A monoblock amplifier is often used to add a single subwoofer to your pre-existing speakers. These amps will come with features to specifically shape the sound of your bass. 

Improper tuning can create distortion, which can sound like buzzing, crackling, hissing, whomping, and various other noises that intrude on the instruments of your music. Too low and you’ll be greeted by the hiss of background noise; too high and the music will be accompanied by distortion and clipping.

Gain

A gain level is not a volume knob, it controls the level of power being delivered to the subwoofer. Gain is the ratio between the volume at the input and the volume at the output of an electrical circuit.

Setting the gain will ensure your sub is getting the right flow of energy without blowing it up. With your volume up to 75%, turn the gain knob up until you hear distortion. Back off on the gain roughly 5-10%.

Subsonic Filter

This filter prevents any frequencies that are not audible to be blocked. This filter is usually set around 20 Hz. It acts as a safeguard to keep from damaging your subwoofer. 

Bass Boost

Can either be displayed at a fixed “on/off” or variable from 0 – 12dB. With a controllable boost, it will give that extra kick to the bass frequency you selected. If it’s fixed, it’ll always give a 12dB boost at 45hz.

Bass Frequency

Variable from roughly 40-100Hz. This is the frequency that will receive the boost. 

Low-Pass Filter

This allows the low frequencies to pass or be allowed to play by setting the “ceiling” of the frequency band. This feature is used mainly for subwoofers. The low frequency spectrum will contain any frequency of about 100 Hz or lower.

Phase

This feature ensures that the sound from your subwoofer reaches you at the same time as your speakers. For example, if you are hearing an echo, you should set your phase to 0. This feature is adjustable from 0-180 degrees.

The post How to Tune a Monoblock Amplifier appeared first on Sonic Electronix Learning Center and Blog.

What Is Impedance?

Impedance is the measure of opposition that a circuit presents to a current when voltage is applied. In electrical systems, this resistance is measured in ohms. To get a better grasp, lets imagine a wide open freeway with no traffic (low impedance = low resistance). You will be able to travel faster and more easily because their are fewer vehicles on the road impeding your speed. However, when rush hour comes around (high impedance = high resistance), traffic becomes heavy and cars move slower and less easy. Much like these cars, electricity gets slowed down by too much resistance. Likewise, the lower the resistance, the easier it is for current to flow.

So, you are most likely thinking to yourself, “lower impedance must always be better right?” Not always. While at lower impedance levels you will be able deliver to the most power to your audio system, there are trade-offs. In theory, higher impedance will yield better sound quality but will be less loud. At lower impedance levels, sound will be more loud but will experience diminished sound quality. What does this mean for the customer? If you are someone that is into high quality audio at a moderate listening level, higher impedance would be the way to go. On the flip side, if you are the person that competes or just loves that car rattling bass, lower impedance would suit you better. Traditionally, only dual voice coil subwoofers were able to be wired to different ohm loads but companies like JBL have simplified this by adding a selectable resistance switch that allows users to switch between 2-ohm and 4-ohm loads. Here are the benefits of being able to toggle between higher and lower impedance levels.

Benefits of Lower Impedance Levels

If you go for a subwoofer with lower impedance levels such as 2 or 1 ohm, you will have enhanced projection of sound. This is because lower impedance equals much higher rates of power flow. While this will make the audio louder, it will result in a decrease in sound quality. This occurs because the speaker is required to work harder to maintain this flow and to project the sound.

Benefits of Higher Impedance Levels

If you run your subs at higher impedance settings such as 4 ohms, you actively slow down the flow of power. By impeding the electrical currents, there is less stress on your vehicle’s electrical system resulting in smoother operation. This means the music will not be as loud but you will get superb sound quality and clarity.

JBL S2-1024

The JBL S2-1024 offers car owners strong, tight and uncompromising bass. This beast of a subwoofer is capable of reproducing crystal clear and  bold sound for a studio-like experience, right in your car. In addition, this sub provides the convenience of selecting between 2-4 ohms of resistance without having to re-wire your whole subwoofer setup. No more confusing wiring diagrams. You can bet the JBL S2-1024 will deliver those bass lines with precision and power right through your body.

JBL S2-1224

When it comes to resourcefulness and flexibility, JBL is is leading the way. The innovative Selectable Smart Impedance Technology gives users the ability to select a resistance that suits their system and listening style. So, how do you control such massive amounts of power? Simple. An exclusive, dual impedance switch allows you toggle between 2-ohms and 4-ohms allowing the user more versatility and variability in their system.

JBL Series II & III Selectable Impedance Explained

JBL S3-1024

JBL has set a new standard for convenience and versatility with the S2 and S3 series subs. The JBL S3-1024 sub includes all the same perks as its predecessor but with improved features. The over-sized magnet allows for maximum power and the aero-cooled voice coils channel air pumped from the sub’s cone movement for maximum airflow to avoid overheating.

JBL S3-1224

JBL is always pushing the limits and introducing new and state-of-the-art features and products to the car audio industry.  The JBL S3-1224 subwoofer offers users the choice of superb sound quality and unprecedented power and performance. The Selectable Smart Impedance technology intelligently optimizes power and sound quality while enhancing the sub’s overall potential with uncompromising performance.

Bottom Line

Whether you’re an audiophile or not, you will notice that songs possess their own unique sound. It would be impossible for a sub to hit all of the bass notes across all genres of music. JBL has addressed this matter by adding another level of versatility and convenience with its Selectable Smart Impedance feature. By allowing users to adjust their subwoofer impedance, users can now unleash the full potential of their audio system. Love your ears and your car by checking out these and more speakers at www.sonicelectronix.com today.

The post Advantages of a Selectable Impedance Subwoofer (JBL Series II & III) appeared first on Sonic Electronix Learning Center and Blog.

When You Buy…

…your vehicle based on your system plans. – Eric M.

Your Music

When you listen to music you don’t like just for the bassline. – Jetta R.

In the Name of Bass

Going in knowing you’re going to break a perfectly good automobile in the name of bass. – James M.

Just Love Bass

Just love bass, and everything car audio. Never look down on another’s sound system. – Jose J.

Subwoofer Wattage

At least 6000 watts to the subs – William S.

Shop Car Audio

The post What It Takes to Be a Basshead appeared first on Sonic Electronix Learning Center and Blog.

1. How a Bass Restoration Processor Works

A bass restoration processor, also called a bass booster or bass restoration processor, such as AudioControl’s Epicenter, has multiple adjustments which allow the user to bring out the ideal amount of bass for their music. Most of the time, they have three types of adjustments: frequency, width, and level. The frequency adjustment allows you to choose the specific frequencies you would like brought out in your music. This allows you to have complete control over the bass in your system. Width adjustments on bass restoration processors allow you to choose the amount of frequencies that are affected. You can adjust the processor to affect a wide or narrow bandwidth of frequencies around the selected frequency. For example, if you have set the processor to affect 30 Hz, a narrow setting would only mainly affect that frequency, while a wide setting would affect a large range of frequencies around 30 Hz. Lastly, you can adjust the amount of manipulation for that selected frequency at the selected width, with the level adjustment. If you would like to get the most bass possible, you can crank the level knob up. In addition, you can also turn it all the way down if you would like to. For convenient adjusting of this setting, this knob is usually located on an included bass remote.

2. Types of Bass Restoration Processors

Most bass restoration processors are the same, with some varying features such as different types of bass adjustments. Most of them include a bass remote, however there are a couple that do not have this accessory included. In addition, these sound processors have a variety of maximum output voltages. Lastly, most bass restoration processors have an auxiliary input, although there are a couple models that don’t come with this input.

3. How to Wire a Bass Restoration Processor

Most bass processors are connected the same way. There are Ground, 12V power, and remote inputs on the processor that will all be hooked up to your aftermarket car stereo. The ground wire from your car stereos is going to go straight to the processor, the yellow 12V wire will also go straight from the car stereo to the processor, as well as the blue and white remote wire which will go from your car stereo – right to the bass processor. This will allow you to tie in power for the processor right from your car stereo. To get signal to the processor, you’re going to hook up an RCA from your car stereo’s subwoofer pre-out to the input of your monoblock amplifier. Then, you will use a jumper RCA connected from the output of your bass processor and into the input on your monoblock amplifier. And that’s all it takes to wire your bass processor up, so you can start restoring the bass in your car audio sound system.

The post What are Bass Restoration Processors? appeared first on Sonic Electronix Learning Center and Blog.

I’m Sorry Officer…

What exactly is the limit in decibels for it to be in violation? And if he pushes it, I play dumb and ask him if he can use his SPL meter (which they don’t have) to show me because I can’t believe my car could be that loud. Works every time.

                                                                                          –  Michael V.

Subwoofer Trick

Turn the subs off on my head unit in the settings and tell the cop it’s not hooked up yet. And demo it with door speakers. Confuses the hell out of them every time. Last time I did it I was told that when I do get it hooked up to keep it down. Like that would happen!

                                                                                              – Andrew R.

I’m a Professional Audio Technician…

And I am running diagnostics for research on how to better sound deaden cars and on easing the reverberation on other cars so that noise complaints like this are less likely to happen.

                                                                                                 – Jeremy C.

Remote Control Trick

Get a separate switch on the remote control and put it in a hiding spot within reach then when the sirens turn on, hit the switch and your subwoofers are off! Tell them “my subs haven’t work for years.” Confuses them and they’ll let you off with warning.

                                                                                                 – Mario C.

Relocate

You can always move to one of several states where there are no laws against loud noise!

                                                                                                 – Nick C.

Shop Now!

The post How to Get Yourself out of a Noise Complaint appeared first on Sonic Electronix Learning Center and Blog.

Infinity

• Compact, Long Excursion, 8-Inch Subwoofer
• Class D 80W Amplification
• Extremely Shallow Design
• Fits Underneath or Behind Car Seat
• Beautiful, Sleek Design
• Easy Installation

The release of this brand new BassLink design definitely impressed us. The last model of Infinity’s BassLink powered car subwoofer was a much bigger design, with a 10″ subwoofer and a much wider housing. We love the new BassLink design and the fact that it adds excellent bass to your vehicle – at a great price! The BassLink SM powered car subwoofers will be available for purchase at Sonic Electronix sometime in April. Until next time, we’ll cya later!

Shop Infinity Now

The post Infinity BassLink SM Shallow Mount Powered Car Subwoofer appeared first on Sonic Electronix Learning Center and Blog.

What’s that? You like bass? Sorry,  I can’t hear you with these awesome Sony XB headphones on my ears. Drop those anemic, bass-empty headphones and get introduced to the Sony XB Extra Bass Headphones.  Sony is known for making some excellent products and their XB series of headphones are no exception.  They come in four different models including the XB200, XB400, XB600, and XB800 which are all optimized to produce the most bass output possible.  If you’re into R&B, Hip-Hop, Trap, Dubstep or any other type of bass heavy genre, your ears will thank you for the intense, bass-driven sensation. All Four of these headphones fit extremely well on the ear and allow for extended periods of listening.

The XB series is great for portable use seeing as it has a foldable/collapsible design. They are extremely lightweight which makes it feel like a happy cloud has been gently placed over your head.  The XB800 is the flagship model which boasts 50 millimeter drivers allowing it to produce an insane amount of bass.  Especially, when you use a headphones amplifier paired with these headphones.  When I used these headphones paired with my FiiO E10 headphone amplifier , the amount of bass pulsing though my head was enough to kill a small horse.  Here are some basic features of each:

XB200: 

• 30mm Drivers
• Available in: : Violet (Purple) , Blue , Black , Pink , and Orange

XB400: 

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