Car Audio

Parrot RKi8400 car stereo designed with iPhone in mind

By Jeff Salton

22:25 September 17, 2009 PDT

Parrot has released a car stereo at IAA designed for iPhones and iPods. The Rki8400 uses Bluetooth, has a USB port for hard drives or USB keys, SD Card reader and a double line-in socket for analogue sources. It provides hands-free telephony functions and another great feature is a storage compartment behind the removable front panel that hides and recharges your iPod or iPhone. That means no more cords tangling around gear shifts, or iPhones sliding around the vehicle during braking or cornering maneuvers. Plus, of course, a bit of extra security. Read More

Memphis Car Audio SClass Flat Subwoofer

By Tim LeFevre

01:11 March 20, 2009 PDT

At just 3 inches deep, it’s not surprising that the Memphis Car Audio SClass Flat Subwoofer has won awards for innovation. If you want big bass you usually need big space. Memphis however, has developed a new method of attaching the spider to the voice coil that improves both durability and sound quality. Generally the spider/voice coil combination needs more space so as to maximize performance and the throw distance the speaker is capable of – more cone movement equals more bass. Read More

Sony joins the in-car iPod wagon

By Darren Quick

11:06 August 28, 2008 PDT

August 28, 2008 If you’re sick of fumbling with your iPod while hurtling down the freeway Sony have just the thing with the announcement of four new Xplod in-dash head units that are able to connect directly to compatible iPods and allow users to charge and control their iPod devices on the road. Each new unit supports HPF/LPF sound quality, feature 52 watts X 4 peak output enhancements and, if you’re one of the few holding out from joining the iPod brigade, there’s an auxiliary input on the faceplates, facilitating the use of other portable music players with a standard 1/8-inch mini jack cord, which is available separately. Read More

Novel approach to car stereo theft-prevention

By Emily Clark

23:15 July 10, 2008 PDT

Instructables is a website dedicated to supplying information from members on how to complete a vast array of DIY projects. One of the more unusual, but potentially useful, ideas is to hide your fancy new car stereo with a crappier one in order to ward off would-be thieves. Read More

Infinity unveils new range of premium automotive loudspeakers

By Noel McKeegan

20:57 March 31, 2008 PDT

April 1, 2008 The new Kappa® loudspeakers from high-performance audio specialist Infinity incorporate several new technologies designed to bring the best of home theater sound to the car. These include reduced impedance to maximize the power available from all amplifiers and head units, plus an in-built distortion-reducing motor that promises clean, crisp bass at all power levels. Read More

3D Radio records and analyzes multiple radio stations

By Kyle Sherer

22:34 January 9, 2008 PST

January 10, 2007 3D Radio, the

Tivo-like technology that allows users to record and playback content from multiple radio stations, has made its debut at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The system can record AM, FM, Satellite and HD radio signals, as well as any audio on upcoming Wi-Max and 700 MHz radio stations. It digitizes and records in real-time, allowing instant pausing, rewinding and playback. Read More

Clarion’s latest touch panel controlled in-car multimedia unit

By Darren Quick

19:44 November 29, 2007 PST

November 30, 2007 Clarion has released their latest in-car multimedia unit, the VRX578RUSB, which offers navigation and control of a range of audio and multimedia functions through a fully motorized 7” touch panel control that glides effortlessly upon command from its single DIN housing. An optional iPod control and built-in Bluetooth connectivity enables listening to music and streaming voice calls via a mobile phone and the unit also supports DVD R/DVD RW, CD R/CD RW, MP3, WMA and AAC file playback, as well being an Official DivX Certified product capable of playing all versions of DivX video including DivX 6. Read More

Bowers & Wilkins Spiral Diffuser tube offers enhanced car audio

By Emily Clark

16:51 November 27, 2007 PST

November 28, 2007 Sound and speaker specialist Bowers & Wilkins has developed a new Spiral Diffuser tube that will help vehicle manufacturers increase sound system performance within the limited package restrictions offered by the in-car speaker format. The diffuser is designed to remove unwanted sound resonance in vehicle interiors by replicating a technique used in home sound system set ups. Read More

Peugeot upgrades its in-dash audio/visual/navigation system

By Loz Blain

21:30 November 26, 2007 PST

November 27, 2007 Peugeot has announced an upgrade to its audio/visual/navigation system. The RT4 Multimedia system, launching shortly on selected 207 models throughout the UK, features a road-proof 30GB hard drive for up to 180 hours of MP3 music tracks, pictures and videos, as well as full color satellite navigation with mapping covering Western Europe and the TMC traffic information system. Happily, it's also significantly cheaper than its predecessor. Read More

Venturi Mini – Bluetooth handsfree kit meets MP3 streaming jukebox, through any FM car radio

By Loz Blain

21:27 November 13, 2007 PST

November 14, 2007 Cable connections are dying a slow death at the hands of convenient, wireless Bluetooth devices like this one. The Venturi Mini is a wireless music streaming and hands-free telephone gadget that works with most phones – but it’s the combination of new-world Bluetooth with the old-school technology of short-range FM radio transmission that makes this handy toy work with almost all car stereo. Read More

MOTOROKR T505: hands-free speakerphone and FM transmitter

By Darren Quick

23:41 November 7, 2007 PST

November 8, 2007 Motorola’s latest in-car technology combines a Bluetooth In-Car Speakerphone and a Digital FM Transmitter for hands-free phone calls and music streamed to the car stereo. When calls come in, the T505 automatically mutes the music and audibly announces the Caller-ID, so drivers can keep their eyes on the road and echo and noise reduction technology are built-in along with "StationFinder" technology that identifies the best FM connection. When the ride’s over, the T505 can be easily unhooked and taken to another car for the next trip.

features StationFinder, a technology that announces where the best FM connection can be found on the user’s car radio. Read More

Discovery 3 gets integrated rear-entertainment

By Noel McKeegan

20:52 November 5, 2007 PST

November 6, 2007 Land Rover has announced that a fully integrated rear seat entertainment system option is available for Discovery 3. The Alpine system features a six disc DVD player that independently serves twin 6.5inch screens giving each passenger their own viewing or listening choice. Read More

World first technology optimizes in-car acoustics

By Emily Clark

21:57 October 8, 2007 PDT

October 9, 2007 When automotive designers create car interiors, acoustics are not the number one priority. From glass to carpets and seat coverings, cars contain many materials that obstruct and degrade audio quality - add to this the uneven positioning of speakers in relation to the listener and you have a recipe for less than ideal listening environment. No correction system has been able to overcome them but Alpine Electronics claim that its new IMPRINT technology has the ability to solve these problems and optimize sound reproduction to fit the specific vehicle. Read More

Blaupunkt ditches the CD player in latest car stereo release

By Emily Clark

20:19 September 23, 2007 PDT

September 24, 2007 CDs could be headed the way of the near extinct cassette tape when it comes to in-car music playback if this latest release from Blaupunkt is any indication. With MP3 players already replacing cumbersome and easily scratched CDs as the format of choice in automobiles, the Melbourne SD27 car radio embraces our new consumer habits and completely by-passes the CD to enable direct playback via an SD/MMC card as well as from portable audio players. Read More

Belkin update TuneBase FM transmitter for iPods

By Darren Quick

22:30 September 19, 2007 PDT

September 20, 2007 iPod accessories continue to multiply exponentially, and why not with over 110 million iPods sold to June 2007 according to Apple. The latest add-on to catch our attention is Belkin's updated model of its TuneBase FM transmitter which includes new Clearscan technology - a feature that automatically seeks out the clearest FM frequency through which to relay your music. Read More

The Rattlebuster, letting you pinpoint interior vibrations in your car with the engine off

By Loz Blain

May 29, 2007 Irritating buzzing sounds in your car interior can be exceptionally annoying, and finding them is nearly impossible with the car stopped. Enter the Rattlebuster, a UKP10 CD that plays vibration-inducing tones through your car stereo. Mimicing several different road travel frequencies for 4 minutes at a time, the Rattlebuster lets you track down loose bits and pieces once and for all, with your car stopped. Read More

Car stereo for the flash drive generation

By Loz Blain

May 28, 2007 As music consumption expands to include greater use of mobile USB devices like the iPod, car audio is beginning to follow. Clarion's latest in-car CD receiver features signal restoration to get the best out of compressed MP3, AAC and WMA files - and a USB cable that pops out in your glove box so you can play sound files straight from any USB storage device. Read More