Car Audio Equalizer

For most of us, a car audio system is nothing more than a device that plays our favorite music. However, our car audio systems are complex mechanisms. They consist of several small units. One unit of a good car audio system is the equalizer. It would be interesting to know more about the equalizer in a car audio system.

Understanding the Equalizer

A car audio equalizer can be defined as a high fidelity audio control. The equalizer enables the user to control different frequency bands in an audio system. The user can also see graphically or digitally (depending on the equalizer design) these sound frequencies with the help of the equalizer.

A regular car audio equalizer includes several audio filters or amplifiers. Each audio filter is centered on a particular frequency in the audio range.

The user can then decide which frequencies need to be boosted and which need to be turned down. This requires a level of skill. But you can try it out and see what works and what doesn’t.

Now, that you can tweak the frequencies to change the sound doesn’t mean you should do that with every CD you insert. This should actually be done only when you’re setting up, upgrading or tuning/retuning your car audio system.

It is always good to have an equalizer for your car audio system for several reasons. The most important advantage is a great improvement in sound quality. The audio quality is enhanced.

There are several types of equalizers. Most equalizers include both high and low pass filters for all inputs. However, whichever you choose will make a difference in your car audio system if used correctly.

If you don’t know how to use it and are not patient enough to learn or willing to get a professional, then you’d better leave it off. You can actually mess up your car audio if you don’t do it right.

Performance Teknique ICBM

February 4, 2007

The hills are alive with the sound of music……..hmmm. That’s a really great song. But you know what? In addition to being a great song, it also stands true. 100% true. Anyone who understands music will vouch for that. If you are not someone who can live on music, you’d rather stop reading now because this article is meant for those car lovers who also moonlight as music lovers.

The high that you get when you are one with your car and your favorite singer is speaking to you, only to you, is something unique and totally natural. For those of you who want this desperately, there is something that you can do to heighten the pleasure.

Before you get any fancy ideas, this is strictly music related. We are talking about AMPLIFIERS. Getting the right set will change the way your system streams out music. It totally cranks up your resolution and the clarity is pure heaven. We give you the star in this category.

The Performance Teknique ICBM-Monster is exactly that-a monster which will take you to St. Peter’s gate and back. It has a power of 6000 watts with a 24 db crossover slope. Its variable low pass filter between 35Hz-250 Hz increases the sound quality and its bass is totally amazing such that you can feel it in your pulse. With double sided PCB and RCA line output, this is one of the killers which you can get for yourself for $900-very well spent if you ask us.

Well go on, treat your ears to the joy of pure music. You owe them .

Kenwood systems 2006

Watch movies, play games, listen to CDs, DVDs, MP3 or WMA files all on one touch screen enabled 7" video screen. Connect external video screens or music players to extend the power of this In-Dash DVD player to all passengers in your vehicle. No matter what you watch or listen to it will look and sound great, thanks to the built in amplifier and comprehensive sound controls right at your fingertips.

[Features]

• DVD/CD player with built-in amplifier (22 watts RMS/50 peak x 4 channels)
• motorized, retractable 7" LCD video screen with touchscreen controls and six selectable backgrounds
• direct touchscreen selection of DVD menu items
• detachable control panel
• plays DVDs, DVD-Rs, DVD-RWs, CDs, CD-Rs, CD-RWs, Video CDs, JPEG images, and MP3/WMA discs
• System Q Sound Control
• System E's+ Advanced Crossover system
• Installer Memory saves audio settings when battery is disconnected
• XM and SIRIUS Satellite Radio-ready (you can add satellite radio for under $100, plus subscription)
• compatible with Kenwood HD Radio tuner
• compatible with Kenwood's iPod control interface
• CD changer controls
• two audio/video inputs
• rear-view camera input
• input for Kenwood navigation system
• TV tuner controls
• audio/video output
• dual-zone capability
• front, rear, and subwoofer preamp outputs
• CR-2 AM/FM tuner
• 18 FM/6 AM presets
• wireless remote
• DVD signal-to-noise ratio: 98 dB
• FM sensitivity: 9.3 dBf
• warranty: 1 year
• Want more peace of mind? Extended Service Plans Available
• designed for use with "Region 1" coded DVDs

Car Audio Wiring

Car Audio Wiring

A significant part of your entire car audio system consists of just wires. There are all kinds of cables and wires involved in installing a car audio system. You have power wires, speaker wires, amplifier cables, power capacitors, and what not. It is always better to be equipped with at least the basics before you go in for car audio installation.

The power wire is an important part of the amplifier installation. Select the proper gauge and fusing. A proper gauge prevents the amplifier from being choked off by the size limitations of the wire. Choose power wires with lots of strands, so that they are easier to install and don't break while passing through the numerous corners of the car. The jacket of the wire should be of a material, which can resist chemicals like oil and battery acids, which can wreak havoc on substandard wires.

You can go for wires with large number of strands for the car audio speaker wires. The jacket is not that important in this case, because the speaker is not placed in regions where it could encounter chemicals, as in the case of power wires. Oxygen free copper wiring is always recommended for car audio speaker wires. The size of the speaker wiring depends on the power going in to your speakers and the total length between the amplifier and the speakers.

Signal cables are otherwise known as RCA cables and assume importance for their noise rejection properties. Try and go in for a quality RCA cable, which would ensure trouble free performance in the long run. It is recommended that you go in for "twisted pair" cables. They are better at noise reduction. Needless to say, the quality of wires connecting car audio power capacitors and batteries should also be good.

One can find extensive information on car audio wiring by visiting online resources on the subject. Perhaps car audio professionals are best placed to offer you great advice on car audio wiring.

Auto tuning

Car audio installation is a fairly specialized job, requiring at least some knowledge about the basics of car designs and electronics. The final audio output depends to a large extent on good installation. You may buy the best equipment, but if it is not properly installed, then the result will be poor. The entire set up consisting of wires, amplifiers, alternators, and speakers would have to be perfectly set up for that great audio effect.

Speaker location is perhaps the most important part of setting up your car audio. Determining where you are going to place your speakers is the first step you have to take. The designs of cars are such that the listener isn't placed perfectly in middle of the two speakers. What we mean to say is that the distance between the left speaker and the left ear is not the same as the right ear and the right speaker, which is a traditional audio setup. You can easily avoid this problem by making the distance between the left and right as little as possible. Some people try to place an extra speaker on the dashboard. The problem with this is that this speaker on the dashboard rips the sound into two, making for unpleasant hearing. You can try placing the audio in different locations around the car and arrive at the proper configuration for your speakers. Another mistake which commonly occurs is that people tend to go for looks rather than the sound, when it comes to car audio. Try to listen, rather than look. Some unlikely places inside your car may be the best for placing speakers.

Choosing the location of subwoofers and amplifiers is relatively easy. You can place them where you feel they will look good. One thing to keep in mind, though, is that different equipment may interfere with each other, if improperly placed. The next step is the wiring part, which is equally important. The thing with laying cables is to buy the correct cable keeping in view the capacity of the amplifier and speakers. Next in line is the installation of the head unit and amplifiers. Once you install them, you have to select the correct type of speaker enclosure. Although the choice is yours, you can try different types of enclosures and choose one which gives the best audio output. A final fine tuning, preferably with professional help and your car audio installation is done.