In the fall of 1982, Billy Joel’s 52nd Street was among the first 50 albums released as consumer-available compact discs. It had been only about four years since digital recording equipment was introduced to studios. This marked a revolutionary change in how consumers would buy their music. It was the dawn of an all-digital era, […]
Car Audio
Will a Car Audio Speaker Upgrade Make My Stereo Louder?
Speakers are, by a long way, the most influential component in any audio system when defining performance or quality. Low-quality speakers, or those without specific technologies, can’t match the clarity levels of premium solutions. In addition, many music enthusiasts want their car audio systems to play louder than what’s possible with factory-installed equipment. After all, […]
Line Output Converter – Stand-Alone or Amp Built-In?
Adding an amplifier to your car stereo is a great way to improve its performance. If the amp is going to power speakers, you should be able to listen to your music at higher volume levels without worrying about clipping distortion. Of course, we all know that one of the best upgrades you can make […]
Another Reason to Test a New Car Radio Before Purchasing
Though it only seems like last year, our 2019 article about the importance of test-driving a new car radio before buying is suddenly more important than ever. So let’s review some key factors and discuss a few new things you ought to test before purchasing a new radio for your car or truck. Test the […]
Why Might My Car Audio System Need an Amplifier?
Unlike a home audio system, you can listen to your car audio system as loudly as you want while driving to work or school. Sure, the folks beside you at a stoplight might laugh as bit as you’re rocking out to “Bohemian Rhapsody,” but that’s their problem, not yours! If you want your music to […]
Is Your New Car or Truck Missing Features or Technologies?
It should come as no surprise that supply chain issues have wreaked havoc on the automotive industry. From the need to shut down production facilities to shipping vehicles with missing features or components, automakers’ inability to get the parts they need has changed the new vehicle buying experience. While the aftermarket can’t supply a body […]
Five Questions to Ask When Shopping for Automotive Window Tint
Shopping for high-quality window tint for your car or truck isn’t much different from shopping for any other automotive accessory upgrade. There are high-performance tint films available and low-cost solutions. Some shops are great at what they do, and some only worry about taking your money and getting you out the door. Here are five […]
How Many Amplifier Channels Does My Car Audio System Need?
If you’ve been paying attention to the car audio industry over the last decade, you know that the number of discrete channels available from quality amplifiers has increased steadily. Some better brands now have solutions with as many as 12 channels. So let’s consider why you might want more amplifier channels in your car audio […]
Modern Vehicle Electronics and Water Damage
Water and road salt are known to wreak havoc on the body and underpinnings of our cars and trucks in the winter. Even living near the ocean, where salt levels are high, can accelerate the rusting process. In this article, with some help from the automotive electronic experts at Motron Automotive Electronics in London, Ontario, […]
What Is a Car Audio Stiffening Capacitor?
Since the 1980s, car audio enthusiasts have been using large-value capacitors to improve the performance of their car audio systems. Aside from people believing that distortion damages speakers, few topics are as misunderstood as the benefit of adding a high-quality capacitor to your car stereo. So, let’s take a look at what a capacitor is, […]