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Product Spotlight: Rockford Fosgate Prime Series Subwoofer Enclosures

BestCarAudio.com - April 13, 2021

Since the ’80s, Rockford Fosgate has had a reputation for delivering big bass for car audio fanatics. Its most recent subwoofer solutions are the Prime Series R2-2X10 and R2-2X12 loaded enclosures. Equipped with a pair of 10- or 12-inch subwoofers, these ready-to-rock subwoofers solutions are a great way to improve the extension and impact of your car stereo system.

Prime Series Subwoofer Enclosures

The R2-2X10 and R2-2X12 are wedge-type enclosures that include two subwoofers in an acoustic suspension (sealed) design. Each enclosure is constructed from 5/8-inch thick MDF to deliver solid bass without adding a huge amount of weight to your vehicle.

The R2-2X10 measures 30.12 inches in width, 12.2 inches in height and is 12.11 inches deep at the bottom. It features a pair of Prime Series R2D2-10 10-inch subwoofers that are wired to produce a 2-ohm load for the amplifier of your choice. The total weight for the R2-2X10 is about 36 pounds. The R2-2X12 is a little larger at 34.06 inches wide, 14.37 inches tall and has a depth of 12.51 inches at the bottom. This enclosure is home to a pair of R2D2-12 subs, which are also wired to a 2-ohm load. The dual-12 enclosure weighs about 43 pounds.

Prime Subwoofer Enclosure — The wedge-shaped design of the new Prime enclosures lets them fit up snugly against the rear seat in a sedan or coupe to optimize storage space in the vehicle.

Each enclosure is wrapped in a high-density durable black carpet for a neat and tidy look that won’t become frayed and ratty over time. There’s a high-current, spring-loaded terminal cup on the left side panel of each enclosure. The terminals can accept 12-AWG speaker cables for efficient power delivery while making it easy to remove the enclosure from your vehicle if the cargo space is needed.

Prime R2 Subwoofers

The R2 Series subwoofers used in the R2-2X10 and R2-2X12 enclosures are based on four-spoke stamped steel frames. The spokes are curved to increase rigidity in what Rockford refers to as its StampCast design. Eight ridges are pressed into the bottom of the stamping to form vents between the motor assembly top plate and the basket. These vents allow hot air to escape from the outside of the black-anodized, 2-inch aluminum voice coil former and eliminate the chance of air under the linear spider from being compressed or rarefied as the cone moves rearward or forward. The extended T-yoke at the bottom of the subwoofer has a large vent to let hot air escape from inside the voice coil and prevent pressure under the inverted polypropylene dust cap. The four 16-AWG tinsel leads of these dual-voice-coil subwoofers are embedded into the spider to eliminate the chance of noise at high excursion levels.

The woofer cones are made from mica-injected polypropylene for an excellent balance of rigidity, damping and thermal stability. An adhesive-bonded foam surround locates the outer edge of the cone in the center of the basket. The basket mounting surface and magnet are adorned with custom-molded PVC trim rings for a clean, classy look.

The Prime R2 subwoofers are rated to handle 250 watts of continuous power with a 500-watt maximum power rating. All models have a specified Xmax of 6.5 mm (0.256 inch) in each direction calculated at the point where the sub reaches 10% total harmonic distortion. All the dimensions and specifications provided by Rockford are compliant with the ANSI/CEA-2031 Mobile Loudspeaker Standard. Likewise, Rockford uses Klippel transducer measurement equipment to optimize its designs for low-distortion, high-output operation.

Amazing Bass Brings Your Music to Life

Based on some quick calculations, the R2-2X10 appears to have a net internal volume of just under 1.7 cubic feet and, as such, delivers an F3 frequency around 58 Hz with a total system Q of 0.68. The larger R2-2X12 has an internal volume of approximately 2.3 cubic feet and an F3 of about 53.5 Hz, and a reasonable system Q of 0.875. As such, when combined with the typical cabin gain found in most vehicles, either of these subwoofer solutions will deliver excellent output well into the infrasonic region while cranking out amazing impact in the upper bass frequencies. The low-Q designs will ensure that your bass is solid and musical without significant resonance and distortion so that every genre of music sounds realistic and enjoyable.

If you’re shopping for an amplifier to work with either of these enclosures, the 500-watt Prime R2-500X1 is the answer. For a little more clarity and definition, the P500X2 from the Punch series is a good option.

Upgrade Your Car Stereo with a Rockford Prime Series Subwoofer Enclosure

With so many generic subwoofer enclosures on the market, it’s hard to know which is the right solution for the subwoofers you have in mind. Rockford Fosgate has taken the guesswork out of adding amazing bass to your vehicle with the new Prime R2-2X10 and R2-2X12 loaded subwoofer enclosures. Drop by your local authorized Rockford Fosgate dealer to check them out. You can learn more about Rockford’s complete line of passive and powered subwoofer enclosures on their website, and be sure to follow them on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube for updates on their latest 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.

Car Alarms Do More than Help Prevent Vehicle Theft

BestCarAudio.com - April 6, 2021

Whenever the media focus on vehicle theft statistics, it’s a clear reminder that there’s always the potential for someone to steal something from or vandalize or steal your vehicle. Let’s take a look at why an aftermarket vehicle security system is a wise investment.

Preventing Vehicle Content Theft

Most crimes are based on an easy opportunity. If someone walks past your car and notices a laptop bag in the back seat, they’re far more likely to check to see if the doors are locked or consider smashing a window than if nothing was visible. Thieves will watch parking lots to see who is hiding belongings in the trunk before leaving the vehicle. Your best protection is not to leave anything in the car.

If a thief decides they want to break into your car, one of the first things they’ll look for is an LED from a security system like the Compustar CS697-A. This LED is typically installed on the dash or in the center console and lets a thief know that you’ve invested in added precautions to safeguard your belongings. They don’t know whether the alarm has a shock sensor or a two-way paging system that will alert you to their tampering. Seeing this LED is a significant deterrent.

Choosing a security system with a shock sensor is a wise investment. If the thief decides the LED isn’t enough of a deterrent, they might tap on or attempt to break a window. If your car is in a parking lot or your driveway, the impact required to get into the car is enough to set off the alarm and attract attention the thief won’t want.

A multifunction sensor like the Compustar DAS-II includes dedicated glass-breakage protection that will let you know if someone tries to break a window.

Car Alarm — The DAS-II from Compustar monitors vehicle impacts, motion, tilting and glass breakage.

Protecting Your Vehicle Components

There’s a constant stream of used wheels and tires for sale on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. Thieves can make anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars selling a full set. To steal your wheels, a thief will need to jack up the vehicle. The Compustar DAS-II has an integrated tilt sensor that will trigger the alarm when one corner of the vehicle is raised. Best of all, the sensor recalibrates itself each time the system is armed. This process ensures that you are protected when parking on a hill or a steeply angled driveway. We always recommend adding a set of wheel locks to make stealing your wheels more difficult. This warning applies especially to Jeeps with a spare tire mounted on the back of the vehicle.

As the value of rare metals has increased, so too has the scrap value of catalytic converters. Removing a catalytic converter from a car or truck requires the use of a saw, and most thieves use a cordless hacksaw or reciprocating saw. If they didn’t have to jack up your vehicle to access the converter, the vibrations would trigger a properly calibrated shock sensor.

Ensure that You Have Communication

If the flashing LED and siren aren’t enough to scare away a thief, then investing in a car alarm with a two-way remote control or a telematics system is a good idea. Two-way remote controls like the Compustar Prime T9 included in the CSX7905-A can beep when the alarm is triggered at distances up to 3,000 feet from the vehicle. You can check the LCD screen to know what zone set off the alarm and respond appropriately.

Another option is the Drone telematics system. The Drone uses a cellular-based communication system to send security alerts to your smartphone without any concern about range. You could be at your desk on the 20th floor of an office building, sitting on your couch in an apartment or working in the middle of a large factory complex – so long as your iPhone or Android smartphone has access to the internet, you’ll receive notifications in a matter of seconds.

Did I Lock the Doors?

Have you ever noticed that even the smallest of distractions can derail an otherwise foolproof routine? What if you’ve arrived at home or work and someone is waiting there to talk to you? Hours later, you may wonder if you remembered to lock your vehicle. If you have a car alarm that’s integrated with the vehicle locking system, all you have to do is press the lock button on your remote or tap the lock icon in the DroneMobile app and you’re safe. The Drone system is particularly convenient when the thought of whether or not your car doors are locked arrives while you are cuddled up in bed.

Top Tips To Keep Your Vehicle Safe

Here are few things to remember if you want to keep your vehicle and its contents as safe as possible:

Always lock your vehicle.
Always set the parking brake.
Park in a well-illuminated area.
Never leave belongings, company access cards or loose change in your vehicle.
Invest in a high-quality car alarm with a shock sensor and LED.

Aftermarket car alarms like the Compustar CS582-A offer significantly more protection than the factory-installed security systems that come with most vehicles. Aside from all the security features, the long-range Prime G15 remotes that will let you lock the vehicle from inside your home are worth the upgrade. Think of all the hassle you can avoid with an insurance claim with this simple upgrade.

For more information about the vehicle security options available for your car or truck, visit your local Compustar dealer. You can find a shop near you using the Dealer Locator on the Compustar website.

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: Compustar CS697-A Vehicle Security System

BestCarAudio.com - March 25, 2021

Though best known for its class-leading remote car starters, Compustar is rolling out a new line of vehicle security systems that includes the affordable CS697-A to protect your car or truck. While many vehicle owners believe the security system that comes with their vehicle is adequate, the reality is that those solutions are limited in their capabilities. An aftermarket alarm is the only way to completely protect your vehicle.

Features of the Compustar CS697-A Vehicle Security System

The CS697-A car alarm includes a dual-stage shock sensor, starter disable circuitry and two remote controls. The shock sensor monitors the body of the car or truck for sudden impacts from door dings in a parking lot or an attempt to break a window. Moderate impacts will result in the system honking the vehicle horn and flashing the parking lights. Significant impacts set off the full alarm, flashing the lights and honking the horn for 30 seconds. The system also includes dedicated door monitoring inputs and the ability to monitor the hood and trunk or hatch of your car or SUV. Additional sensors and door switches can be added for commercial vehicles or heavy-equipment applications.

Compustar Security — The CS697-A is based on the easily expandable Compustar CM2400 control module.

The system includes keyless entry functionality that will let you lock or unlock your doors remotely. Your installer can integrate the 697-A system with the remote trunk or hatch release function to make loading or unloading easier. The system activates the interior dome light for 45 seconds after receiving the unlock command so you can make sure everything inside is safe before you get in. Finally, two auxiliary outputs are provided to control options like a power sliding door or power window control module for added convenience.

According to the FBI, almost 250,000 vehicles are stolen in the United States every year. To help combat this, Compustar includes its E-LOCK relay in the 697-A. When properly integrated into your vehicle, this relay functions as a stand-alone starter-kill to further complicate the efforts of thieves hoping to steal your vehicle.

Vehicle Protection Upgrade Options

While this vehicle security system provides a solid set of features, just like Compustar’s remote car starters, it’s based around a control unit that’s easily upgradable. A high-output siren can be added to attract additional attention to the vehicle. Likewise, the DAS-II four-in-one sensor is another popular upgrade as it adds a digital tilt/motion sensor with glass breakage detection. If you’re concerned about wheel or catalytic converter theft, DAS-II is a great option.

You can also add the KP2 touchpad that mounts to the inside of your windshield. You can enter a user-defined code by touching the glass to disarm and unlock the vehicle. You can also choose to upgrade to a two-way remote control that will alert you when the alarm is triggered. If you choose a remote upgrade package like the PRO R5 or PRO T13, the proximity unlock function will unlock the doors automatically when you are within about 6 feet of the vehicle.

The ultimate upgrade is the Drone telematics system. You can be anywhere on the planet and still receive security warning notifications from your car or truck, so long as your smartphone can access the Internet. Better yet, Drone includes options to add GPS-based features that will send alerts if the car or truck moves while the system is armed or during user-programmable curfew hours. Impact, motion, tilt and glass breakage alerts from the DAS-II sensor are also relayed to your smartphone using the DroneMobile app.

Protect Your Investment with an Aftermarket Car Alarm

In 2019, Ford and Ram pickup trucks were the top two most stolen vehicles in the U.S. While these trucks came with factory-installed security, their popularity made them key targets for thieves. An aftermarket security system adds valuable damage and vandalism protection and a second starter-kill circuit that, when appropriately integrated, makes unauthorized starting of the vehicle nearly impossible.

Drop by your local Compustar retailer today to learn more about the CS697-A and its security and convenience options. You can learn more about Compustar car alarm and remote starter solutions by visiting their website, Facebook Page, Instagram Page or their 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.

Product Spotlight: Rockford Fosgate R2-750X5

BestCarAudio.com - March 4, 2021

In the spring of 2020, Rockford Fosgate launched the latest generation of its Prime Series amplifiers. While the focus of this spotlight is on the full-range Class-D five-channel R2-750X5, it’s worth noting the R2 series also includes a two-channel, two four-channel and four monoblock models. Equipped with features and technologies that have trickled down from the Punch and Power series, these compact yet powerful amplifiers are ready to bring your music to life.

The Basics – Features and Ratings

Rockford leads the car audio industry with power specifications you can trust. The four main channels are rated to produce 50 watts of power into 4-ohm loads and 100 watts into 2 ohms. The front channels can be bridged to provide 200 watts into a pair of 4-ohm speakers. The subwoofer channel is rated for 200 watts at 4 ohms and 350 watts at 2 ohms. In total, that’s 750 watts – just like it says in the model number. Signal-to-noise specifications are -80 dB for the main channels and -75 dB for rear, and just like the power ratings, these numbers are fully compliant with the CTA-2006 testing standard.

If you look at Rockford’s website, you’ll see another set of power ratings. Tested using their internal RATS (Rockford Automated Testing System) and verified by the Audio Graph PowerCube, these elevated numbers represent the real-world power production capabilities of the amp when playing music that’s dynamic instead of single-frequency test tones. The Dynamic Power numbers are 70 watts by four and 241 watts for the subwoofer at 4 ohms, and 114 watts by four and 426 watts by one at 2 ohms.

Rockford R2-750X5 — The Rockford Automated Testing System (RATS) is used to verify the continuous and dynamic power capabilities of amplifiers like the R2-750X5.

All of the electrical and signal connections are found on the front edge of the amp. Angled terminal blocks for four-AWG power and ground cables are next to the five eight-AWG speaker output connection blocks. The amp includes six RCA input jacks that will accept up to 4 volts of signal. Beside them are three jacks for the included speaker-level input pigtails. All of the inputs use balanced differential circuitry to help prevent noise from getting into the audio system. The high-level inputs will accept up to 12 volts, and an accompanying switch labeled Auto Remote Turn On will bring the amp to life when it detects that your factory radio has powered on. A three-position input selection switch allows the amp to feed all five channels from four or just two of the inputs to eliminate the need for Y-cables.

The controls have been placed along the top to make it easy for your installation technician to configure the amplifier. The front and rear channel pairs have dedicated sensitivity adjustments and crossover function and frequency controls. The filtering can be set to high- or low-pass modes, or bypassed. The crossovers are adjustable from 50 to 250 Hz and have a -12 dB/octave Butterworth response curve. The subwoofer channel shares the same low-pass filter frequency adjustment range as the main channels and adds an infrasonic filter that’s adjustable from 15 to 40 Hz. The last control is the Punch EQ adjustment that your installer can use to add up to 18 dB of boost at 45 Hz to the subwoofer channel. Rockford includes a remote level control so that you can adjust the subwoofer level from the front seat.

Rockford Technology Improves Performance

If you’ve been a fan of Rockford products for a while, then acronyms like MEHSA, P.O.W.E.R., C.L.E.A.N. and NOMAD should be nothing new to you. What is new is finding all of these features on a Prime Series amp.

The amp is based on a 1.9- by 6.8- by 11.2-inch cast aluminum heatsink that wicks heat away from the switching devices quickly and efficiently. Rockford calls this design MEHSA 4, which stands for Maximum Efficiency Heat Sink Application version 4. What this means to users is that the amp will keep making its rated power hour after hour, even with the volume cranked. Sure, the heatsink will get hot – but that’s its job. MOSFETS don’t like being hot. In fact, their maximum current capacity drops quickly as they heat up. A thermal design like MEHSA 4 extracts heat from the output devices to reduce distortion, improve efficiency and extend the life of the amplifier.

The R2-750X5 includes a power supply design called P.O.W.E.R. This lightly regulated configuration increases maximum power output capability as the charging system supply voltage increases. Speaking of which, this amp is designed to work with supply voltages from 9 to 16 volts.

In terms of protection, Rockford’s NOMAD (NOn-Multiplying Advanced Decision) circuitry monitors the amp and will mute the outputs if it detects a short circuit on a speaker connection or an over-temperature condition on the chassis.

Perhaps the coolest technical feature in the R2-750X5 is the C.L.E.A.N. (Calibrated Level Eliminates Audible Noise) circuit. C.L.E.A.N. monitors the input and output connections for distortion. On the input side, the circuit monitors the signal from your radio for distortion so your installer can identify the maximum usable volume setting. On the output side, the monitoring LEDs turn red when the amp starts to clip the output signal.

Upgrade Your Car Audio System with Rockford Fosgate

If you are shopping for a high-performance multichannel amplifier to upgrade your car audio system, visit your local authorized Rockford Fosgate dealer and ask about the Prime Series R2-750X5. You can find a shop near you using the Dealer Locator on the Rockford website. For more information about Rockford products, be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or their 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.

Two Stories about how the Drone Smartphone System Saved the Day

BestCarAudio.com - February 16, 2021

While the convenience of being able to remote start your car from your smartphone with the Drone system is obvious, this easy-to-use system has been able to get clients out of a jam on more than one occasion. Let’s take a look at two examples where DroneMobile users have used their telematics systems when they got into a bind.

Keys and Phone Locked in Your Car?

Our friend Bob was on his way to work when he realized his truck was almost out of gas. As is normal on most mornings, he didn’t leave much extra time for stops on his way to the office. Not wanting to run out of fuel, he pulled into a Shell station to fill up his truck. In a rush to get the truck fueled and back on the road, he managed to lock his keys, phone and wallet in the vehicle.

In cases like this, there are usually two options. First, call someone at home to bring an extra set of keys. Option two is to call a tow truck in hopes that the driver can unlock the doors with a lockout kit. As luck would have it for poor coffee-deprived Bob, nobody was home.

Thankfully, he’d equipped his truck with a remote car starter that includes a Drone smartphone interface. He asked a fellow patron at the gas station if they would let him download the DroneMobile app so that he could unlock his vehicle. With the app installed in a few seconds, he entered his username and password to log in, then sent an unlock command to the truck. The doors were open three seconds later. After uninstalling the app on the phone, he bought his helpful friend a coffee for their trouble.

Log in to Drone on a Computer

Using another phone with the DroneMobile App was a great idea. Given the speed of most cellular data connections, it took less then two minutes to complete the entire process. Bob could have logged into the www.dronemobile.com website using the smartphone’s web browser and sent the unlock command. Another option would have been to call a family member and have them unlock the vehicle from their phone, or have them log in on the website and send the unlock command. With Drone on-board, there’s a lot of options to get out of a headache scenario like this.

You Won’t Get Lost in a Big City

It seems inevitable that even when we think we know where we’re going, circumstances lead to us getting lost. We recently heard of a case where a friend’s wife had to go into Buffalo for a meeting. They live just outside of Niagara Falls, so this wasn’t a long trip. Kelly did the best she could, having looked up her destination on Google, but after a few detours caused by construction and one-way streets, she quickly found herself somewhere she didn’t recognize. She didn’t have a navigation system in her car and didn’t want to risk getting a ticket by using her phone. She called her husband using her Bluetooth system for help.

The trick to getting un-lost is to know where you are. Her husband logged into the Drone website and used the GPS-based vehicle locating function to find her location. As it turned out, Kelly was just a few blocks from where she wanted to go. Her husband gave her directions to the parking lot she was looking for, and she made it to her meeting right on time.

Add the Convenience of Drone to Your Car or Truck Today

These stories are just two examples of how the features of Drone extend well beyond remote starting your vehicle on a cold winter morning. If you’re interested in adding a remote car starter with the Drone telematics system to your vehicle, drop by your local authorized Firstech retailer. You can find one using the dealer locator on their website. For more information about Drone, be sure to follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. You can learn more about the amazing features of the Drone system with the videos on their 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.

Product Spotlight: Rockford Fosgate Prime Series Subwoofer Enclosures

Prime Series Subwoofer Enclosures

Prime R2 Subwoofers

Amazing Bass Brings Your Music to Life

Upgrade Your Car Stereo with a Rockford Prime Series Subwoofer Enclosure

Car Alarms Do More than Help Prevent Vehicle Theft

Preventing Vehicle Content Theft

Protecting Your Vehicle Components

Ensure that You Have Communication

Did I Lock the Doors?

Top Tips To Keep Your Vehicle Safe

Product Spotlight: Compustar CS697-A Vehicle Security System

Features of the Compustar CS697-A Vehicle Security System

Vehicle Protection Upgrade Options

Protect Your Investment with an Aftermarket Car Alarm

Product Spotlight: Rockford Fosgate R2-750X5

The Basics – Features and Ratings

Rockford Technology Improves Performance

Upgrade Your Car Audio System with Rockford Fosgate

Two Stories about how the Drone Smartphone System Saved the Day

Keys and Phone Locked in Your Car?

Log in to Drone on a Computer

You Won’t Get Lost in a Big City

Add the Convenience of Drone to Your Car or Truck Today

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PRODUCTS

Prime Series Subwoofer Enclosures

Prime R2 Subwoofers

Amazing Bass Brings Your Music to Life

Upgrade Your Car Stereo with a Rockford Prime Series Subwoofer Enclosure

Preventing Vehicle Content Theft

Protecting Your Vehicle Components

Ensure that You Have Communication

Did I Lock the Doors?

Top Tips To Keep Your Vehicle Safe

Features of the Compustar CS697-A Vehicle Security System

Vehicle Protection Upgrade Options

Protect Your Investment with an Aftermarket Car Alarm

The Basics – Features and Ratings

Rockford Technology Improves Performance

Upgrade Your Car Audio System with Rockford Fosgate

Keys and Phone Locked in Your Car?

Log in to Drone on a Computer

You Won’t Get Lost in a Big City

Add the Convenience of Drone to Your Car or Truck Today

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Location

Address

Devine Concepts

Services

Connect with Us

Store Hours