Long considered one of the forerunners in digital signal processing in the car audio industry, Audison continues their performance and technological evolution with the introduction of the new Bit One HD Virtuoso. This advanced processor builds on the success of the Bit One HD and includes upgraded premium audio components for improved sound quality, along with state-of-the-art signal routing and processing capabilities to cope with even the most-advanced and challenging of factory-installed source units and amplifiers.

Virtuoso Digital Signal Processor Basic Features

The new Virtuoso digital signal processor (DSP) includes six RCA inputs, 12 high-level inputs, a pair of RCA auxiliary inputs and two TOSLINK optical inputs. The high-level inputs are equipped with Audison’s Universal Speaker Simulator (USS), so factory-installed source units that use load-sensing to check for speakers will function normally.

The digital inputs will accept standard stereo audio data streams up to 24-bit depth and 96kHz sampling rates. There are 13 RCA preamp outputs, each rated to produce up to 4 volts of signal. Two sets of AD Link/AC Link connections are available to feed digital signals to Audison amplifiers like the Voce Series when equipped with the AV Bit IN HD digital input board. Using the AD Link/AC Link system eliminates the chance of picking up noise between a processor and an amplifier using analog connections.

Remote Volume Auxiliary Input

An interesting and unique feature of the Virtuoso is the Remote Volume Aux (RVA) feature, which lets you use the volume control on your source unit to control the output level of the processor when using its auxiliary input. The function can be enabled using a test tone stored on a USB memory stick or by connecting the RVA output to the aux input on the head unit. The Virtuoso monitors the level of the test tone and adjusts the output of the processor to match. This configuration maintains an appropriate level for Bluetooth, navigation prompts and warning chimes.

Premium Components for Superb Sound

Audison has included a variety of audiophile-grade components in the new Virtuoso processor. First, the output operational amplifiers are Texas Instruments OPAx134 SoundPlus units. These devices have a stunning 0.00008% distortion spec and add almost no noise to the signal. SILMIC series ELNA filter capacitors filter the power fed to the output op-amps to reduce the chances of noise. Finally, high-performance metalized polypropylene film capacitors in the audio path provide excellent high-frequency performance.

A pair of Cirrus Logic Advanced Multi-bit Delta Sigma Architecture 24-bit digital-to-analog converters handles conversion of data from the Analog Device ADSP-21489 SHARC Processor. This powerful processor was chosen for its ability to handle the complex math involved in implementing Finite Impulse Response (FIR) crossovers and equalization on many of the output channels. Audison suggests that the use of FIR filters over Infinite Impulse Response (IIR) processing eliminates phase anomalies associated with configuring and tuning the system to produce a more-coherent soundstage and improved listening experience.

Next-Level Factory Sound System Integration

The Bit One HD Virtuoso is equipped with advanced DE-EQ processing that includes phase analysis. Previous integration processing has been able to undo equalization and signal delay added to the output of an amplifier. The Virtuoso adds the ability to detect all-pass (Phase EQ) processing and apply a correction to produce a time-coherent signal for your installer to work with. The Virtuoso will also detect reverse-polarity speaker wire connections so the installer can swap the wiring and reduce processing requirements.

If your factory audio system doesn’t include an upmixer, the Virtuoso will work in the Automatic Routing Input Setup mode. This configuration sums and corrects EQ and Phase to produce a wide-bandwidth signal. The pass-through mode is best used with factory sound systems that include an upmixer and discrete center channel. No summing is applied in pass-through mode, and inputs are routed through to the outputs with provisions for equalization and filtering, depending on the requirements of the new speakers.

Experience the Audison Bit One HD Virtuoso for Yourself!

If you are shopping for an audio system upgrade for your vehicle, visit your local authorized Audison dealer and ask about adding the new Bit One HD Virtuoso to your system design. Beyond being an extremely capable integration processor, it will allow your installer to configure and calibrate each speaker in your mobile audio system so your listening experience can rival or exceed the detail and accuracy of the most-bespoke of home audio systems.

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If you have a Ford, Toyota or General Motors vehicle with a midrange speaker location in the outer corners of the dash, you may want to consider the Audison AP2 Wide-Range Component speakers for your sound system upgrade. These Prima-Series 2-inch transducers were designed to cover the midrange and high-frequency audio spectrum without the need for a tweeter. Let’s look at the features of these compact speakers and why they are a great option for your car or truck.

Design Features of the Audison AP2 Wide-Range Speaker

Each AP2 is built around a stamped steel frame with large vents in the sides and four mounting tabs in the corners. At the base of the cone is a custom aluminum T-yoke that supports a pair of neodymium magnet slugs that are separated by a spacer. The top magnet features a thin copper shorting ring to help control stray magnetic fields and reduce inductance. This ring helps extend high-frequency response to 20 kHz and reduce distortion and higher excursion levels.

The driver uses an aluminum cone and dust cap attached to the frame with a rubber surround. A flat, linear spider is attached to the voice coil former to keep everything centered in the magnetic gap. The voice coil winding has a diameter of 1 inch and features a dual-layer CCAW winding with a nominal impedance of 4 ohms.

The former is made of Kapton and features a series of cooling and pressure relief vents that contribute to the speaker’s ability to handle 25-watt continuous, 50-watt peak power levels. While these numbers may seem low, they are real specifications and represent actual power measurements rather than specifications created using pink noise. Comparable pink-noise ratings would be north of 75 watts.

In terms of dimensions, the AP2 has a mounting depth of 1.46 inches, and it requires a 2.01-inch mounting cut-out. The outer diameter of the mounting tabs is 2.74 inches.

Specifications and Applications

The Audison AP2 has a resonant frequency of 145 Hz, which is nice and low for a driver of this small size. The Vas equivalent air volume specification is 0.36 liter, and the total Q (Qts) is 0.64. Computer simulations show that this driver will work in extremely small enclosures (0.02 cubic foot), making it ideal for A-pillar pod applications. Excursion-based power handling reaches the 2.5 mm (0.098-inch) Xmax value at 175 Hz, so a steep high-pass filter crossover at this frequency (or perhaps 200 Hz) will ensure that the driver sounds excellent at higher volume levels.

There is a lot of misunderstanding in the mobile electronics industry around how wide-range or wideband drivers work at higher frequencies. The output of any speaker (of any size or shape) becomes increasingly directional at higher frequencies. As you can see from the graph below, the output of the AP2 drops by about 10 decibels around 12-14 kHz as the listener movies off-axis to the cone. Called directivity, this phenomenon is based on the diameter of the cone. As such, installations of the AP2 where it’s used without a tweeter should place the speaker directly on-axis with the listener or in the corners of a dash where the high-frequency information can reflect off the nearby windshield and be dispersed into the listening environment. If your installer wants to add a tweeter like the Audison AP1, this driver would be exceptional in a door location, as is found in many BMW vehicles.

Experience the AP2 at Your Local Authorized Audison Dealer

If you’re planning to upgrade the audio system in your car or truck and are looking for a high-quality midrange or wide-range speaker to cover the upper octaves, check out the Audison AP2 speakers. Their modern design and compact size make them a great solution. For more information, visit the Audison website, and be sure to follow Audison on Facebook, on Twitter, on Instagram and YouTube.

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.

Based on the roaring success of the original Prima-Series AP 8.9 bit eight-channel amplifier, Audison has announced a successor with even more features and performance in the form of the Prima Forza AP F8.9 bit. This new amplifier adds additional power to each of its eight channels, includes an integrated digital signal processor (DSP) and adds support for the iDatalink Maestro AR integration module and enhanced OEM integration features. The result is an easy-to-install upgrade solution that works with almost any vehicle.

High-Power Eight-Channel Amplifier

The AP F8.9 bit measures 9.37 by 6.1 inches and stands only 1.95 inches tall. All connections, including signal inputs, speaker outputs and the eight-gauge power connections, are made along the front edge of the amplifier to ensure a clean and tidy installation in even the most cramped locations.

Each channel of the new AP F8.9 bit is capable of producing up to 85 watts of power to drive your speakers to very realistic listening levels. Loading each channel down to 2 ohms increases power production to a healthy 130 watts, and your installer can bridge any pair of channels to drive a subwoofer like the APBS 10 S4S with as much as 260 watts.

Nine-Channel Digital Signal Processor

The AP F8.9 bit includes a nine-channel DSP that includes input signal de-equalization along with system configuration and tuning options like a 10-band parametric equalizer, signal delay up to 15 mSec in 1.1-inch steps and flexible electronic crossovers on each channel. This amplifier is compatible with the Audison bit Tune processor that provides authorized retailers an efficient and reliable way to configure your new sound system for optimal imaging and natural frequency response.

A rotary control on the amp provides quick access to eight preconfigured presets to speed up the installation process. Audison also offers vehicle-specific configurations from its online database for use with its BMW, Mini, Volkswagen and Ford F-150 Sound Pack upgrades.

The optional DRC MP remote control is compatible with the AP F8.9 bit to serve as a master volume control, a bass level control and to provide access to the two configuration presets. Your installer can integrate the DRC MP into your dash or center console to make adjusting your sound system safe and easy while you drive.

iDatalink Maestro AR and Factory Stereo Integration Features

Support for the iDatalink Maestro AR amplifier replacement interfaces as a key part of the vehicle integration flexibility of the AP F8.9 bit. The AR modules allow your installer to replace your factory amplifier with an AP F8.9 bit while retaining all the control, functionality and convenience of your factory source unit. Many AR applications include CAN data network connectivity to relay volume control commands from the factory radio to the Audison amp, and features like warning chimes, Bluetooth audio streaming and navigation voice prompts will all continue to function flawlessly.

This new amplifier includes six RCA preamp inputs and Universal Speaker Simulator (USS) technology on its six speaker-level inputs to ensure that factory-installed amplifiers and source units with “load detection technology” continue to function properly. A second RCA input pigtail harness is included for connection to aftermarket source units.

The built-in Automatic Remote Turn-on (ART) and Automatic Signal Turn-on (AST) circuits monitor the speaker-level inputs to enable the amp automatically as soon as your factory radio turns on. In many new vehicles, the start-up process takes place when you open your car door, so the infotainment system is ready to go as soon as you sit down to drive.

As part of Audison’s Full DA digital audio design, the amp also includes an optical TOSLINK input that will accept digital signals up to 24-bits at 192 kHz from products like the Audison bit Play HD, a MOST vehicle integration solution such as the bit DMI, or one of the many vehicle integration solutions from other brands.

Amazing Performance in a Compact Package

If you are interested in improving the sound of your mobile audio system, visit your local authorized Audison retailer and ask for a demonstration. Whether you choose to use this amp with the factory speakers and add a subwoofer, or upgrade everything for dramatically improved performance, the Prima Forza AP F8.9 bit amplifier is a perfect solution.
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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.