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But the Box Power Ratings Say This Subwoofer Will Handle 1,000 Watts!

Power RatingsThere is no car audio topic more confusing and inconsistent than speaker power ratings. The fact is, the methods developed to test speakers are quite simple and reliable. If the speaker passes the test, print the number.

A long time ago, some unknown manufacturer felt it was important to tell consumers that their speaker would handle more power than a competitor’s product. We are talking about the Lear Jet, Jensen and Muntz days, not five or 10 years ago. Whoever that company was, printed a bigger number on their packaging and told their customers that their speaker was better because of it. Of course, competitors followed suit and countered this slightly bogus claim with an even more ridiculous rating. On and on this goes. We currently have 6×9 speakers that claim to handle 600 watts but have a tiny little 1-inch voice coil. The math simply doesn’t add up.

In this article, we are going to talk about speaker power ratings. We’ll explain what the ratings mean and how they are tested. When you are done reading this article, you’ll never look at a bogus MAXIMUM POWER specification the same way.

What is Power?

Power RatingsPower is a unit of energy that describes how much work is done over a specific period. We car guys know about horsepower and torque, and since you are reading this, you clearly have an interest in audio systems and have heard of the electrical unit of power known as the watt. By definition, 1 watt of power is equivalent to 1 joule of energy delivered over a period of one second. In terms you may be more familiar with, that’s equivalent to the work done in a circuit powered by 1 volt where 1 amp of current is flowing through the load. Exciting, isn’t it?

In our speakers, the power from our amplifier flows through the voice coil. The flow of electrons through the coil creates a magnetic field around the coil. Depending on the polarity (direction) of the current flow, the magnetic field may cause the coil and the attached cone to move forward or backward in the basket. As the signal coming out of our amplifier is alternating current, the speaker responds by moving back and forth with the changes in polarity.

What Happens When We Have Too Much Power?

Power RatingsThe electrical power from our amplifier is no different from the electricity that flows through an electric heating element on a stovetop. The heating element has a resistance, usually between 27 and 40 ohms. As we apply the 120v electrical signal from the wall to this coil of wire, work is done. For a 27 ohm coil, fed with 120 volts of electricity, 533 watts of work is produced. This “work” is the generation of heat.

When we send 100 watts of power to a speaker, almost all of that energy is converted to heat. Maybe 2 or 3 percent of that energy from the amp is converted to sound energy. Hopefully, you can see where this is going. When current flows through the voice coil, it gets hot. More current produces more heat. Eventually, the glue that holds the voice coil winding to the former starts to overheat and fail. At this point, the voice coil winding will likely unravel and usually gets jammed in the magnet gap, causing the speaker to stop playing.

As an aside, we could get into an entire discussion about power handling problems caused by excessive cone travel. For the purposes of this article, let’s assume we are operating the speaker within a frequency range where cone excursion is not an issue. We’ll talk about speaker excursion another time.

The Reference for Power Ratings

The current reference for testing automotive loudspeakers is the CEA-2031 standard. This set of test criteria include how and where the speaker under test is mounted and the content of the signal used to test the speaker. It is this audio signal, and how it is used, that is of interest to this article.

The power handling test track is a modified pink noise signal that is bandwidth limited between 40Hz and 10 kHz. The high-frequency content of the signal simulates the spectral content of a distorted bass or midrange signal. That’s right: If you distort a low-frequency signal, it creates harmonics. As such, you will send lots of extra midrange and high-frequency information to your speaker if the amp is clipping.

The CEA-2031 signal is recorded with very specific amplitude specifications. The test track is prefaced by a reference-level sound recording. In order to quantify the power level of the test, the reference signal is played and the amplitude is measured. On the engineering side, power tests are taken at RMS voltage levels. That voltage is converted to watts, based on the minimum impedance of the driver under test. For example, efficiency measurements are taken using voltages of 2 or 2.83 volts, which translate to 1 or 2 watts respectively on a 4-ohm speaker.

How They Test Power Handling

Power RatingsOnce the reference level is set, the test tone is played without making adjustments to the playback amplitude. The test track is designed to provide two simultaneous tests. The RMS voltage level of the track tests the speaker’s continuous power handling capabilities. The peak amplitude of the signal simultaneously tests the peak power handling of the speaker with an additional 3dB of input power.

The device under test (speaker) is placed in a jig in a room with controlled environmental conditions. “The loudspeaker is rated for the power that it can withstand for 2 hours without a permanent change in acoustical, mechanical or electrical characteristics greater than 10%,” according to the specification. To achieve a higher rating, the test is to be repeated at a higher power level for the same time after a two-hour cool-down period.

Many companies test their products for longer. A lot of Japanese companies test their speakers for eight to 10 hours. Some premium speaker companies test their speakers for an awe-inspiring 100 hours. That’s right – more than four days playing this modified pink noise track.

There are variations of this test. For subwoofers, mounting the drivers in a sealed enclosure will increase the difficulty of the test dramatically. The air inside the enclosure will get hot and reduce the ability for the subwoofer to cool itself.

Where Do the Big Numbers Come From?

So, how can the marketing guys sleep at night with their insane power rating claims? We mentioned that physical power handling could be a concern. Of course, playing bass into a tweeter is going to result in disaster, quickly. Would playing a single tone for a period of time determine a power handling rating? What if a speaker can handle a 500 Hz tone for a few hours? Is that a power rating? Most certainly. Does it accurately describe the capabilities of the speaker? Not really.

Choosing Speakers for Your Vehicle

Power RatingsSo, now that you know how speaker power ratings are created, you can basically ignore them. The process of choosing a speaker should be based on performance, not specifications. Frequency response, efficiency and distortion performance separate good from run-of-the-mill. A speaker rated for 150 watts is not necessarily better than a speaker rated at 125 watts.

If you are buying subwoofers, power handling specs become a little more important. You won’t want to pair up a subwoofer rated for 200 watts to a 1,000-watt amplifier. If you want to keep things safe, match the subwoofer power rating to the amp rating. If you want to guarantee you’ll never blow the sub, buy a speaker that is rated for twice as much power as your amp.

Your local mobile enhancement retailer can help you design an audio system upgrade that sounds amazing, will play at the volumes you want and will last for years.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Filed Under: ARTICLES, Car Audio, Classic Car Audio, RESOURCE LIBRARY

Safer Nighttime Driving Tips

Night DrivingYour lighting system remains the most important safety component of your vehicle once the sun sets. If you can’t see objects around you, or far enough ahead of you, the chances of having a serious accident are significant and the outcome could be deadly. Ensuring proper night vision is the most important aspect of driving after sunset. Follow along as we learn about lighting and explore some nighttime driving tips.

Headlight Components and Modifications

Nighttime Driving TipsThere are many options for improving how far you can see at night. Upgraded headlight bulbs and new headlight assemblies are the most popular. If you are fanatical about your lighting, you may want to look into a headlight retrofit. The retrofit process involves taking the headlight assembly apart and installing new projectors, and often new HID bulbs and ballasts.

When it comes to light assembly upgrades, too many times, people choose something that looks good or adds a little style to their vehicle. Halo rings and LED strips look cool, but don’t forget to focus on sheer performance. A proper beam pattern and efficient light production are what keep you safe.

Auxiliary Lighting Upgrades

Nighttime Driving TipsChoosing a set of auxiliary lights is a great way to increase the distance you can see. Many companies offer high-quality LED lights that your mobile enhancement retailer can integrate into your vehicle.

Be careful, though – not all lighting is legal to use on public roads. Those cool 54-inch curved LED light bars are amazing when you decide to head out on the trails after dark, but they may not be legal for use around town. Check the laws in your area before you purchase. If you want to be sure your upgrade is legal, look for DOT or SAE approval on the light assembly. When installed properly, these lighting systems won’t blind oncoming drivers.

Eight Tips to Improve Night Vision while Driving

Let’s face it: The only time we need our lighting system is after the sun sets. Upgrading bulbs, lenses and light assemblies go a long way to ensuring we are safe. There are several other things you can do to ensure you can see as far as possible. Here are eight things you can do to improve your night vision. Most of them are completely free!

1 – Make sure your lights are perfectly aimed

If you get flashed by oncoming drivers, see the leaves in the trees above your car or can’t see very far, the first step is to ensure your lights are aimed properly. Seek out the expertise of a local mobile enhancement retailer that specializes in lighting upgrades for help with the alignment process.

2 – Turn down the dash lights

Nighttime Driving TipsWhen the lights on your dash are bright, the irises of your eyes will contract to reduce the amount of light that enters them. While this works great for balancing the brightness of lighting in the vehicle, it can work against your ability to see for long distances. If you keep the interior dark, you can see farther.

3 – Turn off your fog lights

Your fog lights cause a situation similar to overly bright dash lighting. If the area directly in front of your vehicle is bright, your eyes will adjust to that light level and reduce how far you can see. A properly designed lighting system should provide balanced foreground and long-distance light.

4 – Keep those lenses in good shape

Nighttime Driving TipsIf the plastic lenses on your headlights are yellowing or chalky, they will reduce the amount of light that gets from the bulb to the road. Many high-quality lens restoration kits are available that can restore lens clarity and improve visibility.

5 – Keep your windshield clean

It only makes sense that being able to see out of your vehicle is going to improve your ability to drive safely at night. Use a high-quality glass cleaner and a lint-free cloth or microfiber towel to keep the interior of the windshield clean. A great trick for getting rid of stubborn, oily film that builds up over time is to use newspaper and your favorite window cleaner to wipe the windows. The newspaper won’t leave any lint.

Keep the outside of your windshield clean as well. If a cloth or cleaner won’t remove everything, you can escalate to a clay bar or even 0000 steel wool. Just keep the steel wool away from the trim.

6 – Be careful where you look

Nighttime Driving TipsWhen a car is coming toward you, try not to look into the light. In the same way that bright dash lights cause your irises to close, so too will oncoming headlights. Some advanced driver training courses even suggest closing one eye. We suggest trying to focus ahead of your vehicle.

7 – Be prepared for rain

Few things are worse than trying to drive at night while it’s raining. Ensure your wiper blades are in excellent condition and aren’t leaving streaks. If they are, you can try cleaning the edges with a little isopropyl alcohol and a soft cloth. The next step is to simply replace your wiper blades – they don’t last forever.

Treating your windshield with a high-quality hydrophobic window treatment like Aquapel, Opti-Glass or Rain-X will help water bead up and roll off your windows without your having to use your wiper blades at all.

8 – Take care of your eyes

Nighttime Driving TipsEat your carrots! OK, well, eat whatever you want, but don’t look at the sun or a solar eclipse. Make sure you wear high-quality sunglasses to prevent macular degeneration from UV exposure. Wear “computer glasses” if you are going to be staring at a monitor all day. If you are working with power tools or in risky situations, wear safety glasses or goggles. Most importantly, visit an optometrist regularly to stay on top of your eye health.

Drive Safely

Combining the above tips with a properly aimed, high-quality lighting system can dramatically increase your safety, and the safety of those around you. If you are interested in upgrading your lighting system or adding more lights, drop by your local mobile enhancement retailer and talk to them about your needs.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Filed Under: ARTICLES, Lighting, RESOURCE LIBRARY

Product Spotlight: Sony XAV-AX4000 Digital Multimedia Receiver

Sony XAV-AX4000

Over the last few years, Sony’s multimedia receivers have become increasingly popular. As more units have sold, retailers have asked for iDatalink Maestro integration, USB-C support and powerful sound customization. With Sony’s new XAV-AX4000, those requests and more have been fulfilled. Let’s look at what this sleek and impressive car audio source unit offers.

Clean Cosmetics and Intuitive Technology

The first thing you’ll notice about the XAV-AX4000 is that it still looks great in the dash of your car or truck, and the user interface is as intuitive as it gets. Anyone can easily select source options or adjust settings without needing to read the owner’s manual. The icons on the screen can be expanded by selecting the “All Apps” icon on the screen and can be rearranged to create a layout that gives you quick access to the elements you choose on the home screen.

The 6.95-inch touchscreen display has a resolution of 800 by 480 pixels with a brightness of 600 Cd/m2. Four physical control buttons along the bottom of the screen make it easy to access the main menu, adjust the volume, change tracks or activate voice recognition features.

Sony XAV-AX4000
Sony multimedia receivers have one of the most intuitive menu systems on the market.

The radio includes wireless Apple CarPlay and wired and wireless Android Auto connectivity. Start your car, and the phone will connect automatically so you can make phone calls, send texts or get navigation directions from Google Maps or Waze. Of course, you can use your favorite streaming services like Pandora, Spotify, iHeartRadio or Apple Music to be entertained while you drive. A USB-C port on the rear of the chassis can be used with a USB mass storage device to play MP3, WMA, AAC, FLAC, WAV, ALAC, DSF or DSDIFF audio files.

You can also use the USB-C port to charge your phone with up to 3 amps of current. The XAV-AX4000 supports the LDAC codec with Android smartphones for those wanting excellent Bluetooth streaming audio quality. Of course, the radio includes an AM/FM receiver with RDS information display.

Sony XAV-AX4000
High-resolution Bluetooth audio streaming is supported by Android smartphones that use the LDAC audio codec.

Audio Features Add Realism to Your Music

The XAV-AX4000 includes a 14-band graphic equalizer, front, rear and subwoofer signal delay setting adjustments and adjustable three-zone high- and low-pass crossovers so your installer can fine-tune your system to deliver excellent sound and detail. The preamp outputs are rated to provide up to 2 volts of output, and the built-in four-channel amp is good for 20 watts of power in compliance with the CTA-2006 standard.

Sony XAV-AX4000
Premium system configuration and calibration included with the XAV-AX4000 will help your car stereo sound great

iDatalink Maestro Integration

One of the most sought-after upgrades to the XAV-AX4000 is the inclusion of support for the iDatalink Maestro RR and RR2 integration modules. These interfaces will allow the radio to communicate with certain vehicles to provide steering wheel control, backup camera and auxiliary input connectivity. You can display vehicle information such as engine speed, vehicle speed, battery voltage or engine load on the dashboard display and check tire pressures and battery voltage on another. Many vehicles allow the Maestro interface to provide access to climate control adjustments. Your Sony retailer can let you know about the features that are compatible with your make, model and year of car or truck.

Sony XAV-AX4000
Compatibility with the iDatalink Maestro RR and RR2 allows the Sony XAV-AX4000 to communicate digitally with your vehicle.

Installer- and User-Friendly Design

From an installation standpoint, the single-DIN chassis behind the double-DIN display dramatically simplifies installation. The radio includes an external Bluetooth microphone to deliver excellent outgoing audio quality. Another new feature is selectable and user-uploadable background wallpapers to match your vehicle interior or your mood.

The radio also includes a rear-view camera input with automatic reverse triggering, and the Maestro will include factory parking lines and sensor data in some vehicles. Finally, Sony has designed the XAV-AX4000 to wake up quickly, so your music starts playing when you are ready to go.

Sony XAV-AX4000
Users can select from several background wallpaper colors or upload their own image to personalize their radio.

Experience the Sony XAV-AX4000 Today!

If it’s time to upgrade the technology in your car or truck, drop by an authorized Sony retailer today and ask for a demonstration of the new XAV-AX4000 multimedia receiver. We’re sure you’ll be impressed by its performance, features, appearance and intuitive interface. You can find a Sony retailer using the dealer locator on the Sony Car Audio website. Be sure to subscribe to Sony’s YouTube channel and follow them on Facebook and Instagram to be the first to learn about their latest car audio product releases.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Filed Under: ARTICLES, Car Audio, PRODUCTS, RESOURCE LIBRARY Tagged With: Sony

A Quick Look at Apple and Android Smartphones

Apple and Android SmartphonesLooking back to the Palm Pilot and the original Blackberry, we have been on a constant path toward having full-blown computers with us at all times. Fast-forward a few decades and it’s rare that folks don’t have a smartphone in their pocket or purse. Apple and Android smartphones have changed the way we communicate and are entertained.

In the mobile electronics industry, we have been working hard to find ways to integrate your smartphone into your vehicle to help you safely communicate and listen to your music. Dive into any discussion about smartphones on Facebook, and you’ll quickly see it turn into a battle of which kind is better. As each device changes, seemingly by the hour, answering that question is nearly impossible. With that said, there are definitely benefits and drawbacks to each. Let’s look at some cold, hard facts about the Android and iOS operating systems and their associated hardware.

A Brief History of the iPhone

Launched in the summer of 2007 by Steve Jobs, the iPhone was touted as a game-changer in communication technology. Apple retains a unique advantage over Android-based smartphones in that it controls not only the hardware chosen for the device but the software as well. The iOS operating system is designed and tested to work together with the iPhone.

iPhone Complaints

Apple and Android SmartphonesWhat company doesn’t have haters? People either love the iPhone for iOS for its interface, associated software and approved hardware accessory devices or hate it for its monopolistic approach. Few people like having to use iTunes to load their music and the cost of MFI (Made for iPhone/iPod) approved cables and devices definitely raises their cost.

Is there a benefit? Definitely. When you buy an approved accessory, you know it will work. When you transfer music, you know it will play. You may lose some of the independence of doing what you want when you want, how you want, but the infrastructure exists to make owning and using an iPhone as trouble-free as possible.

Apple is often criticized by Android users for being late to the party with new features: “Oh, you added facial recognition to the iPhone X and wireless charging to the iPhone 8! That’s great, Android phones had that last year.” Maybe it takes longer for Apple to test these technologies. Maybe the development and testing time for each new phone takes a lot longer. We may never know, but it sure is nice when the features arrive and work flawlessly.

iPhone in the Car

Apple and Android SmartphonesApple led the automotive smartphone connectivity battle with CarPlay. CarPlay was launched at the Geneva Motor Show in 2014 with Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo as its first automotive partners. CarPlay offers an interface that mimics the icon layout on the phone to make using the system intuitive.

CarPlay allows users to use the Siri voice recognition engine to perform tasks like listening to text messages, making phone calls, selecting music and choosing navigation destinations. You don’t have to look at the screen at all to initiate any of those tasks.

With Apple under control of the CarPlay software, both OEM and aftermarket infotainment system manufacturers need to send samples to Apple for testing and approval before they can be sold. Apple works at its own pace, and we know this can cause delays. Are they worth it? If the system works the way it should, then most definitely.

Android-Based Smartphones

Apple and Android SmartphonesDeveloped by Google, the Android mobile operating system started development in 2005 and was launched in 2007. At the same time, the Open Handset Alliance – a consortium of hardware, software and telecommunication companies – was launched to advance open standards for mobile devices. The goal of the Open Handset Alliance was to create an open competitor to Symbian, Blackberry OS and iOS-powered devices. The first Android-based device was the T-Mobile G1, developed by HTC and launched in September 2008.

A fun fact about Android is its naming convention for each major release. While this practice is not uncommon, the names are rarely shared with the public. In order, the code names have been Cupcake, Donut, Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich, Jelly Bean, KitKat, Lollipop, Marshmallow, Nougat and, most recently, Oreo. Clearly, the Android development team has a snacking issue.

Is Free Good?

Apple and Android SmartphonesAs we stated, the Android mobile operating system is released by Google under an open source license. This means that phone manufacturers don’t need to buy or license the operating system. This can reduce development costs and accelerate the focus on new technology.

As with most things, for every silver lining, there is a dark storm cloud nearby. With phone manufacturers like Samsung, Huawei, LG, Sony and HTC each creating their own hardware and implementation of the Android operating system, updates for each device are at the mercy of the manufacturer and the wireless carriers. With Android about to roll out Version 8.1.0, not every device will get an upgrade.

In May 2017, coinciding with the launch of Android 8.0, Google announced Project Treble with a goal to streamline and simplify the update process for Android-powered devices. Only time will tell how successful they are.

Is Easy Good?

If you want to put a few songs on your Android phone, connect the USB cable to your computer, and drag the files to the Music folder. You can manage the files on your computer however you want, or not at all – if that’s your cup of tea. Similar folders exist for Pictures, Podcasts, Ringtones and Movies. You can treat them the same way you would a USB memory stick.

When Apple announced the iPod would move from Firewire to USB, radio manufacturers were quick to adopt interfaces that would allow control playback of the songs on the device in the car. This adoption took a lot longer for Android, and even up until last year, some source units could not play music stored on an Android phone by simply connecting the USB cable.

Bluetooth Problems

Apple and Android SmartphonesWith Apple and Android smartphones, Bluetooth connectivity is a big issue. Almost everyone has a Bluetooth hands-free solution in their car, so being able to use your phone with it is crucial to your productivity. Apple hasn’t been flawless in terms of backward compatibility to older source units, but for the most part, they seem to work well. Android, on the other hand, has been plagued with connectivity issues that vary by the phone manufacturer. Several aftermarket radio manufacturers cringe when dealers or consumers call about Bluetooth issues from specific brands.

Imagine if you update your smartphone and you can no longer connect to your vehicle’s hands-free system. With Apple, you can complain at the Apple Store or log into their support website. Though they won’t admit it outright, they pay attention to these issues and in many cases, fixes are released in updates.

If you own an Android-based phone, whom do you call when something doesn’t work? The store you bought the phone from? Your carrier? The manufacturer? Google? Simultaneously, each of them and none of them are singly responsible for the issue, nor can any one of them directly help you find a solution. Sure, there are exceptions, but with the open source philosophy of Android, connectivity with third-party devices is a lot more variable.

Android in the Car

Apple and Android Smartphones Android Auto was announced in 2014 as a joint effort between 28 automobile manufacturers. The actual Android Auto app was released on March 19, 2015; in May 2015, the Hyundai Sonata became the first vehicle to offer Android Auto support. Android Auto offers similar functionality to CarPlay, but eschews the menu-driven foundation and provides information about the function you are using on the screen. Voice commands and features work similarly to CarPlay.

Android Auto has an advantage over CarPlay with Google Maps and Waze. Both of these navigation solutions are considered superior to Apple Maps. You will find that many Apple users, unless they are using CarPlay, use the iOS versions of Waze and Google maps for their navigation needs.

Which Phone is Better?

Apple and Android SmartphonesOur goal isn’t to determine a winner in the battle of Apple and Android smartphones – that’s up to each individual user. If you use Macintosh-based computers at home, you may see no better option than to choose an iPhone. If you like the freedom of Android open architecture, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.

Integration for Apple and Android Smartphones

No matter which phone technology you use, your local mobile enhancement retailer can help you integrate your phone into your vehicle. CarPlay, Android Auto, wireless charging, audio streaming, hands-free calling solutions or even a custom mounting bracket are available for most vehicles. Drop by and see how they can make using your smartphone in your car safer and easier.

Steve Jobs photo by Ben Stanfield (https://www.flickr.com/photos/acaben/541326656/) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Filed Under: ARTICLES, RESOURCE LIBRARY, Smartphone Integration

Everything You Need To Know About SiriusXM Satellite Radio

SiriusXM Satellite RadioIt seems you can’t go anywhere these days without hearing or seeing evidence of SiriusXM Satellite Radio. Satellite radio is touted as a commercial-free entertainment solution that can be accessed almost anywhere in North America. With more than 175 channels of music, comedy, sports and talk radio available 24 hours a day, there is always something to listen to. Let’s look at the how satellite radio began, how it works and why it has been so popular.

The Early Days of Satellite Radio

XM Satellite Radio evolved from the American Mobile Satellite Corp. AMSC was a consortium of companies that wanted to use satellite technology to broadcast telephone, data and fax information around the country. In 1992, AMSC formed the American Mobile Radio Corp. to develop a satellite-based digital radio service. AMRC was spun off from AMSC in 1998 as XM Satellite Radio. XM Radio was first to broadcast, launching on Sept. 25, 2001.

In 1990, Sirius Satellite Radio set out to attract customers and vehicle manufacturing partners to its proposed music service. After years of planning, development and licensing, Sirius launched three satellites in July 2000 and started broadcasting in January 2002.

Satellite radio was the hot ticket in the early the early 2000s, and partnerships with automakers were crucially important to each company. Sirius gained the support of Ford, BMW and Chrysler, while XM had General Motors, Honda and Toyota on board.

Satellite Radio Company Merger

SiriusXM Satellite RadioIn January 2005, the New York Post announced that Sirius and XM would merge into a single company on Feb. 19, 2007. The combined companies had about 14 million subscribers, but neither company had posted a profit. The result of the merger was SiriusXM – the brand we have now.

SiriusXM is now integrated into 75 percent of the new car market, with roughly 40 percent of those vehicle owners becoming subscribers. As of late 2017, there are about 32 million subscribers.

How Satellite Radio Works

Satellite radio is actually a very simple broadcasting system. The company has its main studios in Rockefeller Center in New York City and in Washington, D.C. Secondary facilities are in Los Angeles, Nashville and Memphis. The company plays music from its extensive catalog and has live performance spaces to host musicians and performers from all genres.

The information is broadcast to a set of satellites above the Earth that rebroadcast that information back to Earth. The broadcast covers most of North America. The satellite radio receiver in your vehicle (car, truck, boat or aircraft) uses a compact antenna to pick up the signal and extract the channel of audio you want to enjoy.

They Really Have Satellites?

SiriusXM Satellite RadioWhether it’s a live performance, your favorite music or a great discussion about religion or politics, all of the information is combined into a complex digital signal that is transmitted to a set of five active satellites that cover North America. XM-2 and XM-5 are in a geostationary position above the Earth. That is to say, they stay in the same relative position all the time. Positioned about 22,370 miles above the Earth, the satellites relay broadcast information from the studio transmitters to all of North America, excluding the left half of Alaska. XM-2 covers the west side of the country while XM-3 covers the east.

The Sirius satellites also operate in geostationary orbits. Sirius FM-6 covers the West Coast while Sirius FM-5 is located south of New Orleans to cover the East. Early Sirius satellites (Sirius 1, Sirius 2 and Sirius 3) crossed the planet in a figure 8 pattern that had two of the three over North America at any time.

As you can see, there have been many satellites over the almost 20 years of satellite radio. In total, nine have been launched, with the most recent being Sirius FM-6 on Oct. 25, 2013. Sirius FM-6 was the first to broadcast both Sirius and XM transmission frequencies.

The Benefit of Satellite Radio

SiriusXM Satellite RadioSo, what’s the big deal? Why do people gravitate toward satellite radio? The answer comes from its coverage. You can make a road trip from Miami, up to Montreal, across to Vancouver then down to San Diego without having to change the station. If you want to listen to Howard Stern for the entire 90 hours of driving, you most certainly can.

Conventional terrestrial broadcasts (AM and FM radio) are limited in their coverage areas. In fact, the FCC regulates the strength of the signal (to 70 dBu, or decibels relative to one microvolt per meter of signal strength). That way, a station frequency can be re-used again in a relatively nearby location. The actual distance varies because of atmospheric conditions but usually covers 75 to 100 miles from the transmitter. Because each station is responsible for its own content, if spaced perfectly, you’d need to change stations between 60 and 80 times. In reality, you’d need likely a few thousand attempts to find a station that was playing the type of music you wanted.

More Than Just Cars and Trucks

SiriusXM Satellite RadioSiriusXM satellite radio services have been synonymous with marine entertainment systems since they launched. Many people have cottages or camps in very remote areas that have few if any radio stations at all, so being able to enjoy their favorite genre of entertainment is fantastic. Likewise, receivers such as the SiriusXM Sound Station let you enjoy music in your home.

Things You Didn’t Know SiriusXM Could Do

Most of us are used to having satellite radio entertainment in the car, but there are several other applications for the system as well. Many aircraft, both small and large, can get weather and location information using a SiriusXM Aviation receiver. In fact, many Garmin aviation-specific products have the SXM receiver built in.

SiriusXM Satellite RadioSiriusXM Marine provides weather information including lighting strike locations and radar, fishing information and more. Many Garmin, Raymarine, Simrad, Lowrance, B&G and Furuno devices are compatible with SiriusXM Marine.

SiriusXM Music for Business offers entertainment solutions that are tailored to different business types. Serve Happy covers restaurants and bars, and Shop Happy is designed for retail stores. There are channels for waiting rooms, spa and fitness businesses, banks and even music dedicated to use when clients must be put on hold on the phone.

Currently only available on OEM source units, SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link provide traffic flow information as well as local weather, fuel prices, sports scores and even movie listings. Traffic information mimics that of terrestrial RDS-TMC services in major urban areas.

The Cost of SiriusXM Satellite Radio

SiriusXM Satellite RadioWith the need to replace satellites roughly every 15 years, license music, pay hosts and celebrities, SiriusXM requires a subscription to access its services. In the U.S., prices start at $10.99 a month for 80 basic channels. If you want some of the artist-specific channels and MLB, NBA and NHL coverage, that rises to $15.99. To add Howard Stern, NFL and NASCAR coverage, the price is $19.99. Adding the ability to stream Sirius XM to your computer increases any of the above by $4 a month.

Enjoy the Entertainment You Want, Almost Anywhere

Whether you are in downtown New York or venturing to Supai, Arizona (the most remote community in the contiguous U.S.), enjoying your music is easy with SiriusXM satellite radio. If your vehicle doesn’t already have a satellite radio receiver, drop by your local mobile enhancement retailer and ask about your options to add SiriusXM.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Filed Under: ARTICLES, Car Audio, RESOURCE LIBRARY, Satellite Radio

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