How to Upgrade Your Car Stereo to Support iPod, GPS and More Without Replacing Existing Head Unit

How to Upgrade Your Car Stereo to Support iPod, GPS and More Without Replacing Existing Head Unit

With so many options for devices that can be added to a car audio system emerging out there, it is almost impossible to keep up without having to upgrade your system every year, and even then there is always one more device out competing for your attention.

Kenwood seems to understand the quagmire and has come out with a controller that offers help in solving the issue with the Kenwood KOSV500. The KOSV500 is a multifunction device that offers support for the IPOD, Satellite radio, bluetooth, GPS navigation systems, TV tuner, backup camera and more.

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What makes this system unique and appealing is that you don't have to replace the head unit to be able to support all these add-ons. The controller is installed as a separate device into your existing system and it provides all the inputs for the desired add-ons. The major advantage here is that you are able to accommodate more devices in one shot than any head unit out there could accommodate by itself.

Imagine not just being able to play your IPOD on your stereo, but also having the ability to play video from the IPOD as well, if you already have a video screen in your vehicle. That's right the KOSV500 allows you to play video from an external device. It also comes with a Bluetooth input,which allows you to plug and operate your cell phone from your car stereo. This is a great plus given that fact that several states now have no-cell-phone-use while driving laws.

If you have a satellite radio receiver, you are in luck, it has an input for it; want to add a back up camera, no problem, it comes with an input for a backup camera as well.

The KOSV500 system will even enhance the sound of your existing speakers with a built-in amp and equalizer. It is quite possible that if you are a car audio enthusiast, you already have a great sounding system, but it's nice to know that you have the added power at your disposal for whenever the need arises.

As you can tell Kenwood took the dilemma that we all face with keeping up with the array of latest car audio and video devices out there to heart when designing the KOSV500 and made it all possible.

I am certain that one day soon most Car Audio and Video systems will come with all these capabilities built-in, but for now the KOSV500 offers a great alternative to being able to accommodate all these add-ons.

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Car Audio Subwoofer Basics

Car Audio Subwoofer Basics

Typical car audio systems have small speakers with limited ability to reproduce low-frequency sounds. Car audio subwoofers can add more depth to a car audio system by reproducing frequencies below 150 hertz. A subwoofer can add strong and powerful basses to your car audio.

Most car audio subwoofers are installed in the trunk due to space limitations in the cabin of the car. Subwoofers are usually 10 inches or 12 inches in diameter although they can be as big as 34 inches and as small as 4 inches.

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Wider subwoofers allow for more efficient air displacement which is critical for low frequencies.

The amplifier for car audio subwoofers can be integrated into the cabinet or installed as a separate unit. The amplifier should have an electronic crossover to filter out high-frequency sounds before the signal is passed to the subwoofer.

Although car audio subwoofers are usually round in shape, recently manufactures have been introducing subwoofers in new shapes. Square subwoofers have been released by Stillwater Designs and other companies have introduced triangular and hexagonal subwoofers. These innovative designs may be easier to install in cars with limited space, but there is no acoustical advantage to nonround shapes.

The type of enclosure for car audio subwoofers influences the kind of sound that is produced.

There are five basic types of subwoofer enclosures -

* sealed,

* ported,

* bandpass,

* passive radiator and

* transmission line systems.

For car use, the most practical type of enclosure is the sealed enclosure because it requires the minimum space and matches the audio requirements of a typical car interior.

There are many premade enclosures for car audio subwoofers on the market. Alternatively, you can have one custom-made or build one yourself. When you buy a subwoofer driver, you will usually receive a spec sheet which gives you guidelines for enclosure requirements. Also check out the spec sheets for power requirements and linear response - a flat response will give the truest sound.

Many people are tempted to crank up the sound when they have car audio subwoofers installed. Although it sounds great, take care - prolonged exposure to loud sounds can permanently affect your hearing.

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Top Car Stereo Speaker Tips You Can't Afford to Ignore!

Top Car Stereo Speaker Tips You Can't Afford to Ignore!

It can be real easy to be fascinated by a car stereo speaker at an expo or convention. The speakers are the first things we notice at a convention because of the beautiful sound that new speakers produce. You can find them in different sizes, shapes, and colors.

It can be very tempting to purchase new stereo speakers. I have noticed the louder they are, the greater they sound. All speakers have their own specialized qualities, intended uses, and price ranges. You want to spend some time investigating all of the speakers you are reviewing. There are some speakers that may be better in certain aspects than other speakers. You will only know what truly sounds the best by listening and investigating them yourself.

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These speakers are different sizes and wattages. This is important to know because you could have a few issues when you try to install all of your equipment in your vehicle. Before you buy any new accessories, you need to know the specs of your system.

In addition, there are many amplifiers for sale in the market today. You need to know how the car speakers you are considering compare to the other speakers. You also need to know what speakers are compatible with specific amplifiers. You want to make sure that the speakers you buy go hand in hand with the amplifier you have or will buy. This will help you to not strain your system, and it gives you the maximum performance.

A lot of people forget about style, but this is also important. The style of speakers you choose also needs to work well in conjunction with the other components of your system. If you decide to install different style speakers in your vehicle, you will need to determine what changes you will need to make to your system to accommodate your new speakers.

Suitability of the speakers is also an important issue when selecting your new equipment. Ultimately, the most important aspect of the speakers is the sound they produce. Make sure your speakers sound great before you start thinking about all of the features of the stereo speakers.

Brand names are also important in the speaker selection process. It is a fact that some amplifiers are much better than other amplifiers. The best way to figure out the best amplifiers is to read magazines, check the Internet, talk to car enthusiasts, read reviews, and listen to the speakers yourself. Don't take any chances on buying any products. Do some research and see what are the best products today.

Do some price checking for your favorite car stereo speaker choices. Prices can change a lot between different stores, and you do not want to pay anything more than necessary to get the sound you want.

Copyright S. M. vaidya

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