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Product Spotlight: Rockford Fosgate P1/P2/P3-2X12 Loaded Subwoofer Enclosures

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Rockford Fosgate Enclosures

Few upgrades make a more noticeable change or add more fun to your car audio system than adding a subwoofer system. The car audio fanatics at Rockford Fosgate have made it easy to choose a performance level with their P1, P2 and P3 dual 12-inch 2X12 Loaded Punch Series subwoofer enclosures. Let’s dig into what makes these bass upgrades deliver some of the best bang for the buck on the market.

Custom Enclosure Designed for Car Audio Systems

If you look back at our Test Drive Review of the P500-12P, you might remember that the folks at Rockford Fosgate have a unique approach to car audio subwoofer enclosure design. While most companies perform simulations exclusively in software, the product development team at Rockford Fosgate designs their enclosures to work with the acoustics of the vehicle. This results in physically smaller enclosure designs that offer impressive efficiency and extension without taking up vast amounts of space.

The footprint of the 2X12 series enclosures measures 33.875 by 15.75 inches. To optimize space, the angled rear panel fits up snugly against the rear seats in a coupe, hatchback or SUV. The enclosures are 15.125 inches tall, so they won’t block the view out of the back of your vehicle.

Rockford Fosgate Enclosures
Robust MDF construction with reinforced corner joints ensures reliable performance.

The cabinets are constructed from 5/8-inch MDF with inset side panels. They are finished in a durable high-density black carpet. The front panel features a large-surface-area vent optimized to prevent noise at high volume levels. A custom-tooled trim panel over the vent looks cool and keeps loose objects from entering the enclosure. A set of chromed spring-loaded binding posts on the left side end panel will accept 10-AWG wiring and make it easy to connect the subwoofer system to your amplifier.

Rockford Fosgate Enclosures
A terminal cup on the left-side end panel makes it easy for your installer to connect the enclosure to your amplifier.

Given that the Thiele/Small parameters of the P1, P2 and P3 Punch Series subwoofers are similar, the enclosure options offer similar overall tonal balance but with ever-increasing output capabilities.

Pick Your Poison: Mild to Wild Bass

Rockford Fosgate offers their 2X12-Series enclosures with your choice of Punch Series P1, P2 or P3 drivers. The P1-2X12 includes a pair of P1S4-12 subwoofers, each rated to handle 250 watts of power continuously and 500 watts maximum. Each driver has an Xmax spec of 9 mm, which is good for an affordable subwoofer solution. The system has a net load impedance of 2 ohms and weighs 70.9 pounds. Rockford Fosgate recommends the P300X1 as a great power solution for this enclosure.

Rockford Fosgate Enclosures
The P1-2X12 enclosure features a pair of 250-watt P1S4-12 12-inch subwoofers.

If you want more output, step up to the P2-2X12, with its pair of P2D4-12 subwoofers. These subs can handle 300 watts continuously or 600 watts each. The P2 subwoofers have a one-way Xmax spec of 13.3 mm, so this will play louder if you feed it more power. The pair of dual-voice-coil drivers is wired to a net 1-ohm load. The P2-2X12 enclosure weighs in at 77.35 pounds. The P500X1 is suggested as a perfect match for this enclosure. The Punch P2 subwoofers use Rockford Fosgate Vertical Attach Surround Technique (VAST) to optimize cone area. The P2 and P3 12-inch subs have 4% more effective cone area than the P1 drivers.

Rockford Fosgate Enclosures
The P2-2X12 enclosure features a pair of 300-watt P2D4-12 12-inch subwoofers.

Rockford Fosgate offers the P3-2X12, which includes a pair of P3D4-12 12-inch subs for the most jam from this enclosure design. These drivers are rated to handle 600 watts continuously or 1,200 watts maximum power per driver. They have an Xmax specification of 15.9 millimeters and are wired to present a 1-ohm load. Paired with an amplifier like the P1000X1bd, this enclosure will shake your behind and rattle your fillings. The P3-2X13 weighs a hefty 89.65 pounds, so you’ll want to get some help if you have to remove it from your vehicle.

Rockford Fosgate Enclosures
The P3-2X12 enclosure features a pair of 600-watt P3D4-12 12-inch subwoofers.

You can pair these enclosures with Prime series amplifiers if you’re on a budget or Power series amplifiers if you want improved clarity and detail. Your local Rockford Fosgate retailer can help you create a package that will deliver the performance you want. Use the dealer locator on their website to find a shop near you. Of course, follow the Rockford Fosgate team on Facebook and Instagram to learn about their latest product releases. Also, check out the videos they post on YouTube; they are truly impressive!

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.

Car Audio Installation – The Good, Better, Best Approach

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Car Audio InstallationInstalling mobile electronics in a vehicle is a balance of technical skill and creativity. From the seemingly simple task of connecting wires to the creation of a custom amp rack or subwoofer enclosure, each task requires the car audio installation technician to call upon many different skills. When it comes to installing audio gear in your car, many retailers offer packaged solutions at different performance levels for their clients – this is often called the Good, Better, Best approach. In this article, we look at a few examples where this approach is commonly applied and examine the benefits for each.

Door Speaker Installation

Car Audio Installation
A composite mounting ring and some sound damping put this install in the “Better” category.

It sounds simple, doesn’t it? Take off the factory door panel, unscrew a speaker, connect the new one, then screw it in place. Finish up by putting the door panel back on. For the average mobile electronics retailer, this would just barely qualify for a “Good” installation. With the speakers connected and installed, the installer typically will have a listen to the system before putting it all together to confirm all the wiring is correct. If you require a speaker adapter, the shop may offer to supply one made from painted wood or crafted from HDPE or ABS plastic. Always take the plastic adapter. Wood will swell up when it gets wet.

For those looking for a “Better” installation, several companies offer speaker mounting baffle rings. These are foam rings that surround the speaker and seal the mounting surface to the back side of the door trim panel. This ring can help with the transfer of sound energy into the vehicle and is likely to reduce the chances of buzzes and rattles. Your installer may also place a sheet of damping material behind the speaker – 12×12-inch pieces are common. This material helps to damp the metal to which the speaker is mounted and ensure there is no gap between the speaker and the mounting surface.

Car Audio Installation
This door speaker installation by our friends at Handcrafted Car Audio is a perfect example of a “Best” level job.

In a “Best” quality installation, the installer will cover the entire surface of the door in a high-quality damping material. Sealing up the access holes in a door panel can dramatically improve the low-frequency response and overall efficiency of the speakers you are having installed. In fact, money spent on proper damping offers a bigger gain in performance than an equivalent upgrade in the quality of speakers.

Several companies offer composite damping solutions that combine damping with a layer of closed-cell foam. This type of damping material offers a further reduction in buzzes and rattles, and improvement in sound absorption.

You may opt to have damping material installed on the outside door skin while the trim panel is off. Damping the outer door skin will further reduce the transfer of outside noise into your vehicle, making your audio system easier to enjoy. If you are using a moderate- to high-power amplifier, you may also opt to have new speaker wires run into the doors.

Subwoofer Enclosure

One of the first upgrades you should do to your audio system is to add a subwoofer. Almost every factory audio system, even one that includes subs, sounds anemic and weak.

Car Audio Installation
This custom-built enclosure by Sound Depot is a great example of a “Good” level subwoofer enclosure.

When it comes to the choice of subwoofer enclosure, the options are nearly limitless. The most basic of subwoofer enclosure solutions is to pick a pre-fabricated enclosure from a catalog, have your installer install the sub and plunk it in your vehicle. This solution doesn’t qualify for our standard of “Good”, but it works, and it’s better than not having a sub at all.

Choosing to have your retailer design an enclosure specifically for the subwoofer you have chosen and the exact space you require moves us up to the “Good” standard. The enclosure should be made of 3/4″ MDF and finished in a material that matches your vehicle. It should maximize the available room in your vehicle reasonably well.

The move to the Better level may take different directions, depending on your vehicle. Fiberglass or Stack-Fab enclosures can further maximize the available space in your vehicle. If constructed correctly, these enclosures can be more rigid thanks to additional bracing. This bracing results in better performance. At the “Better” level, your installer may choose to incorporate some cosmetic accents. Including a trim ring around the sub in an accent material is pretty common.

Car Audio Installation
Kingpin Car & Marine Audio provide an example of a “Best” level subwoofer enclosure.

At the “Best” level, the enclosure design will be topnotch! Your installer may even choose to measure the Thiele-Small parameters of your subwoofer before starting work. The enclosure will be extremely rigid and well-reinforced internally.

Your installer may choose to line or stuff the enclosure with materials like Dacron or foam. Cosmetics will also take a leap forward at this level. Having the enclosure trimmed flush to the sides of the vehicle is a must to make it look like it came from the factory. Your installer may choose to use vinyl or leather on the visible parts of the enclosure to further improve the match with factory styling. A product or vehicle brand or logo may be incorporated into the design as well. At the Best level, anyone who sees the resulting creation should be immediately impressed.

Design and Cost

There is no limit to how creative your installer can get with the installation – it’s all governed by how much you want to spend. At the higher end, the installer may provide drawings or sketches of the finished product. You will probably have to pay for this design time. That said, many shops will credit some or all of that back to you as part of the final cost.

The top installers around the country charge upwards of $100 per hour for custom work or more. Their experience and creativity allows them to be very efficient in executing their ideas, and the work behind the scenes is often equally exemplary. Attention to detail for wiring, product mounting with Nutserts or stainless steel hardware, and proficiency in system design and tuning are all part of getting the Good, Better or Best value for your money.

Visit Your Local Specialist For Car Audio Installation

When it’s time to go shopping, drop by a few of your local mobile electronics specialist retailers. They would be happy to show you different options for your project.

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.

Product Spotlight: Sony XAV-AX4000 Digital Multimedia Receiver

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Sony XAV-AX4000

Over the last few years, Sony’s multimedia receivers have become increasingly popular. As more units have sold, retailers have asked for iDatalink Maestro integration, USB-C support and powerful sound customization. With Sony’s new XAV-AX4000, those requests and more have been fulfilled. Let’s look at what this sleek and impressive car audio source unit offers.

Clean Cosmetics and Intuitive Technology

The first thing you’ll notice about the XAV-AX4000 is that it still looks great in the dash of your car or truck, and the user interface is as intuitive as it gets. Anyone can easily select source options or adjust settings without needing to read the owner’s manual. The icons on the screen can be expanded by selecting the “All Apps” icon on the screen and can be rearranged to create a layout that gives you quick access to the elements you choose on the home screen.

The 6.95-inch touchscreen display has a resolution of 800 by 480 pixels with a brightness of 600 Cd/m2. Four physical control buttons along the bottom of the screen make it easy to access the main menu, adjust the volume, change tracks or activate voice recognition features.

Sony XAV-AX4000
Sony multimedia receivers have one of the most intuitive menu systems on the market.

The radio includes wireless Apple CarPlay and wired and wireless Android Auto connectivity. Start your car, and the phone will connect automatically so you can make phone calls, send texts or get navigation directions from Google Maps or Waze. Of course, you can use your favorite streaming services like Pandora, Spotify, iHeartRadio or Apple Music to be entertained while you drive. A USB-C port on the rear of the chassis can be used with a USB mass storage device to play MP3, WMA, AAC, FLAC, WAV, ALAC, DSF or DSDIFF audio files.

You can also use the USB-C port to charge your phone with up to 3 amps of current. The XAV-AX4000 supports the LDAC codec with Android smartphones for those wanting excellent Bluetooth streaming audio quality. Of course, the radio includes an AM/FM receiver with RDS information display.

Sony XAV-AX4000
High-resolution Bluetooth audio streaming is supported by Android smartphones that use the LDAC audio codec.

Audio Features Add Realism to Your Music

The XAV-AX4000 includes a 14-band graphic equalizer, front, rear and subwoofer signal delay setting adjustments and adjustable three-zone high- and low-pass crossovers so your installer can fine-tune your system to deliver excellent sound and detail. The preamp outputs are rated to provide up to 2 volts of output, and the built-in four-channel amp is good for 20 watts of power in compliance with the CTA-2006 standard.

Sony XAV-AX4000
Premium system configuration and calibration included with the XAV-AX4000 will help your car stereo sound great

iDatalink Maestro Integration

One of the most sought-after upgrades to the XAV-AX4000 is the inclusion of support for the iDatalink Maestro RR and RR2 integration modules. These interfaces will allow the radio to communicate with certain vehicles to provide steering wheel control, backup camera and auxiliary input connectivity. You can display vehicle information such as engine speed, vehicle speed, battery voltage or engine load on the dashboard display and check tire pressures and battery voltage on another. Many vehicles allow the Maestro interface to provide access to climate control adjustments. Your Sony retailer can let you know about the features that are compatible with your make, model and year of car or truck.

Sony XAV-AX4000
Compatibility with the iDatalink Maestro RR and RR2 allows the Sony XAV-AX4000 to communicate digitally with your vehicle.

Installer- and User-Friendly Design

From an installation standpoint, the single-DIN chassis behind the double-DIN display dramatically simplifies installation. The radio includes an external Bluetooth microphone to deliver excellent outgoing audio quality. Another new feature is selectable and user-uploadable background wallpapers to match your vehicle interior or your mood.

The radio also includes a rear-view camera input with automatic reverse triggering, and the Maestro will include factory parking lines and sensor data in some vehicles. Finally, Sony has designed the XAV-AX4000 to wake up quickly, so your music starts playing when you are ready to go.

Sony XAV-AX4000
Users can select from several background wallpaper colors or upload their own image to personalize their radio.

Experience the Sony XAV-AX4000 Today!

If it’s time to upgrade the technology in your car or truck, drop by an authorized Sony retailer today and ask for a demonstration of the new XAV-AX4000 multimedia receiver. We’re sure you’ll be impressed by its performance, features, appearance and intuitive interface. You can find a Sony retailer using the dealer locator on the Sony Car Audio website. Be sure to subscribe to Sony’s YouTube channel and follow them on Facebook and Instagram to be the first to learn about their latest car audio product releases.

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.

DroneMobile Smartphone Vehicle Control Response Time vs OEM

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Smartphone Control

Being able to lock, unlock or remote start your car or truck using an app on your smartphone is handy. In listening to what owners of these solutions have been saying over the last few years, we’ve noticed a disturbing pattern: Most factory-installed remote systems are agonizingly slow. Nobody wants to wait around for their vehicle to unlock. So let’s do some research and see how the DroneMobile system from Firstech stacks up in terms of responsiveness.

What Is a Telematics System?

In the context of cars and trucks, telematics is a way of remotely controlling basic vehicle functions using an app on your smartphone. In essence, these systems replicate the operation of a key fob to let you lock or unlock your vehicle, pop the trunk or hatch, or remote start the engine. In addition, many systems include a GPS receiver that can locate your vehicle on a map or configure location-based security alerts.

DroneMobile is the aftermarket telematics system offered by Firstech – the company behind Compustar remote car starter and security systems. DroneMobile can be integrated with a Compustar remote car starter to provide unlimited control range. So long as your vehicle is parked somewhere with cellular service and your smartphone has access to the internet, you can send commands quickly and easily.

Smartphone Control
DroneMobile does much more than just let you lock, unlock and remotely start your vehicle.

Smartphone Control Response Time

In addition to reliability and ease of use, impressive response time is one of the main reasons thousands of people have upgraded their cars and trucks with this system. Firstech moved its authentication services to AWS a few years ago to increase reliability and responsiveness. AWS is one of the world’s premier cloud computing platforms and is used by companies like Netflix, Amazon, Capital One, Coca-Cola, Expedia and thousands more to host their online platforms.

If you’re sitting at your desk at work and want to remote start your vehicle with your smartphone, it doesn’t matter significantly if the process takes 2, 20 or 120 seconds. However, if you’re walking up to your vehicle and want to use your phone to unlock it, response time matters. The last thing you want is to stand in front of your vehicle for 30, 40 or 60 seconds while data commands travel around the globe. You want the system to unlock as quickly as possible so you can be on your way.

We surveyed a group of friends to look at the response time of the telematics systems that came with their cars and trucks. The answers were surprising in all regards. Most response times were slower than we expected, with a surprisingly significant number of users completely giving up on these systems because they often didn’t respond.

Smartphone Control

If we average all the responses, it took just under 18 seconds from when an icon on the smartphone was pressed to when the vehicle responded on most factory-installed telematics systems. In most cases, this was a simple lock or unlock command. However, the time it took for these vehicles to remote start and then report their status back to the app was often more than twice that.

DroneMobile – The King of Vehicle Remote Control Speed

Most of the employees at BestCarAudio.com have Compustar remote starters installed in their vehicles. We also have DroneMobile telematics systems integrated with those starters. We surveyed our team and many of our peers and found that the average response time for a lock or unlock request was about 2 seconds. In some cases, it was less. Sending a lock command over LTE was often faster than using a one-button RF remote. This isn’t a failing of the remote – it waits a second before transmitting to see if you’re going to press the button again.

If you have remote started your car or truck from inside your home, work, a restaurant or movie theater and are approaching the vehicle, using the DroneMobile system to unlock the doors in about 2 seconds is, frankly, the way these systems should work.

Upgrade Your Vehicle with DroneMobile

Many friends we talked with for this article expressed an interest in replacing the factory system with a solution like DroneMobile. The slow response time or complete failure of the system to function had led many of them to abandon using the factory-installed solutions. If you’re shopping for a lightning-quick telematics system for your car or truck, drop by a local DroneMobile retailer today. You can learn more about this impressive smartphone control solution by visiting the DroneMobile website, their Facebook page, Instagram feed or YouTube channel.

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.

Radar and Laser Speed Detection Systems

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RadarDo you like to drive fast? Do you find yourself cruising at speeds above the posted limit? If you are one of these people and the local laws allow it, you may want to consider purchasing a radar detector and laser defuser system. This article looks at the solutions available and the features and benefits of each.

What is Radar Speed Detection?

RadarLaw enforcement agencies all over the world use radar to measure the speed of vehicles. Radar stands for Radio Detection And Ranging. Radar detectors work by sending a beam of radio waves at the vehicle or object that is to be measured. These radio waves are sent a specific frequency. When the radio waves hit a moving object, they reflect back at a different frequency. This change in frequency is called a Doppler shift. How much the frequency shifts from the original transmitted one is determined by the speed of the vehicle. A detector in the radar gun picks up the signal reflections from the vehicle and analyzes their frequency content to perform a speed calculation. The radar gun then displays the object’s speed on an attached screen.

Four common radar frequency bands are in use: X, K, Ka and Ku bands. The X-band ranges from 8 to 12 GHz, with 10.5 GHz being the most popular in North America. K-band ranges from 18 to 26.5 GHz, with 24.12 to 24.17 GHz being popular. Ka-band extends from the top of the K band up to 40G Hz. Frequencies from 33.8 to 25.7 GHz are popular. Finally, Ku-band fills in the frequencies between the X and K bands but is primarily used in Europe.

What is Laser Speed Detection?

RadarWhen the availability of radar detectors became so prevalent, law enforcement agencies were forced to find alternate ways of catching speeders. Developed in 1989 by Laser Technology Inc., laser-based speed detection guns transmit a beam of pulsed light to the vehicle, then calculate how long it takes for the beam to reflect back. Based on the time it takes, the unit can measure the distance to a vehicle almost instantly and with excellent accuracy.

As the distance changes, the laser gun calculates this rate of distance change as the speed of the vehicle. Unlike radar system, the laser beam is very narrow, often spreading over less than 3 feet at a range of 1,000 feet. This range makes laser very accurate. In fact, some of the newest laser speed guns can work at ranges of up to 4,000 feet. The technical name for laser speed detection is Lidar, but most people refer to it is a laser speed measuring device, or more simply, a laser gun – George Lucas would be proud!

Radar Detection Systems

While not allowed in all states and provinces, a radar detection system is designed with a receiver that is tuned to the X, K and Ka bands. When it detects radio frequency energy in these bands, it produces a warning to alert the driver to the possible presence of a radar speed detection system. It is up to the driver to slow down to a legal speed before the officer can get a reading.

RadarThere are two popular types of radar detectors: portable windshield mount systems and systems that are installed in a vehicle. The portable units are great for people who travel and may want to use them in their rental cars. These are also a good solution for people with more than one vehicle. Because the system is portable, the radar detection sensor is smaller, and it isn’t as sensitive and doesn’t provide as much warning as an installed system.

Custom-installed radar detection systems typically include dedicated front and rear sensors. These sensors can be mounted behind plastic bumper covers to conceal them without hindering their operation. Many systems are almost invisible in the interior of the vehicle, although clients may opt for a small control panel to speed up changes in settings.

The inclusion of a GPS receiver in some systems allows owners to mark locations where false alarms are prevalent. Radar-controlled door openers and traffic flow detection systems can be a source of interference. Many new cars feature blind-spot monitoring systems and lane departure warning systems that can also cause false alarms.

Combating Laser Speed Detection

RadarMany different systems are available to combat an officer’s attempt to use laser ranging to capture your speed. These systems work by using multiple sensors placed on the front, and often rear, of the vehicle. These sensors detect the pulsed signal from the laser gun, then broadcast a modified and “confused” signal back to the unit. The result is that the laser gun is unable to calculate your vehicle’s speed.

Most retailers and manufacturers will suggest that once your detection system alerts you to the presence of a laser gun, you slow down to a legal speed and let the officer get a speed reading, if for no other reason than to appease their efforts to try to catch you.

When shopping for a laser defuser system, make sure you purchase one that can be upgraded easily. New and improved laser speed detection guns are also being introduced with different technologies to give law enforcement agencies an advantage over speeding drivers. As the companies that manufacture the defusers come up with solutions for each of these new products, Internet-based downloads are made available to update your system.

Installations

Radar
This custom laser defuser bracket by Kingpin Car Audio was made out of plastic and painted to match the vehicle.

A custom-installed radar detection and laser defuser system take some time to complete. Basic systems require several modules to be mounted securely, then all of the wiring must be run neatly and securely through the vehicle back to the main control unit. Complex systems that include GPS, front and rear radar detection, and as many as five laser defusers can take much longer to install. The laser defusers have to be mounted so their transceivers are clearly visible, and they must be horizontal to the ground during operation. Many specialists will create custom brackets to mount these sensors properly while maintaining a clean and tidy overall appearance for the vehicle.

If you are in the market for a radar detector or laser defuser system, contact your local specialist mobile electronics retailer. They would be happy to provide you with all the information you need to make the right purchasing decision, including how much it will cost. As always, we want you to drive your vehicle in a safe and legal manner.

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.