Showing posts with label Auto. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Auto. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
With Auto Sound Systems Newest Technology isnt Necessarily Greatest Technology
We live in a world where music is our constant companion. We take it with us to the beach, to work, to exercise, even while riding bikes or talking on our cell phones. It only makes sense that in our cars we would like to have the best possible auto sound systems our hard earned dollars can buy. The problem is that new technology is being introduced to the market each and every day and many of us feel as though if we hold our breath just a little bit longer something even better and more spectacular will come along. We know that we will absolutely want to kick ourselves if we buy in to "this or that" companys auto sound system that was phenomenal yesterday, just before the next great thing hits the market.
The truth is that superior auto sound system technology exists already and the question isnt if it will hit the market but rather when. And when seems to be a pretty big question when it comes to emerging technologies. There are always so many things that control when the actual product will hit the shelves in stores or even how much supply will be available at that point in time. The really good news for consumers is that if you wait until that point, chances are the prices on the system you like now will probably lower significantly almost overnight.
While the geek in me would love to have the latest and greatest of gadgets at all times, the mom in me knows that the kids will need braces, new shoes for soccer, and (eventually) college tuition. For those reasons, I will continue typing on my sadly outdated eMachine and secretly long for the brand new Dell notebook while listening to the latest tunes on my iPod Shuffle while secretly longing for one of the new iPods, which is capable of playing video. I will live however, and will enjoy watching others play with their new gadget goodies while I learn about them and wait for the prices to drop (just like DVD players a few years back).
I am at least intelligent enough to realize that most of the time it is best not to be the first to buy a new product or an emerging technology. Let someone else take the risks associated with buying an essentially untried product while I sit back and listen to what they have to say. This way I can make an informed decision without bearing the scars associated with testing an untried product.
There are many things Im willing to sacrifice and many more things I give to my children as guinea pigs. The thing I have noticed quite often with them is that if it can survive a few weeks in their care, it is a pretty safe bet and might even be worth purchasing stock in the company. We all have some things that are more important to us than others and while I love technology there are other things I love more.
Music, however, is a very important part of my life and I do try to keep current with the latest and greatest when it comes to auto sound systems. My favorite at the moment is the Bose. Every piece of this equipment is designed with the idea of making music sound, as it should. You can get the biggest and greatest sound quality from this system without giving up half your trunk or your entire back seat. Bose is one of the more expensive products on the market when it comes to auto sound systems but it is well worth every penny.
When checking out your options for an auto sound system be sure to keep in mind that the most expensive product is not necessarily the best product-no matter what the salesman tells you. By learning as much as possible about all choices you may find that one of the less expensive systems is actually better suited for your auto sound system needs.
Monday, November 17, 2014
Choosing the Right Amplifier for your Auto Sound System
Finding the best amplifier for your auto sound system can be a lot easier if you take the time ahead of time to learn what you need and what will work best with the sound system youve selected for your car, truck, or SUV. It helps to understand what an amplifier does in order to purchase the one that will best suit your needs. An amplifier takes a small sound, adds a little boost of its own, and then turns it into a big sound. The more power your amplifier has, the better quality of sound it will provide. An underpowered amplifier will have a thin, tinny sound that is rather unattractive in an auto sound system, or any other sound system for that matter.
You should also take care to remember that the power rating of an amplifier is the maximum power it is capable of expending not the amount that it will regularly use. The RMS rating of an amplifier is a good indication of its power output. One thing that is important to remember is that you should never buy an amplifier based on the maximum output or RMS rating. This number is more often than not incredibly misleading. If a driving, thumping bass beat is important to you then you should make sure that your amplifier has a bass boost button. This button will or switch will give a little bit of a boost to your bass. Its something I can pass on by many bass lovers cannot live without. Not all amplifiers have this so choose wisely and according to your preferences.
When it comes to amplifiers there are essentially four major classes (there are other classes but they are not all that common so I will not dwell on defining them) that represent the quality of sound you should expect from the system.
1) A. This class has a great output of quality sound but wastes huge amounts of energy in the process of creating that wonderful sound.
2) B. This class is slightly better than A as far as it wastes less energy and slightly worse as it produces a somewhat inferior quality of sound.
3) A/B. This resembles either A or B as far as sound and energy waste goes depending on the volume. Lower volumes will utilize the class A qualities of the amplifier while louder volumes are more in keeping with class B.
4) D. This class is primarily decent for producing a good bass sound and little else. The quality of sound and amount of energy wasted are both only moderate and neither are very impressive.
Of course this is the bare bones run through of the very basic amplifier basics. Another thing to note is that many people simply refer to amplifiers as amps rather than saying the entire word. Its slang but its so common that no one will blink if you do it. In fact you are far more likely to get funny looks for calling it an amplifier. Regardless of the small talk an amplifier isnt the end all be all of an auto sound system. It is only important if you feel it is important and many sound systems work splendidly without an extra amplifier to confuse the process and raise the price.
Whenever you decide to buy a new auto sound system for your car, truck, or SUV there is a moment of exhilaration and excitement as this is often a decision youve mulled over for quite a while rather than a spur of the moment decision. This exhilaration is promptly followed by a moment of complete and utter fear, as most of us have no clue what we really need. Hopefully, this has helped you decide whether or not you will need an amplifier and if you will, perhaps you can make a more educated and informed decision as to the type of amp you need.
Top 5 Reasons for a New Auto Sound System
If you are a fan of David Letterman, Im sure youve seen and heard his nutty and often hilarious top 10 lists. He has become famous for them and they have been often imitated but never quite aptly duplicated by many around the world. I have no intentions of trying to claim or ever hope to be as funny as Letterman but I would love to create a top 5 list of why you need a new auto sound system. The sad part is that some of this may ring true for many, if not, I bet it will at least make you smile.
5) You really hate your neighbors and secretly hope that enough loud, late night thumping from your car will convince them to move. Admittedly not the kindest reason for the need of a new auto sound system but if youve had some of my previous neighbors I am fairly certain that it isnt too bad of an idea. Just be careful not to shake too much or they may be leaving part of their automobiles behind.
4) Because you saw it on Ebay and like Weird Al Yankovich you just cant seem to refuse when it comes to last minute bargains in the worlds largest garage sale. The truth of the matter is that Ebay can be an excellent resource as far as auto sound systems go. It is important however, to remember that you really need to hear the system before you spend your hard earned money buying it and a lot of time and/or money on the installation of the sound system you select. For that reason Ebay may not be the best choice for your particular needs.
3) Because youre tired of crummy speakers that seem to play static more than music and make more popping and snapping sounds than your old fashioned popcorn popper. Speakers are often only a small part of how your sound system runs. Chances are if you are currently having speaker problems an entirely new auto sound system is going to be in order to insure that all the problems are fixed and solved to your complete satisfaction.
2) Because your Aunt Ethel who has cataracts has a better auto sound system than you. Believe me I know this one stings a little, especially when it hits home. We all hate to think that someone that is older has a more technologically hip and sound product than we do. We often like to kid ourselves into thinking that we live on the cutting edge of technology when that is probably far from the case. Aunt Ethel probably has the kicking sound system she does so that it can be heard without the assistance of miracle ear so keep that in mind before you pull all of your hair out.
And the number 1 reason you should get a new auto sound system is that the 8-trac went out of fashion long before your first child was born. Even though youve clung to the past, it has finally met its limitations of usefulness and it is time to move along and embrace the wonderful world of modern technology and what it can mean to you and the time you and your family spend riding in your vehicle. Hope you had a great smile for the day!
iPod and the Auto Sound System
The iPod story seems to be that of a charmed life. If you havent taken a look around there are all kinds of devices and accessories that are created in order to use right along with the wildly popular and successful iPod product offered by Apple. In fact, I cant think of a better coup for Apple to have pulled off against the giant PC industry, even Microsofts new product the Zune is having a great deal of difficulty even catching up to the sales that iPod seems to have no trouble garnering. The success is something that may define explanation but could have a great deal to do with the equally popular accessories and adornments that are made for each and every iPod product.
In addition to auto sound systems you will find iDogs, iPets, iPod covers, iPod players (speakers and docking stations that you plug your iPod into in order to play without the headphones), iPod alarm clocks, and my personal favorite iBaby (this is a stroller made by Kolcraft that has an iPod, speakers, and adapter built in so that baby can hear his or her favorite tunes while being strolled about the town), or the iCrib (another nifty iPod device designed to keep baby pacified-hopefully this nifty gadgets are drool proof). Needless to say there are times in life when its all about the accessories and I have yet seen another maker of MP3 type devices hold a torch to iPod when it comes to offering options for buyers to personalize their music makers.
If you are in the market for an auto sound system, chances are that you either already have an iPod or are seriously not opposed to the idea of owning one. If you either or both are in your near future I highly recommend you consider purchasing an auto sound system that will be completely compatible with your iPod system or any other MP3 type player you choose to use. I do believe however, that you will find better options designed with the iPod in mind as none of the other brands (thus far) have nearly the buyer base and purchasing power of iPod owners. No matter how you feel about it, all indications are that iPods are here to stay and you may as well jump on board when it comes to your auto sound system as well.
Speakers Play the Sound but Auto Sound Systems Make It
When you look at auto sound systems it is important to pay close attention to the speakers on the system you are considering. You will find that there are all kinds of components, pieces, and parts that go along with a proper sound system in the world of todays music systems. You need to pay special attention to every single detail along the way of choosing the system that will meet your needs, your budget, and your lifestyle with the most bells and whistles to spare.
Some things that are important to remember about selecting proper speakers is that bigger isnt always better. As a matter of fact, bigger speakers are often quite inferior no matter how that might have been different in the past. As technology improves, better things are coming in much smaller packages. You do not have to have a huge set of amplifiers in order to receive not only good quality but also really big sound.
I hope I can honestly say that the days of having to remove the backseat of your car in order to install speakers is long gone. I also hope that the days of having speakers occupy more than half of the available trunk space in a car are also long gone. While I am not a big fan of loud thumping bass music, I do realize that it is very popular and has been for the last twenty or so years. The good news for fans of this type of sound is that you dont have to have all the extraneous space taking equipment that was once required in order to achieve a far superior sound in the auto sound systems of today.
You can still achieve the very same bone jarring bass thumping music without sacrificing every inch of real estate within your car to speakers and amplifiers. Good speakers can be purchased separately from your auto sound system though I highly recommend against doing so. I am ordinarily all about saving money whenever and wherever possible. The truth is that with a sound system for your vehicle if you dont hear all the components together you really wont have a realistic clue as to the overall sound you will be buying. Your best bet is to buy the speakers that are sold as part of the sound system rather than hoping you will be getting a good deal on speakers that are not quite up to the standards of the sound system you have invested in for your car, truck, or SUV.
Of course the best speakers for your car will largely depend on what you plan to do with the speakers. There are some who plan to enter their cars into competitions to see which car has the best thumping bass sound around. If that is your goal for your auto sound system, then by all means add all the speakers you need. Keep in mind that the less space you have inside your car, the less people you fit inside. This can be a somewhat disheartening thing on occasion but it is your car and your sound after all. You should get what you want for your money. You are, after all the one paying for the sound you are getting.
Speakers arent the most important component when it comes to big sound but they are vitally important when it comes to sound in general. Just remember it makes no sense to go big and bulky on the speakers and amplifiers if you are going to skimp when it comes to the overall quality of the sound system you are buying for your vehicle or skimping on installation. The best equipment on the market is only as good as its weakest part. It doesnt matter how wonderful your speakers are if your system is substandard or even only average. Try to keep even quality throughout your auto sound system whenever possible for the best possible overall sound.
Sunday, October 26, 2014
XM Satellite Radio Vs Sirius for your Auto Sound System Selection
If youre in the market for a new auto sound system you might want to seriously take a moment and consider whether or not you would be benefited by subscribing to either Sirius or XM Satellite Radio. Both of these subscription-based services have something wonderful to offer their subscribers and both of them require specialized equipment in order to operate. This means if you are going to wish to use either service, you will need to have decided which service before you have your auto sound system installed.
It really doesnt matter which of these you choose they each have different features that will appeal to a wide variety of audiences. You will find some wonderful competition among the two not only by way of music radio but also talk radio. If you really love talk radio you really need to subscribe to one of these in order to find a treasure chest of talk radio gems. You will find everything from the mundane to the controversial. From Oprah to Howard Stern exist in the realm of satellite radio, which seems to not only be catching on but also here to stay.
It has been commented on many times that XM Satellite Radio has a strong lead when it comes to subscriptions. This is very true but you should also keep in mind that the new subscribers seem to be leaning more towards Sirius for their satellite radio rather than going with the traditional favorite. Ive checked out the line up and cant see that one has much of a clearly defined lead over the other so I cant give a definitive reason for the massive new subscribers to Sirius or even the phenomenal lead that XM Satellite radio is currently enjoying. Regardless if this is something that might interest you, you really should check out each website and decide for yourself which, if either, is more appealing to you as well as whether that appeal is worth the investment and the monthly subscription fee.
I will say this however: XM Satellite Radio for the moment seems to have much better toys to offer consumers. That being said, Im actually quite surprised that the vast number of new subscribers are going with Sirius rather than XM. Of course, being the gadget geek that I am, I am basing that surprise solely on the fact that XM seems to have much better toys. At the moment XM is offering some really cool gadgets that double not only as XM Satellite Radio receivers but also offer GPS functionality and navigation assistance and controls. Some of these devices even go one step further and play DVDs, CDs, MP3s, among other things.
Believe me, Sirius has a lot to offer its customers as well, Im simply thrilled over select items that can be found at XM that I really havent seen adequate competition for elsewhere. On the level of music, both seem to carry similar genres, lineups, etc. The same holds true for the Talk radio line up. The only major difference I am finding between the two are the gadgets. Even the prices are rather competitive with one another. I see only one other major difference and that is the fact that Sirius offers a lifetime membership that cost about the same as the five-year plan from XM Satellite Radio. The thing to remember however is that the lifetime membership is for the lifetime of the device not the subscriber.
I should also point out that opting for satellite radio more than likely will not eliminate your need for a new auto sound system it may however pose certain requirements for the type of sound system you will be able to choose. One thing I have noticed with both companies is that there are plenty of devices from which to choose. You will have your hands full selecting the right equipment for your auto sound system upon which to enjoy the wonderful sounds that satellite radio will bring to your ears each and every day.
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Top 5 Reasons for a New Auto Sound System
If you are a fan of David Letterman, Im sure youve seen and heard his nutty and often hilarious top 10 lists. He has become famous for them and they have been often imitated but never quite aptly duplicated by many around the world. I have no intentions of trying to claim or ever hope to be as funny as Letterman but I would love to create a top 5 list of why you need a new auto sound system. The sad part is that some of this may ring true for many, if not, I bet it will at least make you smile.
5) You really hate your neighbors and secretly hope that enough loud, late night thumping from your car will convince them to move. Admittedly not the kindest reason for the need of a new auto sound system but if youve had some of my previous neighbors I am fairly certain that it isnt too bad of an idea. Just be careful not to shake too much or they may be leaving part of their automobiles behind.
4) Because you saw it on Ebay and like Weird Al Yankovich you just cant seem to refuse when it comes to last minute bargains in the worlds largest garage sale. The truth of the matter is that Ebay can be an excellent resource as far as auto sound systems go. It is important however, to remember that you really need to hear the system before you spend your hard earned money buying it and a lot of time and/or money on the installation of the sound system you select. For that reason Ebay may not be the best choice for your particular needs.
3) Because youre tired of crummy speakers that seem to play static more than music and make more popping and snapping sounds than your old fashioned popcorn popper. Speakers are often only a small part of how your sound system runs. Chances are if you are currently having speaker problems an entirely new auto sound system is going to be in order to insure that all the problems are fixed and solved to your complete satisfaction.
2) Because your Aunt Ethel who has cataracts has a better auto sound system than you. Believe me I know this one stings a little, especially when it hits home. We all hate to think that someone that is older has a more technologically hip and sound product than we do. We often like to kid ourselves into thinking that we live on the cutting edge of technology when that is probably far from the case. Aunt Ethel probably has the kicking sound system she does so that it can be heard without the assistance of miracle ear so keep that in mind before you pull all of your hair out.
And the number 1 reason you should get a new auto sound system is that the 8-trac went out of fashion long before your first child was born. Even though youve clung to the past, it has finally met its limitations of usefulness and it is time to move along and embrace the wonderful world of modern technology and what it can mean to you and the time you and your family spend riding in your vehicle. Hope you had a great smile for the day!
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