Product Spotlight: Pioneer DMH-W3050NEX

Pioneer and car audio go together like coffee and cream or a hot dog with ketchup — classic pairings that make sense. On that note, we are going to take a look at one of their NEX-Series double-DIN multimedia receivers in this spotlight. Let’s check out the DMH-W3050NEX.

Pioneer DMH-W3050NEX Platform

For most of us, describing a multimedia receiver as a double-DIN solution would tell us all we need to know. The DMH-W3050NEX is somewhat unique in that the radio’s chassis is single-DIN, while only the front panel shares the standard 4-inch by 7-inch dimensions. This allows the radio to work with many dash kits that won’t accept a radio with a four-inch-tall chassis. Right out of the gate, you’ve got enhanced compatibility in terms of vehicles this works with.

The radio features a 6.8-inch (measured diagonally) capacitive touch front panel with a WVGA 800 x 480-pixel color display behind it. There are six capacitive-touch buttons on the left side of the screen, providing access to menus, voice recognition and volume control.

Communication and Entertainment Options

Every top-quality multimedia receiver, such as the DMH-W3050NEX, includes Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone connectivity. In this case, both platforms feature wireless connectivity, thanks to integrated Wi-Fi. There’s no better way to communicate with family, friends and co-workers; choose the entertainment you want, or get detailed turn-by-turn navigation instructions to almost any location in North America.

The radio includes an HD Radio receiver for FM radio. HD Radio not only improves audio quality on compatible stations, but provides access to additional programming on the digitally broadcast channels. For example, you might have a high-resolution music stream on 97.3, then a non-stop news broadcast on HD2 and sports on HD3, all transmitted on the single 97.3 carrier frequency. Best of all, HD Radio doesn’t require a subscription – it’s completely free. The FM tuner also includes RDS decoding.

The DMH-W3050NEX has a USB port on the rear of the chassis that will charge your phone with up to 1.5 amps of current. You can also connect a USB memory stick (or other Mass Storage Class device) to play WMA, MP3, WAV, AAC or FLAC audio files. When parked, you can also play AVI, DivX, MKV, H.264, H.265, MPG, and several other video file formats. Impressively, the deck supports full HD 1920×1080 resolution video files – something not all multimedia receivers can do.

The radio features a Bluetooth 5.3 transceiver, allowing you to stream audio from a portable media player and select tracks using the ACRVP profile. Speaking of connecting smart devices, the radio works with Pioneer’s Weblink app on your smartphone. You can stream video from a source like YouTube directly to the radio.

Your installer can upgrade the radio with a SiriusXM satellite radio receiver. With SiriusXM, you can enjoy genre-specific entertainment almost anywhere in North America.

Sound Quality and Signal Processing

The Pioneer DMH-W3050NEX is high-res audio certified, and it will decode digital audio files with sample rates up to 192 kHz. The deck includes a built-in amplifier rated to produce 14 watts of power in compliance with the ANSI/CTA-2006 standard. The front, rear and subwoofer preamp outputs will deliver up to four volts.

In terms of audio processing, the DMH-W3050NEX comes equipped with a 13-band graphic equalizer, adjustable slope and frequency crossovers and signal delays. In standard mode, the radio provides front, rear and subwoofer outputs. In Network mode, the outputs are configured for low, midrange and high-frequency output signals.

The radio is compatible with the iDatalink Maestro RR and RR2 radio integration module. Depending on your vehicle, this interface allows the radio to communicate with the CAN network in your car, truck or SUV. You can see climate controls, dashboard gauges, tire pressure, battery voltage, and even vehicle diagnostic code information. If your vehicle isn’t compatible with the Maestro RR or RR2, your installer can likely connect to the steering wheel buttons using an interface like the Maestro SW.

The Heart of a Premium Sound System

If you’re shopping for a well-equipped, high-performance multimedia receiver to upgrade your vehicle, visit a local authorized Pioneer dealer and ask about the DMH-W3050NEX. You can find an authorized retailer near you by clicking the “Find a Store” link from anywhere on the Pioneer website.

For more information on Pioneer source units, speakers, amplifiers, subwoofers and dashcams, follow them on Facebook, Instagram and, of course, YouTube.

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.

Tools of the Trade – The Oscilloscope

Our series of articles on what tools are important to test and configure a car audio system upgrade moves on to the oscilloscope. Tools like digital voltmeters, real-time audio analyzers and, of course, hand tools such as screwdrivers, side cutters, wire strippers and a socket set each have their place and importance. When it comes to analyzing the amplitude of electrical signals that change with time, only an oscilloscope can provide an installation technician with the information he needs.

What Is an Oscilloscope?

An oscilloscope is a device with a screen that displays the amplitude of a signal relative to time. The screen has several calibrated squares, each representing an adjustable time base or voltage level. Controls on the scope let the user change the time base and voltage ranges for the type of signal that is under inspection.

Why Is It Important for the Shop I Choose to Own an Oscilloscope?

If you are having an audio system installed in your car or truck, especially if an equalizer or digital signal processor is in the audio signal chain, having a scope is a sure-fire way of setting the amplifier sensitivity controls so they can achieve maximum output without significant distortion. Proper configuration ensures the highest possible signal-to-noise ratio, so hiss and background noise are kept to a minimum.

An Oscilloscope is an Important Tool

A scope is also useful for testing the wiring in the car for audio and data signals to confirm that each electrical connection will function as intended. Some installers try to use a digital multimeter set to the alternating current (AC) voltage setting to perform these tests. While the meter may show some amount of information, there is no way to know the shape of the waveform to determine if the signal is digital or analog.

Finding a Quality Mobile Enhancement Retailer

As you search for a shop to work on your vehicle, we recommend that part of the process include a tour of their installation facilities. The install bay and fabrication area need not be spotless if they are working on vehicles, but they do need to have the right tools and supplies. Ask them what they use to set the sensitivity controls on the amplifiers you intend to buy. Hopefully, they have invested in the right tools and they own and know how to use an oscilloscope.

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.

Product Spotlight: Alpine i407-WRA-JL

If you’ve been paying attention over the last few years, you’ll know that the folks at Alpine have been offering many different audio system upgrade solutions for Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles. These offerings range from head unit replacement solutions to complete audio systems with amplifiers and subwoofers. In this Product Spotlight, we will look at the i407-WRA-JL radio upgrade kit. Let’s check it out!

What is the Alpine i407-WRA-JL Kit?

The i407-WRA-JL is a radio upgrade kit for 2018 and newer JL chassis Jeep Wranglers and 2020 and newer JT chassis Jeep Gladiators. The kit includes an Alpine iLX-407 source unit along with mounting brackets, a radio trim kit, a new auxiliary input jack, all the wiring harnesses, a camera interface module, and an iDatalink Maestro RR integration module. The concept was to provide retailers with a package with everything needed to upgrade the entertainment system and prevent surprises in the installation bay.

Jeep Radio Upgrade Kit Features

The included dash kit and brackets take care of ensuring the radio is mounted in place of the stock source unit and looks great. The dash kit is molded to fit the complex shape of the dash for a clean, factory-like appearance.

In terms of integration, the factory-installed backup camera on these Wranglers and Gladiators uses a communication protocol called Low-Voltage Differential Signaling (LVDS). This signal isn’t directly compatible with aftermarket radios. As such, the i407-WRA-JL kit includes an interface module that converts the LVDS signal into a composite signal so the camera will work with the included iLX-407.

The kit also includes an iDatalink Maestro RR interface. This data interface and harness allows the new radio to plug into the wiring connectors from the original radio and provides access to the Jeep’s data network. Information like vehicle speed, engine RPM and much more can be displayed on the radio. The climate control settings are also adjustable from the face of the new radio.

One item worth noting is that if your Jeep is equipped with the factory amplifier, an optional interface module called the KCX-F200INT is available to let the new radio connect properly.

Alpine iLX-407 Features

The double-DIN iLX-407 is the radio at the heart of the i407-WRA-JL kit. This radio features a 7-inch anti-glare touch screen with a resolution of 800×480 pixels. The hard controls are along the bottom edge of the front panel. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, as is Bluetooth for hands-free streaming or phone calls. The tuner in the unit offers support for HD Radio, which dramatically improves the quality of FM radio. There’s an HDMI input on the rear of the chassis, so you can theoretically connect a gaming system or a laptop, if you want. There are two camera inputs and support for the SiriusXM SXV300 tuner module.

If you want the best sound quality from your music, playing digital audio files from a USB drive is the way to go. The iLX-407 supports MP3, WMA, AAC, FLAC, and WAV audio formats with a maximum sampling rate of 48 kHz. The unit will also play AVI, MP4, MPG, MOV and WMV video files with H.264 or MPEG-4 video encoding. The maximum video file size is 4 gigabytes.

Audio Processing Features

The deck includes a four-channel amplifier rated at 16 watts per channel and in compliance with the ANSI/CTA-2006 standards for car audio amplifier power specifications. The triple preamp outputs are rated for up to four volts.

The iLX-407 is impressive in its audio processing features. It has a simple five-band graphic equalizer to let you fine-tune the system to your listening preferences. The more advanced crossovers offer adjustable slopes from six to 24 dB/Octave and filter frequencies from 20 to 200 Hz with high-pass filtering on the front and rear channels and a low-pass filter for the subwoofer output. There’s also a level control for each output, which many source units overlook. Oh, and the subwoofer level control can be adjusted from 0 to 15 with a polarity inversion option to potentially help the subwoofer’s output blend with the woofers in the dash and overhead sound bar.

The Time Correction setting screen allows your installer to dial in delays to each of the six outputs (which include the four built-in amplifier outputs) in 1 millisecond steps or set distances to the speakers in 3.4 centimeter steps. There are three presets available to store different Time Correction configurations. This is ideal if you want one alone in the vehicle or have a passenger, which requires different settings.

Jeep Radio Upgrade Kits

Alpine offers four Jeep-specific radio upgrade kits, including the i407-WRA-JL and a similar solution for older Wranglers called the i407-WRA-JK, covering 2007 through 2018 applications. If you want something fancier, the I509-WRA-JL and I509-WRA-JK kits include a 9-inch weather-resistant display, more advanced audio processing, and wireless smartphone connectivity.

If your Jeep is lacking in the audio department, visit a local authorized Alpine retailer and ask about the available Jeep-specific solutions. You can find an authorized retailer using the Store Locator tool on the Alpine website. For more information about the audio upgrade solutions available from Alpine, follow them on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

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.

Understanding Specifications: Operating Voltage Tolerances and Protection Circuits

To close out our series of educational articles on amplifier specifications, we are going to talk about operating voltage limits and, by association, the protection circuits built into a car audio amplifier. In the good old days of electrical systems that were composed of an alternator, battery, switches and a couple of relays, delivering a relatively constant voltage to a car audio amplifier was easy. New technologies and limits on battery, alternator and wire size have made it much more difficult to keep our amplifiers happy.

Automotive Start-Stop Systems Cause Low Operating Voltage

With the never-ending battle to eke out every ounce of fuel efficiency from the vehicles we drive, automakers have resorted to systems that will shut down the engine to save fuel while idling. Transitioning from standard idle mode to the shut-down state doesn’t pose a problem for most amplifiers as the battery voltage only drops to the 12.2 to 11.5-volt range. If the voltage starts to drop because the car has been idling too long, the engine will restart automatically.

What poses a problem for modern car audio amplifiers are the voltage dips associated with the engine starting. In conventional vehicles, the stereo is off while you are starting the vehicle. These start-stop systems keep everything running and playing as the engine restarts. Electrical system voltage can drop below seven volts while the engine cranks. Many amplifiers shut themselves down below nine or ten volts, and as such, your music would stop playing. While a pause in your music isn’t truly problematic, it can be annoying if you are stuck in stop-and-go traffic.

New amplifier designs include circuitry that will keep the amplifier active during brief low operating voltage conditions. Some companies specify their amps as being able to handle as little as 6 volts for as long as 5 seconds to ensure that your music plays without interruption. This same start-stop compliance design is required for digital signal processors to prevent them from shutting down during engine restarts.

Car Audio Amplifier Protection Circuitry

Three decades ago, if you shorted the outputs of an amplifier, it would blow up, occasionally with spectacular results. Modern amplifiers include protection circuits that monitor different functions and automatically shut the amp down when an unwanted condition occurs. Most amplifiers include protection against overheating or short circuits on the speaker wires. Better amplifiers may provide a warning if a power connection over-voltage condition occurs that could damage the components inside the amp.

A select few manufacturers provide computerized monitoring of different parts of their amplifiers and flash error codes to let users know why the amp is in protection. Short circuits, over-voltage, under-voltage, over-temperature on the power supply and output stage and a notification about repeated short circuits are provided. This information makes it much easier and more efficient for a technician to troubleshoot an installation or speaker issue.

How Car Audio Amplifiers Handle Over-Temperature Conditions

There are two ways for an amplifier to protect itself if it gets too hot. The most common mode is for the amp to stop playing music so that the power supply and output switching devices can cool off. The second option is for the amp to reduce the output signal so that less heat is created. While it’s nice that your music won’t stop playing, most consumers tend to try and turn the volume up higher when the music gets quieter. Eventually, amplifiers that roll back power will go into a state of full protection and shut themselves down to protect components.

If you live in an area that gets hot during the summer, choosing an amplifier with adequate cooling from a large heatsink or a fan is a good idea. Cramming a tiny little amp into the corner of your trunk or cargo area may not be the best choice in this situation.

Visit Your Local Mobile Enhancement Retailer Today

If you are interested in upgrading the audio system in your car, truck or SUV, purchasing a new amplifier will be a fundamental part of the process. Your local specialist car stereo shop can help you wade through the hundreds of amplifier options on the market to find a solution that sounds amazing and works with your budget and performance expectations.

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.

Product Spotlight: KICKER LX1200.5

If you’ve been paying attention, then you’ll know that DSP-equipped car audio amplifiers are pretty common these days. KICKER introduced a new series of amplifiers called LX. These beasts are not only packed with serious power production capabilities, but they include digital signal processing and a unique configuration solution that separates them from everything else on the market. We’ll focus on the five-channel LX1200.5 in this Product Spotlight.

What is the KICKER LX1200.5 Amplifier?

The KICKER LX1200.5 is a five-channel amp with an integrated digital signal processor. The amp is based on a cast aluminum chassis that measures 12.625 inches in length, 8.875 inches in width and stands 2.375 inches tall. All the connections are hidden under a removable panel along the long edge of the amp. The panel is held in place with magnets for a clean and tidy appearance. Wire connections are made via terminal blocks with heavy-duty set screws. Interestingly, there are only three controls on the amp, which are gains for the subwoofer, AMP1 and AMP2 channels.

Power-wise, KICKER rates the output of AMP1 and AMP2 at 125 watts per channel into four-ohm loads and 175 watts per channel when driving two-ohm loads. The channel pairs can be bridged to provide 350 watts into a single four-ohm load. The subwoofer channel produces 300 watts into a four-ohm load, 550 watts into two ohms and an impressive 700 watts when driving a one-ohm load. All specifications include the 14.4-volt, less than 1% THD+N qualifications, so you know they are comparable to other quality brands. The amplifier’s signal-to-noise ratio is greater than 75 dB, referencing one watt of output into a four-ohm load.

OEM Audio Integration

The KICKER team knows that many amplifier installations in modern vehicles use factory-installed source units. This means the amplifiers need to accept speaker-level signals. The LX1200.5, like other models in the LX Series includes fully differential speaker inputs that can take up to 40 volts of signal without needing an external interface. In low-level mode, the preamp inputs accept up to 5 volts.

The amplifier also has two turn-on modes. The amp can be activated with the typical 12-volt signal from an aftermarket source unit or switched to DC offset detection to monitor the speaker wires for a voltage from a factory radio. KICKER calls this their FIT+ technology.

Speaking of integration, the LX amplifiers have input gain matching LEDs that illuminate when you have reached the maximum output capabilities of the amplifier.

Integrated Digital Signal Processing

Unlike most DSP-equipped amplifiers on the market that require a laptop or tablet to set up, KICKER includes a controller with the amp called the LX Control Center. This compact controller features a two-line LCD screen, four rotary encoders and buttons to access different amp channels and functions.

In terms of signal processing, your installer can apply high-pass, low-pass or band-pass crossover to each of the three channels on the amp. The high-pass filters are adjustable from 20 Hz to 5 kHz and the low-pass from 40 Hz to 5 kHz. Slopes can be set to 12 or 24 dB Linkwitz-Riley alignments or 12, 18 or 24 dB/octave Butterworth. You’ll want to use the Linkwitz alignment so you can set the crossover points at the same frequencies. The subwoofer channel low-pass filter is adjustable from 20 to 160 hertz and there is an infrasonic filter that can be set from 10 to 80 Hz to control subwoofer cone excursion.

KICKER includes a signal delay for the left channels on both AMP1 and AMP2. Your installer can delay the output of the left channels, which correlate to the speakers closest to the listening position in 0.1 millisecond steps, up to a maximum of 10 milliseconds. When set properly, adding delays to the closer speakers can help improve imaging and staging.

The subwoofer channel has a parametric equalizer that can be set between 20 and 80 hertz with a Q factor between 1 and 5 and a maximum gain of 6 dB. If you want to add a little Kick, no pun intended, this is the perfect solution. The LX amps also include SHOCwave 2.0. This feature analyzes audio information and creates a harmonic one octave below the fundamental to restore audio information lost by many factory-installed amplifiers. If you want to rumble, SHOCwave 2.0 can do it!

Once your installer is done setting up the amp, the LXCC (LX Control Center) can be disconnected from the RJ45 port, and the included LX Remote Control (LXRC) can be plugged in. This multifunction remote controls the subwoofer level and SHOCwave 2.0 functionality and even shows battery voltage using the LEDs around the perimeter.

Full Amplifier Family

The new LX series from KICKER includes the LX1200.5 five-channel we’ve discussed, a seven-channel LX1300.7 and the monster LX3000.1 3000-watt monoblock in the same chassis size. The LX series includes a four-channel LX500.4 and LX850.1, LX1250.1 and LX1300.7 in a smaller 9.625-inch long chassis. The width and height of all the amps are the same, so mixing and matching models is easy.

Speaking of design flexibility, the little illuminated badge in the center of the amp can be rotated 180 degrees to align with however your installer configures the amps in your vehicle.

Upgrade Your Car Audio Experience with KICKER LX-Series Amplifiers

If you are shopping for an impressively featured, high-performance amplifier for your car audio system, drop by a local authorized KICKER retailer and ask about the new LX series models, like the LX1200.5. They can design a system around these products, integrate it into your vehicle and configure it to sound amazing.

You can find an authorized retailer using the locator tool on the KICKER website. Be sure to follow the KICKER on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Check out the KICKER Unmasked LIVE show for weekly updates on new products and their unique technologies.

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.

Product Spotlight: Pioneer DMH-W3050NEX

Pioneer DMH-W3050NEX Platform

Communication and Entertainment Options

Sound Quality and Signal Processing

The Heart of a Premium Sound System

Tools of the Trade – The Oscilloscope

What Is an Oscilloscope?

Why Is It Important for the Shop I Choose to Own an Oscilloscope?

An Oscilloscope is an Important Tool

Finding a Quality Mobile Enhancement Retailer

Product Spotlight: Alpine i407-WRA-JL

What is the Alpine i407-WRA-JL Kit?

Jeep Radio Upgrade Kit Features

Alpine iLX-407 Features

Audio Processing Features

Jeep Radio Upgrade Kits

Understanding Specifications: Operating Voltage Tolerances and Protection Circuits

Automotive Start-Stop Systems Cause Low Operating Voltage

Car Audio Amplifier Protection Circuitry

How Car Audio Amplifiers Handle Over-Temperature Conditions

Visit Your Local Mobile Enhancement Retailer Today

Product Spotlight: KICKER LX1200.5

What is the KICKER LX1200.5 Amplifier?

OEM Audio Integration

Integrated Digital Signal Processing

Full Amplifier Family

Upgrade Your Car Audio Experience with KICKER LX-Series Amplifiers

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