Audio Equalizers & Processors

If you're a hardcore audiophile, you've come to the right place. The equipment here is for the high fidelity enthusiast who can discern subtle differences in sound quality; those with tin ears may move along. For the music lover who wants more than just a lot of volume and bass from an amp and a subwoofer, we've gathered the instruments that allow you to fine-tune your car stereo sound including:

• equalizers
• processors
• crossovers
• bass maximizers

Boost and Restoration

Let's start at the stereo receiver. Most of them don't output the voltage that the amplifier can handle, and more is lost through the wiring. We offer line drivers which will boost the signal from the receiver to the amplifier, so the amp can deliver the performance it's capable of without noise. We also have bass restoration processors designed for boosting frequencies suppressed by factory receivers and limited in compressed audio files.

Ultimate Adjustability

Inside an automobile is a tough place to create quality sound. There is an abundance of different surfaces, some of which absorb sound like seats and carpet, and others that reflect it, like glass and plastic. Plus there is the ever-present road noise. A standard receiver will let you adjust little more than bass and treble, but an equalizer will allow you to tune the sound to suit your taste and help overcome the shape of the cabin or less than ideal speaker locations. With an equalizer, you can adjust individual frequency response, to add more boom to the low bass, add clarity to vocals, and reduce irritating brash tones.

Amplify the Right Signal

Speakers are designed to optimally handle different frequencies, with their high range for tweeters and the low one for woofers. Crossovers direct these frequencies to the corresponding speaker, so tweeters don't have to try to put out low notes and subwoofers high notes. Full-range speakers filter out frequencies, but component acoustic systems have passive crossovers connected between the amplifier and speakers. Active crossovers are wired between the receiver and amplifier and allow you to adjust the signal level to individual channels, so the amp only boosts the right frequencies.

Overcome Limitations

The capabilities of signal processors may vary, but the most complete ones have equalizer and crossover functionality that enables you to completely control the acoustics in your vehicle. They can usually be used with both stock and aftermarket stereo systems, but they really shine when used for factory integration because they remove the designed-in factory limitations. For example, if you're using aftermarket speakers with a stock stereo, a signal processor will let you get the most from them by overriding the factory settings designed to limit bass output to protect low-quality standard speakers.