The BMW X5 Subwoofer Stereo System

If you are lucky enough to own a luxury sport utility vehicle, you might have chosen the BMW X5. Families enjoy the comfort, power and safety that comes equipped in every X5. Its all-wheel drive system can take you wherever you need to go in whatever road conditions the weather dishes up. No matter where you drive, be it to school to drop the kids off, shopping, or on long road trips, one feature of your X5 that is sure to get a lot of use is your car's outstanding audio system. An important part of that stereo system is the BMW subwoofer. An X5 subwoofer can make your digital audio files shine.

Speakers consist of several component parts, including the various drivers and crossovers contained in some type of speaker enclosure. There are usually three types of drivers involved, tweeters to pick up the high register frequencies that produce high-pitched sounds, woofers to take on the low frequencies and their resultant low-pitched sounds, and midrange drivers that excel in delivering all of the sound produced by the midrange signals. Crossovers divide the entire electronic signal recorded on your mp3 or CD into narrower frequencies to which the drivers have been designed to respond, so that you will be able to hear the full range of sound that is on the recorded media.

Subwoofers are drivers whose specialty is to deliver the low end of the sound scale, the bass and sub-bass sounds. You attach a subwoofer to your speaker to improve the low bass's resolution. Some of these sounds are so low that the human ear cannot hear them, but nevertheless humans can actually feel those sounds. You might have noticed this effect the last time you attended a live rock concert with a bassist performing.

These dynamic subwoofers are often installed in the back seat area or trunk of a car, such as your BMW X5. Care needs to be taken when turning the volume up when subwoofers are in action in your vehicle, because hearing loss can result from prolonged exposure at too high a volume.

Some people go for adding tactile transducers to their vehicles as well. When the low bass sounds go down so low that you cannot hear them, you can feel them, and that feeling is sensitized by the use of tactile transducers. They are connected to the seat in the car and the amplifier in the speaker. The sound coming from the driver is carried through the bones of your body and eventually up to your ears.

If you like rock music with a pounding bass line, or classical music that features tympani, then a BMW subwoofer audio upgrade might be in your car stereo's future.

The owner of custom audio shop, Wayne Hemricks favorite piece of car stereo equipment is the X5 subwoofer. BMW subwoofer installation is Wayne's specialty, he has completed many X5 subwoofer installations. He reports on the steady increase of BMW subwoofer installations.
By Wayne Hemrick

Car Audio Amplifiers - How To Select the Correct Amp for Your Vehicle

I’ve been selling car audio amplifiers online for over a decade now. Through the years, the single most often asked question is “how do I select an amplifier for my new speakers or subwoofer?”

Let’s try to de-mystify this selection process if we can. This information is presented to help the online-shopper make reasonable decisions. It is geared toward the published information that is generally available in most product descriptions on the web. Let’s face the facts, if you have been in the line of car audio for years and have completed several installs, you know what you are looking for. But many, if not most online shoppers are not that familiar with the finer points of car amplifier installations.

Many, who are new to car audio will first look for “US made” as a stamp of high quality. Although that might have been true when I first started out decades ago, it certainly isn’t a serious guideline anymore. Honestly speaking, even some of the most famous named amps, associated with good old American production are in reality developed and manufactured in the Far East today. You will be very hard pressed to find any car audio products made in the USA today. In addition if you do find that one out of fifty brands that might be assembled in the USA, you’ll choke at the price.

Most shoppers will purchase their speakers or subwoofers first and then go shopping for an amplifier. So you’ll have the recommended specifics in hand (for your speakers) as you start your amplifier search. This is definitely the suggested order if you desire to find a proper match.

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.

Hopefully these few points will enable you to select an amplifier to properly power your new speakers or subwoofer.By Dennis Estelle

Quality Car Accessories Parts For Your Car's Stereo System

Believe it or not but if you find the right car accessories parts dealing with audio and sound, you can transform your vehicle's sound system from a tiny beach radio to a bass-boosting fantastic music machine with sound so great you can hear when a pin drops. Today there are lots of sound accessories from a variety of brands such as Pioneer car accessories, iPod car accessories and many more that can turn this into a reality. Today you don't have to rely on a few CDs in your car's glove compartment and you are not stuck with the music your local radio station are playing either.

The iPod has developed to a multi-faceted digital audio system since its inception by Apple in 2001. This sound system has gone through different incarnations, from the Mini to the Shuffle model. The BMW was the first vehicle company to include iPod car accessories and technology in its vehicles. In 2005, Apple announced the expansion into other auto brands, such as Volkswagen, Honda, Volvo, Mercedes-Benz and others. Now, almost any car can be equipped with adaptors and interfaces to incorporate the use of an iPod.

Factory radio iPod interfaces can be bought through many online sites and car accessories parts stores that would allow you to use your own radio controls as controls for your iPod By connecting certain iPod vehicle accessories, thousands of songs can be downloaded and accessed through your own car music system. Quality interfaces from Panasonic, JVC, Sony and Pioneer can all be bought new or after market.

Another useful iPod vehicle accessory part is the iPod cup holder mount. This contraption fits conveniently in any standard cup holder and allows you to slide your iPod into a position that is easily accessible, thus avoiding it to slide across your dashboard or passenger seat while you drive.

If you're looking for an easier connection from your iPod to your vehicle's stereo system, there are a few options for you. The most frugal is a wireless FM transmitter. This transmitter attaches through the headphones jack of your iPod and broadcasts music over a localized FM band within your car. The changeableness of this item makes it possible to bring it from vehicle to vehicle no matter what the vehicle's radio capabilities are. The only necessity is that the radio can pick up a FM signal.

However, if you're looking for something a little more permanent for your car that also have a very clear and great sound, you don't have to look further than Pioneer. This vendor has several options available when it comes to audio car accessories. The Pioneer CD-ID100II model provides a connector between your iPod and whatever Pioneer audio system you've invested in. The connector also doubles as a charger for an iPod model. If you add some select Pioneer car accessories such as the TS-CX7 Surround Stereo Sound System, a high class SPL Subwoofer plus a Bluetooth Hands-free CD Tuner with iPod controls, then you'll have yourself the envy of all car sound systems.

I cannot see any reason to go for the ordinary and standard stock music systems that comes with your vehicle when you pick it up at the dealership. In the market of today you have a wide range of options all with great sound when it comes to car accessories. Vendors like Pioneer, iPod and others have sound systems for your vehicle in all price ranges. With a decent car sound system installed in you vehicle you can finally have the listening experience you deserve and if you are a music lover I would say it's a must to have it.
By Terry Bolton

Car insurance - how secure is your vehicle?

It would seem that car crime is on the decrease according to statistics released by the home office. Vehicle crime has dropped 51% since 1997, but when you consider the fact that this still equates to roughly 1.7 million vehicle thefts last year alone; we still have a long way to go.

The average person's risk of having their vehicle stolen currently resides at a figure of once in 107 years. This may mislead you into thinking your safe, but having your vehicle stolen just once in a lifetime can be a nightmare and something you should endeavour to avoid. Consider this; the older your car the easier and more likely it is to be stolen. In fact cars over 9 year's old account for two thirds of all vehicles stolen. New cars between the age of 0-3 years have much more sophisticated security systems. This shows direct correlation in theft statistics showing this age of car to account for only 11% of vehicles stolen.

A shocking 68% of vehicle crimes occur near the home, 43% on the street outside alone. So you can see this is still a very relevant and important topic.

The first thing we need to contend with is car insurance; the average claim for theft relating to possessions or loss of vehicle will increase your premium at renewal time and can prove to be a time consuming process. Anything you can do to prevent items being stolen from your vehicle and the vehicle itself will therefore safe you a lot of time and money. You should check the level of cover you have for items such as in car navigation and entertainment systems. You may find this is an area you need to take extra cover in; it is worth noting that some insurers can add a bolt-on for areas you are lacking cover in, allowing you to perfectly tailor your insurance.

If you have a classic car you should take special precaution and consider having it garaged and locked away when not in use. Cars over the age of 12 years are the easiest and most likely to be stolen, accounting for a theft rate of 22 cars stolen per 1000 vehicles registered. Specific classic car insurance is becoming easier to find and the good news is many companies are now setting up exclusive policies to cater for them.

So just what can you do to secure your car whether it is 1 year old, 10 or classic? To start with; make sure you secure windows, doors, sunroof and boot when you leave your car. This may seem like common sense but it is very easy to forget. You can make your vehicle immediately safer by having an immobiliser professionally installed. Ensure it is Thatcham or Sold Secure approved as this will help to decrease your car insurance premium. If you do not have an immobiliser and cannot afford the expense of having one fitted, a cheaper option can be to fit a steering wheel lock to help mechanically immobilise your vehicle. Something we may not always consider in relation to our car is the wheels themselves. If your vehicle has very expensive alloy wheels, especially relevant in classic cars; fit locking bolts where possible to prevent theft. They are relatively cheap to purchase and easy to fit, quickly ensuring your wheels are safe.

Moving on to the interior of the car and your possessions; ensure you don't leave any items in view. If you have a navigation system ensure you remove the cradle, especially if in the window and wipe off any suction cup marks. Mark any audio equipment to make it easier to trace if stolen. Also you can have your registration number etched on all windows and even headlamps as this could help the police recover your car in the event of it being stolen.

Finally, if you have a spare set of keys ensure you never leave them by the door or near a window in your home. This could make it very easy for a thief to steal your car if they gain access to your home. Indeed this is fast becoming a popular method amongst car thieves due to the advent of better security systems in cars.
by Chris Rowlands

Solving Car Air Conditioning Problems

Although many people regard car air conditioning units as a luxury, the truth is the majority of cars are now sold with air conditioning fitted at the factory. People travel for longer periods of time and personal comfort within a vehicle is becoming more and more important.

Unfortunately, many vehicle manufacturers don't include servicing your car air conditioning system in their standard maintenance programme, so it's important to know whether or not your car air conditioning unit is working normally, in order to avoid paying unnecessary and over-the-top fees for work and parts.

Probably one of the most common car air conditioning problems is that the car air conditioning unit installed in your car is not cooling the air properly.

Car air conditioning systems work by forcing the hotter air within a vehicle outside, thus lowering the inside temperature, cooling, drying, and clarifying the air in the process.

As time passes, the refrigerant used by car air conditioning systems diminishes by around 15% each year. During winter, when the car air conditioning unit is not being used, certain seals can dry out, causing the productivity of the air conditioning unit within the vehicle to gradually deteriorate, finally rendering it useless.

Luckily, this is more a frustrating problem than a serious one, and easily fixed by mobile auto repair and re-gas service companies , who can check for leakages and replenish refrigerant tanks quickly, easily, and affordably.

Another common car air conditioning problem is bacteria, which can build up when the air conditioning system within a motor car isn't being used very often. If left untreated, fungi and micro-organisms can make their homes behind the dashboard, the spores of which are believed to contribute significantly to "sick car syndrome".

Treatment by a SMART repair specialist can eliminate the growth and restore a fresh smell to the interior, in a relatively short amount of time and for a fraction of the price it would cost to replace the car air conditioning system within your vehicle.

Should you hear strange noises emanating from the air conditioning unit in your car, you should have it checked immediately.

A regular clicking sound may simply be the pump turning on and off. However, any sound that is irregular may indicate further damage to the car air conditioning compressor, which could cost in excessive of £500 in some cases!

By getting a trained vehicle air conditioning specialist to look at your car air conditioning system when you think you might have a problem, you can ensure that any damage is caught at the earliest stage and treated immediately, lowering costs and possible inconvenience in the near future.

Of course some car air conditioning problems are not real problems at all. Water dripping under the car is simply the draining of the evaporation from the car air conditioning unit and a standard feature, so nothing to worry about.

Sometimes, the tube for this evaporated water drain can get blocked, in which case the condensation remains in the evaporator and the car becomes excessively misty or the carpets damp.

Again, a SMART car repair technician will be able to fix the problem quickly and effectively.

Even smaller models of such well-known manufacturers including Mercedes and BMW can benefit from having an examination of their car air conditioning unit by a mobile auto repair and re-gas service company, should their drivers sense that something is not quite right.

By tending to your car air conditioning problems early, you can save yourself a lot of time, money and frustration!

By: Steven Magill

Top 10 Tips For Classic Car Restoration

Classic car restoration is one of the most rewarding activities a car enthusiast can perform. Transforming a "seemingly old car" back into a classic vehicle in all of its glory is nothing less than art.

While this is a very exciting activity a car owner must know how to properly evaluate the condition of a car and then establish the level of restoration to be performed to such vehicle. There are 4 levels of classic car restoration, each one should be applied individually depending on the kind of project, budget and purpose. These are the top 10 tips for those classic car aficionados who want to reverse the effects of 'the sands of time' on their vehicles:

1. Sit down, grab a piece of paper, a parts catalog which would be relevant to the model you want to restore and run some numbers within your budget. Never deviate from it, otherwise the results will be obvious.

2. Inspect your car very carefully, top to bottom, inside and out; use strong flashlights to inspect the trunk, the engine area, etc. This will help you see the kind of repairs needed to be done to this vehicle. If possible take it to a car shop where it could be lifted to take a good look at the condition from beneath. Here you will determine if a the restoration process is worth the time and money.

3. After inspecting the vehicle, it is also important to decide whether you have a 'solid' car which can be restored without replacing the entire frame, floor, axles, etc. It would amaze you how this step can save you major dollars (Euros, Yens, etc.). By 'solid car' we are inferring that the car structure should be strong, as well as the floor; a little rust can be repaired but a completely rusty car which has the entire frame compromised will eventually crumble.

4. Decide whether you want to work with a "friend who knows how to repair cars" or a professional. It is often recommended not to involve friends and family on such projects as the time and money invested on this process may cause some trouble if the right procedures are not followed. Cars restored by people other than professionals tend to run well for a couple of years and in some cases start to breakdown thereafter.

5. Have a car restoration professional run some numbers and make sure they match or are close to the numbers you ran on step 1.

6. Decide the level of car restoration:

* Driver restoration: is often performed to get a car back to a fully functional and operational condition, they often include part replacement and minor cosmetic adjustments.

* Street Show: this restoration level involves getting a car into a fully working condition and repairing all major cosmetic problems (body work is required). If judged by a professional it should fall within the 80-89 point range.

* Show Car: restoring a classic car back to this form often requires professional work, if judged by a professional, there restorations and labor quality will fall within the 90-95 point range.

* Concours: this is the highest level of car restoration possible. All the work should be done by professionals, from part replacement to body work. These type of cars are intended for auto shows or private collections and not to be driven. Obviously, the original car to be repaired must be in quite optimal condition to achieve this stage, otherwise a major investment is necessary.

7. Start the restoration process, if possible follow a 2 step procedure (part replacement and chassis adjustments). Visit the car shop as often as possible to make sure the right work is being done. If this is not possible then have your mechanic send you periodical picture updates through email.

8. After the part replacement process is done, visit the shop again to re-inspect the chassis repairs needed, if sheet metal patches are necessary then remember to document the places where they are to be applied.

9. When all major restorations are done run a close and detailed inspection just like it was done during the second step to make sure everything is OK. Take it for a ride and see if it works correctly.

10. Remember to give proper maintenance to your newly restored classic using all the recommended parts and products.

The trick to getting newly restored cars to last for a long time lies within the last step, if the vehicle is properly maintained, in time, it will become a valuable asset and a sure head turner
By: IC