Speed of Sound Technologies

Mobile Enhancement Experts in Milford CT

55 Woodmont Rd., Milford, CT 203-954-0066
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Services
    • Car Audio
    • Custom Installation
    • Driver Safety
    • Radar/Laser Detectors
    • Remote Starters
    • Truck Accessories
    • Vehicle Security
    • Window Tint
  • Location and Directions
  • Contact Us
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Product Spotlight: Audison AP2

Audison AP2If 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.

Audison AP2The 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.

Audison AP2
Frequency and Impedance Response graphs for the AP2 wide-range speaker.

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.

Filed Under: ARTICLES, Car Audio, PRODUCTS, RESOURCE LIBRARY Tagged With: Audison

Product Spotlight: Sony XAV-AX7000

Sony XAV-AX7000

Sony car audio continues to introduce new multimedia receivers with features that everyone, from the car audio enthusiast to the daily commuter, loves. The latest addition is the double-DIN XAV-AX7000 that features a new 6.95-inch bright touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration and Sony’s High Power 45 watts-per-channel RMS amplifier for amazing sound! Read on to learn more about this impressive source unit.

High Power Amplifier for Better Sound

Sony XAV-AX7000Most radios and receivers on the market include a four-channel amplifier IC that can produce about 20 watts of power per channel into a four-ohm load. Sony’s High Power equipped receivers include a real power supply as would be used in a stand-alone amplifier. The power supply allows the radio to produce more than 45 watts of power per channel to a four-ohm load, and quite a bit more into a two-ohm load. That doubling of power helps keep your music clear and distortion-free when you crank up the volume.

The radio is compatible with both two- and four-ohm loads. Sony includes a configuration called Subwoofer Direct Mode, which allows your installer to use the front speaker outputs to drive one or more sets of speakers on the front speaker outputs, and use one of the rear speaker outputs to power a subwoofer system with a net impedance of two ohms. This flexibility allows for quite a few system configuration options and lets those people looking to stay on a budget with their audio upgrade aspirations get a complete system with a subwoofer without adding the extra costs of a small four-channel or subwoofer amplifier or the associated wiring and installation.

Bright Anti-Glare 6.95-Inch Display

Sony XAV-AX7000The touchscreen display on the XAV-AX7000 is the same size as that of the XAV-AX5000, but is brighter and features a new anti-glare coating. These properties make it much easier to see in bright sunlight situations common among convertibles, powersports vehicles and even motorcycles. The new coating is also compatible with polarized sunglasses, so you can still see the screen while protecting your eyes.

In keeping with the sports theme, Sony has made the frame around the AX7000 touchscreen and the five-button control panel beneath the screen are weather-resistant. No, you can’t take it snorkeling in Mexico, but it can handle a little rain, being splashed or being on a motorcycle or in a Jeep overnight without condensation forming behind the screen.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Smartphone Integration

Sony XAV-AX7000In terms of smartphone connectivity and features, the AX7000 is the same as the AX5000 in that it includes both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto voice control solutions. Once your phone is connected, you can request commonly used functions like sending text messages, making phone calls or choosing music by talking to the radio. Sony includes an external microphone for optimum clarity in outgoing calls and reliable phone command requests.

The AX7000 doesn’t have built-in navigation but can use Google Maps or Waze from either an iPhone or Android device to help you reach your destination efficiently and safely, and Google Maps allows users to download maps offline so cellular coverage or data plan constraints are never an issue. Apple iPhone users can, of course, use Apple Maps should they wish.

Audio Features Deliver Great Sound

Sony XAV-AX7000The AX7000 will play MP3, WMA and AAC audio files from a USB memory stick in one USB port while you charge your phone with up to 1.5 amps of current from the other USB connection. To be specific, USB1 supports more file formats than USB2 but is also the connection dedicated to CarPlay and Android Auto. USB1 will also play WAV and AAC audio files, along with MPEG-4, WMV, MKV and Xvid video files in resolutions up to 1280 by 720 and 30 frames per second.

Sony has included its 10-band graphic equalizer to help ensure that your music sounds great. The Dynamic Soundstage Organizer (DSO) feature includes preset signal delay and level settings that help to create a realistic soundstage across the dash of your vehicle.

The radio includes front, rear and subwoofer RCA preamp outputs rated to produce 5V of signal. While the extra voltage won’t make your system louder, it allows your installer to turn down the sensitivity control on your amplifiers to reduce background hiss. Equalizer and subwoofer control adjustments are one touch away in the quick access menu from any screen.

High Power Multimedia Receiver for Unique Applications

The introduction of the Sony XAV-AX7000 provides a plethora of new installation options. This would be perfect for a Polaris Slingshot, Can-Am Maverick or Yamaha YXZ. If you want a unique infotainment solution for a motorcycle like any 2014 or newer Harley Davidson, this could be a great choice. In all instances, the extra power from the High Power amplifier is a welcome addition and since it’s from Sony, you know you can trust the radio for years of reliable performance. Visit your local specialist mobile enhancement retailer today and ask for a demonstration.

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.

Filed Under: ARTICLES, Car Audio, PRODUCTS, RESOURCE LIBRARY Tagged With: Sony

Product Spotlight: Hertz Cento Subwoofers

Cento Subwoofers

As a continuation of our look at the Hertz Cento Series, we are going to delve into the features of the new Cento Subwoofers. Available in 10- and 12-inch sizes with either two- or four-ohm voice coil configurations, the Cento subwoofers are a perfect example of trickle-down technology providing amazing value and performance for car audio enthusiasts.

Hertz Cento Subwoofer Physical Features

Cento SubwoofersThe Cento subwoofers are based on a rigid four-spoke basket. Vents in the base of each spoke allow hot air to escape from underneath the spider to provide voice coil cooling. A flat (not cupped) spider is mounted on a plastic spacer at the base of the basket. Spring-loaded wire terminals capable of accepting 8AWG wire are molded into an extension off the side of the spider spacer ring. Additional cooling is provided by vertical vents in the plastic reinforcement ring that is used to attach the voice coil former to the spider and the cone. This ring dramatically increases the glue contact area and helps to ensure each component is aligned perfectly at this crucial triple joint.

The glass fiber voice coil former has a diameter of 35 mm (1.38 inches) and serves as a home to a six-layer copper winding. The result is 300 watts of continuous power handling on the 10-inch CS 250 S2 and C2 250 S4 subwoofers and 350 watts on the 12-inch CS 300 S2 and S4 models. Based on the height of the voice coil windings and the thickness of the top plate, the Hertz Cento subwoofers have an X-max specification of 12.5 mm (one-way).

Cento SubwoofersA one-piece ferrite magnet at the base of the speaker provides magnetic flux. There is no cooling vent in the T-yoke of the Cento subwoofers, so your installer can butt them right up against the back of an enclosure without fear of affecting their performance or reliability. Speaking of mounting requirements, the 10-inch subs require a mounting depth of 4.53 inches and the 12-inch models need 5.12 inches.

The cone and dust cap on the Cento subwoofers are made from polypropylene and are attached to the outer edge of the basket using a rubber surround. An ABS plastic trim and mounting ring around the perimeter of the drive provides a clean and classy appearance once installed. Hertz offers optional protective mesh grilles with part numbers CG 250 and CG 300 to help keep the subs looking like new.

Enclosure Requirements

Cento SubwoofersHertz suggests that the CS 250 S2 and S4 will work in enclosures as small as 0.57 cubic feet and the CS 300 S2 and CS 300 S4 will work in a 1-cubic-foot enclosure. The 10-inch designs result in a system F3 of 55 Hz, and the 12-inch designs have an F3 of just under 50 Hz. For both applications, Hertz recommends implementing an infrasonic high-pass filter at 15 Hz with a slope of 24 dB/octave to prevent damage due to high excursion levels. Based on a quick look at the specifications, your system designer can use these subwoofers in a vented enclosure to provide about 4 dB more output across the board in exchange for increased enclosure volume.

Amazing Bass and Great Value

A single Cento subwoofer is a perfect match for the DPower1 monoblock amplifier, or you could match a pair of them to the HCP 1D monoblock. If you’re in the market for a subwoofer that won’t break the bank but provides low-frequency performance from relatively compact enclosure designs, drop by your local authorized Hertz retailer and ask for a demonstration of the new Cento subwoofers.

Cento Subwoofers

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.

Filed Under: ARTICLES, Car Audio, PRODUCTS, RESOURCE LIBRARY Tagged With: Hertz

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12

Recent Articles

Preamp Voltage

Does Preamp Voltage Matter?

March 6, 2023 

For almost as long as there have been car audio enthusiasts, they have been adding amplifiers to their vehicles to increase the power available to drive their speakers. More power … [Read More...]

Rear Speakers

Rear Speakers – A Benefit or a Bad Habit?

February 5, 2023 

For decades, automobile manufacturers have installed relatively large rear speakers in their vehicles. The stereotype of a set of 6x9 speakers sitting on the parcel shelf of a … [Read More...]

Product Spotlight: Sony XAV-9500ES Mobile ES AV Receiver

Product Spotlight: Sony XAV-9500ES Mobile ES AV Receiver

January 20, 2023 

Those seeking the ultimate performance from a car audio system know that the result will only be as good as what you start with. Decades ago, many companies offered high-end CD … [Read More...]

Product Spotlight: Sony XS-163ES 3-Way Component Set

Product Spotlight: Sony XS-163ES 3-Way Component Set

January 18, 2023 

When it comes to speakers for the front of your car or truck, the flagship Sony XS-163ES three-way component set from the Mobile ES Series is an excellent choice. The set includes … [Read More...]

Testimonials

Very Friendly Staff

Very friendly staff, knowledgeable group . Needed help on my remote starter, they got me back up and running in no time . They also do amazing tint jobs!!

I recommend then to everyone!

Super great place to get lots of custom things done. Very nice, very knowledgeable and very fare prices. I recommend to everyone I know.

Will be going back for sure!

Very happy with how the tint came out. Professional and friendly. Will be going back for sure.

Subscribe to Our Website

Enter your email address to subscribe to our website and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Location


Get Directions to Speed of Sound Technologies

Address

Speed of Sound Technologies
55 Woodmont Road
Milford, CT 06460
Phone: 203-954-0066

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Services

  • Car Audio
  • Custom Installation
  • Driver Safety
  • Radar/Laser Detectors
  • Remote Starters
  • Truck Accessories
  • Vehicle Security
  • Window Tint

Store Hours

MondayClosed
Tuesday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
SundayClosed

Copyright © 2023 Speed of Sound Technologies · Privacy Policy · Website by 1sixty8 media, inc. · Log in

 

Loading Comments...