizer, replacement factory speakers, an amplifier for your mid-range and tweeters, additional speakers within your vehicle for staging, etc.
By Will Reece
Should Cars Have High End Audio Cables?
For years it has been well understood in home audio that cables can have a tremendous impact on a sound system, both good and bad. Choose the right cables and you can expect a system to come to life. Choose poorly designed cables, and you may forever be wondering why you can’t get your system to come to life.
Car audio however, has been a different story. While many companies still offer coaxial interconnect cables, most have come to realize that the basic twisted pair design offers far better noise rejection in a vehicle. And then… Nothing. That’s it. Innovation seems to have hit a brick wall at the shielded twisted pair interconnect in car audio. This begs the question; Should Cars Have High End Audio Cables?
To begin with, let’s briefly go back to home audio. After many years of fighting an uphill battle, the idea that cables make a difference has become a mainstream ideology amongst audiophiles. But it isn’t just audiophiles who can hear the difference. In fact, in our own testing, the differences can be heard by just about anybody, even on very modest audio systems. It just takes a willingness to discard any preconceived notions and actually listen to some music.
So, if cables make a difference in home audio, is there a reason why it shouldn’t matter in car audio? The quick answer is no. The following outlines some of the reasons why cables matter just as much, if not more, in car audio.
- Cable Length – Longer Cables Generally Do More Sonic Damage
Many people are under the impression that car audio uses shorter cables than home audio, and therefore does not need to bother with high fidelity cables. This is completely incorrect. While the typical interconnect length in a home audio system is about 1 meter, vehicles will frequently use 5 or 6 meter interconnects to put amplifiers in the trunk. In terms of speaker cables, car audio almost always uses cables longer than the 6-8 feet used in most home audio setups.
- Environment – Cables Are Affected By Their Environment
Vehicles represent a far more challenging environment for cables than home audio systems. Two typical sources of noise in cables are Electro-Magnetic Interference (EMI) and Radio Frequency Interference (RFI). In vehicles, the entire chassis is frequently used as the ground return path. This allows noise from car components such as the alternator to be inducted into the audio cables via EMI. In terms of RFI, unless proper shielding is used, the longer cables in cars will act as antennas and pull in more noise. A third source of noise in a vehicle is vibration. This is of course far worse in a vehicle than in a home system. Pear Cable is the first company to bring out a car audio cable that virtually eliminates the noise caused by cable vibration. The TRIBODeadÔ technology present in the Comice Silver Interconnect is an electrically conductive plastic layer that prevents static electrical charges, caused by vibration, from building up in the cable.
- Is Quality Sound Just for Home Audio or does it have a Place in Car Audio Too?
Some people feel that a car audio sound system will never be as good as a home audio system, and therefore high fidelity cables are a waste of money in a car. This is a faulty conclusion. The experience of listening to music in your vehicle while driving down the highway is unique and cannot be replicated in the home audio environment. The bottom line here is that many people spend more time listening to their car audio system than their home system, and they want it to be the best that it can be. The characteristics of bad audio cables (listening fatigue, poor realism, overly bright treble, or general noise) will all still be audible in a car audio system. Just like home audio, the wrong cables in your vehicle will kill the listening experience.
At the end of the day, many people want quality sound in their vehicles. If you are installing an aftermarket system in your vehicle and you care about sound quality, you need to care about cables. If you are only interested in having the loudest car, without regards to accuracy, then high fidelity audio cables probably aren’t for you. Otherwise, it simply doesn’t make sense to shell out good money on amplifiers and speakers, only to hook it all up with mediocre wire. Car audio enthusiasts are every bit as serious as home audio enthusiasts, and now there is finally a cable company that is serious about serving their needs.
Adam Blake
Pear Cable, Inc.
by: Adam Blake
About Car Audio Brands - II
Panasonic have an extensive product range including CD, MP3, MD and cassette players, CD Changers and Packages on which they introduced the world’s first flip-out centre speaker. Panasonic also produce an excellent range of Audio Visual equipment such as DVD players and Widescreen Colour Monitors. If you wish you can turn your car into a mobile movie cinema with Panasonics range. Panasonic Car Audio recently released the lowest priced range of In-Dash CD Players & MP3 Players that enables you to have amazing value for money.
Philips manufactured the very popular RC-026 CD changer that has recently been replaced by the VDO CDC-026 CD changer model as VDO Car Audio has merged with Phillips car audio. The factory fitted radios that the RC-026 was compatible with are now compatible with the VDO CDC-026. The VDO unit has exactly the same robust and stylish design and features as the RC-026 but has a new VDO logo badge. See VOD below for more info...
Pioneer are one of the most recognised brands on the Car Audio Plus website. They offer a complete range of in-car products CD, MP3, MD & Cassette players, CD Packages, CD Changers, Amplifiers, Subwoofers, Speakers AV products and a large range of Navigation Systems. Pioneer Car Audio are the creator of the ‘Organic EL’ display technology found on their cutting-edge radios.
Road Angel radar/laser gps detectors are probably the most respected and reliable products to aid driving a modern car and a great way to protect your licence from hidden cameras. Road Angel do not condone excessive speeding but appreciate how easy it is to unintentionally exceed a speed limit and so released this range to protect you and other road users.
Road Angel radar/laser detectors have been specifically designed to operate at the most effective level possible, both in the UK and Europe using their unique revolutionary technology.
Sony along with Kenwood is one of the UK’s most popular brands of car audio products and are industry leaders in radio technology. Offering a superb range of stylish, high-performance products at very competitive prices. The comprehensive product range includes CD, MP3, MD & Cassette Players, CD Changers, CD Packages, Amplifiers, Subwoofers and Audio Visual that includes DVD players and Widescreen colour monitors.
Sony Car Audio are known worldwide for their X-Plod range of high-performance products that have sharp looks and offer a whole new listening experience. Sony's CDX-T69 CD Changer and their classic MDX-66XLP Mini Disc Changer are fully compatible with many Factory Fitted radios with the aid of a CD interface.
Taurus have shook up the car accessory market by innovating the first ever parking sensor commonly known as a reversing aid that does not use the conventional ultra-sonic type of sensors. Taurus Parking Sensors use a revolutionary Electro-Magnetic Technology that is 100% reliable and eliminates the need to drill your bumper that leave nasty looking sensors becoming the unexpected focal point of your car.
The Taurus T213 uses an adhesive antenna that sticks like glue to the inner side of your bumper providing an extremely responsive and reliable operation, alerting you via audible tones to the whereabouts of surrounding objects when parking or reversing. Will your car remain scratch-free without one?
Toad M3 provide you with a great range of mobile multi-media products for use in the car, that include Navigation Systems, TV and video packages and the latest in-car LCD monitors. Toad, are manufacturers of the very popular 'Video Traveller' fully portable VHS video system that includes a 5" TFT screen, VHS video player, twin speakers and comes in a portable carry case, that can be run off your vehicles cigarette lighter or the mains, and can be removed from any vehicle easily providing excellent security. Toad M3 also offer roof mount monitors and DVD players.
Vauxhall Compatible In-Dash Cassette, CD, MP3 Players and CD Changer packages are available from leading brand as trusted by many car manufacturers VDO. These very stylish radios are designed to be directly compatible with your Vauxhall dash display and steering wheel controls offering you a simple upgrade without the excessive dealer prices. Look our for the CR441XED, CD441XED, CD783 &. P6441CED.
VDO or Siemens VDO Trading is one of the leading service companies in the automotive aftermarket. Having recently merged with Phillips in-car electronics they are now using the VDO name and logo and have continued to manufacture the very popular RC-026 CD changer and have re-named it and re-badged it as the VDO CDC-026.
It's no-nonsense reliability, robust design, solid looks and ease of installation makes it a big hit with many car manufacturers and it is directly compatible with many Factory Fitted radios found in various Citroen, Fiat, Land Rover, Mitsubishi, Peugeot, Range Rover, Renault, Rover and Subaru models.
The VDO CDC-026 and its predecessor the RC-026 are both compatible with the Phillips aftermarket analogue range of products. VDO Dayton another product range under the Siemens VDO name also consist of CD changers that are also directly compatible with many factory fitted radios and the VDO Dayton aftermarket range of products. However the 2 brands are not compatible with each other, meaning you cannot interchange the two brands.
If the CDC-026 is good enough for Land Rover, Peugeot and Subaru then I can guarantee you, it will be a sound investment.
VDO Dayton offers a stylish range of in-car radio, Navigation and CD Changer products that meet current demands in safety and comfort. Drivers who use their products enjoy a seamless blend of high-performance navigation and hi-fidelity audio. The VDO systems give an elegant fusion of information, communications and entertainment in one intelligent system. VDO Dayton Car Audio manufacture the superb range of analogue and digital CD Changers that are recommended and fitted by Renault to work directly with their very popular Tuner List radio. Installation is a breeze as it is a seamless push-fit connection.
Visteon Corporation is one of the world's leading full service suppliers of premium quality automotive components and systems and are responsible for the superb Visteon 2080 CD changer that is one of the smallest CD changers available in the world. With its tasteful styling, robust compact design and shock resistant features you will experience hours of endless music from your favourite artists and all at the touch of a button.
The 2080 is recommended and fitted as standard by Ford and is compatible with the very popular Ford 4050, 5000, 6000, 7000 and VNR9000 radios found in the majority of Ford Cougar, Escort, Fiesta, Focus, Galaxy, KA, Maverick, Mondeo and Puma models.
If you have the 12-pin pre-installed CD lead in your boot or under your passenger seat that is an extra bonus as installation is made even easier. The changer connects by push-fit directly to the lead (where available) or to the rear of the radio. Fords investment in the Visteon 2080 cannot be wrong!
by: Ben Smith
About Car Audio Brands – I
Alpine has a strong reputation for offering high quality audio performance, from input to output, and offers you a distinguished acoustic performance and balance. Alpine boasts an extensive range of Audio, Navigation and Multi Media products including the much talked about PLAY LOUD ‘Bass Engine’ stereos, V amplifiers and ‘DVD Car Navi’ GPS Navigation systems. Other products include CD, MP3, MD & Cassette Players, CD Changers & Packages.
Alpine Car Audio are famous worldwide for their CD changer range that are without doubt the best aftermarket CD changers available anywhere. They are built to last! From the stylish robust casing to the high quality electronic components used inside they give skip-free, superb quality sound playback from CD, MP3 or, CD-R/RW (copied) discs. Their classic CHM-S630 '6 disc' changer is fully compatible with many Factory Fitted radios with the aid of a CD interface.
Autoleads are leaders for in-car audio accessories. Autoleads manufacture unique installation accessory products that are highly regarded within the motor industry, that offer the motorist greater flexibility when choosing and installing car audio equipment. Their product range includes Harness Adaptors, Fascia Adaptors, Steering Wheel Remote Control Adaptors and Telephone Mute Leads.
Becker is an industry leader at producing in-car Navigation systems, CD players and CD changers using pioneering technology. If you are attending important business meetings or looking forward to driving to your holiday destination, then Becker Car Audio has the product for you. A fascinating combination of a navigation system, CD player and RDS Tuner, in one unit, offering the latest information technology, which guides you to your destination anywhere in 18 European countries. As fitted by Mercedes Benz, Porsche, Land Rover, BMW, Ford, VW and Ferrari.
Blaupunkt known worldwide also as Blue Dot or Blue Spot are real innovators in the car audio field. In 1932 they produced the first ever car radio, and were also the first to introduce the stereo car radio, the car CD player and RDS car radio. More recently they have produced the Radio Phone and Dynamic Navigation Systems. Blaupunkt Car Audio have an excellent range of in-car products including CD, MP3, MD, Cassette players, and Navigation Systems. Their robust CDC-A03 CD Changer is compatible with many Factory Fitted Blaupunkt car radios.
Clarion have recently had great success with their award-winning in-car navigation systems and their DAB (Digital Audio broadcasting) system that are becoming more popular each month as more and more quality radio stations are launched. Clarion Car Audio also produce an excellent range of high quality Car Audio products including CD, MP3, MD and cassette players with the very popular Clarion DC628 CD Changer being directly compatible with many Factory Fitted car radios.
Connects 2 are a respected worldwide manufacturer and supplier of car audio installation and multi-media accessories. Their Connects 2 range boasts the very popular and unique range of CD, MD & MP3 changer interfaces that enable Factory Fitted radios to operate and control CD, MD & MP3 changers, offering you an alternative to expensive dealer CD changers.
Also in the range you will find radio harness, fascia and steering remote control adaptors that allow fast and seamless installation. New products in the range include multimedia interfaces and iPOD icelinks that connect Apple's iPOD to your factory radio giving you your very portable CD changer from MP3.
Grundig manufacture the MCD-46 CD changer, the choice of Fiat, Seat and Skoda that has a great reputation for its robust stylish design, compact size and ease of installation into any available space in your boot, under a seat or in your glove box.
The Grundig MCD-46 compact CD changer is recommended and fitted as standard by Fiat and is directly compatible with factory fitted radios as found in Fiat Brava, Bravo, Marea and Tipo models. It is also directly compatible with some SEAT and Skoda models with Grundig radios fitted as standard.
The Grundig MCD-46 is equipped with a high vibration resistance and is resistant to road impacts and vibrations.
JBL Whether you are looking to upgrade a factory sound system, or looking to build a world-class competition system, JBL car audio has got you covered. Amplifiers, subwoofers and loudspeakers. JBL speakers can be found in many US sporting arenas and restaurants such as Hard Rock Café and Planet Hollywood and are used on tour by many top music artists.
JVC continues the tradition of offering seamless mobile entertainment, with many variations in style and function for mobile entertainment. JVC Car Audio has the products to meet your lifestyle and is the Manufacturer of the much talked about EL CHAMELEON range of car radios. Their range of car audio is topped by their claim to make the smallest 12 Disc CD & MP3 Changers available in the world.
Kenwood along with Sony are probably the UK’s most popular brands of car audio and in-car entertainment products due to their comprehensive range, superb quality, excellent styling and competitive pricing. Creator of the world famous ‘MASK’ system, (now with removable security fascia) that has won high acclaim as an anti-theft system.
Kenwood Car Audio recently released radios that have variable colour illumination to co-ordinate with any dashboard lighting that you care to install it with. Kenwood have an excellent range of products including CD, MP3, MD & Cassette Players, CD Packages, CD Changers, Amplifiers, Subwoofers, Speakers, AV/DVD, plus many more. by: Ben Smith
Car Audio Mistakes
Choosing a new car audio system can be tricky business. Most people make many mistakes when choosing their car audio system. Below are the most frequent mistakes made my car owners in choosing a new system.
Many people just spend too much and in some cases go into debt. What can make this particular situation worse is that people go into debt for a system they realize they do not even like. First, figure out how much money there is available to spend. Then decide how much of the car audio system needs to be replaced. At this point plan a budget – how much can you afford to spend? Therefore you can locate system components in your price range. Deciding what is most important in the car audio system and plan to spend more on the important items. Going over budget is the first and most common mistake car audio system buyers make.
Another thing to consider is how much of the car is going to need to be modified for your potential choices. For example some speaker installation will require many modifications to be made to the car. Modifications will need to be made by a professional and therefore you will have to budget into the total cost of the car audio system parts as well as labor. Another car audio systems mistake is that the owner of the car does not think about the future. How long are you going to keep the car for? Will you sell the car with the new audio system or will you remove it before sale? Remember audio systems never increase the value of a car enough to balance what was spent on the audio system in the first place. Also, if you plan on remove the system before you sell the car that could be problematic. Having a radio and an audio system are high priorities when people are searching for a new car to buy.
When and for what do you use the car for? If the car sees a lot of use as well as wear and tear then buying higher quality components like speakers is a great idea. Understandably if you are spending more time in your car then at home you want to make sure it is as comfortable and entertaining as possible. However, if the car is only used for weekly shopping, low end parts are more appropriate.
Another car audio system mistake people make is choosing a system which is not appropriate for the type of music they listen too. This is probably the most important factor which should influence the choice of the right car audio system. If the music that you enjoy is strong bass beats then a high end power amplifier is needed. Also, subwoofers would also be a good choice. However, if your music choice is at the opposite end of the music range then you will need a different audio system setup. For example, if you listen to classical music or trendy pop music, you will need to get a car audio that has a strong speaker system that offer even play of the sound spectrum.
by: Sebastian Schneider
How To Select The Right Car Audio System
It is certainly difficult to imagine a car without an audio system in it. Certainly a car audio system is as important to any owner and the range available to choose from is just gigantic. Many car audio systems are comprised of many parts for example head units, amplifiers, speakers and an auxiliary input device and they all work together to complement each other and will not work on a stand alone basis.
The head unit is like the brain or central processing unit of a computer and through this unit it controls such things as tuning, volume, bass and equalizer etc. There are various types of head units out there, some which only allow you to play tapes, CDs or the radio, whilst others will provide you with a choice. There are some devices which can hold numerous CDs (a CD changer (usually held in the boot area of the vehicle)) and gives you the option to move between the CDs without having to take the CD out.
As for the speakers, which certainly a very important part of any car audio system as you do want to hear what is playing. Yet again there are many styles out there from say the cone version through the ribbon version, and each one has its own advantages and disadvantages (this is something you will need to look at more closely). At a later stage I will write an article relating to this area of the car audio system. Also where you place the speakers within your vehicle can make all the difference as well.
Next we come onto the amplifier, which allows the system to amplify or increase the signals from the unit to make them audible. You will find that there are various models of these also available from the mono, to the stereo right through to the multi-channel version.
When looking at purchasing a car audio system the ranges available start from the more basic style through to the very high end quality systems or if you want something a little more funky you can get that also. Although a basic system will not normally be too expensive and the sound quality is usually quite good, the components it is made of are only of a standard quality. Also when looking at a car audio system you need to decide on what it will be used for, say for example you decide you do not require a tape player but are after a CD player then it is better to spend your money investing in a good quality CD player rather than a cheap combination model (tape & CD player).
If you decide to purchase a basic system then only allow for front speakers and avoid getting rear ones.
The more advanced models that are now on the market are not only more compact in size, but may come with or without a remote control and various other features that you can not begin to comprehend.
However, you purchase at the end of the day will all depend on your budget and personal choice and whether you which to build your own unit or buy an system already for installation. You may find that many of the brandied name versions are more expensive, although they do come with a guarantee and are usually much easier to service. For such things as speakers it is always advisable to purchase speakers a reliable and tested manufacturer (don’t forget if the sound quality is bad, you’ve wasted money which can have easily been put forward to purchase a better set of speakers).by: Allison Thompson
Speakers For Our Car Audio System. Is Bigger Better?
You are now considering purchasing new speakers for your car and there are a number of things that should be thought about in order that you make the best choice possible. It is crucial that when looking to purchase speakers for your car you go with a clear idea and plan of what it is you intend to buy. It does not naturally follow that the bigger the speakers the better they are.
In fact you may find that when purchasing your speakers they may cost more than you intended and it is wise not to purchase ones which have numerous features which you won’t actually use. It is sensible to remember that the highest quality audio speakers available for your car will cost more than a lot of others, but in general these are worth the extra cost. However, if you do decide that big speakers are what you want then make sure the ones you purchase have a brand name that can be depended upon and ensure that they will provide you with crystal clear sound at all times.
Today there are 2 kinds of basic car stereo speakers available on the market and these are component or full range speakers. Both have their own pros and cons. However, if you are looking to replace the factory installed speakers already in your car with the minimum of fuss then you should no look no further than full range speakers (consisting of a tweeter and woofer, you may even find some come equipped with a midrange or super tweeter as well). These styles of speakers also come in a varying range of sizes and prices.
But then again as previously discussed if you are looking for bigger car speakers to install then you should be considering a component speaker set. Not only do component speakers give you the best possible sound quality for your money because of their superior design and each component has been specifically designed to complement each other. Certainly big speakers can be a part of any component system as long as you make sure that you have all the necessary components for their installation.
A component system is especially good for those people looking for a serious stereo speaker system for their car. This sound system will not only provide you with greater depth of sound but also a much realistic one as well. The exceptional dynamics and detailed sound provided by such a system is because of the higher standard of materials that have been used which will not normally be found in a full range speaker system.
However, when it comes to which are better, small or big car speakers, this cannot be easily answered. Even if you prefer to install big speakers in your car they will not always provide you with the best sound and you will soon see just how many different shapes and sizes of speakers there are now available. But rather than deciding on big or small speakers for your car it is much wiser to invest in a good quality car audio system instead.
by: Allison Thompson
October 21, 2007
Car Audio Subwoofers
Car Subwoofers are widely used by car owners and fans. However, a lot of people don't know what a subwoofers are and what do they do? Car Subwoofers are loudspeakers intended to generate the lowest frequencies, or bass end of the audible sound range. Car Subwoofers range from 4" in diameter all the way up to 36" meant for highly specialized scientific purposes. For the majority of consumer purposes however, sizes are pretty much consistent at 4, 5, 6, 6.5, 8, 10, 12, 15, and 18 inches, with the 6.5 to 12 inch sizes being the most used.
Because car subwoofers are specialized reproducers, their design maximizes their potential for generating the lowest frequency. Therefore they will have cones that are balanced in such a way as to promote the maximum back and forth motion, called XMAX. Middle frequencies have smaller cones and less excursion, or cone travel. Tweeters have cones, domes, or diaphragms that may seem almost motionless. Even so, they can produce sound in their frequency range that is just as powerful as their larger siblings.
Car Subwoofers cone must move in and out with the longest possible extension because sound waves get longer as they get lower in frequency. Current technology provides us with firm cone materials like Polypropylene, Carbon and Polymer Laminates that preserve their shape under stress, resist moisture, and are very light. The cone works as a piston to compress and alternatively evacuate large masses of air. To do this most effectively, the subwoofer must be connected to an amplifier that produces the high amplitude waveforms that can create this motion. Because such signals require substantial electrical power behind them to control the cone movement, the highest power available is needed strictly for bass reproduction.
Most car subwoofers are housed in a box (enclosures) to achieve their maximum audio power.
by SonicE
Setting up a Surround Sound Audio System for your Car
For decades now, car people have always pushed their car stereos to the limit in order to produce the best sound possible. Our grandparents' cars with their bulky and static-filled AM radios gave way to the FM broadcasts and cassette tape playing stereo's of our parents. Now, car manufacturers are going digital with the use of not only CD players but satellite radio with MP3 playing compatibility.
The latest and hottest growing trend in car audio now is the idea of surround sound speaker systems. The thought behind it is to have all the speakers in your car set up exactly like that surround sound audio system you have in your living room. There is a reason why everyone wants one in their car. It simply sounds incredible. Here is how you can go about bringing that movie theater sound experience into your daily ride to work.
One of the first goals to check off your list is find a stereo head unit which allows you to wire in a surround-sound processor. Since the processor will be digital, your head unit needs to supply a digital signal. You will also need fiber-optic cables. They are used to transmit digital signals between the components. If you previously purchased a nice head unit but it cannot supply digital signals, get a CD changer with fiber-optic connection. Connect the processor to the CD changer but remember that unit you will not get a surround-sound effect, if you play a CD. You can always select a surround-sound processor that converts RCA signals to digital.
Make sure your car is equipped with a high-end CD changer and/or DVD unit that plays the software that carries the surround-sound signals.
You should install a five-channel amplifier that can provide power for the front speakers, the rear speakers, and the subwoofers. Each corner of the car plus the subwoofers will be separate channels.
The center channel should have a 4- to 6-inch midrange speaker and a tweeter. This type of combination should be in its own enclosure and placed in the center portion of the car's dashboard.
You now need to install an amplifier to run the center-channel speakers. You can get away with a two-channel amplifier played bridged mono but have it contain an electronic crossover which can be outboard, or built in to the amplifiers.
You are now set to begin installing the speakers which will be in all four corners of the car. Some of the newer cars already have speaker locations work perfectly surround-sound setting. Older cars are a different story and will require a touch of imagination and some work. You'll need to add a tweeter high on the pillar at shoulder height, while a midrange speaker is used in the factory-made opening in the door.
Now that all of your speakers are in place, set the electronic crossover for the center channel. Don't play it at full range but opt instead for about 80 Hz and up for optimal sound quality.
Once everything has been installed, adjust the system to find the perfect fit of sound quality and volume for you. Play around with the amplifier gains and then the surround sound processor for any type of tweaks you may need.
by TL Kleban
How to Select a Car Amplifier
Usually shoppers will immediately look at the power output of an amplifier first. When considering the power, you should also consider the maximum impedance specified by the amp. Most classic amplifiers by the likes of Nakamichi, Alpine, Linear Power, Orion, Precision Power, Eclipse, and US Amps will be capable of 2 ohm and even 1 ohm operation in the case of class D subwoofer amps. But in the real world, you should compare the amp's output capability at 4 ohms. In the majority of installs, you will be building a 4 ohm setup. At one time, the names mentioned above and most other quality amps would only publish their specific output at RMS or continuous power ratings and never the maximum output. Unfortunately, due to the changing market place, almost all amplifier manufacturers publish the maximum output of their amps. Beware of this since it can be most misleading. Lets be honest, who cares what an amplifier can produce for a period of 1 millisecond? Published maximum output is really very misleading and near worthless to the installer. This is nothing but an advertising ploy to make the shopper think he is getting more power for his dollar spent. We want to compare the continuous output of an amp since it is a much better method of comparison and represents how your amp will be used.
The second subject to check is the "signal to noise ration" (SNR) of an amplifier. Obviously the higher this ratio, the better it is. Although this is not particularly important if searching for a subwoofer amp, it certainly should be a deciding factor in purchasing a good amp to drive your mids and tweeters.
The above two points will enable a shopper to match an amp to his new speakers but there are several other more general points to consider also. One such point is: does your car radio or source unit have a low-level output connection? This allows you to connect directly to the standard low-level inputs on your amp. If your head unit isn't so equipped, you'll need an amplifier with a high-level input. This high-level input enables you to connect your speaker wires from your head unit directly to the amp. There are adapters available if your selected amp doesn't have this feature, so don't let this point rule out an otherwise acceptable amplifier.
You should also consider your physical location for your install before shopping. Be sure you can secure your amp properly and that the location provides enough air circulation. Don't forget to measure the installation area to ensure you purchase an amplifier that will fit. Don't laugh, I've had more then a few customers over the years forget this basic requirement until it was too late.
If your amp will power two sets of speakers such as a component set in front and a coaxial or mids in the rear, I would recommend purchasing a four channel amp instead of a stereo amp. This will give you full fader control which will not be available if you split one stereo channel for two sets of speakers, front and rear. Sometimes your local installers will suggest going with multiple amps instead. Could the reason be that they desire to sell another amp and set of installation parts?
Another option to look for is built-in low-pass and high-pass crossovers. Finally, be sure your amp has a gain control. This is necessary to properly match your vehicle sound levels to your speakers when installed in your specific vehicle. This also allows you to purchase an amplifier that might be a bit larger or more powerful then your speakers with a view to expanding your system in the future. Going along with this thought, if purchasing a multi-channel amplifier, you should consider one capable of running at 2 ohms in case you ever decide to add a subwoofer at a later date. Spending a few dollars more up front can save you in the long run.
If you are looking for a subwoofer amplifier, look at the class-d amps on the market. These amps are specifically made to power the monster subwoofers available today. A good rule of thumb is to run an amp at 80% to 90% RMS of what your speakers or subwoofer is capable of. You'll get great performance and a long life from your amplifier.
On one additional note, if you are a do-it-yourselfer? Most often the problems that customers have had over the years have always been related to a bad ground or insufficient sized ground on their system. Most often the amplifier has simply been installed improperly. This has also happened in installs performed by so-called professionals.
Take this simple step if installing your first amplifier. Cut out a piece of plywood slightly larger then your amp. Cover the plywood with a piece of carpeting. Connect the amplifier to the plywood. Then bolt the plywood to the location within your vehicle without allowing the bolts on the amp to contact ANY steel within the vehicle (you may place a piece of carpeting under the plywood as well). At this point, your new amp is completely isolated from any steel surfaces on your vehicle. Now you connect a ground wire of the same size as your power wire to a good ground on your vehicle's frame. This simple and inexpensive step has saved many an installation.
Hopefully these few points will enable you to select an amplifier to properly power your new speakers or subwoofer.
Doc from Docswarehouse.com has been retailing car audio amplifiers, source units, speakers, subwoofers and video from the biggest names in car stereo for over a decade on the web. He makes it easy for the newbie as well as the experienced hobbiest to make the best possible decisions relating to car audio. Visit Doc's online outlet for the best car audio deals on the web. http://docswarehouse.com
by Dennis Estelle
What to Turn On to When Shopping for a Car Audio System
Now, true I make it sound like having a good car audio system is easy but it honestly isn't. You can spend a lot of money on a system that doesn't sound any better than stock if you're not careful. Sometimes getting the best sound out is more than just a matter of buying the best or most expensive components but instead is a combination of choosing the right pieces and then installing them correctly. For example, if you own a powerful amplifier, you better have the ability to send enough electrical current to it or else the end results will be very disappointing.
Here are a few other components you'll need to think about buying for the best sounds coming from your car audio system:
Automatic volume control - This feature is often referred to as a few different names depending on the manufacturer, but the overall idea is the same. A volume control system automatically adjusts the radio volume loud or quiet, depending on the vehicle's speed and the sound level of road and wind noise in the cabin. This is a pretty neat feature for anyone who commutes in traffic with lots of speed changes.
Large, well-spaced buttons - When shopping for a car stereo, pick one with large buttons versus small. The whole idea in operating a radio is to make it as easy as possible, and have it the least amount of distraction on the driver, keeping his attention on the road. Large buttons are easier to find and use than smaller ones. Find a car stereo with open spacing between the buttons too. This makes the stereo easier and safer to use too.
A juiced up power amp -If you can, buy a system with a good amp included. If not shop around for the best one you can find that is compatible to your system. Amps tend to blow speakers, not vice versa. You can tell a amp has a lot of power by turning the system above half volume and still hearing clear amplification. If the sound begins to distort and sounds funny that means it's running out of steam.
Separate tweeters - Tweeters are never a guarantee of quality sound, but systems with separate tweeters generally do sound better. Look around for tweeters that are well positioned or at least can be in your vehicle. A new trend is mounting the tweeters into the dash. The sound then fires up into the windshield and reflects into the cabin. It's a pretty creative approach that sounds great and looks better.
Separate subwoofer - Normally found in trucks, SUVs and luxury sedans, a separate subwoofer provides a great thump for your buck. A good sounding subwoofer also fills in the lower end other styles of music besides hip hop.
Volume limiting - Anyone that knows anything about car audio knows that distorted sound is the enemy of speakers. If turned up too high, even top-quality amplifiers can send sloppy signals to the speakers, causing them harm. Avoid this by shopping for a car audio system which limits the sound at a certain volume level. Simply put, a volume limiter let's you turn the volume up as much as you want but it won't go any louder. This is caused by an internal circuit preventing the amp from damaging speakers.
by Bill Healey
Things To Look For When Buying A Car Stereo Head Unit
There are so many car stereo head units on the market. How do you know what to choose? Let's take a look at some of the things you should look for when buying a head unit.
1. How user friendly is the head unit?
Your head unit must be user friendly. This is the part of your car stereo you will interact with the most so you must feel comfortable using it. Before buying one be sure to play around with it and see how easy and quick it is to change tracks on a CD, switch radio stations, and so on. Are the buttons too small? You need to be able to enjoy using your head unit.
2. How is the unit's power measured?
Pay close attention to power. Look out for models where the manufacturers exaggerate the unit's power. This malpractice is common among most manufacturers. Ensure that power is measures in RMS. Be very wary of terms like "music power" and "peak power". These terms mean nothing when it comes to measuring power.
3. Choosing between a cassette player and a CD player.
It's all about your personal preference. Do you use more cassettes than CDs? In that case you should probably go with a cassette player. Many of them give you the option of hooking up a CD changer. Your CD changer can be operated from your head unit.
The only problem with some CD changers is the fact that you may have to get to your trunk or under your seat to change CDs. With in-dash CD players everything is in reach and can be operated easily.
More and more people are using CDs these days. CDs have several advantages including better sound quality. Many of them can be hooked up to a CD changer as well.
4. Does the head unit include pre-amp outputs?
If you're serious about sound you wouldn't buy a head unit that doesn't come with pre-amp outputs. With these outputs, you can run an amplifier directly without any need for conversion. This output is the cleanest. Higher volt outputs are better as long as your amplifier or crossover can handle the voltage. For less noise choose 4 volts over 1-2 volts.
5. Is there a theft prevention scheme?
If theft protection is important to you buy a head unit that includes a theft prevention scheme. You can choose between a partially detachable and fully detachable face. Detaching the face of your head unit renders it useless. So this is obviously a great deterrent for thieves.
Kenwood has some models where the face flips around so the thief can't see the head unit.
Some head units like Eclipse's ESN system, require a reference CD when you first apply power to them. If it is stolen it is useless. You must have the reference CD for it to work. The only problem with this is that if the thief has no clue about this feature, your head unit would be stolen anyway. Your only hope would be if he foolishly takes it to Eclipse for repair. Eclipse would be able to verify that it was stolen.
Ordering your car stereo head unit online is quick and easy. Before buying your head unit be sure to check out some online reviews. Find out what customers like yourself think of the unit you want to buy. You can order one online today.
Article Content from: 123-Car-Reviews.com
by Roger Charles
