Battery life

A feature to consider with most portable devices is how long the battery will last, as well as its charge time. You do not want to take your speaker out of the house expecting all-day playback for it to die after a couple of hours. On average, most Bluetooth speakers’ batteries last about 5-10 hours. Our JBL GO 2 boasts a playback time of 5 hours depending on volume and audio content.

Choose a design that works for your lifestyle

If you are looking for something to take with on the go, then something more compact with attachment options may be the way for you. If you plan to have something more stationary, then you can go for a model with light-up panels that can modified or shift per song or even a larger speaker. Knowing how you are going to use your speaker is going to determine what kind of Bluetooth you want to purchase. 

Being water-resistant comes in handy, even if you don’t take it to the pool 

This may seem like such a small feature to consider, however, if you plan to take your Bluetooth speaker out of the house, making sure it is water-resistant is important. Our NVX GlowXR3 is both weather-resistant and water-resistant with color-changing LED lights, perfect for any indoor or outdoor party.

Sound quality should be examined thoroughly

Sound quality is another important feature to look for in a speaker. Unfortunately, you cannot test out each speaker to see which one works for you. So, how do you know which is best for you? When researching Bluetooth speakers, there are some features to take a look at. 

• output power: the amount of Watts emitted by the speaker measured in decibels.
• frequency range: the greater range of frequency produced by your speaker, the clear the sound is going to be.
• sound system: each system has a number of channels, which are the speakers that will be producing the sound. 
• impedance: the lower the impedance, the better quality of sound your speaker will produce. 

Have a budget in mind when looking for the right speaker

Have a budget in mind when looking for the proper Bluetooth speaker. Just because a Bluetooth speaker cost over $100 doesn’t mean it is automatically the best choice. You do not have to break the bank for quality speakers. On the other hand, don’t buy the cheapest speaker either. Find something that is going to work for you. For more information on finding the right Bluetooth speaker for you, check out our post here.

The post Bluetooth Speakers: 5 Things You Need To Know appeared first on Sonic Electronix Learning Center and Blog.

Unlike cars, ATVs come with their own unique set of problems. First off, the average ATV does not offer music loving riders the needed space for more audio options. Secondly, ATVs are utilized outside. This means there is no protection from the weather and elements. Finally, the rider is sitting on top of a monster engine. This is where Sonic Electronix comes in to not only help work out all these issues. Here are a couple of insider tips that will have ATV owners on top of their outdoor entertainment game.

1. Rockford Fosgate PMX-2

Designed for marine and motorsport application, the Rockford Fosgate PMX-2 is packed with an exciting array of features that ATV owners can look forward to enjoying. This compact Bluetooth digital media receiver offers lots of entertainment options that are all cleverly incorporated into one remarkably compact package. The great news is that it all fits into one standard 3-inch gauge opening. Who said your ATV has to settle for less just because you lack the appropriate space for full-sized receivers. The Rockford Fosgate PMX-2 features a crystal clear 2.7 inch TFT full-color display that allows for optimum viewing even in the glaring sun. The unit is IPX6 rated meaning it has been tested to withstand water and the elements. With its innovative Pandora control capabilities and album art support for Apple and Android devices, the Rockford Fosgate PMX-2 is a true command and entertainment center.

Choosing a Sound System for my ATV

When looking to add a sound system on your ATV, there are lots of options available. Sonic Electronix has a wide variety of  handlebar speakers, amp kits, ATV mounts and tons of other accessories for your off road vehicle. Here are a few popular options for ATV sound systems.

ATV Speakers

To ensure total variety and customer satisfaction, Sonic Electronix carries a broad range of speakers and receivers even the most unique installs. From simple, easy to install speakers to more complex sound systems that require a helping hand, ATV owners are spoiled for choice here.

2. Wet Sounds STEALTH-6 ULTRA-HD-B

Need an all in one, plug-&-play audio system for your ATV? Look no further. Introducing the Wet Sounds STEALTH Series sound bars. Thanks to the manufacturer’s patent pending design, a fully extruded aluminum structure houses the internal components from the extremely harsh outdoor elements. This means total protection without losing sound quality. Inside the Stealth-6 HD is a total of 8 3 inch full range marine drivers and double inch titanium tweeters.Wet Sounds incorporated an internal 300-watt class D amplifier to ensure you get top of the line power and quality for your ATV.

Tower and Handlebar Speakers

Whether you own an ATV or a motorbike, this segment is designed entirely for you. Thanks to their purposefully and ingeniously designed quick slip mechanism, all you have to do here is fasten your speakers to the handlebars, connect to a power source and off you go.

3. NVX XUBT4 Universal Bluetooth Remote Control and Receiver

For the ATV enthusiast who absolutely adores a touch of convenience with their entertainment, it doesn’t get any better than the Universal NVX XUBT4 Bluetooth Remote Control and Receiver. This stocked X Series Grade Bluetooth Controller and receiver with a Membrane Switch pad makes things much easier than ever before. Unlike other controllers, this bad boy gives you the ability to play, pause, adjust the volume, forward and reverse your track. As if that wasn’t enough, the manufacturer incorporated all these features in a simple and super easy to use membrane switch pad design.

The post Tips for Upgrading Off-road ATV/UTV Audio Systems appeared first on Sonic Electronix Learning Center and Blog.

Audiopipe was initially established in the United States by Gonzalo “Gonzi” Palenzuela. Gonzi’s inspiration to car audio came from his father who started working with Pioneer Japan in the mid 60’s. Gonzi’s father, Gonzalo Senior, became close friends with then president of Pioneer Mr. Tamura, and Gonzalo Senior’s work brought Pioneer to the number one selling car audio brand in the Caribbean and South America. Gonzi, from early on, had the opportunity of interacting with employees at Pioneer Japan and even staying at Mr. Tamura’s home in Tokyo. In Audiopipe’s initial startup, sales were first launched in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions, and then migrated and spread to the US. The initial focus was designing speakers for the Latin and Reggae sound. As Caribbean customers moved to the states , places like New York, Chicago, Orlando and Miami became hot spots for the Audiopipe brand. The brand name has been synonymous with loud and clear percussion and vocals.

Audiopipe is considered a progressive car audio brand that is at the forefront of the car audio evolution. Audiopipe brought Pro Audio to the automobile and has forever changed the car audio industry. Audiopipe’s unique sound performance runs through a wide variety of genres heard throughout the North America/South America, and Caribbean urban underground music culture. They are founded on the basic principles of hard pounding bass, true life percussion, mid-bass and vocal reproduction. As a car audio manufacturer, Audiopipe takes pride in both meeting the demands of their consumers, as well as their installers. All of their customer and installer feedback is taken into their design and development process, and in adopting this philosophy, it has helped them engage into the endless perfecting of their product’s designs for loud and clear results. Nothing makes the developers at Audiopipe more happy than to hear the enthusiasm in a customer’s voice as they say “I can’t believe that you were able to make what I requested so quickly”.

In 2013 Audiopipe finalized the construction of its state of the art manufacturing facility. Allowing new designs and ideas to come to life quickly and ensuring that those designs are manufactured to the highest standards.

Audiopipe, High Performance

Audiopipe customers have been asking for more power handling and more enduring amplifiers. The 2015 lineup delivers with triple stacked magnets on the TXX-BD3 series, sound quality with high power in the Q-12 driver, and true spec output from the APCL family of amplifiers. Not only do these models handle more power and output more power, they are specifically designed to handle and output that high power for an extended period of time. Even better, they are engineered to be affordable and enjoyed by everyone!

‘Quality’ is the theme behind the Q-12, and it is clearly seen in the overall build of the driver. A Quad stacked 250oz magnet increases the magnetic field surrounding the oversized 3″ 4 Layer voice coil, generating a mechanical force that causes the coil to move back and forth. The Q-12 features Edge Extension technology that provides maximum flexibility under extreme excursion with the advantage of a greater cone surface.

The ever popular TXX-BD3-12 is equipped with a 3.3-inch 4 layer black aluminum voice coil, a 204oz triple stacked magnet, and a motor capable of handling a rated 900 watts RMS, giving them the size and power capacity for extreme endurance challenges. Its size, configuration, and power ratings makes it a perfect match for the very attractive Audiopipe APCL-15001D.

The only product in the Audiopipe lineup that is more popular than the BD3 drivers, is the Audiopipe APCL-15001D. We set out to see how much power the amplifier could provide and the APCL-15001D proved to not only do its rated numbers at 14V but it also gave us up to 35% more power on a 16V load.

Audiopipe on the Streets

“Wherever your audio lifestyle takes you, know that Audiopipe is here to meet the challenges of endurance in the modern world.”

Audiopipe’s involvement in the car audio community is prominent at all car shows. Their Research and Development starts at the consumer, and the outcome is a following that will stop at nothing to put as much Audiopipe product in their vehicles as physically possible. Audiopipe builds are often very unique, in that they are intended to create a concert of crisp, loud, clear audio. It isn’t uncommon to see a completely walled off trunk or cargo area with all Audiopipe Mids, Subwoofers, and/or Amplifiers.

With Audiopipe, we have achieved great victories in the most competitive events in Columbia, it has been quite an experience.

In short, Audiopipe is a brand that makes people feel vigorous and energetic for car audio systems…Audiopipe is destined to be a household name…

Our target customers are the people that want that loud bass and clean sound but also want a quality product that will last.

The post Audiopipe – Car Audio for the People appeared first on Sonic Electronix Learning Center and Blog.

Most universal standalone hands-free Bluetooth devices for your car can be cumbersome and do not sound very good to the user, or to the person on the other end of the phone. Of course there are exceptions to this, but integrated add-on Bluetooth car kits for your factory stereo are definitely the way to go. They usually include independent microphones and displays. Both of which are very beneficial. But, a down side could be the need of professional installation. This can be a little intimidating for the average weekend warrior/installer. Now, there are plug-and-play harnesses to make their installation simpler.

Specifically Axxesses new line of vehicle specific harnesses.

Vehicle Specific Harnesses for Bluetooth Devices:

Axxess engineered this line of T-harnesses for most vehicles. They provide a direct plug-and-play between your vehicles stereo harness, and select Parrot, Novero and Motorola Bluetooth interfaces.

They are literally that simple. They take the guessing game out of which wire goes where for you or your installer.

Bluetooth Car Kits:

Parrot, Motorola, and Novero make a full range of compatible kits to suit everyone’s needs. From the budget conscience Motorola TK30, with an LCD screen and voice recognition, to the great Novero TrulyOne.

The Novero TrulyOne features a convenient display that allows users to visually track options, take full advantage of all of your phone’s features, including voice options and phone book sync. It also providesr multipoint connectivity allowing for connection for up to two Bluetooth compatible devices. The TrulyOne is a stylish and modern application. By the way, both of these kits stream music wirelessly, as do most of them.

So, if you are looking for a Bluetooth device for your vehicle, but are worried that there will be too much involved in having it installed, it can be easy as just plugging it in. Well, maybe a little more but you get the idea. Here at Sonic Electronix we have bundled these two items together at a discount to make your lives easier, and to save you some money! So check them out! If you need assistance selecting the correct harness for your application you can give our knowledgeable Customer Commitment team a call or buy them directly at sonicelectronix.com.

The post Hands-Free Bluetooth Installation Made Easy with Axxeses Plug-and-play Harnesses appeared first on Sonic Electronix Learning Center and Blog.

One of the things I wanted to focus on are the pros and cons to actually setting up a system such as this for yourself. At first glance, it definitely looks super awesome, and since the tablet itself can be removed from the system at anytime by the user, it’s a lot more convenient when traveling. Most important is the fact that you have all that awesome features that the Nexus 7 provides you right in your car dash. The tablet itself is very smooth during use with almost no delay, and the Google Maps navigation feature provided is one of the best for portable devices. The Nexus 7 already has so many amazing features that most of you know yourself, and having in your car is just totally awesome. Imagine the fact that you are capable of even checking your email on your dash stereo! And playing Angry Birds? (Which I highly recommend you do NOT do while driving, but cool when you are parked and waiting in your car for something or someone).

As for the cons (because there’s always going to be some), the fact is that you lose the traditional features provided on regular decks. First and foremost you are not going to be able to have a CD/DVD player anymore (unless you have another component installed.) You lose AM/FM capabilities (yet you can make up for it by streaming it through the tablet), and you also won’t be able to install a backup camera screen into your dash unless you install it in another area of your vehicle. Most importantly, you cannot truly use just about any of the features on the tablet unless you have a 3G phone to tether it to the tablet. So if you are still a basic phone user, I wouldn’t really recommend this installation.

But all together, I personally really like this installation and Sonic Electronix’s creativity in providing different ideas and concepts as to what you can do with your car stereo system. Sonic Electronix offers custom installations like this for ALL vehicles, so feel free to call or email us to inquire about getting a Tablet installed in your car!

The post Nexus 7 In-Dash Vs. Regular Decks appeared first on Sonic Electronix Learning Center and Blog.

Sonic Electronix continues to test their creativity by experimenting with the Google Nexus 7 Tablet. Installed in a 2008 Dodge Ram, the actual concept itself can not only be looked at as something original, but also a less pricey option for those looking to start a project such a this while upgrade their car audio system. While similar installs have been done with Apple iPad tablets, this install shows that there is a less-expensive alternative to the iPad or a perfect solution for those that prefer the Android operating system.

The tablet is about the same size as a standard 7″ Double DIN receiver and can be removed while not in use, making the Nexus 7 perfectly usable inside and outside of the dash cradle.

Make sure you also check out Sonic Electronix YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/SonicElectronixTV for more awesome videos featuring some great products and resources.

The post Google Nexus 7 in the Dash of Dodge Ram appeared first on Sonic Electronix Learning Center and Blog.

First, an electrical signal moves into the amplifier, through a circuit board, and out the other side through the speakers.  The electrical signal may originate from wherever the sound source is, such as the radio or from the CD player. These devices direct a signal to the circuit board.  The circuit board boosts the signal as it moves through the sound system of your car.

A frequently misinterpreted functioning of car amplifiers is their output.  The output of each car amplifier differs and can be determined very easily.  The RMS (root mean square) rating of the amplifier does not tell you very much about the amplifier because most amplifiers will only reach this level for a segment of a second at a time.  Instead, you can calculate the actual output of your amplifier by multiplying the peak output by 0.7 and then subtracting the amp’s announced peak performance number from the number you just calculated.

Another characteristic of the car amplifier that is normally mistaken is the bridging.  An amplifier that is bridged or can be bridged is simply an amplifier that can create one power supply out of the left and right power supplies.  This can significantly boost the power supply to one subwoofer.

When looking at bridgeable amplifiers the term “bridgeable” basically means that the amplifier has the ability to combine the left and the right channel wattage into a single output for one subwoofer. Many amplifiers are not bridgeable either way make sure to read the manufacturer’s recommendation before bridging the channels. To bridge an amplifier, simply place the negative cable of the speaker to the negative terminal of one channel, and the positive cable to the positive of the other. The united power will send the total of both channel’s power to one speaker.

Make sure to check out the vast amount of car amplifiers we have here at Sonic Electronix and find one compatible for your needs today.

The post Brief Look at the Basics of How Car Amplifiers Work appeared first on Sonic Electronix Learning Center and Blog.

The QS Series midrange speakers come in two different sizes, the QS65.2 System that is 6.5 inches and the QS60.2 System that fits a 5.25 inch location. With a 3 layer TriTech composite cone woofer, the speakers provides a straight efficient cone that consists of a woven carbon-poly facing, rigid Rohacell foam core, and another carbon-poly backing put together for extreme internal damping and incomparable sound.

The midrange motor has a voice coil made of lightweight copper-clad aluminum ribbon wire that is tightly coiled for maximum power handling and great efficiency. It is wrapped around a T-cut pole piece and copper shorting ring that provides smooth frequency response and reduces harmonic distortion. The motor is also stored in a cast-aluminum basket which combines a unique groove-locking system to hold the TriTech cone in place.

With loud and clear 30 millimeter tweeter with DuPont Tetoron domes the speakers recreate luxurious highs from an angled, flush, or coaxial mount. This allows the installer to remove aluminum phase plugs from the midrange speakers’ centers and screw in special adapters and tweeters.

With great structure and superior sound quality you will definitely be boosting your listening experience while on the road. Make sure you check out this series and other speaker systems we have available here at SonicElectronix.com.

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