A2563

1995 Winter Consumer Electronics Show
$3.5

10 Experiments on the Cutting Edge of Car Audio

This article details the setup and results of 10 experiments carried out at the WCES. Experiments on shielding, RTAs, patents, polarity or phase, distortion, gain overlap in amps, damping factors, multiple batteries, bass up front in a car, and signal cables in cars are discussed.

There is also some interesting asides from the “high-end” part of the show including solid silver voice coils ($12,000 per driver) and more.

A2493

Polarity and Phase
$2.5 Reduced from $3.5. You save $1.00!!

Absolute and Relative System Polarity

Polarity and phase are defined. Crossovers and phase relationships are explained. First, second and third order filters and phase inversions are discussed. Checking phase and polarity of speakers is presented.

A2560

Adding a 3rd Function – To A Two Button Alarm Remote
$3.5

Alarm Circuit

Using an NPN Darlington transistor and a Bosch-type relay, an extra function is added to an alarm.

A2458

Death of a Classic
$3.5

Alpine 7909

The article that describes Alpine dropping the 7909 from their lineup. The Pioneer M-88 is discussed.

A2492

Pedal Power
$2.5 Reduced from $3.5. You save $1.00!!

Alternators – Human Powered

The A2000 Power Bike is presented in detail. This bike has a real alternator on it and various load are presented to the human peddling the bike. An excellent article on batteries, charging, loads, and alternators.

A2535

Chrysler Alternators
$2.5 Reduced from $3.5. You save $1.00!!

Alternators and Charging

A description of the limitations of a factory alternator. Considerations for upgrades are presented.

A2483

Let's Get Serious About Batteries
$2.5 Reduced from $3.5. You save $1.00!!

Alternators, Second Batteries, and Noise

Benchmark article on how the addition of a high output alternator (HOA) actually increases the noise in a car audio system. Solutions are presented. Photographs and drawings are presented.

A2571

More Regulation
$3.5

Article #2 on Regulation and Isolation

Benchmark article on adding additional “off-board” regulation to a car audio system. Some car audio amplifiers are more tightly regulated than others, but is adding more regulation a good idea? Check it out. Charts and test data is presented.

A2523

Waves II
$2.5 Reduced from $3.5. You save $1.00!!

Article on Waves and Sound

The second in this series on the wave nature of sound discusses vibrating air molecules, effects of density and temperature, and describes the special camera that takes photos of sound in air.

A2480

Keeping the Salesperson Honest
$2.5 Reduced from $3.5. You save $1.00!!

Auto-Tuning BS and Fuzzy Logic

Circuit noise, automatic tuning processors, and the truth about component claims is discussed.

A2633

Testing Amplifier's Low Frequency
$3.5

Bass and Amps

The power of an amplifier with respect to reactive loads is discussed and the concept of Reactive Output Power is given. Charts incuded.

A2585

How To Hire a Good Car Stereo Installer
$3.5

Business Management

The next time someone interviews for an installation position, try a few of these questions.

A2432

Love-Car Audio Style
$3.5

Car Stereo Guy Gets Date

The story of a car audio installation that ended up in a long-term relationship. Hummm.

A2524

What Color is a Bit?
$2.5 Reduced from $3.5. You save $1.00!!

CD Facts – Recording in Gold

The merits of using gold on CDs are discussed. How CD players read CDs and the roles Mastering and Recording studios play in making a CD are given. The differences between aluminum and gold discs are shown.

A2474

How Much Isolation Is Enough
$2.5 Reduced from $3.5. You save $1.00!!

Component Isolation and Noise

With adequate isolation, noise is not a problem. Consider a portable MP3 player and headphones – no noise. But when that same MP3 player is connected to a cigarette lighter, noise can appear. This is a benchmark article on Isolation and Isolated Power Supplies.

A2479

Isolation
$2.5 Reduced from $3.5. You save $1.00!!

Component Isolation Continued

Common ground circuitry. Floating ground circuitry. Component isolation in consideration of multiple components. Battery isolation, isolation transformers, and how we test for component isolation.

A2545

Charged Up
$2.5 Reduced from $3.5. You save $1.00!!

Computer Controlled Charging Systems

A look at how computers control the charging system of modern vehicles.

A2459

Dual Battery Isolator
$3.5

Connecting 2 Batteries

The optimal method of connecting 2 batteries to one alternator. Problems with Dual Battery isolators are discussed.

A2619

Myths Behind Modern SPL Competition
$3.5

Contesting SPL Article

Richard Clark answers questions from SPL contesters.

A2415

Car Audio In Turkey
$2.5 Reduced from $3.5. You save $1.00!!

Continuing Education

How car audio in Turkey is changing.

A2428

The Pink Noise Blues
$3.5

Crest Factor and Pink Noise Amplitude

Crest Factor and Pink Noise is defined. Pink noise and acoustics are explained. 12 charts included.

A2425

Understanding Zobels
$3.5

Crossovers - Zobel Networks

Load stabilization with respect to crossover frequency and the use of Zobel networks, impedance, and response is explained.

A2431

Let's Clear Up This Department
$3.5

Current Balanced Power Wiring

Concepts in power wiring. The unnecessary installation of sub-woofers in the front of the car.

A2564

How to Make a Simple Latcher
$3.5

Delay Circuit + Relay = Latcher

An article that describes a very reliable circuit that uses a delay, diode, and 2 Bosch-type relays to make a latching relay. Pin drawings and exact wiring is included.

A2430

Detailing Cars
$3.5

Tips for cleaning cars for shows.

A2554

Battery Tests Expanded
$2.5 Reduced from $3.5. You save $1.00!!

Details of Testing Batteries

Autosound 2000 Test Labs wrote a program to present various loads on a battery. The way the battery handles the load is plotted on a chart and the charts are presented.

A2538

Wiring Woofers in Series and/or Parallel
$2.5 Reduced from $3.5. You save $1.00!!

Differences are Charted

Complex impedances are discussed. Measurements of the differences in response experienced when speakers are wired in series and in parallel are given. Effective damping and other parameters are mentioned.

A2540

Retail Demonstration of Stiffening Capacitors
$2.5 Reduced from $3.5. You save $1.00!!

Drop Out Detector Circuit

This article uses a “drop out detector” to measure power supply fades without the Stiffening Capacitor in the power system.

A2501

Speaker Placement
$2.5 Reduced from $3.5. You save $1.00!!

DSPs and High End Car Audio

Learn about speaker placement and the concept of using Digital Signal Processors for SQ systems. A basic car audio system --- without a DSP is discussed with respect to imaging and staging. This is a great article for anyone on a limited budget.

A2615

DVD Now
$3.5

DVD Audio or Video?

Richard Clark looks at the prospects for DVD Audio in our world of DVD Video.

A2626

Mobile Audio's Next Wave
$3.5

DVD Update

The latest in DVD players from the manufacturers.

A2440

Amplifier Damping Factor
$3.5

Electrical, Mechanical, Acoustical, and Total Damping

The second article on the importance of Damping Factor in overall system performance.

A2427

$3.5

Enclosure Construction

Using computer simulators for enclosure design. Aperiodic MemBrains are introduced.

A2429

Kenwood's 95 Installer Workshop
$3.5

Enclosure Design, Bass Up Front, OEM Integration, Level Setting

Various parameters in enclosure design are discussed. Level setting distortion examples. Seven items required for Bass Up Front illusion. And OEM integration basics.

A2512

The Spars Code
$2.5 Reduced from $3.5. You save $1.00!!

Facts on Producing CDs

Richard Clark explains how the SPARS code was used for marketing purposes. Learn about the “A” or “D” designations.

A2454

Current Sourcing and Sinking
$3.5

Feeding and loading circuitry

Some solid state devices were designed to source current whereas others sink current. The differences are explained with examples including LEDs and CMOS gates.

A2599

Amplifier Testing
$3.5

Frequency / Phase Response

How we measure the frequency and phase response of amplifiers under test is presented in this article. The Audio Precision System 2 is used and several charts are given.

A2489

NACA - Pre-History of IASCA
$2.5 Reduced from $3.5. You save $1.00!!

From NACA to IASCA

Rob Putman’s benchmark article about how Ron Trout and Neil Frumkin wrote the original IASCA rule book in 1987.

A2614

Internet Music Hits the Road
$3.5

Getting Started in MP3

How-to article on the equipment and components needed to listen to MP3 files in a car audio system. 7-pages with photos.

A2502

Speaker Placement and Center Channel
$2.5 Reduced from $3.5. You save $1.00!!

Imaging, Acoustics, Cues, Amplitude, and Elephants

The problem with placing speakers in the doors of cars is presented. Path length differences, arrival times, and the difference between phantom and derived center channels. Listening experiments are detailed with many drawings. Great article for determining if a particular vehicle will be a good car stereo car.

A2443

And About The Big Caps
$3.5

Installation and Handling of Stiffening Caps

How to connect a Stiffening Capacitor into a car audio system. Charging and Discharging is also covered.

A2597

Stiffening Capacitor Application
$3.5

Installation Related Solutions

Other uses for installing Stiffening Capacitors are given. The second part of this article deals with a rebuttal to some Stiffening Capacitor marketing claims. Interesting reading.

A2613

Polarity, Phase and a Battery
$3.5

Installer Tips

Many installers use a small battery to “pop” speakers to determine polarity. Learn why this may not be the best tool for the job.

A2463

Head Unit Tests
$2.5 Reduced from $3.5. You save $1.00!!

Kenwood, Sony and Sanyo Decks compared

The output characteristics of the Kenwood KDC-PS900, Sony MDX-400, and Sanyo MDR-300 are presented.

A2569

Car Jacking - Where's the Dog?
$3.5

Legal Perspective on Disabling Alarms

A car audio tweak and an attorney wrote this article. It explains the liability involved with harming someone by connecting an alarm add-on device. Interesting reading for the revenge-minded installer.

A2439

A2000 Perspective On The ' 95 IASCA Finals
$3.5

Mark Eldridge and Chad Klodner’s Cars

A minute by minute schedule of the winning vehicles.

A2497

Testing Contactor Switches
$2.5 Reduced from $3.5. You save $1.00!!

Measuring High Current Relays

This article explains the testing method for 100 amp or higher rated high current contactor switches (relays).

A2457

DCC and Car Audio
$3.5

Media Format

Richard Clark’s premier article predicting the problems with the DCC format.

A2601

Sound Waves
$3.5

Media Perspective

A look at the future of DVD and the concept of SACD (Super Audio CD). This article begins with an historical perspective on amps, speakers, CD players and the now defunct DCC format.

A2623

MP3-The Digital Frontier
$3.5

MP3 Update

A look at some new MP3 players for car audio.

A2590

Solid State Amplifiers
$3.5

Op Amps, J-FETs, and MOSFETs

A detailed look into the operation of the solid-state devices in our most popular amplifiers. Various types of J-FETs, IGFETs, and depletion and enhancement FETs are covered.

A2537

Autosound 2000 Component Tests
$2.5 Reduced from $3.5. You save $1.00!!

Outboard D/As

Comparing the features and benefits of adding an external Digital to Analog converter to a deck.

A2620

More Amplifier Testing
$3.5

Parameters in Measurement

Power and distortion measurements are defined. Peak power, and cross-talk are described. Five pages with charts.

A2622

Crossovers vs. Crossovers
$3.5

Passive Crossover Design

The problems associated with passive crossover elements is described in this 4-page article by Richard Clark. First and second order filters are shown in schematic and photographs.

A2515

The Wrong Way To Wire A Stereo
$2.5 Reduced from $3.5. You save $1.00!!

Power Wiring

The problems associated with incorrect power wiring.

A2441

Amplifier Turn On-Off Noises
$3.5

Preliminary Article on Amplifier Noises

This article introduces the concept of how and why some amplifiers produce noises at turn on and/or turn off. A practical solution is presented.

A2433

Batteries, Alternators, Current and Voltage
$3.5

Prelude to Article on Alternators

David Navone explains how an article on Dodge alternators helped his Dodge Caravan.

A2473

How Long Is a Piece of Wire
$2.5 Reduced from $3.5. You save $1.00!!

Premier Article on Cable Inductance

Engineer Carl Miller explains the power delivery system for PWM supplies and large cables. The inductance at 50 kHz is incredible. Stiffening capacitors, load conditions and amplifier regulation are discussed.

A2461

Equalization - Back to Basics
$3.5

Premier Article on Equalization

Richard Clark’s benchmark article on equalization. How they were invented, and how they are used. Material on standing waves, pink noise analysis, RTAs and more are presented.

A2469

David's Thunderbird SC
$2.5 Reduced from $3.5. You save $1.00!!

Premier Article on Installing an SQ Demo System

This benchmark articles covers how to size wires, connect power cables, design power delivery systems, and interface professional audio equipment into a system. Complete with drawings and charts.

A2465

Relative Loudness
$2.5 Reduced from $3.5. You save $1.00!!

Premier Article on Loudness

This very important specification of a component is described and examples are presented.

A2467

Maximum Usable Output Level & More
$2.5 Reduced from $3.5. You save $1.00!!

Premier Article on Maximum Useable Signal Level

The difference between the noise floor and useable dynamic range is explained and examples are given.

A2464

Maximum Output Level
$2.5 Reduced from $3.5. You save $1.00!!

Premier Article on Signal Level

The maximum signal level of a deck is discussed with respect to regulation, switching supplies, noise immunity, and performance. Good specs are given.

A2579

More 12 Volt Confusion
$3.5

Psycho-acoustics and Localization

This article discusses how an amplifier can shift the stereo image within a sound stage. For this reason, swapping amps in a competition system must be done with care. Listening to differences in amplifiers is discussed along with A-B-X testing.

A2587

Less May Be Best
$3.5

Recording Techniques

The advent of multi-track recording and mixing is discussed. Then Direct to Disc recording is re-invented.

A2503

Taking the Mystery Out of IASCA's Track 10
$2.5 Reduced from $3.5. You save $1.00!!

Recording Techniques, Mono-pan pots, and how we hear

The difference between true stereo recording and other methods is presented. How we hear is discussed along with the various microphone arrangements.

A2534

Natural Sound
$2.5 Reduced from $3.5. You save $1.00!!

Recording Techniques, Surround Sound, Imaging, and DSPs

This article describes the many facets associated with recording and reproduction. Time alignment of speakers, correct number of speakers, localization, staging, imaging and much more are presented. This article is 9 pages with drawings.

A2407

Raising The Dead
$2.5 Reduced from $3.5. You save $1.00!!

Refurbishing CDs

This article discusses how the pits are “burned” into a CD and the effects of scratches and scrapes on the top and/or bottom of the disc. Can anything be done about these scratches and scrapes? Learn the answer.

A2544

Vibrating Air in Tubes
$2.5 Reduced from $3.5. You save $1.00!!

Resonances and Fundamentals

David Navone’s article on air tubes, fundamentals, overtones, and resonance. Several drawings included.

A2616

Panasonic's DVD
$3.5

Review of Components

A first look review of Panasonic’s DVD car audio products.

A2611

Tweaker Tools
$3.5

Review of Laser

A quick review of a laser-aiming device for car audio systems.

A2629

Orion Model-PS-100A Power Supply
$3.5

Review of Power Supply

A look at Orion’s huge power supply with respect to voltage and current output.

A2630

A Great Digital Scope for $200
$3.5

Review of Scope

Radio Shack’s digital scope with computer interface is reviewed along with the specs.

A2586

The Rockford Symmetry EPX
$3.5

Review of Symmetry

Autosound 2000 Test Labs checks out the versatile Rockford Symmetry EPX processor.

A2582

Cerwin Vega Stroker 18
$3.5

Review of Woofer

The Cerwin Vega Stroker 18 is tested at a A2000 Workshop / Seminar in Burlington, NC. Over 200 volts is placed across the speaker windings!

A2604

Nor-Cal's Spiral Wound Battery
$3.5

Review on Battery

This article looks at a new battery with spiral wound plates. The results are very encouraging.

A2605

Mozart's Music Box MP3
$3.5

Review on MP3 Player

A first look review of a car audio player for MP3 files on a CDR.

A2466

Choosing a Competition Headpiece
$2.5 Reduced from $3.5. You save $1.00!!

Six Important Specifications

The definition and description of each of the important qualities of a component are presented. Maximum Output Level, Useable Output Level, Relative Loudness, Noise Floor, Source Impedance, and Dynamic Range. Examples are given.

A2519

Crossovers and Loudspeaker Protection
$2.5 Reduced from $3.5. You save $1.00!!

Speaker Power Handling and Protection

This is a benchmark article on speaker damage. The poles of a filter, speaker displacement, and a method of protecting a driver from damage is presented. This a must-read article for serious installers.

A2451

Center Stage
$3.5

Staging and Imaging - Acoustics

Creating a phantom-center in an audio system is covered. Multiple center stage systems are mentioned. Methods of moving the center image are included.

A2434

Stiffening Capacitors Revisited
$3.5

Stiffening Capacitor Charging, Safety, & Shorting Bars

A second look at the latest generation Stiffening Capacitors. How to safely charge, discharge, and demo Stiffening Caps.

A2449

Big Caps and Regulated Power Supplies
$3.5

Stiffening Caps and Amplifiers

This article explains how Stiffening Caps affect amplifiers with regulated power supplies. Practical examples are presented with IR-drops. Efficiency is discussed.

A2470

Home Audio Sounds in the Car
$2.5 Reduced from $3.5. You save $1.00!!

The Dawn of SQ Installations

How we began with HiFi and moved into Stereo and accurate reproduction. Car audio components were not originally designed for accurate stereo reproduction. Learn about modifications and the start of IASCA.

A2525

What We Know About Hearing
$2.5 Reduced from $3.5. You save $1.00!!

The latest info on Human Hearing

A description of the Richard’s attendance at one of the best hearing workshops in the world. Noise canceling earplugs are mentioned.

A2549

Setting Priorities
$2.5 Reduced from $3.5. You save $1.00!!

The Top 10 Most Important Items

Deciding on which part of a car audio system to work on first can be difficult. This article discusses several of the most important items.

A2462

Distortion & Speaker Damage
$2.5 Reduced from $3.5. You save $1.00!!

The True Results of Amp Clipping

This article discusses the consequences of clipping the input of an amplifier, square waves, and placing straight DC across the voice coil of a speaker.

A2437

Capacitor Confusion
$3.5

Third View on Stiffening Capacitors

This article explains how many Farads of Stiffening Capacitors should be used in a system. The energy in a 1 Farad capacitor is compared to the energy in a 9 volt battery. Many charts.

A2450

Low Frequency Testing CD #101
$3.5

Track by track description of Test CD#101

Each of the 99 test tracks on the Autosound 2000 Test Disc CD#101 is explained. Low frequency from 10 Hz to 99 Hz, reference loudness, polarity, sweeps, composite signals, and more are presented.

A2409

Transistor Switch
$2.5 Reduced from $3.5. You save $1.00!!

Transistors Replace Relays

A simple and illustrative method of using NPN and PNP transistors instead of mechanical relays is presented. Radio Shack and Mouser Electronic part numbers are supplied along with pictorial drawings.

A2460

Electromagnetic Induction
$3.5

Troubleshooting EMR Noise

Seven experiments are described to explore how a speaker can pick up noise with “nothing” seemingly connected. Passive crossover noise and more are explained.

A2456

Some Expensive Noise Problems
$3.5

Troubleshooting Noise

Two complex noise problems in famous cars are debugged.

A2475

IASCA Scoring and the RTA
$2.5 Reduced from $3.5. You save $1.00!!

Tuning, Judging, and the RTA

How the RTA is used to score contests. How to get a good score – maybe? Why there are problems with RTA measurements and what how to use and RTA for optimal results. Several charts are presented.

A2496

Project Corner
$2.5 Reduced from $3.5. You save $1.00!!

Using an RTA to Measure Speaker Impedance

A circuit that adapts the Audio Control 3050 RTA into an impedance analyzer. Charts and schematics are given. This is a very useful and accurate circuit.

A2521

Using Tracks 19 & 20 of CD #102
$2.5 Reduced from $3.5. You save $1.00!!

Using an SPL Meter for RTA

This much sought after article describes how to use an inexpensive SPL meter and tracks 19 or 20 on CD#102 to make an RTA measurement of a system. The special chart is presented at the end of the article.

A2627

Amplifier Technology-Outside the Box
$3.5

Vacuum Tube Amps

A look at the history of power amplifiers. Transformer coupling and autoformers are discussed. A new amp technology by JL Audio is presented.

A2522

Waves
$2.5 Reduced from $3.5. You save $1.00!!

Wave Nature of Sound

This basic article explains repetitive motion, waves, the wave nature of sound, rotational motion and much more. There are drawings, charts, and a photograph of a sound wave in the air taken with a special camera.

A2624

The State Of MP3
$3.5

What’s New?

A complete look at the MP3 scene from the perspective of the car audio manufacturers. Six pages with photos.

A2628

What's New in GPS - Navigation
$3.5

What’s New?

A overview of the latest in GPS navigation.

A2468

Competition Headpieces and Line Drivers
$2.5 Reduced from $3.5. You save $1.00!!

When Line Drivers Should be Used

Learn all about line drivers and how they can and cannot help a system. Balanced line drivers and signal levels are discussed.

A2565

Building a Test Light
$3.5

Intermediate 555 Timer Project

A great circuit using the 555 timer IC, 2 resistors, 2 capacitors, and a speaker to construct a high impedance probe and continuity detector.

A2595

Voltage Confusion
$3.5

Intermediate Topic

The concepts of level matching, crest factor, gain overlap, and program material are discussed in detail. Charts included.

A2561

Sound Waves
$3.5

Intermediate Topic - Acoustics

The question of “pulling” or “pushing” a soundstage is covered in this benchmark article. Questions are presented and then answered. Sound  in air is diagramed and the method of sounds traveling through a medium is discussed.

A2553

Power Supply Considerations
$2.5 Reduced from $3.5. You save $1.00!!

Intermediate Topic – Making a Power Supply

How to article on making a bench or project power supply. Regulation, pass transistors, transformers, and equalizing resistors are used.

A2550

A2 CD#102 Track 6 & IASCA Track 10
$2.5 Reduced from $3.5. You save $1.00!!

Intermediate Topic – Staging and Recording

Although seemingly simple, the seven drum beats on Track 6 of the Autosound 2000 Test Disc #102 can be very difficult to reproduce. The problems with IASCA’s Track 10 (on the old, old judging disc) are explained in detail.

A2578

Semiconductor Amplifiers
$3.5

Intermediate Topic – Transistor Amplifiers

A look into how transistors function as amplifiers. Common collector biasing, common base biasing, common emitter, and forward bias configurations are described. Six schematics and 5 pages.

A2609

Amplifier Efficiency
$3.5

Intermediate Topic on Testing

This 11-page article covers the definition of amplifier efficiency and how it is measured. Several modern amps are used as examples and many charts are included.