It’s time to look at the input stage of how a modern car audio amplifier works. The input stage is responsible for interfacing with your radio and provides features like the gain control, crossovers, bass boost, remote level control and signal summing that your installer will use to make your stereo system sound great and […]
Car Audio
2014 GMC Sierra Radio Upgrade for Redwood City Client
One of our long-time customers referred the owner of this 2014 GMC Sierra to California Car Sounds and Tint for a radio upgrade. The client had already done a great deal of research to find out what options were available for his truck. The Alpine Restyle X009-GM kit is unlike another other solution in the […]
Why Can’t I Turn the Volume on My Factory Radio All the Way Up?
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 […]
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! […]