In the ’80s and ’90s, the target demographic at a car stereo shop was men ages 18 to 24. Guys would work to upgrade their cars with subwoofers, pull-out CD players and lots of speakers in hopes of having the loudest audio systems in their group of friends. Not coincidentally, during that time magazines ran […]
Product Spotlight: Sony Mobile ES XS-690ES and XS-680ES Speakers
Consumer reception of the new Sony Mobile ES speakers has been incredible. These solutions were designed to offer benchmark performance at very accessible price points. A while back, we looked at the 6.5-inch component set and coaxial speakers. In this BestCarAudio.com spotlight, we’ll check out the features of the XS690ES 6-by-9 and the XS-680ES 6-by-8-inch […]
Subwoofers and Amplifiers – Let’s Talk About Ohms and Loads
A few weeks ago, we were browsing a few car audio related Facebook groups and Reddit subreddits. We saw the same question come up time after time: “I have two dual 2-ohm voice coil subs; how do I show the amp a 1-ohm load to make max power?” It wasn’t just once or twice that […]
Product Spotlight: Sony Mobile ES XS-160ES and XS-162ES Speakers
In the first week of May 2021, Sony Electronics introduced its new Mobile ES series of speakers and subwoofers. If you’ve been into the car audio industry for a while, then you’ll recognize the Mobile ES (Elevated Standard) name from classic products like the CDX-X90 CD player. The new Mobile ES speakers include 6.5-inch coaxial […]
A Detailed Look at the Speaker and Subwoofer Xmax Specification
For car audio enthusiasts who’ve invested time studying the Thiele/Small parameters of speakers and subwoofers, you’ll know there is a specification called Xmax. This variable, typically expressed in millimeters or inches, is intended to describe the one-way excursion capability of the driver. Put another way, it’s the distance the cone can move forward or rearward […]
A Close Look at Class-D Car Audio Amplifier Efficiency
For car audio enthusiasts, especially those interested in competing in SPL competitions, amplifier efficiency should be one of their primary concerns. In this first of three articles on efficiency, we take a close look at the Rockford Fosgate M5-1000X1 Class-D subwoofer amp and analyze how well it makes use of power at different output levels. […]
Product Spotlight: Firstech FT-DAS II Security Sensor
A laptop bag in the back seat, a smartphone in the center console or shopping bags in the rear of an SUV – each is the perfect temptation for a thief. In seconds, items you’ve spent your hard-earned money to acquire are gone forever. Protecting your vehicle with a premium car alarm that includes the […]
Do All Car Audio Amplifiers Double Their Power When Loaded Down?
If you’ve been around the car audio scene for a few decades, then you’ll recall a time when almost all amplifiers doubled their output power when the load impedance was halved. For example, an amplifier might have been rated to produce 75 watts per channel into a 4-ohm load and 150 watts into a 2-ohm […]
Car Audio Myths – You Can’t Ground a Car Audio Amplifier to the Battery
It’s time to dispel another unsubstantiated car audio myth! This time, we’re talking about claiming that you can’t ground an amplifier directly to the battery in a vehicle. Perhaps it would add to the clarity of the statement to say that many inexperienced installers think the ground wire for the amp has to go to […]
Product Spotlight: Momento IC6 Infrared Camera
Having a dashcam system like the Momento M6 (MD-6200) or M7 (MD-7200) installed in your vehicle is the best way to protect yourself from fraudulent accident claims. If you drive for Uber, Lyft or a taxi company, or operate a school bus or an airport shuttle, you’ll want video of what happens in the vehicle. […]
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