When an audio enthusiast goes shopping for an amplifier, the question of “how much power do I need?” comes up almost every time. There are a few factors to take into consideration when answering this question. This article looks at those factors and provides some technical background to help support your decision. Why Do We […]
Product Spotlight: AudioControl ACM Amplifiers
AudioControl has been very busy over the past few years developing new processors and amplifiers. At the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, AudioControl launched an entirely new series of micro-sized amplifiers designed to give enthusiasts amazing amplification performance from a compact package. While the amplifiers are small, they have the features and performance […]
What Is An MP3 File?
You cannot have talked about audio and computers any time in the last 15 years and not have heard of an MP3 file. MP3 audio files and websites, like the original Napster, started a shift in where, how and when people acquired music. If you are on the older end of the spectrum, like many […]
Amplifier Classes: Making Sense Out of Class AB and Class D Amps
Amplifiers have a very tough job. They have to take a very low voltage signal and increase it in amplitude so it can drive a speaker. In this transformation, we expect the signal to remain pure – no distortion or no noise should be added. We also want significant amounts of power to drive our […]
Acoustic Suspension Subwoofer Enclosures Explained
Enclosure, box or cabinet: Whatever you want to call them, where you install your speaker or subwoofer is critically important to their resulting performance. In this article, we focus on the simplest and most forgiving of enclosures to design and construct – the acoustic suspension or sealed enclosure. The Laws of Physics There are a […]
The Importance of Proper Cables and Wiring
Installing mobile electronics systems is not as easy as it used to be. In the “good old days,” cars were made from thick metal and didn’t have many electrical components. Modern vehicle construction makes use of the thinnest, lightest materials possible. These body panels are held together with non-conductive adhesives, and it seems that every […]
Car Audio Installation – The Good, Better, Best Approach
Installing mobile electronics in a vehicle is a balance of technical skill and creativity. From the seemingly simple task of connecting wires to the creation of a custom amp rack or subwoofer enclosure, each task requires the car audio installation technician to call upon many different skills. When it comes to installing audio gear in […]
Radar and Laser Speed Detection Systems
Do you like to drive fast? Do you find yourself cruising at speeds above the posted limit? If you are one of these people and the local laws allow it, you may want to consider purchasing a radar detector and laser defuser system. This article looks at the solutions available and the features and benefits […]
What You Get When You Spend More Money On Speakers
Among the most under-appreciated components in any audio system are the speakers. You could be using the best source unit on the planet, an amazing amplifier, and the most esoteric of interconnects and speaker cables – but if you don’t have great speakers, you still won’t have great sound. Your speakers are the only link […]
Rear Seat Entertainment Systems For Most Needs and Budgets
Kids and road trips: an amazing combination of excitement, energy and, if the drive is long, boredom. Playing I Spy or 20 Questions, or looking for license plates from all the states and provinces, is fun for a little while, but those classic road games won’t last forever. What if your kids could watch their […]