Rockford Fosgate

If you’ve been into car audio for as long as I have, you’ve likely had a memorable experience with a Rockford Fosgate subwoofer. I vividly remember being in one of the Korbon Trading (the Canadian distributor of Rockford Fosgate in the ’80s) Blastro vans. This GMC Safari had four 18-inch Punch subwoofers powered by a pair of Power 1000 amplifiers. It was the first time a car audio system left me breathless. Fast-forward 33 years and Rockford Fosgate is still a leader in developing car audio subwoofer solutions that get loud and sound amazing. Let’s take a close look at the flagship of the Punch Series 12-inch drivers – the P3D4-12.

Rockford Fosgate Punch P3D4-12 Features

The P3D4-12 is a dual voice coil subwoofer constructed with each coil having an impedance of 4 ohms. The sub is available in a dual 2-ohm model called the P3D2-12. Both are based around a custom-tooled four-spoke hybrid stamp-cast aluminum basket. The main vertical supports and the mounting lip are stamped. There is a cast cooling insert at the base of the basket around the voice coil. Underneath the basket is a 96-ounce double-stacked ceramic magnet assembly that is concealed with a protective PVC rubber cover. The bumped T-yoke is visible through the bottom of the cover, exposing the vented pole piece and eight additional small cooling vents under the voice coil former. These extra vents also allow air pressure to be released from inside the motor as the driver moves rearward, thereby improving linearity and reducing distortion at high excursion levels.

Up top, the additional cooling and ventilation are provided by vents below each window in the basket. These allow hot air to escape from under the spider, helping to keep the motor assembly cool and reduce power compression. All the cooling features combine to ensure that these subwoofers continue to sound great without losing efficiency, even after hours of play time.

With Rockford Fosgate’s FlexFit basket, instead of eight fixed holes in the mounting lip for fasteners, eight slots allow your installer to align the subwoofer perfectly in the enclosure. An aluminum ring is included to finish off the installation and conceal the mounting hardware for a classy and tidy look.

Voice Coil and Moving Part Features

The cone of the P3D4-12 is made from aluminum, as is the inverted dust cap. Both have an anodized finish, and Rockford Fosgate is screened on the cone. At the top of the cone is a Santoprene rubber surround that is attached to the basket with Rockford Fosgate’s VAST design. In essence, VAST moves the surround closer to the outer edge of the basket and increases the effective cone area of the driver.

At the base of the cone are a pair of tear- and fatigue-resistant linear poly-cotton spiders mounted face-to-face to reduce nonlinearities. Four 16-AWG tinsel leads are sewn into the spiders to ensure that they won’t make noise at high excursion levels. The 2.5-inch voice coil former is made of anodized aluminum so that it can withstand extreme temperatures. The driver uses a four-layer voice coil winding. A spun-laced NOMEX reinforcement collar adds strength to the connection between the cone, the voice coil former and the spiders.

Electrical connections are handled by four nickel-plated spring terminals. The terminals push inward toward the voice coil and wire up to 10 AWG in size is inserted from below. While it seems inconsequential, this vertical wiring method helps keep everything organized during installation.

P3D4-12 Specifications

The P3D4-12 subwoofer is rated to handle 600 watts of power continuously and up to 1,200 watts maximum power. The driver has a total weight of 20.9 pounds (9.48 kilograms). Mounting depth is 6.66 inches, and the driver requires a cutout size of 11.25 inches.

In terms of electromechanical specifications, Rockford Fosgate specifies the driver as having a resonant frequency (Fs) of 27.7 hertz, an equivalent volume compliance (Vas) of 2.04 cubic feet and a total Q (Qts) of 0.52. The maximum linear excursion (Xmax) is listed at 0.547 inch in each direction.

The owner’s manual suggests a sealed enclosure with a net internal volume of 1.02 cubic feet to produce an F3 frequency of 42.2 hertz and a system Q of 0.78 – which should be well-controlled and impressively musical. If you want to increase low-frequency efficiency, they suggest a 1.79-cubic-foot vented enclosure with a tuning frequency of 40 hertz. This should result in an F3 frequency of 32.8 hertz and a lot more output. If you have the room, we always suggest the vented enclosure.

If you want a little more rumble from the sub, ask the Rockford Fosgate retailer you’re working with to build the vented enclosure with a tuning frequency of 30 Hz. You’ll lose some of the 50-60 hertz efficiency, but pick up more output below 35 hertz.

Upgrade Your Car Audio System with a Rockford Fosgate Subwoofer Today

If you’re searching for a high-performance subwoofer that’s designed to sound great while delivering impressive amounts of bass, drop by your local authorized Rockford Fosgate retailer. You can find a shop near you using the dealer locator on the Rockford Fosgate website. Be sure to follow Rockford Fosgate on their Facebook page and Instagram feed and check out the awesome videos they produce 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.

When it comes to delivering great sound on your boat or powersports vehicle, the M2 series of subwoofers and coaxial speakers from Rockford Fosgate delivers fantastic performance. These Element Ready speakers and subs not only sound impressive, but they look cool and are designed with materials that can handle the worst punishment Mother Nature can dish out.

Rockford Fosgate M2-Series Coaxial Speakers

Whether you need a speaker for the dash of your side-by-side or the bow of your boat, the new M2 coaxial speakers from Rockford Fosgate are a great choice. The models of the flagship M2 series combine the best audio performance, the coolest styling and the most power handling available.

You have your choice of 6.5- or 8-inch coaxials in black or white. In addition, all the M2 speakers and subwoofers include the Color Optix feature with integrated RGB LED illumination. When combined with the PMX-RGB controller, you can choose from hundreds of color options to add extra style to your vehicle. You can even control the lighting using your Apple or Android smartphone using the RF Connect app.

The M2 coaxial speakers are based on an injection-molded PA66 glass fiber reinforced frame that offers good rigidity. The mineral-filled polypropylene woofer cones feature a thermoplastic elastomer surround and Rockford Fosgate’s Vertical Attach Surround Technique (VAST) that increases effective cone area. A 1-inch voice coil wrapped around a Kapton former is at the heart of these drivers. The 1-inch tweeter in each speaker features a dual neodymium magnet motor and a laminated “PXNX” diaphragm design for clean, crisp highs. The tweeter is suspended above the woofer, so there’s no pole piece to take up valuable space. This design increases the surface area of the woofer for more output. Electrical connections are made via corrosion-resistant brass terminals or waterproof Deutsch-style connectors.

The RGB LED lighting is concealed and protected by an optically clear, UV-stable lens. In addition, a weathertight Deutsch connector is provided for each driver so your installer can connect the LEDs in the grille to the controller. Speaking of the grille, you can choose from the twin six-spoke Sport option or the stainless steel mesh design.

Every component used on the speakers includes UV inhibitors, which help ensure that they look great and won’t break down and yellow, chalk, crack or fade when exposed to harsh sunlight. The speakers pass the ASTM G154 500-hour accelerated weather test for UV exposure and the ASTM B117 500-hour salt fog exposure test. In addition, the ISO 60068-2-24 structural integrity test confirms that the designs can handle the bumps and impacts common to marine and powersports applications.

The M2-65 (white) and M2-65B (black) speaker sets have a power rating of 150 watts continuous and 600 watts peak power. The speakers have a nominal impedance of 4 ohms and a 1-watt, 1-meter sensitivity of 91.8 dB. The 8-inch M2-8 and M2-8B speakers up the power handling to 250 watts, with peak power rated at 1,000 watts. Sensitivity increases to an impressive 93.1 dB at 1-watt, 1-meter.

This driver design is also available in Rockford Fosgate’s M2 two-way wake tower speakers in white or black.

M2 Subwoofers Bring Fun to the Party

Of course, no serious mobile sound system is complete without subwoofers. Rockford Fosgate has you covered with no less than 16 options. First, you have your choice of 10- or 12-inch drivers in dual 2-ohm or dual 4-ohm voice coil configurations. Next, you can pick from white or black cosmetics to complement or contrast your vehicle. Finally, you can choose from drivers designed for infinite baffle or sealed applications. Any combination of the above criteria is available to ensure that your boat looks and sounds the best it can. All the subwoofers in the M2 series feature Color Optix RGB LED lighting built-in. Deutsch connectors are provided for both speaker power and lighting connections for a clean and tidy installation.

The subwoofers feature 1.95-inch two-layer voice coils and are rated to handle 400 watts continuously with peaks of 1,600 watts. The specific Xmax specification varies by model, but all are around 0.5 inch in each direction. The 10-inch sealed subwoofers will work in enclosures as small as 0.5 cubic foot, and the 12’s require at least 0.75 cubic foot. Wisely, the owner’s manual has suggestions for implementing a (correctly named) infrasonic filter in vented enclosure and infinite baffle installations.

The included Versa switch allows your installer to switch from series or parallel voice coil wiring quickly during installation. In addition, the subwoofers are made from materials similar to that of the coaxial speakers and pass all the same physical and environmental test requirements to function reliably.

Upgrade Your Adventure with Rockford Fosgate Speakers and Subwoofers

If it’s time to upgrade the audio system on your boat or powersports vehicle, drop by your local authorized Rockford Fosgate dealer and ask about the complete line of Element Ready M2 subwoofers and coaxial speakers. They’d be happy to design a system that will sound amazing. You can find a dealer in the U.S. or Canada using the Dealer Locator on their website. Also, be sure to follow the Rockford Fosgate Facebook page, Instagram feed and YouTube channel to be the first to see the latest demo vehicles and new products from our friends in Tempe, Arizona.

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.

Thanks to the DSR1 digital signal processor from Rockford Fosgate, upgrading car audio systems has never been easier. Aside from a full suite of easily configurable audio processing features, the DSR1 includes an iDatalink Maestro amplifier replacement interface. Maestro technology can be used to upgrade the audio system in more than 1,500 vehicle applications with reliable and predictable results. The DSR1 is compact, powerful and, most importantly, it can make the stereo in your car, truck or SUV sound amazing.

Rockford Fosgate DSR1 Features

At its core, the DSR1 is the latest generation of Rockford Fosgate’s 3-SIXTY digital sound processor. The compact unit includes four pre-amp inputs that will accept up to 4 volts of signal from a radio and four speaker-level inputs that will accept signals up to 12.5 volts from an amplifier. The DSR1 includes a DC offset detection circuit that will power the unit up when it detects that the factory radio has turned on. Rockford has also included a coaxial digital input for connectivity with SP/DIF-equipped factory-installed audio system. The eight outputs are rated to produce up to 4 volts, making them compatible with any amplifier on the market.

The software used to configure the DSR1 is designed for tablets and smartphones. Your installer can download the PerfectTune app from the Apple Store or Google Play store and use this slick graphical interface to configure the input and output connections and calibrate your audio system.

From a system configuration perspective, the DSR1 can accept audio on one or two sets of inputs. There are output configuration options that include front/rear/sub, front two-way/rear/sub, center/front/rear/sub, front three-way/sub and a few more options. The function of the optional PLC2 remote is configurable in the software to act as subwoofer level control, a Punch bass boost control or the master volume control for the system.

The setup options continue with crossovers adjustable in frequency from 20 Hz to 10 kHz with slopes of 6 dB through 48 dB per octave. All of the filters have a Linkwitz-Riley alignment, so they sum flat at the crossover point. Your technician can apply high- or low-pass filters to each channel or use both to create a bandpass crossover for midbass and midrange drivers. Your installer can implement an infrasonic filter on the subwoofers by applying a high-pass filter at 20 or 25 Hz to protect drivers from excursion issues at high volume levels.

Each output has a dedicated output trim level control to adjust each driver before your technician implements equalizer settings to smooth the output. The EQ for each of the eight outputs has 31 bands of adjustment. Each band can be fine-tuned in terms of frequency, Q-factor and boost or cut. Lastly, the signal delay settings for each channel are adjustable in 0.01-millisecond steps. Rockford Fosgate includes a delay calculator tool that allows your installer to enter the distance to each speaker. In turn, it provides the equivalent delay setting information while minimizing the maximum overall delay.

iDatalink Maestro Integration Features

Many modern cars and trucks use a source unit and amplifier configuration with a fixed-level audio signal. Volume, tone, fader and balance adjustments take place inside the amplifier. Additionally, signal processing like equalization, crossovers, volume-based tone adjustments and all-pass filters are applied to the outputs of the factory-installed amplifier to maximize the performance of the speakers that came with the vehicle. Attempting to undo this processing is complicated. Enter the Maestro Interface. As experts in working with the digital networks in cars and trucks, iDatalink partnered with Rockford Fosgate to create an interface that will convert the CAN signals passing from a factory-installed radio to the amplifier into commands that the DSR1 can execute. When you turn up the volume on the radio, that command is forwarded to the DSR1 and the master output level increases.

Rather than experimenting with the input EQ and mixers on a DSP, or adding unwanted delay from an integration processing, using a solution like the DSR1 allows your installer to create an audio system that works just like the one from the factory. Not only will the music sound great, but prompts from the navigation system, audio from Bluetooth hands-free phone calls and chimes from safety solutions will function flawlessly.

Why Upgrade Your Car Stereo with the Rockford Fosgate DSR1?

If you don’t have a digital signal processor in your aftermarket audio system, adding a solution like the DSR1 from Rockford Fosgate is the easiest way to add realism and authenticity to the listening experience. Instruments and vocals will sound more lifelike, and your music will be reproduced with accurate staging and imaging that will make you feel like you are at a concert.

There are DSR1 applications for select Ford, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Fiat, Maserati, Volkswagen, Lexus, Subaru, Toyota, Nissan and Infiniti vehicles. When combined with a dedicated integration harness, upgrading your car audio system while retaining the factory infotainment system couldn’t be easier. Your installer can configure your new amplifier, speakers and subwoofer quickly with the PerfectTune app and deliver an audio system that sounds amazing. Likewise, the DSR1 is an ideal solution to upgrade audio system performance on a motorcycle, boat or side-by-side.

To find an authorized Rockford Fosgate retailer that can install a calibrate the DSR1 in your car or truck, visit the Dealer Locator page on their website. Be sure to give them a follow on Facebook and Instagram and learn more about their fantastic mobile, marine, motorcycle and powersports audio upgrades on 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.