Use & Enjoy Your A/V Gear : amplifier

Tech Terms Demystified: Impedance

Ralph — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:37:00 GMT

Impedance is one of those tech terms whose meaning is just close enough to its general definition to cause some confusion. In everyday language, an impedance is a hindrance — an obstacle to be overcome. Electrically, impedance is a neutral term...(read more)

Top Down Sound, Part 4: Equalizing the audio system in a convertible

Charlie — Wed, 27 May 2009 17:23:00 GMT

Jeff and I meet at the Crutchfield Research Bay for the final system tuneup. In the last installment , we set the crossover points and adjusted the gain structure in the Sebring's system. Now, we've borrowed an AudioControl Real Time Analyzer...(read more)

Top Down Sound, Part 3: Tuning up the audio system in a convertible

Charlie — Mon, 18 May 2009 16:24:00 GMT

In Part 2 , we ripped my Sebring apart to install a high-performance audio system. Since then, I've been playing lots of music over my system in the last two weeks, and I spend a little time in my garage every night making adjustments. I've got...(read more)

Top Down Sound, Part 2: Installing an audio system in a convertible

Charlie — Mon, 11 May 2009 19:21:00 GMT

The big day has arrived. In the first installment , we planned out the system for my convertible. Now we'll take a long look at the installation process. A system of this magnitude is completely out of my league, so I turn to Ben and Wayne, two ace...(read more)

Better car audio, Tip #10: Use a capacitor if you're going to push your subs hard

Jim R — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:26:00 GMT

They didn't have subwoofers in mind when they built your vehicle. Big bass sucks up a lot of power, and most car electrical systems aren't equipped to deal with it. A capacitor acts as a buffer between your amps and your car's battery. You connect the...(read more)

Better car audio, Tip #7: Set your amp gains properly

Jim R — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 14:56:00 GMT

Most people think the gain control on their new amplifier is a volume control. But it actually adjusts the amount of input signal coming into the amplifier. Crank it up too high, and you'll hear some nasty distortion. Here's the general idea when setting...(read more)

Tech Terms Demystified: Relating Gain to Level and Volume

Gabrielle — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:29:00 GMT

Gain, Level, Volume...aren't they the same thing? Everybody knows a volume control makes your music louder (or quieter), so why do there seem to be so many different ways to describe it? If you're used to dubbing, or if making mixtape cassettes was your...(read more)

Celebrate the humble fuse

Gabrielle — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 12:21:00 GMT

Electricity is an integral part of our society — we can't do without it, and yet, our ability to safely utilize it rests primarily with a marvelous little invention called the fuse. Made of two metal contacts, bridged by a wire or strip of metal inside...(read more)

My Top 10 Car Audio Myths

Charlie — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:16:00 GMT

1) I don't need a subwoofer because I never listen to loud music, just classical and jazz. Subwoofers go great with heavy metal, rap, and other types of high-impact music, but they're not just for people who like to turn it up. In fact, a well-tuned subwoofer...(read more)

Are you sitting on a wealth of untapped power?

DaveB — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 20:02:00 GMT

In my last post , I discussed the concept of bi-wiring. Although bi-wiring doesn’t increase the amount of power going to a pair of speakers many folks I’ve spoken with felt there’s a noticeable improvement in sound quality. That brings us to the subject...(read more)

Car Stereos: RMS vs. Peak Power

Charlie — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 14:05:00 GMT

It's always made sense to use RMS power ratings, and not peak power ratings, when shopping for car stereos. That’s because the RMS rating is a more accurate measure of a receiver's "real-world" power, especially when compared to an outboard amplifier...(read more)

How to tune a car sound system, Part 3: Adding a 4-channel amp

Buck P — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 19:55:00 GMT

Adding a 4-channel amp to your car stereo system — two channels to run the front speakers and two channels to run the rear speakers — not only raises the sound level, but also greatly increases the sound quality of your music. This is how I'd tune it...(read more)

My perfect in-dash receiver

KenSpike — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 18:20:00 GMT

Over the years I've had a lot of different car stereos. But each time I'm ready to get a new one, it's harder to choose. There are plenty of good models out there, and they all do a good job on the basics. Where it gets hard is finding a model that has...(read more)

How to tune a car sound system, Part 2: Adding Bass

Buck P — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 20:13:00 GMT

You had your car stereo sounding pretty good. But then you noticed that something was missing. You had enough volume and clarity, but no real bass. You like the hit in the gut you get from a real live kick drum, and you want the same thing from your car...(read more)