01-25-2006, 12:21 AM
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 | Administrator | | Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 128
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| Hummer Audio and Car Audio
Most people use the term car audio to describe the sound system in an automobile, though the term also refers more broadly to the field of mobile entertainment and is becoming a sport at large. A stock car audio system refers to exactly what was specified by the manufacturer when the car was built. A custom car audio installation could mean anything from the upgrade of the radio to a full-blown customization of a car based around delivering exceptional sound quality or volume from audio equipment. The most common and familiar piece of audio equipment is the radio/tape player/CD player which is generically described as a Head unit, which also can be called a deck, after older tape-decks. It is also the most likely component to be upgraded with an after market item. A recent development in head unit technology has been the addition of CD players with MP3, WMA, USB, and AAC support. Many cars include at least a CD player some have the option for a CD changer which holds multiple disks either in the head unit itself or in a separate unit usually located in a trunk or console. Speakers are generally located in doors and rear parcel shelves of sedan in modern cars. Before stereo radio was introduced, the most common speaker location was in the middle of the dashboard pointing through perforations towards the front windshield. High-end audio systems include Component Speakers that consist of a matched tweeter(small, high fequency), midrange(medium, medium frequency) and woofer(large, low frequency) set. These component pairs are available in two speaker and three speaker combinations, and include an audio crossover which limits the frequency range that each component speaker must handle. This allows each cone to produce its optimal fequency for maxium sound quality and volume. In addition a subwoofer(s) is provided for bass and sub bass(ultra low frquency), which is felt, rather then heard. Amplifiers provide the necessary music power, measured in watts to drive the speakers. High Power amplifiers require large gauge cable to provide adequate voltage and current to the amplifier. Sound deadening is often used in the door cavities and boot area to provide less rattling of the metal in the car, especialy the boot, and to help produce a cleaner sound, by absorbing instead of reflecting sound waves. It is a rubber like substance that can be sprayed on or glued on in sheets. Alternators may be upgraded from the stock unit to increase the current capability of the vehicle's electrical system, often required of high-power audio system components. An additional Deep Cycle battery (or, for very large systems, banks of batteries) can be deployed (often charged via a Split charge relay) to limit voltage drop and allow the system to be played for long periods without the vehicle's engine being run.
  The audio system in a Toyota. Other components that make up high end car audio installations may include:- amplifiers
- audio processors
- cables
- crossovers
- equalizers
- mobile video (VCRs, television, DVD and navigation)
- stiffening capacitors
Common modifications in high end car audio installations:- amp racks
- speaker pods
- subwoofer enclosures
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