Showcasing the Best in the Mobile Enhancement Industry
As time goes on, everything seems to get bigger and better, doesn't it? Back in the '80s, I remember thinking that having a car with 15-inch wheels was pretty cool. Now, trucks and SUVs roll off the lot every day with 21- and 22-inch wheels. Having a 25-inch console TV in your living room used to be cool. Now, we’ve got screens over 100 inches available from discount stores. Read more
Our Car Audio Masterclass series offers a comprehensive introduction to the essential concepts of car audio systems, covering everything from basic terminology to advanced measurement techniques. To learn more, check out the other articles in the series: Car Audio Masterclass 101.1 – Audio Basics: Learn key audio terms and concepts. Car Audio Masterclass 101.2 – Read more
In January of 2024, we had the privilege of reviewing the Rockford Fosgate T500-1bdCP amplifier. Based on our experiences with amplifiers from the company, it was no surprise that the amp sounded amazing, was impressively efficient, and exceeded all of its power ratings. The latter is the focus of the re-test. We’ve recently upgraded the power supplies in the BestCarAudio.com Read more
Have you ever wondered how car audio demo vehicles come together? Sony Car Audio just started their latest demo vehicle project—a 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse. The car will be displayed at the 2024 SEMA show in Las Vegas and at retailer and distributor events in the Northeast. Sony has partnered with Broken Silence Custom Car Audio in Greenwich, CT, to build the audio system. Read more
Recently, we were sent a link to a YouTube video in which someone was trying to make power measurements of a factory-installed amplifier on a motorcycle. We see videos like this all the time. Unfortunately, the numbers presented in these videos are not just inaccurate but often completely illogical. Let’s talk about how we make power measurements and what information some of Read more
In late October 2023, we had the opportunity to give the Rockford Fosgate R2-1200X1 subwoofer amplifier a thorough Test Drive Review (https://www.bestcaraudio.com/test-drive-review-rockford-fosgate-r2-1200x1/). We were very impressed that this entry-level amp had features and performance that dramatically outperformed entry-level and mid-level products from other brands. Power Read more
One of the most common questions we receive is whether you can use car audio products, like radios and amplifiers, in the home or shop. The answer is a resounding yes! However, the real challenge lies in finding a suitable power supply, especially for high-power amplifiers. We’ve recently dedicated a significant amount of time to researching power supplies for an upgrade to our Read more
The landscape of car audio head units has undergone a significant transformation over the past decade. The era of double-DIN source units has given way to the dominance of large floating-face radios. Sony, a leader in audio technology, introduced the groundbreaking 10.1-inch floating face XAV-9500ES a few years ago, which left us in awe of its features and performance. To Read more
Every speaker, be it a tweeter, midrange driver, woofer or subwoofer, will have a sensitivity rating. Sensitivity ratings attempt to describe how much sound a speaker will produce for a given amount of power from an amplifier. There’s a common misconception that more efficiency is better. Longtime readers of BestCarAudio.com won’t be surprised to learn that multiple standards Read more
Car audio source unit manufacturers are constantly developing new products to fill the gaps between entry-level and flagship models. Sony recently released a new 2-DIN digital multimedia receiver called the XAV-AX3700, which slides into the mix just below the XAV-AX4000. This new radio features a 6.95-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay connectivity and iDatalink Maestro Read more
It’s May 1, and car audio enthusiasts are shopping for system upgrades. Car audio amplifiers are one item consumers find difficult to quantify regarding performance, quality and value. We often see people buying noisy, low-efficiency, unreliable amplifiers, and it hurts our hearts. As such, we’ve put together this mega-article for the Question of the Month to help consumers Read more
In the 1980s, most car stereo shops had charts in the install bays that showed what size power wire should be used with different amplifiers. Some charts were based on current and cable length, while others suggested amplifier power ratings and lengths. In all cases, an essential piece of information was missing. Today, we’ll sort that out. Let’s consider why we need large Read more
