What is a factory head unit?
At the highest levels of factory audio system integration are systems that include upmixers. An upmixer is a device that takes the stereo audio signal from your radio, iPhone or CD and converts it to multiple channels. In most cases, this includes left, center, right, left rear, right rear and subwoofer signals.
What does a epicenter do?
The Epicenter restores the earth-shaking power and heart-pounding bass your subwoofers crave. Give your subwoofers the juice to go lower and hit harder. The Epicenter uses a bass circuit to drive your subwoofers lower, grabbing the attention of every eye on the boulevard.
What is a head unit?
A head unit is essentially the brain of your car’s sound system, and it may refer to or include a range of different devices, including radio tuners, CD players, auxiliary inputs, and built-in components like amplifiers and equalizers.
What is an example of epicenter?
Epicenter is defined as the central point of something, or the point of the Earth’s surface right above the focus of an earthquake. The central point of an earthquake is an example of an epicenter. A troubled child who is the central point of his parents concern is an example of an epicenter of concern.
What can a head unit be used for?
Ideally, your head unit would be used to provide a signal to your amplifiers that is line level and you would not use its internal amplifiers (if any). They usually do not have the power and strength to drive speakers both loudly and cleanly.
Can a factory head unit drive an aftermarket AMP?
Note about using factory head units: Many people ask me about using the factory head unit that came with their car with external aftermarket amps. Typically you cannot get a clean signal from the head unit because factory heads do not have line level (RCA) pre-amp outputs to drive an amp.
What are the outputs of a head unit?
Pre-amp outputs: These are must for any serious head unit. These outputs allow you to run an amplifier directly without need for any conversion. This is the cleanest output of the head unit. Some units have multiple outputs and sometimes ones that are crossed over.
How much power does a car head unit have?
According to Car Audio and Electronics magazine, most head units use the same chips for the internal amplifiers so they all produce about the same low power. The best they have measured is about 14watts into 4 channels at 1% distortion. Their power level at a better lower distortion figure (like 0.1%) is significantly lower.
Ideally, your head unit would be used to provide a signal to your amplifiers that is line level and you would not use its internal amplifiers (if any). They usually do not have the power and strength to drive speakers both loudly and cleanly.
Which is the best aftermarket car head unit?
Sensitivity is excellent at 90dB, so you can plan on either using the factory head unit for power, or you can crank up the juice with an aftermarket amplifier. Infinity Reference REF-6532ex: Similar to the Kicker options, Infinity produces excellent sound from a shallow mount option likely to fit in most vehicles.
According to Car Audio and Electronics magazine, most head units use the same chips for the internal amplifiers so they all produce about the same low power. The best they have measured is about 14watts into 4 channels at 1% distortion. Their power level at a better lower distortion figure (like 0.1%) is significantly lower.
Pre-amp outputs: These are must for any serious head unit. These outputs allow you to run an amplifier directly without need for any conversion. This is the cleanest output of the head unit. Some units have multiple outputs and sometimes ones that are crossed over.