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 thing, you may remember ''level'' has something to do with volume. If you're into car ...

I've updated my problem to reflect the current issues (may relate to previous problems) I'm having with my components. I'll list the problems that I, and others, have noticed: 1. The tweeters, even at -2db on the crossovers, are way too overpowering compared to the rest of the system. The balance just isn't there, and they still sound a bit too ...

I have done a lot of research on the polk momo mmc 6500 components.  I like them and would like to put them in my front doors.  I have the extended cab three door with out on star and a factory head unit.  I also plan on putting two decent subs under the back seat.  The box i have is a dual chamber.  each with .75 cubic ...

My brother-in-law knew that his car stereo sounded bad. He didn’t know why. He spends a lot of time, every day for his job, driving around town listening to classic rock radio. He came to me for help. “I’m willing to spend five hundred dollars to make it right,'' he said. ''What do I need, a better radio?” I gave it a listen. His stereo sounded ...

In the strictest sence of the terms an iPod can be made to use a loss-less sound format.  So the quality of the iPod playback will rely heavily on the users ability to transfer music without compressing the file size. Edit: Buying a CD and tranfering that to your iPod with the Apple LossLess format will provide CD quality results.  ...

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 of bi-amping.   If you’ve purchased a seven-channel home theater receiver in ...

I have decided to put a set of 6x9's in a set of boxes and mount them on the back panel in place of some 6.5's. My question is in the line of boxes should i fill them with poly fill, insert baffles, put dyno mat on the inside...anything for better sound quality other than amping them? suggestions and ideas are welcome and appreciated. Thank You.

The title pretty much says it all. I'm currently looking to update my truck's audio system, but I'm a bit out of the loop regarding car audio as I'm more in tune with Home Audio. I currently have an aftermarket Blaupunkt Cheyenne CM 42 receiver installed that was purchased in the early '90s along with a pair of JBL 4x6 oval speakers from the ...

Ok so these are the speakers and subs I have decided on: Sony GT1625A 6-1/2'' 2-way Speakers (for the front doors) Sony GT6935A 6''x9'' 3-way Speakers (for the rear deck) Pioneer TS-W252R 10'' 4-ohm Component Subwoofer All I need are some suggestions on a head unit, and amp for the sub and possibly amp for the speakers if ...

I was planning on getting component speakers for both the front and the rear, but your saying they won't sound as good as coaxials unless i amp them?  As for the sub i was going to get one that had the amp built in already.  I'm not really trying to go crazy with everything i just want the system to sound better than it does now because ...

I was looking to upgrade the audio system in my honda accord and replace the speakers and the head unit, while also adding a subwoofer.  I'm going to do the install myself using the factory wiring harness.  I was planning on replacing the two front door speakers with 6in components, and the two rear deck speakers with 6x9's while placing ...

I have a Dodge Ram reg cab with an Alpine CDA-9885 deck which is running the four factory speakers. I recently bought the pair of Infinity Kappa 693.7i 2 ohm (or 2.6 ohm, whatever) 6x9 speakers to replace the factory doors, and pair of Infinity Kappa 32.7CF 3.5'' 2 ohm speakers to put in the dash spots. There is no wiring to the dash as ...

In my last iTunes Tune-up post I talked about changing the import default to burn CD tracks at a much higher bitrate for better sound quality. Since that time, music I've added has sounded great. But what about all those songs I had already saved at 128kbps before I changed the setting? It wasn't possible to ''upscale'' those older iTunes files. ...

I recently had an opportunity to do some side-by-side comparisons of Shure's line of in-ear earbud headphones. But this post isn't about the headphones -- it's about the importance of sound file quality. We were doing the tests with an MP3 player, and listening to different kinds of music recorded at the standard 128Kbps. The Shure SE110s are ...

Hello,  Since January 2007 i started to spend some real money in car audio (untill then...just for home). By now,  already have some equip.and i feel that now is the time for the next step...  intend to make a fresh start with my own hands, but... for this i count with your wisdom and help (thanks in advance) to carry this ...

About 3 months ago I purchased a set of Alpine Type-S SPS-17C2, 50 Watt - 2-way - coaxial 6.5'' speakers (the box says 250 watts peak, 50 watts rms). Put them in my 96 4runner with an inexpensive panasonic head unit and they sounded better then stock. Tonight I hooked up an old Rockford Fosgate amp I had lying around (probably circa 2002).  ...

Hi, I have a Panasonic CQVD6503 (5 2v RCA outputs) hooked up to:   Pioneer GM-6500            Boston Acoustic SL95 and SL95 (speakers rated for 60w rms @ 4o, amp rated for 60wRMS x4 ...

A few years back, I upgraded my truck’s 2-way front speakers to a set of component speakers, powered by an amp (40 watts RMS per channel). The improvement in sound quality was quite noticeable. The sound field moved up, there was much better imaging of instruments and vocals, and details in the music came through like never before. You would have ...

I recently moved my iTunes library to an external hard drive. While it meant I could greatly expand the number of songs I could have in my library, the primary reason for the move was so I could upgrade the sound quality of the music I stored. iTunes automatically compresses songs as they're imported. Compression helps fit more songs into the ...

Help! Before I rip my car back apart, I'd like to be sure of what I am doing.  I have a 1993 Honda CIvic hatcback SI. The ''honda 2000'' radio's amp was dying and near dead. So last night I went out and got a Pioneer DEH 1900 MP and installed it. It was working fine, for a while. Now the sound cuts out after a bit. The speakers were ...