Possible FAQ for audio(need help)
NOTICE: This is NOT to be used as a source of information until this notice has been removed! It will be removed when I'm reasonably sure the information is accurate enough to help people!
Below is what Ive started, can somebody help with this, and correct any errors, and possibly post it as a sticky? Thanks! I think it would help!
This is my attempt at car audio FAQ.
It is my hope that this article/post teach you:
1) What different stereo components do
2) Options to look for in said hardware.(I need help with this)
3) Options for replacing a head unit(will do later)
If there are any errors please let me know so i may fix them!
Section 1: Stereo components and what they do.
This section will explain the following components:
Headunit Or Deck
Speakers
Equalizers
Crossovers
Amplifiers
Stiffening Capacitors
Special thanks to:
Red GTi VR6
DJiK
For helping make this accurate, and possible.
Headunit or Deck
Deck or Headunit, We all have seen one but do you really know what it does? I know I know it plays music. But what we really need to know is all the components that make up a head unit. For example did you know that most headunits include an amplifier built-in? Sure its not the strongest or most powerful one, But had it not amplified the signal chances are you wouldn't hear it.
Many of the after market HU's come with an auxiliary input. This means that the basic CarPC could be plugged in to the car's audio system by a single stereo wire.
What to look for
Well, if your going to use your headunit with your carpc, you probibly want an auxiliary input in the rear of the unit. This way the wires arn't hanging everywhere, and you don't need to use an unreliable FM transmitter. If your unable to purchase a new or used headunit with auxiliary input, a FM transmitter will work, if properly positioned (I personally used a belkin, when i didn't have a cd player). Typically an FM transmitter is meadicore at best, and should be considers a last option resort only!
Any other suggestions for this??
Equalizer
Most Headunits have an equalizer built in. There are also many many external models. Some are primitive, such as an adjustments for bass or treble. Some are more advanced, similar to that in winamp or similar programs that include multi-band adjustments. (Bands are selections of a signal, just like your favorite radio station is a small selection (200hz) of the FM band). The equalizer is particularly useful for fine tuning a setup.
Many people including myself mess with the settings because it just sounds 'better', or maybe were bored. Theres nothing wrong with this either, Its just about personal preference.
What to look for
As with everything theres several different opinions. Theres 1/2 DIN, which is just its size, there are also full DIN size models available. Personally I'd suggest the 1/2 DIN as it takes up half as much room as most stereos. However kits for the install of the full DIN sized models are much easier to find.
The 1/3 octabe 31 band EQs that are HIGHLY saught after by those in the quest for supreme SQ from the audio systems. These EQs FAR surpass WinAmps capabilities.
Another option you may be interested in is fader or fade control, This is what allows you to put more power to the front speakers then the back, or vise versa. Tuned correctly this dosn't generally need to move. However if you have sleeping people in the back it may be nice of the driver to turn the back speakers down or off using the fade control. This way its a little louder to the front passengers, while not likely to wake the other passengers.
A lot of the models Ive seen also have a master volume control, which is of course a technical name for the volume control. This is good when or if you want an easy and tactile way to adjust the volume. Which is something I personally prefer.
Any other suggestions for this??
Crossover
Then theres the crossover, This can also be built into some Headunits. It limits what frequency's a certain channel gets. Think of it like this, Most of the time you don't have particularly large speakers up front. Their better for playing highs or treble, whereas your back speakers are generally bigger. They're more apt to play bass or low frequency. The lower the signal the more the speaker has to move, Typically speaking the larger speakers have more room to move, and because their larger they don't have much trouble being so loud. So basically up to a point its less strain on the speaker to provide a lower signal (like bass) at a higher volume. So in short you would probably take the higher signals (treble) and put them to the front, meanwhile not letting it play lower frequency's. Then your back speakers can play the midrange, without worrying about the highs, or the lows because other speakers are taking care of those. This allows it to play clearer without so much stress and distortion. And your subs are playing all the bass, but not anything above the midrange. This allows for all of your speakers to play their strengths, while not making them play the entire audio range at the same time.
Some speakers (like those three ways or two ways) claim to be able to do that, However in my personal experience, they don't work all that great, but they're better then nothing.
What to look for
Theres two basic kinds of crossovers that I've seen. One type only allows a certain frequency to pass through the line, to one speaker. You would need to buy one for each speaker you have. The other is like a control board, this type is usually adjustable. One think you need to make sure of with the later style is that you get a stereo not mono, as you have a stereo (IE: atleast one left and one right speakers) the second thing is you need to figure out how many channels there are. Most amplifiers have a crossover built in (as far as Ive seen) So chances are you dont need an external unit. However if you do make sure you have enough channels Usually 6 (2 front speakers,2 back speakers,2 subs)
Any other suggestions for this??
Amplifier
Now onto Amplifiers, I don't want to start a debate here. And there are many many better places to find information on these, However, They are quite simple as far as what they do. They take a signal in, and put out a stronger signal! This usually equates to louder volume, or stronger transmitted signal and therefore in both cases better range (the louder a cd is playing, the further away from it you can hear it, same with a transmitter, the stronger it is, more or less, the better range it has. (not quite true but for just audio principals I'm not going there....)
This site is very informative, and so until somebody helps me, this is what its going to be for now: Click me
Somebody else is more then welcome to write for this section!
What to look for
Use only the RMS numbers!
Find out what your speakers are rated in RMS Watts, and make sure your amplifier is that or less. However it can be a good idea to purchase a more powerful amplifier then you need, and turn it to a lower setting as its not going to generate as much heat vs the heat it was designed to handle. For example a 1000 watt RMS amp, turned to half, is only going to use half the power. So it will only loose half as much through heat as normal (more or less). Meaning the amplifier should stay cooler, and therefore less stressed.
Any other suggestions for this??
