Your Questions
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Both a sound processor and an equalizer are used to make adjustments to the tonal properties of the stereo system. Equalizers have been used for years to adjust sound and are analog. Sound processors are newer technology that makes adjustments to the sound digitally. Usually, sound processors are used with computer software to make adjustments.

Component speaker sets can also be referred to as Separates. Usually, they consist of 2 woofers, 2 tweeters, and 2 crossovers. Most newer vehicles have speakers in the doors and small tweeters in the front. A component set is used to replace all 4 speakers in the front.

A coaxial speaker is a 2 or 3-way loudspeaker in which the tweeter and midrange driver are mounted in front of the woofer. The advantage of this design is that it takes up less space.

SPL stands for Sound Pressure Level. In car audio, SPL refers to the quantity of sound achieved which can be measured in decibels. In other words, how loud you can be! SQ stands for Sound Quality. SQ car audio systems are focused on how accurate the sound can be. Usually, SQ competitions are determined by judges listening to the stereo system. SPL competitions are determined the decibel level achieved.

With in-dash 6 disc changers being a fairly standard feature for many vehicle manufacturers the last 15 years, many people have had the same problem. The fault in most instances isn’t with the user. Its with the idea. A CD changer has many very small moving parts inside it and with the long term abuse and vibration of being in a moving vehicle the chances of failure are very high. If yours is not ejecting the disc, then usually something is wrong with it and it will need to be repaired. The chances of you being able to remove the disc, without damaging the unit further, and it work properly after are very slim. So if your unit is in need of repair, you have 3 options. Repair, replace with same, replace with aftermarket. A sales member can help you weigh the pros and cons of all three options for your vehicle so that you make the best decision.

Android Auto, much like Apple CarPlay, is a feature that is now available for nearly every vehicle on the road! It is Android software that was created so that you can use your Android device safely while driving. You can use voice commands for navigation, music, text messaging, phone calls, and even the weather! It is the only safe way to use your Android device while driving.

We carry a variety of quality subwoofers such as: JL Audio, Rockford Fosgate, Kenwood, Alpine, Hertz, Audison, Pioneer, and Wet Sounds.

Yes, Rockford Fosgate makes specific audio systems for the motorcycles and slingshots. We also carry many different radios, speakers, and amplifiers for marine weather to go onto off-road vehicles and boats.

We are able to replace the factory radio that is in your vehicle with a touchscreen that can play movies. Also, you’re able to add replacement or vehicle specific headrests and overhead tvs for backseat passengers.

Yes, a tremendous difference. What Hushmat does is quiet the door panels by adding insulation in between the door frame and door panel. You’re able to hear more bass, and hear the tightness in your mid-range without rattling noises.

Dimming lights are an indication that the amplifier is not installed correctly, or is not able to draw the power it needs to from the vehicle’s electrical system. The first thing to do is make sure that your power wire is a large enough gauge. Your ground wire needs to be AT LEAST as large as your power wire, if not larger. Also, make sure that the ground wire is firmly connected to the vehicle’s body, and that all paint has been removed in that area. Other things that may need to be upgraded are the wires that go between the vehicle’s battery and frame (factory ground) and the wire going from the alternator to the battery. If all of these are upgraded and your lights are STILL dimming, it’s probably an indication that your vehicle’s electrical system is not strong enough to support the amplifier, and other changes will need to be made. These could include (but are not limited to) adding a capacitor, adding a second battery, or upgrading the alternator.

Apple CarPlay is a feature that is now available for nearly every vehicle on the road! It is software that is made by Apple that allows drivers to use their iPhone in a way that is safe and legal. You simply plug in you iPhone to the USB outlet when you get into your car and then you have an assortment of your favorite apps at your fingertips. Also, with the help of Siri Eyes Free, you can dial by voice, input navigation destinations by voice that show the map right on your radio. It is the only safe way to use your iPhone in the car.

Although adding more power to speakers will allow them to play louder and clearer, adding an amplifier to factory speakers isn’t always a good idea. The vehicle manufacturer selected these speakers, meaning they weren’t high on the priority list, and they may have some characteristic that makes them incompatible with aftermarket amplifiers. If you’re wanting better sound and thinking of an amplifier, it’s good to upgrade to powerful and compatible speakers as well.

Absolutely. In fact, this has been an increasingly popular trend in the past few years due to factory radios being more integrated into a car both visually and electrically. In situations like this, we use what is called a Line Output Converter (LOC) which hooks into the speaker outputs of your factory radio. It then generates a usable RCA preamp signal which goes to your amplifier. The benefit of these is that they are typically quick and easy, and allow you to retain that factory look. There are some drawbacks however. The signal quality is often somewhat limited by the factory radio, which can be a concern if you are trying to achieve maximum sound quality. Additionally, any signal that is going to your aftermarket amplifier is also going to your factory midrange speakers. Because of this, you cannot effectively remove the low frequencies from your midrange speakers (which is generally desired and improves sound quality) because those low-frequency signals would then not be going to your subwoofer either. Installing a Line Output Converter can be either a big compromise or a great solution, depending on what your goals are for your audio system.

A very important aspect of car audio systems that is often overlooked is the acoustics of the vehicle itself. Some vehicles amplify certain frequencies more than others. Large SUVs for example will often amplify deep low bass, making them a good candidate for a “ground pounder”. Other vehicles such as extended cab pickup trucks, while being fairly large, do not have nearly as much acoustical gain. So how do you determine what works best in your specific vehicle? Often, this is a matter of trial and error. At Cartronics, we have experience installing stereos in nearly every imaginable type of vehicle, and we know what works and what doesn’t. We would love to share some of this knowledge with you and invite you to stop by so we can discuss what type of system would work best in your specific car.

Yes, we have Steering Wheel Control adapters in stock to allow us to program the buttons on your steering wheel to do any number of functions allowed by your new radio, including Bluetooth functions like activating the Voice Control on your phone.