As we continue our look at how at how car audio amplifiers work, we need to discuss what has become the most popular design on the market today: amplifiers that use a Class D output stage. In audiophile realms, Class D designs often carry an unfavorable reputation. Do their drawbacks outweigh their benefits? Let’s have […]
Is Turning Up the Bass on Your Car Stereo a Good Idea?
If there’s one thing that can add emotion and excitement to your music, it’s adding a little more bass. Bass frequencies, especially those below 80 Hz, can be felt as much as heard at a higher volume level. The tingling in your amps and vibration in your back make a night at a club, your […]
Tools of the Trade – The Oscilloscope
Our series of articles on what tools are important to test and configure a car audio system upgrade moves on to the oscilloscope. Tools like digital voltmeters, real-time audio analyzers and, of course, hand tools such as screwdrivers, side cutters, wire strippers and a socket set each have their place and importance. When it comes […]
HID versus LED Headlight Bulb Upgrades – Which Is best?
When it comes to safe driving at night, upgrading the headlights in your car or truck with HID or LED bulbs can make a dramatic difference in your ability to see long distances. Dozens of articles and videos on the Internet compare the two technologies. Piecing together information from all of them and wading through […]
Understanding Specifications: Operating Voltage Tolerances and Protection Circuits
To close out our series of educational articles on amplifier specifications, we are going to talk about operating voltage limits and, by association, the protection circuits built into a car audio amplifier. In the good old days of electrical systems that were composed of an alternator, battery, switches and a couple of relays, delivering a […]
