Product Spotlight: SoundShield Sound Deadening

Car audio enthusiasts have been using sound deadening products to improve the comfort of their vehicles and the performance of mobile audio systems for decades. SoundShield is the newest name in the game, but the technology and team behind the products are a step above the rest. Read on to find out more about this innovative sound control material and the people who brought it to market.

Who’s Behind SoundShield?

Industry legends John Schwartz and Bryan Schmitt are partners in SoundShield. John is the owner of Perfectionist Auto Sound and Security in Anchorage, Alaska. This prestigious car audio retail location has won the Retailer of the Year award not once but twice and has been recognized as the #1 Compustar retailer in the world every year since 2005. John is the chief executive officer of SoundShield.

Bryan Schmitt is the owner of the world-renowned Mobile Solutions car audio training facility and solution provider in Tempe, Arizona. Bryan is considered one of the top car audio and custom vehicle interior fabricators in the world, and his training services have elevated the quality and creativity of car audio technicians in every corner of the globe. Bryan is the vice-president of sales for SoundShield and is a managing partner in the company.

Bryan saw a need for a premium sound deadening solution that would provide world-class damping and sound absorption properties. Knowing that John had all the connections needed to bring the plan to fruition, these moguls combined their expertise to create SoundShield. The brand launched at the KnowledgeFest mobile electronics industry conference in August 2019.

What Is SoundShield Sound Deadening?

Unlike some asphalt- and vinyl-based products, SoundShield takes a three-pronged approach to improving the performance of your car stereo system while increasing the comfort in your car, truck or SUV. The base layer is 1.5 mm-thick butyl rubber. This layer adds mass to the panels it’s adhered to, making it more difficult for sound energy to be transmitted. The butyl features a high-tack adhesive to ensure it stays in place in even the hottest and coldest conditions.

The middle layer is an aluminum foil sheet. The foil acts as a thermal barrier and serves as a second structural component to further reduce sound energy transfer. The strength of the aluminum allows SoundShield to span openings in door panels to help transform them into a speaker enclosure.

The top layer of SoundShield is 3 mm of closed-cell foam. This foam absorbs additional sound energy that may radiate through the mounting service for better performance. More importantly, the foam prevents wire harnesses, door lock and door handle actuator rods and trim panels from buzzing and rattling caused by high-power aftermarket audio systems. The choice of closed-cell foam ensures that the material won’t hold water, which could lead to mold and mildew issues.

Why Do You Need SoundShield?

Modern vehicles are designed to be as light as possible to reduce fuel consumption. Thin carpets, less underpadding and flimsier trim panels allow more wind and tire noise into the cabin. You can dramatically improve the comfort of your vehicle by having your local authorized SoundShield dealer install their damping material on the floor, firewall, trunk and cargo area, roof and both the inner and outer door skins. Reductions in road noise of 10 dB or more aren’t uncommon.

The primary benefit is that your car is, quite simply, quieter. You can hear more of the music from your existing stereo and wring out every last ounce of performance from a speaker or subwoofer upgrade. Because the vehicle interior is quieter, Bluetooth and voice-recognition technologies like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will be more accurate.

If you’re looking for better performance from your audio system, having the openings in a car or truck door sealed will dramatically improve midbass response to bring your car stereo to life. The performance improvement realized by adding SoundShield can be more significant than that of purchasing better speakers, making it an excellent value.

Improve Your Vehicle with Premium Sound Deadening

SoundShield is available in 11-square-foot rolls. This is usually enough material to treat the inner and outer skins of a typical car door. If you’re interested in improving the performance of your car audio system, or are planning a new speaker purchase and want to maximize their performance, drop by your local authorized SoundShield retailer and ask about having your vehicle treated. To learn more about the product, visit the www.soundshieldusa.com website. Be sure to follow the company on Facebook and Instagram to see the latest projects created using SoundShield.

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: ARC Audio ARC Amplifiers

Based in Modesto, California, ARC Audio is one of the few mobile electronics companies that still designs its amplifiers from scratch in the United States. The ARC Series trio of amplifiers represents a high-performance mobile audio amplification solution that incorporates features that aren’t available from competing products. Let’s take a look at what makes the ARC 1000.2, ARC 1000.4 and ARC 1000.6 truly special.

Premium Car Audio Amplifier Solutions

Combining the latest high-frequency Class-D driver technology with the engineering experience and acumen of the ARC Audio team, the three ARC Series amplifiers not only produce impressive amounts of power, but they also sound amazing. Each amplifier is housed in an identical custom-tooled cast-aluminum heatsink. Four large hex-head cap screws (that conceal the mounting locations) and seven machined fins across the top of the amp provide classy contrast against the textured matte black powder coat finish. All the connections and controls for the amp are placed along the bottom edge to simplify installation, configuration and calibration. Power connections are made using a chassis-mounted terminal block that accepts 4-AWG cable, and speaker and remote connections are on quick-release plugs. All amplifiers include on-board fusing, so there aren’t any surprises at installation time.

The ARC amplifier family includes the ARC 1000.2 two-channel amp that produces up to 500 watts per channel into a 4-ohm load, 600 watts into a 2-ohm load, and 1,200 watts when both channels are bridged to a single four-ohm subwoofer. The ARC 1000.4 is a four-channel amp rated at 250 watts per channel into 2 or 4 ohms, and each pair of channels can be bridged to provide 500 watts to a single 4-ohm load. The ARC 1000.6 produces a beefy 175 watts from each of its six channels at 2- or 4-ohm impedances. Each of the three channel pairs can be bridged to produce up to 350 watts into 4-ohm loads. Switches underneath each speaker connector change the internal supply voltage to optimize power delivery so that 2- and 4-ohm power production is similar.

Amplifier Common Features

All ARC Series amplifiers use balanced differential inputs capable of up to 4 volts of input with the default analog signal input card or up to 32 volts input with the optional IPS8.8 DSP card in place This higher level of signal input range is optimum for connections with factory amplified OEM systems and from some higher output OEM radios. At a quick glance, you’ll notice that there don’t appear to be many signal processing options on the ARC Series amplifiers. The ARC 1000.2 has a variable high- or low-pass crossover while the four- and six-channel amplifiers don’t have any crossovers at all. ARC Audio designed the analog signal processing portion of these amplifiers to be easily removable so that they can be used with any of the Pro-Series DSP processors from ARC Audio. If space is a limitation in your vehicle, each model of ARC Series amplifiers can he upgraded with the IPS8.8 Pro Series digital signal processor by simply removing the front end signal input module and replacing it with the IPS8.8. We took a close look at the eight-channel Pro-Series DSP platform here.

Each amplifier has an Auto Sense switch that allows your installer to choose from the remote turn-on connection, DC voltage sensing and a signal sensing option in order to activate the amplifiers when connected to an aftermarket source unit or a factory-installed sound system.

Microprocessor-Controlled Features

You will note that each amplifier has a micro-USB port on the front panel. This port exists even if you haven’t opted for the IPS8.8 processor upgrade and provides access to adjust the color of the logo on top of the amp and to change the Class-D switching frequency. Knowing that high-frequency switching inherent in all Class-D designs can occasionally interfere with radio reception, the engineers at ARC allow access to adjust the switching frequency from 323.4 kHz to 450 kHz. In the unlikely event your ARC Series amp does affect radio reception in your application, your installer can resolve the issue with a few taps on his computer keyboard. No other amplifier manufacturer in the car audio industry includes this feature.

Build Your Car Audio System with ARC Audio Amplifiers

Whether you need the ARC 1000.2 to power a subwoofer or are designing a four-way fully active entertainment system with an ARC 1000.6 and an ARC 1000.2, these amplifiers will ensure amazing sound and unparalleled flexibility when upgraded with an IPS8.8 processor. Drop by your local authorized ARC Audio dealer and ask for a demonstration today. For more information about ARC Audio and their products, visit their website and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, 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.

Product Spotlight: Audison Bit One HD Virtuoso

Long considered one of the forerunners in digital signal processing in the car audio industry, Audison continues their performance and technological evolution with the introduction of the new Bit One HD Virtuoso. This advanced processor builds on the success of the Bit One HD and includes upgraded premium audio components for improved sound quality, along with state-of-the-art signal routing and processing capabilities to cope with even the most-advanced and challenging of factory-installed source units and amplifiers.

Virtuoso Digital Signal Processor Basic Features

The new Virtuoso digital signal processor (DSP) includes six RCA inputs, 12 high-level inputs, a pair of RCA auxiliary inputs and two TOSLINK optical inputs. The high-level inputs are equipped with Audison’s Universal Speaker Simulator (USS), so factory-installed source units that use load-sensing to check for speakers will function normally.

The digital inputs will accept standard stereo audio data streams up to 24-bit depth and 96kHz sampling rates. There are 13 RCA preamp outputs, each rated to produce up to 4 volts of signal. Two sets of AD Link/AC Link connections are available to feed digital signals to Audison amplifiers like the Voce Series when equipped with the AV Bit IN HD digital input board. Using the AD Link/AC Link system eliminates the chance of picking up noise between a processor and an amplifier using analog connections.

Remote Volume Auxiliary Input

An interesting and unique feature of the Virtuoso is the Remote Volume Aux (RVA) feature, which lets you use the volume control on your source unit to control the output level of the processor when using its auxiliary input. The function can be enabled using a test tone stored on a USB memory stick or by connecting the RVA output to the aux input on the head unit. The Virtuoso monitors the level of the test tone and adjusts the output of the processor to match. This configuration maintains an appropriate level for Bluetooth, navigation prompts and warning chimes.

Premium Components for Superb Sound

Audison has included a variety of audiophile-grade components in the new Virtuoso processor. First, the output operational amplifiers are Texas Instruments OPAx134 SoundPlus units. These devices have a stunning 0.00008% distortion spec and add almost no noise to the signal. SILMIC series ELNA filter capacitors filter the power fed to the output op-amps to reduce the chances of noise. Finally, high-performance metalized polypropylene film capacitors in the audio path provide excellent high-frequency performance.

A pair of Cirrus Logic Advanced Multi-bit Delta Sigma Architecture 24-bit digital-to-analog converters handles conversion of data from the Analog Device ADSP-21489 SHARC Processor. This powerful processor was chosen for its ability to handle the complex math involved in implementing Finite Impulse Response (FIR) crossovers and equalization on many of the output channels. Audison suggests that the use of FIR filters over Infinite Impulse Response (IIR) processing eliminates phase anomalies associated with configuring and tuning the system to produce a more-coherent soundstage and improved listening experience.

Next-Level Factory Sound System Integration

The Bit One HD Virtuoso is equipped with advanced DE-EQ processing that includes phase analysis. Previous integration processing has been able to undo equalization and signal delay added to the output of an amplifier. The Virtuoso adds the ability to detect all-pass (Phase EQ) processing and apply a correction to produce a time-coherent signal for your installer to work with. The Virtuoso will also detect reverse-polarity speaker wire connections so the installer can swap the wiring and reduce processing requirements.

If your factory audio system doesn’t include an upmixer, the Virtuoso will work in the Automatic Routing Input Setup mode. This configuration sums and corrects EQ and Phase to produce a wide-bandwidth signal. The pass-through mode is best used with factory sound systems that include an upmixer and discrete center channel. No summing is applied in pass-through mode, and inputs are routed through to the outputs with provisions for equalization and filtering, depending on the requirements of the new speakers.

Experience the Audison Bit One HD Virtuoso for Yourself!

If you are shopping for an audio system upgrade for your vehicle, visit your local authorized Audison dealer and ask about adding the new Bit One HD Virtuoso to your system design. Beyond being an extremely capable integration processor, it will allow your installer to configure and calibrate each speaker in your mobile audio system so your listening experience can rival or exceed the detail and accuracy of the most-bespoke of home audio systems.

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-AX8000

Fans of big screens, rejoice! Sony is now shipping the XAV-AX8000 media receiver, and it comes with a massive 8.95-inch touchscreen. Designed to fit into single-DIN ISO-mount radio locations, this receiver is based on the highly respected XAV-AX5000 platform to deliver all the entertainment you could ever want in your car, truck or SUV.

Flexible Mounting Options Ensure Maximum Vehicle Compatibility

The chassis of the XAV-AX8000 features a standard single-DIN chassis that fits in any vehicle that can accommodate an aftermarket installation kit that has ISO-mount provisions, whether single-DIN or double-DIN. This provides a lot of installation coverage for all types of vehicles, some of which cannot accept a typical double-DIN video unit in the dash directly. The 8.95-inch touchscreen mounts in front of the radio and dash in a similar fashion to what Mercedes and Tesla offer with their infotainment systems. The adjustable screen can tilted forward or back by 10 degrees in either direction, and the screen itself can be moved out from the radio chassis up to 2.36 inches to allow for clearance of dashboard obstructions. The entire screen can be moved vertically up to 2.36 inches to prevent blocking air vents, controls and other important items that might surround the radio cavity. This non-motorized mounting system allows for a lot of installation flexibility when installing it into your vehicle.

In terms of mounting requirements, Sony specifies that this radio is designed for ISO-DIN applications where brackets bolt to the side of the Sony and then into your dash or an aftermarket installation kit. A mounting sleeve is not provided, and this type of mounting is not recommended.

Sony XAV-AX8000 Features

When it comes to smartphone connectivity, the AX8000 has all the bases covered. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto make it easy to place phone calls, send text messages or choose your favorite music. Popular navigation applications like Waze and Google Maps will provide turn-by-turn instructions to almost any destination in North America. You can even use Google Maps’ Offline Maps feature so that you don’t need a real-time internet connection to reach your destination efficiently.

In terms of audio sources, the radio includes an AM/FM tuner with RDS information display. A USB port on the rear of the chassis will charge your phone with up to 1.5 amps of current, or it can be used with a USB memory stick to play digital media files. The system is compatible with MP3, WMA, AAC, FLAC and WAV audio formats. You can upgrade the system with SiriusXM satellite radio by having your retailer install an SXV300 tuner module at the time of installation. Of course, Bluetooth audio streaming from your smartphone is included. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay add dedicated streaming app support for online services like Pandora, iHeartRadio, Google Play Music, Tidal, Spotify and Radio Disney.

Sound Processing and Vehicle Integration Features

Sony has included a 10-band equalizer so your installer can fine-tune the frequency response of your sound system. Integrated high- and low-pass crossovers can be used with the 20 watt-per-channel built-in amplifier or external amplifiers via the five-volt preamp outputs for front, rear and subwoofer signals. Sony’s Dynamic Stage Organizer applies time correction to the outputs to create a more realistic listening experience that evenly spans the width of your vehicle.

The AX8000 features a camera input so your installer can integrate a backup camera into the new radio. The system is compatible with all popular steering wheel-mounted radio control interfaces so they can be retained, which makes it easy to use while driving. Sony has included a fast processor in the AX8000, so the system starts up quickly and inputs from the touchscreen yield lightning-fast responses.

Bring Big Entertainment to Your Vehicle with Sony

If you want to add modern entertainment and connectivity features in a large screen format, the Sony XAV-AX8000 may be the perfect solution. The massive screen is easy to see and use, and the radio has all the source and connectivity options you need. Drop by your local authorized Sony car audio retailer today to take one for a test drive.

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 2-Way R3 with LTE

For 2020, Compustar, the world leader in remote car starter solutions, has upped its game by including a DroneMobile X1-LTE module with all of its 2-way remote bundles. For this spotlight, we are going to look at the RFX-P2WR3-SS Pro 2-way R3 with LTE package that features a single-button, long-range remote control and one of the new DroneMobile interfaces as a secondary way to control the starter system.

Compustar 2-Way R3 Remote Control

The radiofrequency (RF) remote included in this kit features a compact, one-button design that provides intuitive control over door locking and unlocking, as well as remote start functionality. A quick tap of the button locks the doors and, when equipped with optional security features, arms the alarm. Tapping the button twice in less than a second unlocks the doors and disarms the alarm. To remote start your car or truck, press and hold the button for three seconds. If you want to stop the engine, press and hold the button again for three seconds.

The Pro 2-way R3 remote uses digital spread-spectrum technology to provide up to 2 miles (3.2 km) of range under ideal conditions. This amazing performance helps ensure that you can start your vehicle while inside a shopping mall, an apartment tower or office building where electrical interference and concrete and metal stud walls reduce the efficacy of radio-frequency communication. The strong signal transmission power means there’s no need to wait until you are outside to start your vehicle, and it will have more time to warm up.

After each button press, an LED on the remote will flash to indicate that the command has been sent to the vehicle. Once the command has been executed by the system, the remote will beep, and an LED will flash. Unlike other products on the market, confirmation of remote starting is provided only once the engine is running. This two-way communication ensures that you always know the status of the vehicle.

Compustar Pro-Series remote controls are backed by an industry-leading three-year warranty against manufacturing defects. All of the remotes have a water-resistant design and feature a durable injection-molded plastic case that shrugs off day-to-day use and abuse.

DroneMobile Smartphone Control

DroneMobile is Compustar’s smartphone remote control interface. The RFX-P2WR3-SS package includes one of the new DroneMobile X1-LTE interfaces as a companion to the RF remote. The X1-LTE module uses a cellular data connection to communicate with the DroneMobile app on your smartphone to provide an effectively unlimited range. DroneMobile allows you to start your vehicle from anywhere that your smartphone has internet access. You can check the status of your vehicle while you’re in another country for business or vacation. As a bonus, if you’ve asked your retailer to add security features like the DAS II shock/motion/tilt sensor to your remote starter, the DroneMobile app will provide nearly instant alerts if the alarm is triggered.

While the R3 remote is ready to control your remote starter out of the box, the DroneMobile service requires a subscription. Compustar includes 30 days of DroneMobile Premium service for free when you activate your account. After 30 days, you can pick from one of three service packages to ensure that you are always in touch with your vehicle. Compustar includes a key tag and hangtag to make it easy to remember the interface serial number when it comes time to register the system at DroneMobile.com.

The service packages include the Basic option that provides car control — locking, unlocking, trunk release (if installed) and remote start — as well as alarm alerts and vehicle status information. The popular Premium package adds GPS-based warnings, geofencing, and point of interest and curfew alert functionality. If you’re a business owner, you may want to opt for the Premium Plus package that adds trip reporting in CSV format and idling alerts.

Never Get into an Uncomfortable Vehicle Again

If you dread cold winter mornings or scorching summer afternoons, visit your local authorized Compustar Pro dealer and ask about the new RFX-P2WR3-SS Pro R3 2-way with LTE remote package to make your car, truck or SUV more comfortable. For more information about Compustar products or to find a retailer near you, visit www.compustar.com. To keep up with the latest from the world’s top remote starter brand, follow Compustar on Facebook, Twitter, 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.

Product Spotlight: SoundShield Sound Deadening

Who’s Behind SoundShield?

What Is SoundShield Sound Deadening?

Why Do You Need SoundShield?

Improve Your Vehicle with Premium Sound Deadening

Product Spotlight: ARC Audio ARC Amplifiers

Premium Car Audio Amplifier Solutions

Amplifier Common Features

Microprocessor-Controlled Features

Build Your Car Audio System with ARC Audio Amplifiers

Product Spotlight: Audison Bit One HD Virtuoso

Virtuoso Digital Signal Processor Basic Features

Remote Volume Auxiliary Input

Premium Components for Superb Sound

Next-Level Factory Sound System Integration

Experience the Audison Bit One HD Virtuoso for Yourself!

Product Spotlight: Sony XAV-AX8000

Flexible Mounting Options Ensure Maximum Vehicle Compatibility

Sony XAV-AX8000 Features

Sound Processing and Vehicle Integration Features

Bring Big Entertainment to Your Vehicle with Sony

Product Spotlight: Compustar 2-Way R3 with LTE

Compustar 2-Way R3 Remote Control

DroneMobile Smartphone Control

Never Get into an Uncomfortable Vehicle Again

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