Car audio equipment reviews
03-17-2005 | 11:27 AM
#11
500 Watt CAFz'r
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 718
you can always get the lab test but every car is different and therefore will produce a different sound.
if you are comparing equipment, a lab test or product review in a magasine will tell you the specs, on which is better, but you'll never really know until you see what it's like in your own car. cars vary by everything from cabin size and shape to amount of garbage found in the passenger side seat.
i prefer to test in my car before setteling down on a decision.
my two cents...
if you are comparing equipment, a lab test or product review in a magasine will tell you the specs, on which is better, but you'll never really know until you see what it's like in your own car. cars vary by everything from cabin size and shape to amount of garbage found in the passenger side seat.
i prefer to test in my car before setteling down on a decision.
my two cents...
03-17-2005 | 07:55 PM
#12
Guest
Posts: n/a
I have to agree with Coffeyman.. As much as lab testing can let you compare one product to another or to a reference source, their performance in the car is the final decision. I think reviews are good to give you an idea of what the product is about, but not necessarily what it will sound like in your car...
03-18-2005 | 09:28 AM
#13
Thread Starter
1000 Watt CAFz'r
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,242
So from a consumer (reader) point of view you would like to see less "this sounds like this" and more "this performs like this"?
More information about the product than about the sound?
I too agree that the installation will have a huge impact on the actuall sound quality, as well as the vehicle it is installed in. This is why I am opting to have a lab setup instead of trying to make different componeents sound there best in my car.
As for measuments Dave, are there any you take your self?
More information about the product than about the sound?
I too agree that the installation will have a huge impact on the actuall sound quality, as well as the vehicle it is installed in. This is why I am opting to have a lab setup instead of trying to make different componeents sound there best in my car.
As for measuments Dave, are there any you take your self?
03-20-2005 | 01:21 PM
#15
Guest
Posts: n/a
Jrace.. I'm not sure what you mean? I don't see any differentiation between performance and sound? IN my reviews, I do what I can to talk about the features and design of the product (stuff that consumers don't always know or can find out easily) and then describe how well it works (where applicable).
A set of speakers that sound bad in the lab aren't going to sound good in the car. It's more likely that a set of speakers that sound good in the lab won't perform as well in the car - reflections, etc being the problem.
A set of speakers that sound bad in the lab aren't going to sound good in the car. It's more likely that a set of speakers that sound good in the lab won't perform as well in the car - reflections, etc being the problem.
03-21-2005 | 09:43 AM
#16
Thread Starter
1000 Watt CAFz'r
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,242
^^ How well does the equipment peform: Frequency response, output, distortion etc.
As opposed to how it (subjectivly) sounds: Imaging, staging, etc. - Factors that can be significatly affected (good or bad) by installation.
I was refering to taking the car and installation out of the equation. What sounds good in my car in my locations with my install may sound differently than your car with your locations and your install.
Of course the sound of a set of speakers (for example) is importyant to me as a consumer, but I don't want to hear how the reviewer dropped them into his stock locations and was unimpressed by the lack of midbass or high-end response(unless the point of the article was simple drop in replacment speakers)
I would like to test the equipment equally, and compare them against each other without the installation environment affecting the sound (negativly or positivley).
But that is why I am asking this question - before I take on something like this I want to ensure that I actually can perform reviews that will be read and utalized.
As opposed to how it (subjectivly) sounds: Imaging, staging, etc. - Factors that can be significatly affected (good or bad) by installation.
I was refering to taking the car and installation out of the equation. What sounds good in my car in my locations with my install may sound differently than your car with your locations and your install.
Of course the sound of a set of speakers (for example) is importyant to me as a consumer, but I don't want to hear how the reviewer dropped them into his stock locations and was unimpressed by the lack of midbass or high-end response(unless the point of the article was simple drop in replacment speakers)
I would like to test the equipment equally, and compare them against each other without the installation environment affecting the sound (negativly or positivley).
But that is why I am asking this question - before I take on something like this I want to ensure that I actually can perform reviews that will be read and utalized.
03-22-2005 | 10:27 PM
#19
Guest
Posts: n/a
I do all my measurements myself in my basement lab.
Most importantly, the room is full of speakers, amps, computer parts, magazines and other stuff that drives my wife absolutely berzerk.
For Frequency response, I have been using a Terrasonde Car Meter, but I am ordering a Linear X LMS in the next week for it's gating function.
The lab has all sorts of cool stuff.
3 x Cascade Audio APS-90 power supplies
Stabylex SM50 power supply
3 x home made 12 awg extension cords for power supplies
2 x 1 Farad stiffening caps
2 x Fluke True RMS voltmeters
2 x Digital multimeters
Fluke current clamp
16 x 215W 4Ohm resistors
Polk Audio LSi9 speakers (for reference)
Esoteric Audio E7056 amplifier (as above)
Clarion DRZ9255 head unit (just arrived)
Conrad Johnson DF1 CD/preamp
Behringer Ultra-Graph PRO EQ
ADS AS/10 plate amp (for breaking in speakers before testing)
Computer based digital storage scope (based on Velleman PC-Scope, but with a new DSP chip)
Peak Instrument Woofer Tester module
Fusion Nitro Mini Card scale
Stainless Steel weight set
Kenwood CS-4125 2-channel scope
6 different midrange enclosures (5" and 6")
9 different woofer enclosures (8" - 15" various volumes)
2 mic stands
piles of jumper cables
lots of basic hand tools
toolbox
Jameco Soldering station
4 x custom created test tone CDs
Avia Guide to Home Theatre DVD
Pierre Verany Digital Test CD
Digital Recordings CD-Check disc
lots of reference music (mostly use IASCA and Focal Discs though)
2 x bass traps
4 x acoustic absorption panels
3 x computers and printers and scanners, etc.
And my wife's favourite, a remote switch to shut off the furnace for critical listening. She just loves it when I forget to turn it back on and the house drops to 63 degree's!
Then there's the photography stuff...
Nikon Coolpix 950 (for Macro shots)
Canon Digital Rebel (6.3MP)
Canon EF-S 18-55 lens (came with camera - junk)
Canon EF-S 10-22 lens
Canon EF 75-300 lens
Canon 420EX speedlite
Canon BG-E1 dual battery grip
Canon RC5 IR remote shutter release
Canon EP-EX15 eyepiece extender
2 spare BP-511A batteries
1.5GB worth of Compact Flash Cards
Laptop for capturing studio shots to network drives
Manfrotto tripod with quick grip head
Manfrotto Monopod
2 x Manfrotto light stands
Prolinco soft boxes
2 x Elinchrom 600S flash heads
white backdrop
Lots of rechargable AA batteries.
I think I have $10,000+ invested in the deal so far. Probably more, but I don't keep track - I just buy what is required as the need arises. I do a lot of R&D and private testing for various car audio companies and private citizens across North America besides the test reports for PAS.
If I had the cash, the next purchase would be an Audio Precision Portable One, but I am going to hold off on that right now before I can sign a few more contracts. Maybe next year, as I can provide most of the numbers my clients need with what I have already. Other than that, I am going to buy another lens for the camera, the EF-S 17-85, but that too will wait, need to pay for my trip to the Mayan Riviera next month.
Most importantly, the room is full of speakers, amps, computer parts, magazines and other stuff that drives my wife absolutely berzerk.
For Frequency response, I have been using a Terrasonde Car Meter, but I am ordering a Linear X LMS in the next week for it's gating function.
The lab has all sorts of cool stuff.
3 x Cascade Audio APS-90 power supplies
Stabylex SM50 power supply
3 x home made 12 awg extension cords for power supplies
2 x 1 Farad stiffening caps
2 x Fluke True RMS voltmeters
2 x Digital multimeters
Fluke current clamp
16 x 215W 4Ohm resistors
Polk Audio LSi9 speakers (for reference)
Esoteric Audio E7056 amplifier (as above)
Clarion DRZ9255 head unit (just arrived)
Conrad Johnson DF1 CD/preamp
Behringer Ultra-Graph PRO EQ
ADS AS/10 plate amp (for breaking in speakers before testing)
Computer based digital storage scope (based on Velleman PC-Scope, but with a new DSP chip)
Peak Instrument Woofer Tester module
Fusion Nitro Mini Card scale
Stainless Steel weight set
Kenwood CS-4125 2-channel scope
6 different midrange enclosures (5" and 6")
9 different woofer enclosures (8" - 15" various volumes)
2 mic stands
piles of jumper cables
lots of basic hand tools
toolbox
Jameco Soldering station
4 x custom created test tone CDs
Avia Guide to Home Theatre DVD
Pierre Verany Digital Test CD
Digital Recordings CD-Check disc
lots of reference music (mostly use IASCA and Focal Discs though)
2 x bass traps
4 x acoustic absorption panels
3 x computers and printers and scanners, etc.
And my wife's favourite, a remote switch to shut off the furnace for critical listening. She just loves it when I forget to turn it back on and the house drops to 63 degree's!
Then there's the photography stuff...
Nikon Coolpix 950 (for Macro shots)
Canon Digital Rebel (6.3MP)
Canon EF-S 18-55 lens (came with camera - junk)
Canon EF-S 10-22 lens
Canon EF 75-300 lens
Canon 420EX speedlite
Canon BG-E1 dual battery grip
Canon RC5 IR remote shutter release
Canon EP-EX15 eyepiece extender
2 spare BP-511A batteries
1.5GB worth of Compact Flash Cards
Laptop for capturing studio shots to network drives
Manfrotto tripod with quick grip head
Manfrotto Monopod
2 x Manfrotto light stands
Prolinco soft boxes
2 x Elinchrom 600S flash heads
white backdrop
Lots of rechargable AA batteries.
I think I have $10,000+ invested in the deal so far. Probably more, but I don't keep track - I just buy what is required as the need arises. I do a lot of R&D and private testing for various car audio companies and private citizens across North America besides the test reports for PAS.
If I had the cash, the next purchase would be an Audio Precision Portable One, but I am going to hold off on that right now before I can sign a few more contracts. Maybe next year, as I can provide most of the numbers my clients need with what I have already. Other than that, I am going to buy another lens for the camera, the EF-S 17-85, but that too will wait, need to pay for my trip to the Mayan Riviera next month.
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