Why You Can't Do Without A Car Audio Crossover

I've heard the question asked many times before, 'Do I really need a crossover?' Without wasting any time I quickly answer, 'Yes you do'. Whether it's a passive crossover or an active crossover, your car audio system will never sound good without a crossover. I want to make myself very clear here, so before you get confused let's talk about what a car audio crossover is and why you need one.A crossover is a filtering device which limits the frequencies that reach a speaker. It splits a music signal into separate frequency ranges and sends them to speakers that are designed to best reproduce each frequency range. For instance, only high frequencies would be sent to your tweeters, midrange to your mid range speakers, and lows to your subwoofer.

The passive crossover is very common. It's basically a capacitor or coil installed on the speaker leads between amplifier and speaker that stops certain frequencies from reaching a speaker. It's relatively inexpensive and easy to install.But for your car stereo system to perform better and be efficient, you need an active crossover, also referred to as an electronic crossover. It is installed between your head unit or equalizer and your amplifiers. Your electronic crossover sends the proper frequency ranges to each amplifier.

Some people run three separate amps: one for bass, one for mids and the other for highs.Active crossovers are almost infinitely adjustable. You can vary the crossover points and adjust the level of separate speakers to achieve the best overall sound in your vehicle.
If you're serious about sound you must have a car audio crossover. Otherwise your system will sound terrible. Oh what a mess it will be when your subwoofer and mid-range speakers duplicate many of the same frequencies! How about when your mid-range speaker attempts to put out high notes that your tweeters are supposed to handle.

Can you bear such grief? I can't.And this is just the beginning of your sorrow and pain. Since low frequencies are being sent to your tweeters there will be distortion. As a result of this distortion your tweeters will be destroyed. Loud bass will eventually destroy your mid-range speakers as well. Now you've got to start from scratch and buy a new set of speakers, all because you started on the wrong footing..

Mantius Cazaubon is a successful author and publisher of http://car-stereos-guide.com, a resource for information and tips on buying car stereo and audio products online.

The Next Wave of Distributive Audio Sounds Off with 802.11-Enabled Speakers

As home networks rapidly evolve support for the distribution of stored digital and online media content to the home entertainment center, 802.11-enabled speaker solutions will find a natural fit in many media networks.
According to The Diffusion Group, a Dallas-based market research consultancy, approximately one-third of current home network owners are, to varying degrees and averaged across several price points, interested in purchasing 802.11-enabled speakers.
The report entitled "Next Generation Distributive Audio: Consumer Interest in 802.11-enabled Speakers" illustrates the characteristics of the prime target consumer group for such speaker solutions.
"Though the market is, by definition, limited by the adoption of home networks," says TDG analyst, Dale Gilliam III. "There is a lot of early interest in wirelessly-networked speakers.

And naturally so, because as computers operating with Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition are replacing many...

The Next Wave of Distributive Audio Sounds Off with 802.11-Enabled Speakers
Speakers > The Next Wave of Distributive Audio Sounds Off with 802.11-Enabled Speakers

Things To Look For When Buying Car Stereo Speakers

There are so may car stereo speakers on the market. How do you know what to choose? Let's take a look at some of the things you should look for when buying a car speaker.1. How is the speaker's power measured?Pay close attention to the amount of power the speaker can handle. This is particularly important when dealing with woofers, since they require more power to play loudly. Look out for models where the manufacturers exaggerate power.

Ensure that power is measures in RMS. Be very wary of terms like "music power" and "peak power". These terms mean nothing when it comes to measuring power.2. How sensitive is the speaker?The more sensitive a speaker is, the less power required to play it. If a speaker is insensitive it will require a lot more power to play at the same volume.

If you're using an amplifier you don't have much to worry about. But sensitivity becomes a bigger issue when you're using your head unit to power your speakers. Head units have less power so they require...

Things To Look For When Buying Car Stereo Speakers
Speakers > Things To Look For When Buying Car Stereo Speakers

Last Chance to Sign Up For the CIO Symposium, April 29th 2005

One of the most unusual features of the second CIO Symposium to be held Friday, April 29, 2005 in London will be a "rate your shop" open discussion involving Chief Information Officers of blue chip companies in attendance and the speakers at the event.
Among the key topics expected to be aired include staff evaluation procedures, salaries, promotions, project management, and use of "best practices" to improve IT function performance. A faculty of internationally recognized information technology leaders will headline the CIO Symposium to be held at the Institute of Directors, Pall Mall, London.
The speakers at this one-day seminar will address the leading challenges facing Chief Information Officers and Directors of information technology.
The speakers will include:Dr.

Bill McColl of Oxford University??? ???Jose Eiras, CIO, General Motors Europe Nigel Arkwright, IT Director, Parcel Force???Joe McMakin, CIO, Air Products Intl.Tony Salvaggio, CEO, CAI...

Last Chance to Sign Up For the CIO Symposium, April 29th 2005
Speakers > Last Chance to Sign Up For the CIO Symposium, April 29th 2005

Octave Systems, Inc. Introduces Speakers to its Copy Master Line

Octave Systems, Inc. is lending an ear to consumers.The California specialist in media duplication hardware is introducing powered Yamaha speakers to its Copy Master line-up.
The first 100 customers to order the audio disc copiers will receive free speakers with the multiple recorder Copy Masters. The powered Yamaha speakers will play an audio CD from the first drive. It's a great time saver if you need to check a master first before duplicating.The speakers are available with the four and seven drive CD Copy Masters.

They are also available in the five and eight drive DVD models.The CD and DVD Copy Masters offer cutting-edge recording technology that provides efficiency and economy like no other media duplicators.The stand-alone units feature an easy-to-use intuitive interface coupled with super-swift drives that can handle audio, video or data formats with ease. Octave Systems, Inc. is a specialist in media recording and duplicating. Founded in 1984 and located in the...

Octave Systems, Inc. Introduces Speakers to its Copy Master Line
Speakers > Octave Systems, Inc. Introduces Speakers to its Copy Master Line