Whether the sound system in your car or truck is bone stock or upgraded with premium amplifiers, speakers and subwoofers, the system’s maximum volume may not directly coincide with turning the knob up all the way. The short and sweet of why this happens is something called gain overlap. This conscious and deliberate design decision […]
Car Audio
Santa Clara Client Gets Apple CarPlay Added to 2012 Ford F-150
A repeat client from Santa Clara had fallen in love with Apple CarPlay after we installed it in another vehicle of his, and wanted to add it to his 2012 Ford F-150. The ease of use when driving had really become apparent from using the CarPlay smartphone integration, and it was now a must-have for […]
How Does a Car Audio Amplifier Work – The Power Supply
We’ve talked about car audio amplifier features and specifications at great length, but up to this point, we haven’t discussed how a car audio amplifier works. In this article, we’ll provide a simple overview of how the power supply in your mobile amplifier can take the 12 volts supplied by your electrical system and convert […]
Product Spotlight: Morel Virtus Nano 3-way
When it comes to car speaker upgrades that don’t take up much space, the Morel Virtus Nano 3-way kits from California Car Sounds and Tint in Campbell are the best option available. The Virtus Nano 603 and Virtus Nano 603 carbon include a set of ultra-thin MW6 or MW6C 6.5-inch woofers, a pair of CDM600 […]
Understanding Specifications: Car Audio Amplifier Distortion
As we slowly approach the end of our latest Understanding Specifications series, we want to take a look at car audio amplifier distortion ratings and explain what they mean. We should make it clear: No matter how or good or bad a piece of audio equipment is, every audio component adds some amount of distortion […]
Product Spotlight: Alpine PWD-X5
If you live near San Jose and are looking for an easy way to upgrade the stereo in your vehicle, drop by California Car Sounds and Tint and ask about the Alpine PWD-X5. The PWD-X5 is a powered subwoofer system that is unlike any other on the market, thanks to its five-channel amplifier. Read on […]
Why Car Audio System Setup and Tuning Are Important
Unlike buying and setting up a basic home audio system, having a new amplifier and speakers installed in your car or truck requires proper setup and tuning. At home, you can adjust the placement of the speakers and how much they are toed in to affect the focus of the soundstage and the bass response. […]
Product Spotlight: Sony XAV-AX7000
Sony car audio continues to introduce new multimedia receivers with features that everyone, from the car audio enthusiast to the daily commuter, loves. The latest addition is the double-DIN XAV-AX7000 that features a new 6.95-inch bright touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration and Sony’s High Power 45 watts-per-channel RMS amplifier for amazing sound! […]
Understanding Specifications: Car Audio Amplifier Stereo Separation
We’re back in the lab and working on a few more articles about amplifier specifications in order to wrap up this series. This time, we’re going to talk about the amplifier stereo separation specification. In a nutshell, the stereo separation, or crosstalk, number tells us how much of an audio signal leaks from one channel […]
Understanding the Basics of Digital Audio Files
If you are in your late 40s or older, then you likely grew up with a turntable or tape player in your home as a way of listening to store-bought music. Between 1982 and 1983, the compact disc entered the market and forever changed the way music was stored and transported. In this article, we […]