Thread: Car audio quality in carputers

this is my first time....
here I goooo!!!!

You use an Alpine digital processor like the PXA-H701 that does all what a headunit can do plus more (dollby digital). The PXA is controlled by a controller; the RUX-C701 which has a controll nob for volume.

That MaxxBass® 103 thing is cool if what they say is true.

Read this page(technology page) http://www.wavescaraudio.com/htmls/maxxbass.htm

most manufacturers have various dsp(digital signal processors) in their higher end HU. as an example some Kenwood HUs have various features of setting each band at different amplitude intervals and the width as well. You can choose what type of car you have and will change some of the properties.
In some Pioneer HUs like last years DEH-P8600, you have a 7 band eq, you can adjust your sw amplitude lowpass filter and pitch angle, it even has an auto EQ so it can test out each speaker from the drivers position and run each speaker to its maximum abilities without distortion.
In some Alpine's you can adjust your phase angle for each speaker and even upload or download certain settings through their server. They even have a mediaexpander(MX) that improves the sound quailty through the onboard dsp. Those are especially good for compressed sounds like aux inputs or mp3 formats.

There is alot more than just the standard bass treb fad n bal. It all depends on how crazy you're going to get and how much you want to shell out.

Hi,

Yes I do realise there are many complicated features that I'm not aware of, I'm just wondering whether these features can be done in software or sound card on carputers.

I know headunits can do them as part of their features, my point is can carputers do it? I was planning to ask this question on caraudioaustralia, would that be a better place to ask?

nomorspam, what should I be searching for? I have no idea what to look for...

well..
if your lookin for software solution..
i use this:

http://www.winamp.com/plugins/details.php?id=81361

its a winamp plugin that allows you to boost, improve the sound outputted..
its pretty cool..

suppose this is only of use if you use winamp..

do a search on audio enhancement software or something like that on google..
first link i clicked on..
http://www.audiotoolsdirect.com/Enhancers/more2.shtml
google is your friend...

Ah I see, so there are a bunch around.

Anything in particular being used by carputer software? Or any particular carputer software combining this kind of thing into their software?

I guess I should re-state my question, after reading "can a carputer compete with a head unit for sound quality?":
can a carputer compete with a head unit for sound quality?

My question is a little different. What I'm trying to ask is in the current state of carputer software, does the software use any kind of software equalizers or other software-side effects to enhance the quality of sound in the car? (ie. before it gets to hardware...).

One of the carputer software that I've found interesting is pycar, http://pymedia.org/pycar/, however this is just a curiosity question. Does any software currently use any software enhancements to the sound coming from the sound card?

Apologies if I caused any confusion, I wasn't quite sure how to ask the question before, hopefully thats a little clearer.

Regards,
Gareth

Originally Posted by some_cs_student

I'm not just talking about bass/treble/fad/bal. But things like the "loud" feature (enhances mid-range/bass) and various other sound quality enhancements (I'm not sure which ones but they all post bass enhancement or improving this, anyway they all do make a difference :P).

OK - common misconception. That 'LOUD' button does NOT improve sound quality, I'd venture to state that it distorts more than anything. You are correct in saying that they do all make a difference. However, I wouldn't say that it's a GOOD difference, rather a BAD one...lol

I'm assuming you would have equalization software of some kind and an expensive sound card to produce quality sound output, but is their software which enhances this sound?

not true on the expensive sound card part of that. I have a $100 sound card and am running optical out....no problems here!

Can you easily turn up the bass/treble like a head unit?

you can find out the answer to that yourself by trying it on the very computer you used to type this message on....you can go into winamp, or even into the sound card program and change all of that...

Oh, if I did build a carputer I would also like to combine a touchscreen with some analog controls (I don't like the idea of controlling volume on a touch screen). Does anyone have analog controls for their carputers? (not full keyboards). I think some people have hooked them up to head units...

mine is connected to the Alpine RUX-C701 display unit for my processor. That is where i control my sound. This last part does warrant the 'search' icon, because there are tons o people out there who have done it. However, if you had SPECIFIC questions regarding this, ask away!