When it comes to bang-for-the-buck upgrades to any audio system, none can beat the dramatic difference of adding a subwoofer. Factory audio systems are getting pretty good at producing a soundstage in front of the listener, and they are EQed well enough not to be painful to enjoy – but one thing they all have […]
Owatonna Nissan Versa Gets Great Sound, Improved Safety and Security
Chad from Owatonna brought his 2008 Nissan Versa to the vehicle improvement professionals here at Sweet Sounds to get some much-needed enhancements for the safety, security, convenience and sound in his vehicle. It all starts off with a Alpine double DIN in dash navigation radio. Alpine has long been known for great sound, and the […]
Passive Vs Active Crossover Networks
To optimize the performance capabilities of a speaker, it should operate within the frequency range for which it was designed. A woofer or subwoofer won’t be able to reproduce high frequencies accurately. A tweeter will self-destruct if you ask it to try to play bass frequencies. For this reason, we use three- and four-way speaker […]
Are Single or Dual Voice Coil Subwoofers Better?
When it comes to buying subwoofers, a lot of people have questions or make assumptions about the benefits and drawbacks of single voice coil and dual voice coil versions. Understanding the differences between them requires a slightly enhanced understanding of how an amplifier works. We cover both topics in this article. How an Amplifier Works […]
What Is Signal-to-Noise Ratio, and Why Does It Matter?
Most people understand the importance of amplifier power specifications. In most cases, more power is a good thing, that is, until you reach the thermal or suspension limits of the speakers you are using. One specification that is also very important in a mobile electronics amplifier, processor or source unit is Signal-to-Noise Ratio. In this […]
Choosing Speakers for Your Car: Components or Coaxials?
Developing a speaker requires that the designer and engineer balance many different aspects, such as the application, cost and desired performance level of the end product. For the consumer, navigating the thousands of different speaker offerings on the market can be difficult. Two speakers can measure similarly regarding efficiency, power handling and frequency response, but […]
The Importance of Proper Car Audio Speaker Installation
The speakers in your mobile entertainment system are one of the most critical components in determining how your system sounds. If you choose poorly designed speakers that have distortion issues from poor cone, suspension or motor design, no amount of signal processing can make your system sound great. The methods used to install your speakers […]
Awesome 1983 Chevy Camaro Audio Upgrades for LeCenter Clients
John and Bernadette came in for a 1983 Chevy Camaro audio upgrade in their beautiful car. The original equipment was well past its prime and the sound was lacking everywhere. We designed a complete audio overhaul, starting with an Alpine in-dash source unit that includes Sirius XM satellite radio so they get CD-quality radio anywhere […]
Your Amplifier’s Gain Control Is Not A Volume Control
For decades, car audio enthusiasts have been fiddling around with the gain control on their amplifiers in hopes of “getting more out of them.” Many professional installers have scientific, repeatable processes in place to ensure these controls are set to provide the maximum performance and reliability from your audio system. Let’s look at the most […]
Yamaha Golf Cart Audio System for Tee It Up for the Troops Charity Event
In support of the 6th annual Tee It Up for the Troops – Mankato, MN, charity golf event held on August 29, 2016, at the Mankato Golf Club, we created this golf cart audio system. This golf event benefits many veteran organizations in our area, and we were pleased to help out this year. We […]