GET TO KNOW YOUR SPEAKER FREQUENCIES

Ever wondered what makes what makes your music sound better in your car. There are a lot of available speakers, subwoofers and tweeters in the market which makes it hard to choose. Here are some terms to consider when trying to select the perfect speaker, subwoofer or tweeter upgrade for your vehicle.

HIGH FREQUENCY
These are sound produced mostly by tweeters which are commonly manufactured to operate sounds between 3kHz to 20kHz. These are sounds produced by guitars, trumpets and high voice. Tweeters are built small as high frequency sounds are only heard to enhance your overall music for clarity. Some regular speakers already come with built-in tweeters and are classified as 2-way or 3-ways speakers. Here are some of the best tweeters from Online Car Stereo. Pioneer TS-T110, JL Audio C5-075CT and Alpine SPR-10TW.



MEDIUM FREQUENCY
This range of sound are commonly produced by your regular speakers in the range of 200-2,000 Hz. Different sizes vary such as 3.5", 4", 5.25" or 6.5". The sound heard in the medium frequency are the majority of the arrangement of the music you are listening. These are the vocals, drums, piano, and other instruments. If you normally listen to rock, jazz, classical and pop music, you will definitely need to upgrade your medium frequency to enjoy them a lot. Here are the top rated speakers from Online Car Stereo. Kenwood KFC-4675C, JL Audio C5-650x and Alpine SPE-6090.


LOW FREQUENCY
Also known as the bass sound, these are produced typically by subwoofers. Common sizes of subwoofers range from 8", 10", 12" and 15" with frequencies 20-80 Hz. If your type of music is hiphop, then you might want to upgrade your low frequency sound and purchase high end subwoofers. You can find the best subwoofers here at Online Car Stereo.The JL Audio 10W3v3-4, Kenwood Excelon KFC-XW1000F, JL Audio 6W3v3-4

Be sure to always visit WWW.ONLINECARSTEREO.COM for the newest car audio products nationwide. You can also subscribe to our newsletter to receive weekly promotions and save tons of cash.

BLACK FRIDAY AND CYBER MONDAY TRIVIA!

Thanksgiving Day is fast approaching and that also means that Black Friday and Cyber Monday is also around the corner. This year in particular will be a very different one from all the previous years we have done the two biggest shopping days of the year because of the pandemic.

But where (and when) exactly did the terms “Black Friday” and “Cyber Monday” come from?

(image source: bloomberg.com)

Black Friday dates back to Philadelphia in the 1960s where newspapers in the state used the term to describe the massive frenzy of crowds at stores and the congestion of traffic that happens on the day after Thanksgiving. The crowd frenzy was paralleled after the original “Black Friday”, which was a stock market panic on September 24, 1869, where the price of gold collapsed due to then-President Ulysses Grant’s interference on the scheme of three investors: Jay Gould, James Fisk, and President Grant’s own brother-in-law, Abel Corbin.

(image source: abc7.com)

Cyber Monday, however, is a much newer term that was coined by Ellen Davis of the National Retail Federation and Scott Silverman, and was used as a marketing term for the Monday after the Thanksgiving holiday here in the United States. It was created as a digital counterpart to Black Friday to encourage people to do online shopping and has rapidly become the biggest ecommerce event in the US, whereas Black Friday is more of a brick-and-mortar sale event. 

However, with the pandemic happening right now, Black Friday will probably shift to a bigger online event than it was before rather than doing the traditional in-store sales retailers have done in previous years. So definitely watch out in the coming weeks for upcoming deals and bundles for Black Friday and Cyber Monday at onlinecarstereo.com and subscribe to our newsletter to receive weekly promotions and save tons of cash!

HASSLE-FREE RETURNS AT OCS

We always strive for customer satisfaction when you buy from us here at Online Car Stereo, but sometimes, one might have problems with their purchase and decide to return it. We have one of the best hassle-free return policies out there. If by some reason you are not satisfied with your purchase, unused/uninstalled items can be returned within 60 days.

Making a return is pretty easy!

  • Contact us. To start a return, call 1-310-526-8635 and chat with our helpful and friendly customer service representatives. We can also be reached through email at  [email protected] for any questions.
  • Get an RA (return authorization). If you call us at our contact number, a customer service representative will be able to assist you through your options and help set up a return authorization. You can also request a return authorization online through email at  [email protected].
  • Pack returned items carefully. Returned items should be new and in their original packaging, complete with all the original accessories, manuals and warranty card. We care about the safety of the items so we overbox most of the products to protect them during shipping.
  • Attach the shipping label. You will receive a UPS Authorized Return Service shipping label along with a return authorization number. Remove or mark out the original labels, then securely tape the new return shipping label to the package.
  • Give the package to UPS. Take it to any official UPS drop-off site. To search for drop-off locations nearest you, call 1-800-742-5877 or visit www.ups.com.

Online Car Stereo will send a “return received” notice through email detailing that the returned item has been received. An additional email will also be sent following the completion of the return process.

There are also important details to consider when doing a return.

Refund or exchange. You can either choose an exchange or a refund according to the amount of the item you purchased. Refunds will be issued to the same credit card, debit card, gift certificate, or other form of payment that was used in the original transaction. The refund or exchange process for items usually gets processed within three business days after we receive the returned item, as we normally conduct additional testing and evaluation. Additionally, depending on the financial institution, the refunded amount will take about 3-5 business days to reflect back on your account.

Shipping costs. Return shipping costs are deducted from your refund or exchange.

For most returns, Online Car Stereo can issue you a UPS Authorized Return Shipping (ARS) label for a flat fee.

New condition. All returns for refund will be subject to a 10% restocking fee (and higher if the item is used/abused). Online Car Stereo may refuse a customer return or charge a higher restocking fee when the returned item is not NEW. Conditions that will lead to refused returns or be charged a higher restocking fee include:

  • When the returned item has a different serial number than what Online Car Stereo originally shipped.
  • When there are missing parts or the original packaging has been damaged or tampered with.
  • When there is damage due to the package being improperly packaged for return shipment.
  • When there is physical damage from drops, spilled liquid, or mishandling.
  • When the product has been installed or has attempted to be installed and was removed from the original packaging.
  • When the item has any signs or indication of it being installed, with scratches, or other signs of use such as physical markings, screw holes, etc.

Freight shipping: Items like Boxes and Large subwoofers may require special freight shipping, and they usually cost more to return. An Online Car Stereo representative will be able to help figure out the exact shipping cost of freight items when setting up the return.

**Online Car Stereo does not accept any returns for Rims, Tires and finance orders. Only exchange or store credit will be granted.

International shipping: UPS ARS labels are not valid for international shipping or shipping on US territories. The customer is responsible for any international shipping charges or duties.

We here at Online Car Stereo will always be committed to give you the best customer service we can possibly give. Always visit us at onlinecarstereo.com to check out our wide array of products and subscribe to our newsletter to receive weekly promotions and save tons of cash.

TAKE YOUR BOATING EXPERIENCE TO THE NEXT LEVEL WITH THE KICKER MARINE SERIES!

Kicker Marine Speakers

The Kicker Marine Speakers is sure to take your boating experience to the next level! You can choose between three different sizes -- the 4-inch, 8-inch and 6x9 speakers that come in both charcoal and white grilles so you can easily match the theme of your audio setup with the theme of your boat. 

What makes them different from Kicker’s standard CS or KSC speakers? Marine speakers have a motor that is completely encased in the basket so it is completely sealed. The wires that connect to the amplifier are gold-plated instead of tin to ensure it is water-tight and safe from corrosion. Gold-plated wires do a lot better with corrosion resistance. The Kicker Marine Speakers’ grilles have a built-in drainage port to prevent standing water.

The Kicker KM Series Speakers have an awesome LED light display and you get to choose between seven colors:

  • Red
  • Magenta
  • Green
  • Lime green
  • Blue
  • Blue-white
  • Aquamarine

Want to amp up the cool? There is a controller unit (KMLC LED controller), sold separately, that unlocks 20 colors and 19 lighting modes. Isn’t that awesome?

 

Kicker Marine Subwoofers

Kicker Freeair (45KMF102, 45KMF124 and 45KMF104) Marine Subwoofers and KM Subwoofers (45KM104, 45KM124, 45KM122) need no enclosure, so you can mount these versatile subwoofers nearly anywhere. You can choose between the 10 and 12-inch marine subwoofers that were tested for salt/fog and UV exposure, meeting or exceeding ASTM standards, so you can be assured that these bad boys are completely weatherproof. They have a completely sealed motor structure and locking/sealed terminal cover to make it splash-proof, and a tough Santoprene® surround.

Much like the marine coaxial speakers, there are optional LED grilles (sold separately) for KM Subwoofers. They also come in seven selectable LED colors. They also can be controlled by the KMLC LED Controller (also sold separately) for 20 colors and 19 different lighting modes to jazz up your already cool party!

 

 

Kicker Marine Amplifiers

Kicker KXMA400.2 and KXMA400.4 are marine amps that feature conformal coated circuit boards to protect the heart of the amp from water damage. All the power terminals meet stringent ABYC/NMMA standards and the thick gasketing protects the control cover from unwanted moisture. The aluminum chassis is also UV treated for extra-long life.

Included with the amps is a wireless remote that goes way beyond being a simple bass knob. You can control as many as four KXM Mono amplifiers simultaneously, plus the bass channel of the five-channel amplifier. You can monitor and adjust vital functions of the amp such as clipping, gain, bass boost and more.

These Class D amplifiers deliver as much as 1,200 watts of power -- while requiring an incredibly small footprint.

The amps also have a specially designed gain control that lights up when the perfect input signal is detected from your radio. An adjustable 24dB crossover is featured on the marine amplifiers, as does 18dB of KickEQ+™ bass boost.

Since you're already here, you might want to check out our ongoing Kicker promotions so you can save tons of cash!

 

KICKER SUBWOOFER ENCLOSURES FOR YOUR VEHICLE

Kicker subwoofers have been a staple with car audio lovers worldwide. It is the first brand that comes into mind when we think of subs and speakers. Today, we will focus our attention on subwoofer enclosures. Kicker enclosures are very easy to setup and are very well made.They have a variety of sizes that will fit you vehicle. The modern sleek design also add to the appeal of both younger and older consumers. Here are some of the most popular Kicker enclosures.

Kicker 44DL7S122
This unit is huge and packs a punch. It sports the high-end Kicker l7's that gives out a maximum of 3000 watts of power. The Solo-Baric design is unique to Kicker and having the dual subs will be perfect to any vehicle especially with trucks. It is designed with sturdy MDF and bracing making it very durable and would last long. The round corners add to the futuristic design that blends well with any car or truck.


Kicker 46CWTB102
This loaded enclosures has great bass for its size. The new tube design is done to blend well with the back of a truch or a trunk of a car. It is weatherproof so you don't have to worry about it lasting long even if you place it in open space. The CompR sub powers this little monster and is protected by a think ABS tube construction with its signature red stitching from the CompR subs. In addition, the new design allows the 46CWTB102 to be mounting either laying down or verticall with its innovative mount.

Kicker 47TRTP82
The TRTP is a very compact enclosure and fits in very tight spaces in your vehicle. It is powere with a CompRT sub with 300 watts RMS. Its stylish carpet deisgn is classic of Kicker enclosures and also built to last a long time. It comes in 8", 10" and 12" so you have a variety of subwoofer sizes to choose from.

Kicker 46TL7T124
Another loaded Kicker enclosure that is powered by a Solo-Baric T7T subwoofer that gives you 600 watts of RMS. This is a saller alternative for those who just wants a single woofer in a bix but can rumble. Also built with Kicker proprietary MDF construction and also sports the embroidered Kicker Logo on a thick black carpeting. The rounded corners add to its sleek minimalistic design.

Always visit Onlinecarstereo.com to find more subwoofer einclosures. You can also subscribe to our newsletter to receive weekly promotions and save tons of cash.

ALPINE ENTERTAINMENT AT ITS BEST

Since it release in February 2019, the ILX-F259 has been flying off the shelves and has garnered great reviews from car audio lovers. Alpine was the first to adapt the floating screen to accommodate a bigger dimension without dashboard customization and it worked for the consumers. It's whopping 9" screen will blow your mind and and is the centerpiece of the unit. Users can actually position the screen for the best viewing angle for the driver while driving; or the passengers while listening to music.

The compatibility of the Apple Carplay and Android Auto is another features that popularized this product. The seamless integration of the two platforms makes it easy to pair the latest smartphones to enoy music, video, calls and messages. The ILX-F259 can be customized to provide perfect sound using the 9-band equalizer and make use of Alpine's proprietary MediaXpander and Bass Engine SQ. It plays MP3, WMA, AAC and Lossless music files for high definition music. For users who prefer satellite subscription, the ILX-F259 is SiriusXM ready so you'll definitely enjoy your commercial-free music while driving. As a promotion, for every purchase of the ILX-F259, you get a free SiriusXM SXV300V where you can get a $70 rebate if you subscribe to SiriusXM.

For video, the ILX-F259 plays AVI and MPEG4 files and it looks perfect on the WVGA screen. The unit also provides rear view camera inputs that displays clearly on the screen to avoid unnecessary bumps while backing up on the driveway. With Apple Carplay and Android Auto, maps UI are very intuitive and vivid on the 9" screen and you will surely not miss your next turn. On the homescreen, users can customize the UI to easily access apps such as Clock, Messages, Music Player and Calls without touching your smartphone while driving.


The consumer response for the ILX-F259 has been enthusiastic which is still the reason why it is one of the top seller at Onlinecarstereo. Visit us at WWW.ONLINECARSTEREO.COM and subscribe to our newsletter to receive weekly promotions and save tons of cash.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT SUBWOOFER

We all love listening to music and it’s that music that keeps us sane while driving through traffic. One of the most common upgrades an audiophile wants to do is subwoofers. Depending on your preferred music, there are a number of considerations you’ll have to do to get the perfect sound you are looking for.

Several brands come to mind when you are on a lookout for subwoofers. First is JL Audio which needs no introduction.  They make the best subwoofers money can buy and they are more expensive than the other brands out there. Their best seller is the W3V3 which is a standard upgrade for intermediate to advanced audiophiles. These are powerhouse subs that deliver potent performance and quality sound for medium power applications. They also have the W7AE series which delivers exceptional balance and limitless dynamics.

Massive Audio is another brand that is well known in the car audio industry. Their subwoofers are built like a tank and even provide power only a bass addict can dream of. Currently, their best seller is the HIPPOXL 152R that produces a whopping 3000 watts of RMS. Massive’s line is well suited for completion and it will never let you down.

For conventional subwoofers, Kicker stands out in terms of quality and price. They have 12 subwoofer lines that cater to different applications and various price ranges. For starter upgrades, the CompR series are very popular such as the 43CWR104, 43CWR124 or 43CWR154 that produces reliable bass sounds for the money. For premium model, nothing can go wrong with Kicker’s Q class. With their innovative classic square design and oversized magnets will allow every drop of power to get from the sub to your ears.

Lastly, there are other notable premium brands to mention like Alpine’s Type-R series, Pioneer’s A-series, Focal’s Elite and Auditor lines; and Hertz and Audison. These are more upscale models that are preferred by high-end audiophiles.

    

This makes you think, how to I select which subwoofer to buy? The answer lies on different factors. First is Power. This is the main criteria to consider identifying how much bass you want to produce for your car. There are misconceptions that you refer to the peak power, but it is the other way around. You should look at the RMS which is the rating for continuous power a subwoofer produces. If you are within the RMS power, you are not risking your subs or amp to be blown. Subsequently, after knowing the power, one should also consider the sensitivity of the sub. This determines how sensitive the subwoofer to receive power to produce for the sound required. It is also important to consider how low the frequency range the subwoofer will produce. This is indicated by the frequency range of the subwoofer.

Does size matter? Will a 15” sub produce more bass than a 10” or 8”? This is technically true but do not underestimate smaller subs. There are some smaller size subwoofers that produce quality bass. One factor to consider size is if it will fit your vehicle.

Make sure you visit us at OnlineCarStereo.com for more subwoofers with the best prices. You can also subscribe to our newsletter to receive weekly promotions and save tons of cash.

GET TO KNOW YOUR SPEAKER

One of the most common accessory upgrade a car audio enthusiast deals with is a speaker. There are many types of speaker and with this, it can be confusing which one to choose. Today, we will discuss the basic anatomy of a car speaker so you will have the information in selecting the right speaker for your setup.

SPEAKER CONE

This is the part of the speaker that is usually constructed from paper, polypropylene, Kevlar or other materials. Manufacturers commonly use polypropylene due to its rigidness and easy to work with. However, some would say that it does not perform quite well with high frequencies but usually excel in midrange. Paper cones perform well and produce clear and crisp sound due to its lightness and stiffness. Some high end manufacturers make us of Kevlar as the main material for its durability and at the same for the light weight characteristic. Depending on the design, Kevlar material can also produce quality sound.

ANNULUS / SURROUND

This is the part of the speaker that serves as a suspension for the code to the frame of the speaker. It usually is made of paper, foam, butyl or cloth. There is other annulus design called the “m” which is claimed to provide a more effective way to absorb wave energy to the cone.

VOICE COIL

The voice coil is the coil of wire attached to the apex of a speaker cone. It provides the motive force to the cone by the reaction of a magnetic field to the current passing through it. The most common is the dual voice coil but single voice coils are also available as well.

  

MAGNET

Usually made of a rare earth metal called Neodymium for small tweeters; or ferrite commonly for speakers. Magnet is an essential part of the speaker as this holds the coil in place while it moves back and forth to push air and produce sound and at the same time preventing distortion. The result is a louder sound and better bas response.

SPIDER

It is responsible for the allowing the speakers parts to move in a linear fashion and prevent them from displacing and move consistently. It is fitted around the voice coil.

  

DUST CAP

This is the part of the speaker that covers the middle of the cone to prevent dust from accumulating inside the speaker elements. This part also provides as an aesthetic design for the speaker.

BASKET

Also called the frame of the speaker which houses the entire speaker assembly together. This essentially forms the main shape of the speaker or subwoofer. Some speakers are built deep and some are shallow to fit certain types of vehicle.

This week, we have featured speakers from various brands like Infinity, Memphis Audio, Pioneer, Kicker and more. Always visit OnlineCarStereo.com and browse our catalog of over 3000 products. You can also subscribe to our newsletter to receive weekly promotions and save tons of cash.