Clear Vibrations

Quakertown, PA's Mobile Enhancement Headquarters

550 California Road Suite 7
Quakertown, PA 18951
267-227-3875
  • Home
  • Services
    • Car Audio
    • Custom Installation
    • Driver Safety
    • Fleet Services
    • Remote Car Starters
  • About Us
    • Work for Clear Vibrations
  • Reviews
  • Locations
  • Contact Us
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Does the Power Your Car Audio Amplifier Produces Really Matter?

Amplifier Power

Did you know that a difference of 20 watts of power between one car audio amplifier and another might be completely inaudible? That same 20-watt difference might mean having to keep your windows rolled up on the highway to hear your music. Let’s look at the physics of reproducing sound with moving-coil loudspeakers and why choosing an amplifier with a few watts more than another may be significant or irrelevant.

Car Audio Speakers and Amplifier Power

If you look at a typical higher-end 6.5-inch coaxial car audio speaker, you’ll find that it has an efficiency rating of 86 dB when driven with 1 watt of power and measured at a distance of 1 meter. If the reference is 2.83 V, then that’s 2 watts into a 4-ohm driver, and the efficiency number will be 3 dB higher at 89 dB. If it’s a 2-ohm driver with a 2.83V spec, then that’s 4 watts, and they will add another 3 dB. Aren’t specification games fun?

The first takeaway from this is that it takes a doubling of your amplifier’s power to increase a speaker’s output by 3 dB. At the same time, halving the power reduces the output by the same 3 dB. If you only need 80 dB of output, then our 86 dB efficient speaker will only need 0.25 watt of power to reach that level.

Amplifier Power
Power required for specific output levels relative to an 86 dB SPL 1W/1M speaker.

Scenario 1 – Deck Power and Door Speakers

Suppose you have a modest audio system that is made up of a typical aftermarket radio and a pair of equally typical door speakers. Most radios can produce about 20 watts of output per channel, and we’ll use our 89 dB example speakers (though now we have two of them, so the pair will produce 92 dB when each is powered with 1 watt). With 20 watts of power on tap, the system should produce just a smidge over 104 dB of output. Of course, this assumes that the speakers increase the output linearly for every doubling of power. At 20 watts, especially if they are reproducing bass frequencies, you are likely near their upper limit.

What if we switch the radio to a high-power unit like the Sony XAV-AX7000 that can produce 45 watts of power per channel? Now, assuming the speakers can handle the extra power, the system will produce about 107.5 dB of output. That extra 25 watts increases how loudly our music will play by 3.5 decibels. It doesn’t sound like a lot, but it would be audible.

Amplifier Power
Sony’s High-Power head units use an amplifier to produce an honest 45 watts of power per channel.

Scenario 2 – Small Subwoofer Amplifier Versus Large

In our second example, let’s look at the higher power levels involved with driving a subwoofer. Say we have a Rockford Fosgate amplifier capable of producing 1,000 watts of power. Considering the transfer function of the typical vehicle interior, a pair of 10-inch subwoofers in a vented enclosure might have an efficiency of about 101 dB at 40 Hz when each is driven with 1 watt. When we increase the power to the subs to 500 watts each, the system should produce 128 decibels of output. That’s pretty darned loud! Keeping in mind that we need to double or half the power level to produce a change of 3 dB, what happens when we pick an amplifier that can produce 1,050 watts or that same increase of 25 watts to each subwoofer? Well, the system will play 0.21 decibel louder. While you might be able to measure that with a Term-Lab SPL system, it’s unlikely you can hear that small of an increase.

Amplifier Power
The ARC Audio X2 1100.1 subwoofer amplifier is conservatively rated to produce 1,100 watts of power in a 1-ohm load.
Amplifier Power
The T1000-1bdCP monoblock amp from Rockford Fosgate can deliver 1,000 watts of power into a 1- or 2-ohm load.
Amplifier Power
For those looking for a subwoofer amplifier that can deliver 1,000 watts of power into a 1- or 2-ohm load, check out the Hertz ML Power 1.
Amplifier Power
The M ONE X from Helix has a power rating of 1,030 watts into a 1-ohm load.
Amplifier Power
The Voce Uno from Audison is a Class-AB amplifier that can deliver up to 1,700 watts of power into a 1-ohm load.

Looking at Power Specifications Using Decibel-Watts

While most of us are used to seeing the decibel unit used in the context of measuring volume levels, it can be applied to a variety of electrical applications. If you take a close look at the power measurements in any of the BestCarAudio.com Test Drive Reviews, you’ll see we list watts and a number called dBW, or decibel-watts. The unit dBW refers to decibels referenced to one watt of power. As such, if the amp produced 1 watt of power, it would be rated at 0 dBW, or no increase or decrease relative to 1 watt. If it made 8 watts, then it would be rated at 9 dBW. One hundred watts is 20 dBW, and 1,000 watts is 30 dBW.

Suppose your speakers or subwoofers can handle the power in terms of thermal capacity and cone excursion capability. In that case, you can add the dBW number to the 1-watt efficiency number of the speaker to estimate how loudly it will play. Of course, no midrange speaker is going to able to deal with 200 watts of power, and a subwoofer isn’t going to increase its output linearly when driven with 10,000 watts.

Backtracking for a moment, to provide some clarity, when we use an RTA or SPL meter to measure a sound source’s volume level, we measure dB SPL. Similar to the way that the decibel watt (dBW) references 1 watt of power, the dB SPL unit references 20 micropascals or, 0 dB. A sound level of 20 micropascals is considered the lowest hearing threshold of a young, healthy ear. Of course, if we can measure this pressure (20 micropascals), then 0 dB isn’t absolute silence or a vacuum. It’s just a reference level. In the same way, 0.25 watt is -6 dBW; it’s possible to have negative SPL numbers or a room that’s quieter than 0 dB. Microsoft built an anechoic test chamber that has a noise level of -20.35 dB SPL, or 20.35 decibels quieter than 0 dB. It’s said that the sound that air particles create from bumping into one another in a still room is -23 dB SPL.

Amplifier Power
The anechoic chamber in Microsoft’s Building B87 is the quietest room on earth, with a background noise level of -20.23 dB SPL.

When Watts Matter and When They Don’t

Let’s take all this information and put it into use. If you’re shopping for a new radio, then one that produces 45 watts is going to provide an audible improvement over one that produces only 20 watts. If you are shopping for an amplifier for your speakers, a 75-watt and a 100-watt amp will only increase output by just over 1 dB. If one subwoofer amplifier produces 25 watts more than one that makes 750 watts, the difference is only 0.14 dB. The best way to think of amplifiers is by ranking them as small, medium and large. A small stand-alone speaker amplifier would be 50 watts per channel. A large one would be 100-125 watts. A small sub amp would be 250-300 watts, a medium would be 600-800 watts, and a large would be 1,200-2,500 watts. Worrying about whether the amp makes 1,150 or 1,175 watts (a difference of 0.09 dBW) is a waste of time.

When it’s time to upgrade your car audio system with a new high-power radio or an amplifier, drop by your local specialty mobile enhancement retailer and ask to audition several options on the same set of speakers or subwoofers and the same source unit. This is the best way to determine which solution offers the least distortion and most accurate sound. Just a reminder, don’t get hung up on a few watts – that’s truly the least of your worries.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Filed Under: ARTICLES, Car Audio, RESOURCE LIBRARY

Your Installer Can’t Tune Out Distortion with a DSP

Distortion DSP

No matter how hard he or she tries, the installer who’s calibrating your car audio system can’t use a digital signal processor to tune distortion out of your system. We aren’t talking about the harmonic distortion that happens when a signal overloads the processor or an amplifier’s input stage. Preventing clipping is a simple process and one that’s fundamental to completing an amplifier installation. Every part of the audio chain – from the source unit and processor to the amplifier, speakers and subwoofer — adds (hopefully) small amounts of unwanted high-frequency information from harmonic distortion and lower-frequency products from intermodulation distortion to the audio signal. While that seems like a mouthful, it’s time to take a look at the big picture and how product selection affects the performance of your audio system.

Defining a Goal for Your Car Stereo

You don’t need to be an audiophile or “audio snob” to appreciate the benefits of combining amazing products with proper system design, installation and calibration. The difference that clarity and output capability offered by well-designed speakers and proper installation deliver, as compared to low- to mid-quality speakers, is easily discernable by even the most amateur music enthusiasts.

Here’s the first step. Find a song you like. Choose something you’ve listened to many times and really enjoy. Now, play it on your smartphone with the phone sitting on your kitchen table. Turn it up fairly loud. Now connect your phone to a Bluetooth speaker like a JBL Charge 4 or something similar. Listen to that same track again, and more particularly, listen for the differences in the way it sounds. Chances are, you’re going to hear a lot more midbass and drums, and other bass instruments will now start to stand out in the mix.

If you have a good home audio or home theater system, listen again at a similar volume level. If that audio system has a subwoofer, chances are the bass information will have more low-frequency extension, and voices and other midrange instruments will sound clearer. If you don’t have a good home audio system, ask a friend if you can listen to it on their system. Now you have a basic idea of how better audio systems change the way your music sounds.

The last step is to head to a local specialty car audio retailer and ask to audition the song in one of their demo vehicles. If the audio system is designed, installed and calibrated properly, you should hear the music laid out in front of you in what’s called a soundstage. The car or truck’s dashboard should recreate the space where the performers in the recording were situated in the recording studio or on the stage. The balance of the bass to midbass, midrange and high-frequency information should be smooth, and nothing should stand out. It should sound as though you’re sitting at the console of the recording studio.

Distortion DSP
A properly designed and calibrated car audio system will create a virtual soundstage that spans the vehicle’s width and beyond.

Let’s Talk about Audio Clarity

Clarity, as defined by the Oxford Dictionary, refers to “the quality of transparency or purity.” Think of a photograph for a second. If you take a photo with a kid’s Fisher-Price camera and the same image with a Sony α9 II with a prime FE 50 F1.2 GM lens, the difference in the detail and color accuracy will be readily apparent. This is why high-end cameras exist – to capture a scene or moment with improved clarity.

Distortion DSP
A high-resolution photo of a waterfall by Connor Wilkins.
Distortion DSP
This is an example of what can happen if you haven’t used a quality camera to capture the same scene.

Look carefully at the two photos above. The sharpness in the leaves is gone in the lower photo. The detail in the water droplets and the texture in the rocks have been lost. The color balance and the exposure of the images are completely different. Once the accuracy of the original experience is gone, it can’t be restored.

When you’re listening to music, clarity works the same way. The balance between the instruments and performers in the recording was determined by the recording and mastering engineers. That mix was referenced to the monitor speakers and the system calibration in the studio control room. That’s as “accurate” as that song will ever get. Moreover, what each performer or instrument sounds like in the recording studio or on the stage isn’t the reference for accuracy. The front row center seat or the “sweet spot” in an auditorium isn’t the reference either. The recording engineer hears what each of the microphones picks up after they are all combined together and processed. If your audio system isn’t calibrated the same way, or your equipment adds moderate levels of distortion, you don’t hear the same sound. It might still be nice, but it isn’t technically accurate.

What Is Distortion?

Almost everyone who has even a passing interest in car audio equipment thinks that distortion only happens when you overload a component in the audio system. If you ask someone to “draw” distortion, they’ll draw a clipped sine wave. This is an extreme example but isn’t wrong.

Distortion DSP
This is what most audio enthusiasts think about if you were to ask them to “draw” distortion.

In reality, every time we pass an audio signal through an electronic device, (hopefully) small amounts of harmonic and intermodulation distortion are added to the signal. If you were to compare the shape of the original and audio waveform and the signal going to your speakers on an oscilloscope, they’d look very similar to one another. The reality is, small amounts of unwanted information have been added to the experience. Second-, third-, fourth- and maybe fifth-order harmonics, along with the product of multiple sounds being played simultaneously, add themselves to your music.

It’s time for an example. I downloaded a recording of a triangle and imported it into Adobe Audition. I copied the signal from the left channel to the right to ensure that I was dealing with exactly the same content. Then I locked the left channel and applied the distortion processing built into Audition to only the right channel.

Distortion DSP
Spectrographic analysis of a triangle with time along the X-axis, frequency along the Y-axis and the brighter yellow representing intensity.

If you look closely at the lower spectrogram, you can see that there are more purple lines running horizontally between the 1,650 and 4,570 Hz fundamental frequencies. That’s added unwanted distortion. Let’s look at it another way.

Distortion DSP
Frequency response of our original and slightly distorted recording of a triangle.

In the image above, you can clearly see the original recording in green and the unwanted content at 1,244, 2,064, 2,891, 3,299, 6,223 and other higher frequencies that have been added in the blue trace. Those are sounds that weren’t in the original performance or recording. That’s distortion.

Can’t My Installer Tune Out Those Frequencies?

I’ve heard people say that adding a digital signal processor (DSP) to a car audio system is a good way to tune out distortion. Sadly, that’s not how they work. The main goal of the processor is to calibrate the output of each speaker in the system to compensate for frequency response issues caused by the vehicle environment.

In our example, we have two frequencies to deal with in the original recording. If this were the only piece of “music” played on the system, then your technician could EQ out the unwanted information. The problem is that different instruments cover different frequency ranges. If you fix the sound of this triangle, you ruin the sound of an electric guitar, piano or violin. The only way to get rid of it is to prevent your audio system from adding it.

Choose High-Performance Car Audio Equipment

You can read any of more than 30 articles on BestCarAudio.com that explain what to look for when shopping for or comparing source units, amplifiers, speakers, signal processors and subwoofers. For electronics, signal-to-noise ratio and Total Harmonic Distortion and Noise are the numbers to check out. Be sure the SNR is compliant with the CTA-2006-C standard, lest you be fooled by inflated peak-power ratings. Since no car audio companies publish distortion graphs for their speakers or subwoofers, you have to look for features like aluminum shorting rings, flat spiders and copper T-yoke caps, or motor designs like eXtreme BL Linearity (XBL^2) or an underhung voice coil design that reduces distortion. Keep in mind that the latter two include some drawbacks along with their benefits.

What’s perhaps the best experience of all is auditioning products under controlled conditions. You CAN hear the difference between good and great sounding head units, amplifiers and speakers. Before you rush out and buy a deal you saw online or guess at the quality of a product you’ve heard about from a friend, drop by a few local specialty mobile enhancement retailers and audition the components you intend to add to your car audio system. Ask them about the product features and designs that improve their performance. Then find out if they have the tools and training to integrate everything into your vehicle and calibrate the system properly with a DSP. It seems like a lot of work, and it is, but it’s worth every second when your music sounds amazing.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Filed Under: ARTICLES, Car Audio, RESOURCE LIBRARY

Car Audio Amplifier Remote Level and Bass Boost Controls

Remote Level Control

Look at any of the top car audio subwoofer amplifier models available from specialty retailers. You’ll find that most include an option for a remote level control or bass boost function. Being able to fine-tune the output of your subwoofer system is great for those times when you want to rock out to an amazing song or calm things down so you can talk to a passenger easily. This article will look at how the subwoofer level controls on source units, digital signal processors and car audio subwoofer amplifiers work.

You Can’t Get More than Full Power

Before we dive into the different adjustment options, consider that the maximum output you’ll get from your subwoofer system depends on the excursion capability of the sub and the maximum power available from your amplifier. You can’t get more bass by increasing the signal to the amplifier when it’s already optimized to make maximum power at full volume. With that said, you can get to full power sooner and increase the amount of bass relative to the midrange and high-frequency speakers in the vehicle. Remember that you may need to limit how high you turn the volume control on the radio if this is how your system is configured.

Remote Level Control
Many source units are configured so that the subwoofer (green) and front/rear (blue) preamp outputs have the same maximum voltage.
Remote Level Control
Some source units allow you to increase the subwoofer preamp signal’s output so that the output would clip if the volume is raised too high.

Think of your subwoofer system like the engine in your car. Once you’ve put your foot to the floor and the engine is making as much power as it can, there’s no way to get more power without some significant modifications to the vehicle. If you want more bass than is being produced by your car audio system, return to the retailer that installed the system and talk to them. You may need more subwoofers, larger subwoofers, a different enclosure, a more powerful amplifier or some combination of these items.

Subwoofer Level Controls in Car Audio Source Units

Almost every source unit on the market with electronic crossovers also includes a subwoofer level control function. This control adjusts the level on the subwoofer preamp output RCAs relative to the level on the front and rear RCAs. These source units are configured to work two ways.

The first example we’ll look at is configured the same as the Sony XAV-AX7000 that the BestCarAudio.com team reviewed here. In the subwoofer adjustment menu, when the level is set to 0, the subwoofer output level is the same as that of the front and rear preamp outputs. If you increase the subwoofer level to 10, the output on the sub preamp output increases. This configuration results in you reaching the maximum output capability of the subwoofer preamp outputs with the volume control set to 38 instead of 49. Turning the volume up higher will produce distortion on the sub preamp output. You can also turn the output down to -10 if you find there is too much bass. Lowering the signal has no adverse effect on the outputs.

Remote Level Control
With one press of a button, you can access the audio adjustment menu in the Sony XAV-AX7000 to adjust the bass level.

Other companies configure their subwoofer level controls on a scale of 0 to 10 or 0 to 20. Though the labeling varies from brand to brand and potentially model to model, setting the output level to its highest setting would result in the preamp output being maximized without distortion when the volume is maximized. This configuration prevents the outputs from distorting when the volume is cranked. In an ideal world, the radio’s sub output adjustment labeling would be something more akin to -10 to 0.

Remote Level Control
The Kenwood DNX997XR includes a subwoofer level control to let you fine-tune the bass level in your car audio system.

Level Controls in Digital Signal Processors

Just as with a source unit, there’s an upper limit to how much voltage can be produced on a digital signal processor’s output. If the DSP is built into an amplifier, maximum output is determined by the voltage and current capabilities and the impedance of the subwoofer(s) connected to the amp. If your system uses a stand-alone processor, then it can likely produce 5 or 8 volts of signal on the RCA output jacks. Most signal processors include a subwoofer level option that can be adjusted with one of their optional remote controls. As a key part of the system calibration process, the technician working on your audio system will need to ensure that the signal remains clean and undistorted when the volume is maximized.

A unique option that ARC Audio includes in its PS8, PSM and PS8 PRO series signal processors is a configurable level control. When the optional LR1 remote is added, your technician can configure which channels it affects and by how much. If you want the LR1 to act as a sub control, it can be assigned to adjust over a range of -20 to 0 dB and be configured to work with the outputs that feed the sub amplifier. The software configurability means that this remote could also serve as a master volume control for the entire system, as a center channel level control or rear-fill speaker level adjustment.

Remote Level Control
The optional LR1 can be configured as a subwoofer level control in a typical car audio system.
Remote Level Control
The LR1 can also be configured to adjust the output level of a set of wakeboard tower speakers in a marine audio system.
Remote Level Control
The LR1 remote level control is compatible with all ARC Audio processors, and its function can be configured in the DSP software.

Issues with Adjusting Subwoofer Output Level

Some digital signal processors offer a bass EQ control aside from their graphic or parametric equalizer. These adjustments are more likely to be found in processors that are compatible with the Maestro AR to integrate directly with factory-installed source units. In most of these cases, the bass EQ is a shelf filter that adds a specific amount of boost below a configurable frequency.

Remote Level Control
Some signal processors can apply an adjustable low-pass shelf filter to act as a bass adjustment.

There is a problem with adjusting bass output this way. Suppose your audio system is calibrated to a target response curve, and the crossovers are set properly. In that case, the point at which the subwoofer’s output crosses over with the midbass driver’s output should be at the -6 dB point to sum flat in terms of phase and frequency. If you turn the bass up, that crossover point changes. This mismatch can result in some bass frequencies sounding as though they are coming from the front of the vehicle and some from the back.

Remote Level Control
Changing the subwoofer’s output level relative to that of the midbass drivers can affect the way the crossovers behave.

In reality, applying the shelf control shown earlier to both the subwoofer and the midbass drivers maintains this phase and amplitude relationship, so your audio system sounds its best.

Bass Boost Versus Subwoofer Level Control

Many subwoofer amplifiers include a bass boost control. These are typically a narrow-band equalizer circuit that’s centered around 45 or 50 Hz. Some entry amplifiers have a switch that adds 6 or 12 dB of boost at this frequency, while others have an adjustment potentiometer that allows for a variable amount of boost, usually up to 12 or 15 dB.

Remote Level Control
One of the most widely recognized bass boost controls is the Punch EQ found on Rockford Fosgate car audio amplifiers.

Fancier amplifiers add frequency and Q-factor adjustments to the boost level control to allow your installer to fine-tune the system further. Used gently, these adjustments can add some low-frequency emphasis to a sealed subwoofer enclosure to make it more fun.

Remote Level Control
The Kicker KXA1200.1 includes the Kick EQ + bass boost control that includes gain, frequency and bandwidth adjustments.

While these boost circuits can make listening to your music a lot of fun, when used excessively they typically don’t result in smooth and natural sound. If you want your car audio system to reproduce a recording of a set of drums in a way that makes them sound real, lots of bass boost isn’t a great solution. If you want to rock out with your friends to some rap, dance or techno, it can be awesome!

Remote Level Control
The Rockford Fosgate PEQ Remote Punch EQ is compatible with the current Power Series subwoofer and system amplifiers to let users easily fine-tune boost levels.
Remote Level Control
The DRC-205 from JL Audio is a remote level control for the DSP-equipped FiX, TwK and VXi products.
Remote Level Control
The bit DRC from Audison allows the user to adjust levels and presets right from the driver’s seat.
Remote Level Control
The Helix Conductor is a simple and intuitive remote level and volume control for Brax, Helix and Match digital signal processors.

For technicians setting up an amplifier that includes a remote bass boost or remote level control, he or she will need to ensure that the system can play without unwanted distortion with the volume on the radio maximized and the control turned all the way up. The crossover adjustments will need to be optimized for the system’s typical listening preferences to sound its best.

If you’re considering adding a subwoofer system to your vehicle, an upgrade we highly recommend, then drop by your local specialty mobile enhancement retailer today. They can design and install a solution that sounds great and delivers the performance you want. If you listen to many different kinds of music, be sure to ask them about including a remote subwoofer level control in the system design.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Filed Under: ARTICLES, Car Audio, RESOURCE LIBRARY

Upgrades for Your Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe and GMC Yukon

Tahoe and Yukon Upgrades

As some of the largest people-movers on the road, the GMC Yukon and the Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe can benefit from the countless upgrades that are available for them. Whether you want a subtle improvement in audio system performance with a custom-fit subwoofer solution or you want to shake the paint off the walls with an all-out SPL system, the Suburban and its little brothers, the Tahoe and Yukon, have become popular with people who want big sound combined with space and comfort. Let’s dive into what your local specialty mobile enhancement retailer offers to personalize your full-size General Motors SUV.

Stereo System Upgrades for Full-Size General Motors SUVs

Every great mobile audio system needs to start with a premium source. Companies like Sony, Kenwood, Pioneer and Alpine have amazing multimedia receivers that include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. These smartphone integration technologies allow the driver or passenger to use simple voice commands to make phone calls, send text messages or choose from dozens of entertainment options.

Even cooler, navigation applications like Google Maps, Apple Maps and Waze provide detailed turn-by-turn navigation instructions to almost any address in North America. These nav apps use real-time traffic flow information in major urban areas to plot the most efficient route possible to your destination to help save you time.

Tahoe and Yukon Upgrades
The XAV-AX7000 from Sony is a 6.95-inch touchscreen multimedia receiver with CarPlay and Android Auto.
Tahoe and Yukon Upgrades
The DNX697S from Kenwood is a 6.8-inch navigation DVD receiver with CarPlay, Android Auto and HD Radio.
Tahoe and Yukon Upgrades
The Metra 99-3015G dash kit will allow your installer to integrate a double-DIN multimedia receiver into the dash of a 2015 or newer Suburban, Tahoe or Yukon.
Tahoe and Yukon Upgrades
The RadioPRO 5 RP5-GM51 allows an aftermarket radio to be integrated into late-model GMC and Chevrolet trucks and SUVs.

If you want to add smartphone integration to a vehicle with an existing touchscreen, a few companies offer add-on interfaces that work with the existing hardware. Many of these solutions add CarPlay and Android Auto and include additional video inputs for backup and parking cameras.

Tahoe and Yukon Upgrades
The GM-LVDS Smart Link Package adds CarPlay and Android Auto to many General Motors vehicles with the 8-inch GM MyLink I05 and I06 source units.
Tahoe and Yukon Upgrades
The ZZ-2 IT2-MYLINK interface adds CarPlay, Android Auto and front and rear camera inputs with dynamic parking lines to many I05/I06 MyLink-equipped GM vehicles.

Once you’ve established a source solution for your mobile sound system, it’s time to choose great amplifiers and speakers to convert your digital audio collection into something you can listen to. We’ve talked at length about the importance of selecting amplifiers and speakers that add as little distortion as possible to the audio signal. For amplifiers, the signal-to-noise (S/N or SNR) ratio and the total harmonic distortion (THD) specifications will be the telltale numbers to look at to determine quality. When possible, look for brands that offer specifications that comply with the CTA-2006 standards for S/N. This standard makes comparing specs from one brand to another easy and accurate. Companies that post specs citing maximum power output simply try to inflate numbers to make themselves look better than their competitors. Look for S/N ratio numbers around 80 dB or better referenced to 1 watt of output and THD numbers under 0.03%. It should go without saying that outrageous claims from bargain-basement and internet-only brands are worth ignoring.

You’ll notice that we didn’t talk about the power production capabilities of the amplifiers you choose first. That wasn’t an oversight. Power production has little or nothing to do with the quality of the amp you choose. There are subwoofer amps that produce thousands of watts for only a few hundred dollars. Sadly, they are often inefficient, electrically noisy and add a lot of distortion to the audio signal. Sticking with top-quality brands found at specialty mobile enhancement retailers is a good first step in picking a solution that will sound great and last for years. The Product Specialist you are working with can recommend an appropriately powerful amplifier for your audio system upgrade.

Tahoe and Yukon Upgrades
The ARC Audio ARC Series 1000.6 can be upgraded with the IPS8.8 DSP to deliver the power and processing performance needed to create an amazing mobile audio system.
Tahoe and Yukon Upgrades
The Punch P1000X5 from Rockford Fosgate is a high-performance five-channel amplifier that can drive an entire mobile audio system upgrade.
Tahoe and Yukon Upgrades
The eight-channel Audison AP F8.9 bit includes an integrated digital signal processor that your technician can use to calibrate your mobile audio system.
Tahoe and Yukon Upgrades
The Helix M FOUR DSP is a compact four-channel amplifier with an integrated eight-channel signal processor.

Just as with the selection of a car audio amplifier, choosing speakers for your SUV should be based on quality and accuracy. When executed correctly, technologies like aluminum shorting rings, copper magnet caps and XBL^2 motor geometry can dramatically reduce the amount of distortion a speaker adds, especially at higher volume levels. You also want to choose speakers that offer the flattest frequency response possible. Any peaks, dips or bumps in their response is a sign of unwanted resonance in the cone, dust cap, surround or suspension. A well-engineered speaker will sound excellent with any type of music.

You’ll want to work with your local specialty mobile enhancement retailer to choose solutions that work with your vehicle and will deliver smooth and natural balance throughout the entire listening environment. This type of upgrade may require creating a three-way front stage speaker system with a dedicated mid-woofer, midrange driver and tweeter on each side of the vehicle. Depending on the year and trim level of your big SUV, the option for custom fabrication of dash, A-pillar and sail-panel mounts will increase your speaker upgrade options.

Tahoe and Yukon Upgrades
The Rockford Fosgate T4652-S component speaker set features ring-radiator tweeters and woofers with a multi-pole neodymium motor for great sound.
Tahoe and Yukon Upgrades
The ARC Audio RS-Series speakers are available in the 6.5-inch 6.0, the 4-inch RS 4.0 and the 3-inch RS 3.0 mid-woofer and midrange sizes to complement the RS 1.0 tweeter set.
Tahoe and Yukon Upgrades
The 165 R2 speaker set from BLAM includes a pair of 6.5-inch woofers, ¾-inch tweeters and external crossovers with tweeter level adjustment.
Tahoe and Yukon Upgrades
The Audison TH K3 II A Orchestra three-way speaker set offers a studio-quality listening experience for your car or SUV.

Audio System Calibration Is Crucial

If you’re a car guy or girl, you know that an engine needs to be tuned to function smoothly and reliably. Having new speakers integrated into your vehicle requires the same amount of calibration to ensure that what you hear sounds amazing. If you’re planning an audio system upgrade, make sure the retailer you are working with has included a high-quality digital signal processor in the system design and an appropriate amount of time allotted to its configuration.

A digital signal processor will take care of crossovers, level control between different size and efficiency drivers, equalization and signal delay. If you want your music to sound like it did in the recording studio, then proper system design, installation and adjustments are crucial.

Tahoe and Yukon Upgrades
The ARC Audio PS8 Pro DSP offers eight input channels, eight output channels and is compatible with the Maestro AR as a direct upgrade for many GM vehicles.
Tahoe and Yukon Upgrades
The Hertz H8 DSP is an eight-channel DSP that’s designed to make it easy to upgrade factory-installed audio systems.
Tahoe and Yukon Upgrades
The Helix P SIX DSP MK2 is a compact six-channel amplifier with an integrated eight-channel digital signal processor for system calibration.

Subwoofers – The Ultimate Car Audio Upgrade

If you thought we were going to forget to talk about car audio subwoofers, you were mistaken. Often considered one of the best car audio upgrades for your money, adding a subwoofer to your big SUV will not only improve the reproduction of low-frequency audio information, but it also allows the midrange speakers in your vehicle to sound better and lets them play more loudly.

Subwoofers for your Suburban, Tahoe or Yukon come in two flavors. For those seeking realism, a solution that blends with the cosmetic styling of the vehicle is a wise choice. If you want to make the most bass possible and rattle your fillings, well, that’s most certainly an option as well. Fitting an off-the-shelf subwoofer solution in the cargo area or having something built specifically for your vehicle are great options. Talk with your salesperson about the subwoofer enclosure options for your vehicle and your listening preferences, as well as how much space it will take up in the back.

Tahoe and Yukon Upgrades
The crème de la crème of subwoofer upgrades for full-size 2007-2013 GM SUVs is the JL Audio SB-GM-ESC/10W1v3/TN Stealthbox.
Tahoe and Yukon Upgrades
Rockford’s Power Series P3-2X12 enclosure features a pair of T3 12-inch subwoofers that can handle a combined 1,200 watts of power.
Tahoe and Yukon Upgrades
The Match PP 10E-Q is a compact down-firing subwoofer solution that includes a 10-inch driver with quad 3-ohm voice coils for use with Match amplifiers.
Tahoe and Yukon Upgrades
Known as the Kicker Quad, the massive 47QL7R12 features four 12-inch Kicker L7R subwoofers and is rated for 2,400 watts continuous power handling.
Tahoe and Yukon Upgrades
The cargo area of an SUV is the perfect location for a custom installation. Jeff’s vehicle features Signature Edition ARC Audio amplifiers and a 15-Inch ARC Series Subwoofer.
Tahoe and Yukon Upgrades
Sweet Sounds Car Audio in Mankato, Minnesota, built this custom subwoofer enclosure in the back of a Cadillac Escalade – the luxurious big brother of the Suburban.
Tahoe and Yukon Upgrades
A Memphis Car Audio subwoofer upgrade was created for the back of this Escalade by Sound Depot and Performance in Gainesville, Florida.

Remote Start and Secure Your Vehicle

Adding a remote starter to your SUV isn’t just a great way to warm it up in the winter. You can use one to run the air conditioning for a few minutes on a hot summer today to cool it off. Just as with audio system upgrades, the company and technician you choose to integrate a starter into your vehicle is as crucial as the products you select. You want to find a shop that will take their time with the project. Every wire should be tested for functionality before making an electrically and mechanically secure connection. Components should, of course, be adequately secured, and all cabling and wiring should be routed away from moving parts or sources of heat.

When shopping for a starter, you have a few options. First, the Product Specialist should begin the conversation by asking you where you park your vehicle at home and work. This information will help them choose a remote solution that has enough range capability to communicate with the vehicle. Remotes are available with range capabilities from a few hundred feet to over 3 miles. Keep in mind that extra transmitting power is needed when you’re in a building, even if you’re only a few hundred feet from your vehicle. Next, they’ll likely ask to see the vehicle key to help determine what features you may want to control from the remote.

Another option you’ll have is choosing between a one- or two-way remote control. A one-way remote sends a signal to the vehicle. If the signal is strong enough, the vehicle executes the function. In a two-way system, the remote sends a command to the controller in the vehicle. The controller transmits a confirmation message back to the remote so you know the doors are locked or the engine is running. Many two-way remotes will also work with security systems to let you know if the alarm system has been triggered.

Tahoe and Yukon Upgrades
The mother of all remote starters is the Compustar PRO T13 system. This security and starter system includes a 3-mile remote, a Drone telematics interface and class-leading reliability.

Finally, you have the option of a telematics system. Telematics use an app on your smartphone to communicate to a cellular radio module connected to your remote starter system. You can send commands to the starter or security controller in your vehicle using the app and your wireless internet connection. Likewise, the controller will respond when the command has been received and executed. Most telematics systems have the option to add GPS-based functionality such as vehicle locating, curfew alerts, towing warnings and much more. These location-based options usually cost a few extra dollars a month, but they are a great investment for business owners or families that need to keep track of a vehicle.

Truck Accessories

Once you’ve got the electronics on your SUV sorted, it’s time for some accessories. A set of vehicle-specific floor mats from a company like WeatherTech is a great way to protect your investment and keep it clean. These mats are constructed from a durable rubber that’s contoured to match the vehicle’s floor and extend up the firewall to contain sand, mud, dirt and slush.

Tahoe and Yukon Upgrades
WeatherTech offers floor mats for full-size GM SUVs with either bench or bucket seats. The mats are available in black, cocoa, tan or gray to match the vehicle interior.

Other popular upgrades include side steps or running boards that make it easier to get in and out of a tall vehicle. Bug and wind deflectors made from high-strength acrylic will protect your vehicle from damage. Mudflaps as well as trailer hitch and bumper upgrades are also popular.

Tahoe and Yukon Upgrades
Extreme Audio in Mechanicsville, Virginia, upgraded this 2016 Suburban with a set of WeatherTech mud flaps to protect the rear bumper.
Tahoe and Yukon Upgrades
Precision Audio in Bainbridge, Georgia, installed a Ranch Hand grille guard and 20-inch Helo HE900 wheels wrapped in Toyo Open Country AT tires on this 2017 Chevy Tahoe.
Tahoe and Yukon Upgrades
Mobile Edge in Lehighton, Pennsylvania, upgraded this 2016 Tahoe with a set of motorized PowerStep side steps to make getting in and out easier.

If your SUV didn’t come with a backup camera, you might want to ask about adding one. With a rear window that’s several feet off the ground, seeing objects or people when parking can be difficult. Backup cameras can be integrated into a new multimedia receiver or, in many cases, into a factory-installed display screen in the dash.

Tahoe and Yukon Upgrades
The MCI-GM51 from PAC works with the LVDI screen on the 8-inch display in many GM SUVs to add four camera inputs with automatic side and rear triggering.

Another safety upgrade is to add dedicated left and right cameras to the side-view mirrors to act as a blind-spot monitoring solution. Many new Kenwood radios include multiple camera inputs, and some modules will work with the factory-installed MyLink screen to display a camera image when the turn signal is activated.

Window Tint and Paint Film Add Premium Protection

It’s hard to deny that a black Suburban with tinted windows isn’t a classic piece of kit. Window tint not only looks great, but it can block as much as 99% of the ultraviolet energy from the sun to protect the occupants. This UV rejection also helps to prevent plastics, leather and vinyl from drying out and fading. Premium nanotechnology and ceramic window films can block as much as 70% of the infrared heat energy from the sun to help keep your SUV cool. If you live somewhere with hot summers, then a heat-rejecting window film is a great upgrade. High-quality films have a lifetime warranty against fading, turning purple, peeling or bubbling.

Tahoe and Yukon Upgrades
Driven Sound and Security in Marquette, Michigan, tinted the driver and passenger windows of this 2019 Suburban with 3M FX Premium film to match the rear windows.

Another upgrade available from many mobile enhancement retailers is paint protection film. These transparent films are constructed from a durable urethane that absorbs impacts from gravel and stones to prevent paint chips. Paint film is also a great upgrade around door handles, the rear bumper and the rocker panels where there’s a lot of contact. Most high-quality films are backed by a 10-year warranty against peeling or yellowing.

Lighting Upgrades

If you have an older Tahoe, Yukon or Suburban, you may want to ask about upgrading the headlights with new LED bulbs. Compared to incandescent halogen bulbs, LED designs can deliver up to four times as much output. Just as with audio equipment, there are good bulbs, and there are low-quality solutions. Look for a retailer that can install the bulbs and check their alignment and cut-off pattern to ensure that you won’t blind oncoming drivers. You’ll also want to ask about the new bulbs’ warranty as they can be quite expensive to replace frequently.

Tahoe and Yukon Upgrades
The GTR Lighting Ultra 2.0 LED bulbs combine proper LED chip placement with an excellent heat sink design that keeps your lights performing reliably for years.

If you are adventuring off the pavement or use your SUV for work, then auxiliary lighting is a good investment. Spot, driving and floodlights on the front of the vehicle can help improve long-distance visibility. Safety and emergency lighting that includes a roof-mounted light bar or beacon and flashing light pods in the grille can help alert oncoming drivers to the presence of your vehicle when working by the side of the road at night.

Radar Detectors and Laser Defense Systems

If you have a heavy right foot, you might want to consider purchasing a radar detector for your SUV. Most new models on the market offer excellent X, K and Ka-band sensitivity while rejecting false alarms from adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring systems. As more and more police forces move to lidar, a portable detector will only alert you to its presence. By then, it’s often too late. A custom-installed radar detector and laser defense system can transmit a scrambled light signal to prevent law enforcement officers from measuring your speed. Once you know your speed is legal, you can cancel the signal transmission and let the officer take a reading.

Tahoe and Yukon Upgrades
Westminster Speed and Sound upgraded this 2017 Suburban with a custom-installed radar detector and laser shifter system from Escort.

Upgrade Your Full-Size Chevy or GMC SUV Today

These are just a few of the options available to personalize and enhance your Tahoe, Suburban, Escalade or Yukon. Your local specialty mobile enhancement retailer has hundreds of additional upgrades and accessories to make your big SUV more comfortable, functional or enjoyable.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Filed Under: ARTICLES, Car Audio, Lighting, Remote Car Starters, RESOURCE LIBRARY, Truck Accessories

Saying ‘Gains Set Halfway’ Is Concerning to Car Audio Professionals

Gains halfway

If you’ve browsed amateur car audio groups on Facebook, you’ve likely seen someone post that they have “set the gains halfway” on their amplifier. Their misguided theory is that this setting will limit the maximum amount of power the amplifier will produce. Saying this in the presence of a professional installer is the best way to announce that you don’t really know how the sensitivity control on your amplifier should be set to optimize its output capabilities and minimize the noise in your car audio system. Confused? No worries, we’re here to help explain it all.

What Does the Gain Control Do on a Car Audio Amplifier?

Imagine a world where every car radio provided the exact same preamp output voltage at full volume. If you play a song that reaches the maximum allowable recording level for the medium you’re using (CD, cassette, digital audio file or whatever), and you have the volume control on the radio turned up all the way, then you might get a signal that peaks at 2 volts. In this scenario, every amplifier on the market could be configured to produce its maximum rated power when it sees 2 volts of input signal.

Gains halfway
The T500-1bdcp from Rockford Fosgate is a 500-watt subwoofer amplifier that will produce full power from sources rated from 150 mV to 4 volts.

In reality, the sources we use to play our music vary dramatically in their output capabilities. An iPod might produce 330 millivolts. An inexpensive radio is likely capable of producing around 2 volts, and a higher-end multimedia receiver or a good DSP might reach or exceed 5 volts. Ignoring the need to balance the relative output level between a subwoofer and midrange speakers (for now), we need an amplifier that can produce full power with signals that vary from few hundred millivolts up to more than 5 volts. The sensitivity control on car audio amplifiers is the adjustment that lets a properly trained technician configure the amp to make its maximum rated power from a variety of sources.

Gains halfway
The X2 650.1 from ARC Audio is rated to produce up to 650 watts into a 1-ohm load with input voltages from 200 mV to 3.5 volts.

Why Setting Gains Is Crucial

Let’s start with a simple example. You’ve had a subwoofer system installed in your vehicle and you’ve chosen a 500-watt amplifier to drive a pair of subwoofers that are rated to handle 250 watts of power. In the simplest scenario, the technician installing the system should set the sensitivity control on your amplifier so that the amp clips a tiny bit when you max out the volume on a radio that can produce 2 volts of output. If the amplifier is rated to work with sources ranging from 150 mV to 4 volts, then a setting around 2 volts or around 20% from its minimum sensitivity will be pretty close. The technician will check to make sure that the type of music you enjoy will play loudly, then send you on your way to enjoy your upgrade.

Gains halfway
The AP 1FD from Audison is a monoblock subwoofer amplifier that is rated to produce as much as 1,000 watts when connected to a 1-ohm load.

Suppose you decide at a later date to update your audio system with a premium multimedia receiver that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In that case, you might find that it can provide 4 or 5 volts of output on the preamp connections. With this unit in place, the sensitivity controls on your amp are too high, and it would be easy to drive it into clipping. The amp needs to be turned down to just about its lowest sensitivity to make full power at full volume.

Gains halfway
The D ONE from Helix is a 600-watt subwoofer amp with a sensitivity range of 500 mV to 6 volts.

The Drawback of Too Much Gain

If you are attentive to listening for significant distortion being added by pushing your amp to the point that it clips, then theoretically, you could leave the sensitivity control at 20%. By lowering it, the amp will add less unwanted noise to the system, and you don’t have to worry about how high you turn the volume. That said, it’s hard not to want to turn the volume up when your favorite song comes on. Noise isn’t much of a consideration with a subwoofer amp, but low- to moderate-quality amplifiers can add a lot of hiss with the gains cranked up when driving coaxial or component speakers.

Amp Gains and Maximum Power Delivery

The correlation between the setting on your amp and how much power is produced is based purely on how much signal is sent to your amp. If you have an extremely low-voltage source like an iPod, then the amp may need to be set at 75% to 85% of its maximum. In this case, turning the amp back to 50% WILL reduce how much power it produces. If the amp is optimized at 25%, then turning it to its minimum will also reduce power.

To state that an amplifier is set “halfway” ignores the variables of source unit output voltages, volume settings, source material loudness, system equalization and the impedance of the load connected to the amp. If you only need 10% of an amp’s gain capabilities, setting it to 50% doesn’t make sense, and it certainly doesn’t limit the amplifier to half its power production capabilities.

Gains halfway
The Mille Power ML Power 1 is a subwoofer amp rated to produce 1,000 watts of power into 1- or 2-ohm loads.

It’s Much More Complicated

The sensitivity control is also used to balance the relationship between speaker output levels in actively filtered car audio systems. If you have a 500-watt amplifier for your subwoofer and a 50-watts-per-channel amplifier for your door speakers, setting both so that they clip simultaneously might not deliver an overall system balance that’s ideal. Of course, the design of the audio system matters. If you’re running one 8-inch sub in an acoustic suspension (sealed) enclosure or a pair of 12’s in a bass-reflex (vented) enclosure also plays a huge role in how things will be configured. You also need to take into account that the amp for the door speakers is likely only going to play down to about 80 Hz. Crossover settings complicate the calibration process even further and render tools like an oscilloscope useless without the proper test tracks.

Let’s wrap this up with another example. Say you’re using a high-quality digital signal processor that can provide as much as 8 volts of output to your amplifier. It’s quite likely that you can provide more than enough voltage to drive that amp to or beyond the point that it will add distortion from clipping to the output, even with the amp gain set to its minimum setting. Consider the flawed logic of saying, “I’ll only get half the power if the set the gain halfway.” The reality is, the amp will likely reach its maximum output capability at half to three-quarters of the maximum volume on the radio. If you turn the volume up further, you are just adding distortion to the output signal and risk overpowering the speakers or subwoofers.

Gains halfway
If you’re shopping for a great subwoofer amp on a budget, check out the 1,200-watt Rockford Fosgate R2-1200X1 from the Prime Series.

Our second and equally illogical example would be a scenario where you have an amplifier that’s capable of overpowering your speakers. Imagine a subwoofer rated for 200 watts connected to an amplifier that could produce 1,000 watts. Is “setting the gain at half” going to protect this sub from damage? If you have an audio source with extremely limited output voltage, maybe. Suppose you have a source capable of producing more than a couple volts, then nope. You’ll likely destroy it.

If you’re starting to get the impression that setting the gain correctly in a car audio system with multiple amplifiers isn’t as simple as you first thought, then this article has served its purpose. It’s a complicated process that requires the technician working on your vehicle to consider many factors. More importantly, if you’ve damaged a set of speakers by overheating the voice coils, you’ve overpowered them. Too much power produces too much heat. That’s it. Period. There’s no other reason this happens. It doesn’t matter how your amp was set. You melted them.

If you’re having problems with your car audio system, look for a qualified specialty mobile enhancement retailer in your area to help configure your system properly or help you choose a combination of components that will work together to deliver the performance you want.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Filed Under: ARTICLES, Car Audio, RESOURCE LIBRARY

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 76
  • Next Page »

Recent Articles

Does the Power Your Car Audio Amplifier Produces Really Matter

Does the Power Your Car Audio Amplifier Produces Really Matter?

January 29, 2023 

Did you know that a difference of 20 watts of power between one car audio amplifier and another might be completely inaudible? That same 20-watt difference might mean having to … [Read More...]

Your Installer Cant Tune Out Distortion with a DSP

Your Installer Can’t Tune Out Distortion with a DSP

January 22, 2023 

No matter how hard he or she tries, the installer who’s calibrating your car audio system can’t use a digital signal processor to tune distortion out of your system. We aren’t … [Read More...]

Car Audio Amplifier Remote Level and Bass Boost Controls

Car Audio Amplifier Remote Level and Bass Boost Controls

January 15, 2023 

Look at any of the top car audio subwoofer amplifier models available from specialty retailers. You’ll find that most include an option for a remote level control or bass boost … [Read More...]

Upgrades for Your Chevrolet Suburban Tahoe and GMC Yukon

Upgrades for Your Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe and GMC Yukon

January 8, 2023 

As some of the largest people-movers on the road, the GMC Yukon and the Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe can benefit from the countless upgrades that are available for them. Whether … [Read More...]

Saying ‘Gains Set Halfway Is Concerning to Car Audio Professionals

Saying ‘Gains Set Halfway’ Is Concerning to Car Audio Professionals

January 1, 2023 

If you’ve browsed amateur car audio groups on Facebook, you’ve likely seen someone post that they have “set the gains halfway” on their amplifier. Their misguided theory is that … [Read More...]

Customer Reviews

Subscribe to Our Website

Enter your email address to subscribe to our website and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Quakertown Showroom and Installation Facility


Get Directions to Clear Vibrations

Hours

Monday9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Open now
Tuesday9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
SaturdayClosed
SundayClosed

Services

  • Car Audio
  • Custom Installation
  • Fleet Services
  • Driver Safety
  • Remote Car Starters

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2023 Clear Vibrations · Privacy Policy · Website by 1sixty8 media, inc. · Log in

 

Loading Comments...