DISCLAIMER: The different gift card denominations will be given according to the TOTAL PURCHASE PRICE of a GIFT CARD-QUALIFIED ITEM/S that is in the customer's cart.

Gift card-qualified brands include: Alpine, AudioControl, Audison, Focal, Hertz, Infinity, JBL, JL Audio, Kenwood, Kenwood Excelon, Kicker, Kicker Q-Class, Massive Audio, Memphis, Sony, and SounDigital.

For example: If you buy an Alpine product priced at $100, and a Lanzar product (a brand not included in the list above) worth $600, you will only receive a $20 gift card because only the Alpine product qualifies for the gift card.

When we do upgrades, we audio geeks still tend to configure our sound to the best hertz and decibel we can get. Sometimes, even though we've upgraded to the best speakers or subwoofers, there is still room for small adjustments to achieve that perfect sound. This is where equalizers come in.

Equalizers are devices that lets you tweak your sound frequencies in different spectrum. When done right, it can improve your car sound and eliminate unwanted frequencies and customize your music. Equalizers come in different forms. It can be built in your head unit or receiver; or it can come as a separate in dash unit which can be classified as graphic, parametric or digital.

Graphic equalizers are the most common and can be used easily. It is makes use of sliders that represents the shape of the frequency you are trying to achieve hence the name. The sliders are used to cut or boost certain parts of the sound frequency whichever you desire.

Parametric equalizers is a little more complex than the graphic. It will allow you to adjust the width and center point of any frequency band. A parametric equalizer will also allow for Q adjustment (the quality of the curve of the band passed by the filter) of a frequency.

Digital equalizers offer the best of both worlds. From the graphical equalizer, it takes the ability of a user to see the adjustments made on the frequency. From parametric equalizers, it takes the ability to control the actual parameters of sound. The values are displayed on a screen digitally.

Onlinecarstereo offers various equalizers for your needs. Here are some of the best sellers:

AudioControl DQ-61: Audio Control produces the best EQ's in the industry and the DQ-61 is one of the best sellers. It is a 6 channel line out converter with equalization and signal delay that provide precise tuning. It also features AccuBASS with variable threshold and gain processes and corrects roll-off bass. You can also checkout other equalizer models from Audio Control at Onlinecasrtereo.

Cadence CEQ777: This equalizer from Cadence is a bang-for-the-buck equalizer that features simple 4 band parametric knobs.Cadence signal processors create clean, noise-free, high voltage signals while conserving valuable interior space and installation time.

JL Audio Fix-86: If you have the budget to spend, the JL Audio Fix-86 will give your state-of-the-art digital processing power. Unlike typical OEM interface products, the FiX™ 86 automatically corrects time-delayed factory outputs prior to signal summing and EQ correction. Calibration takes just a single button press and about 30 seconds to complete, with no special equipment needed.

Memphis Audio EQL7: In the mid tier equalizer product, the EQL7 boasts a 7-Band Graphic Equalizer that allows you to dial in your system for peak performance.

Visit Onlinecarstereo fro more equalizer products. Subscribe to our Newsletter and receive weekly promotions to save tons of cash.

The bass is a really important part of a sound system. The ability to hear the music’s low frequencies will greatly improve your music experience inside your car. Of course, we have the subwoofers that will definitely allow us to hear more of the low frequencies, but sometimes, subwoofers can be costly and can be difficult to install due to the size constraints. 

A bass restoration processor (or BRP) is generally, in simple terms, a bass booster. BRPs digitally restore the bass that might still be lacking if you lack the bass powers of a subwoofer on your vehicle. They have a built-in equalizer to adjust the frequency and the ideal amount of bass the car owner wants for their music. Typically, BRPs have three types of adjustments: frequency, width and level.

The “frequency” adjustment allows the owner to the specific frequencies they want to be brought out in the music. The “width” adjustment allows the owner to adjust the amount of frequencies that will be affected. You can adjust the BRP to affect a narrow or wide bandwidth of frequencies along a selected frequency. And finally, the “level” adjustment allows the owner to adjust the level of effect, hence giving you a sound made specifically for you, just the way you like it.

BRPs aren’t just used to improve the bass sounds and give you that heart-pounding bass. It improves the low-frequency sound on all kinds of music.  It can modify the way a specific music will sound. It digitally restores the desired frequency and powers up the low-end sound, injecting it again in the audio signal to give it an improved bass impact.

One of the most famous bass restoration processors in the market today is the EPICENTER series from AudioControl but other brands, like Soundstream, have put out their own BRPs as well. And right now they are under the HOT DEALS on onlinecarstereo.com! So, what are you waiting for? Go now and check out our array of BRPs on amazing deals right now and check out the other products while you're at it. Subscribe to our newsletter NOW so you don't miss out and receive promotions and updates as we are having Black Friday and Holiday Deals. HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

Car audios have come a LONG way since its first inception. It is fascinating how the concept of car audio has evolved from clunky AM radios to ones with operating systems and with multiple functions. For today we’re gonna talk about the evolution of car audio.

1900s - Did you know that the first car audio was presented as early as 1904? Lee De Forest, the “Father of Radio”, performed a demonstration at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis.

1920s - The first factory-installed car radio was installed on a 1922 Chevrolet (the radio brand was Westinghouse) and almost cost as half as the actual cost of the car itself! Talk about pricey!

1930s - Paul and Joseph Galvin, entrepreneurs and brothers, bought the bankrupt Stewart Battery Company. The company made The Battery Eliminator that allowed battery-operated home radios to run on household current, the equivalent to today’s AC adapters. The Galvin brothers utilized the company’s battery eliminator design and used that to manufacture battery eliminators for their radios.

Eventually, the battery eliminators became obsolete as AC-powered radios were becoming the standard. Paul Galvin met with William Lear and Elmer Wavering, two radio engineers, who created a radio with a design that removed the problem with static interference.

(the first commercially released car audio -- The Motorola)

The brothers eventually came up with the first radio which they named The Motorola, which is a portmanteau of the words “automative” and “Victrola” (a brand name of a phonograph, but eventually became a generic term for any kind of phonograph). Motorola eventually became the big telecommunications company it is today (YES, that Motorola).

1952 - Blaupunkt, a German company, created the first FM radio. Prior to this, the only option of frequency for radios was the AM frequency. A year later, Becker Mexico made an AM/FM receiver with a station search or scan function.

1955 onwards (before 1970s) was a period of trial and error for car audio manufacturers. Chrysler Hi-Fi was the first time one’s own records were played in the car, and was also the first and only car phonograph. It used a mini-turntable (located on the dash of the passenger side) to play its records. This only lasted for a few years, however. This is because one of the Hi-Fi’s fatal flaws is that the record skips even on the smallest bump on the road the car runs into. 

(photo by sv1ambo on Flickr)

The Hi-Fi eventually evolved to Earl Muntz’s Stereo-Pak, who was the pioneer of a 4-track system. Tracks did not skip with this kind of car audio (an upgrade to the Hi-Fi). Muntz then developed the AutoStereo in the early 60s, which had drivers the freedom to customize and select their personal listening experience. After that, improvements were made to Muntz’s idea and the 8-track cartridge system was developed.

1970s to 80s - Cassette tapes eventually replaced the 8-track system. And with the invention of the Walkman in 1979, cassette tapes became much more prevalent. It improved 8-track’s technology with longer play times, improved tape quality, Dolby noise reduction and auto reverse.

1980s to 90s - Philips and Sony were the first to develop the model for the CD which was first marketed for home use in 1982. However, it was Pioneer who developed the first ever car CD player in 1984. Named the CDX-1, this player had a significantly improved sound quality unlike everyone else. Aside from that, CDX-1 was much more durable than cassette tape players and had the ability to skip tracks.

(CDX-1 image from Pioneer's website)

2000s - car audio quality even improved significantly after the CD player phase of car audio. There was the digitization of music, and gave rise to MP3 players. These are portable devices that can hold thousands of songs and can play different types of music formats. By the mid-2000s, in-car audio systems developed the capability to connect these players to the car’s audio systems. Features like the USB, AUX and Bluetooth became staples on car audios.

And with the rise of smartphones and the usage of apps like Spotify, Pandora, SiriusXM and the use of car assistant systems like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, playing music in your car has never been easier. 

Sources: (1) (2) (3) (4)

So check out onlinecarstereo.com for our wide array of car audio products and subscribe to our newsletter to receive weekly promotions and save tons of cash!

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!

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.

Onlinecarstereo is launching Virtual Assistant. A first of its kind personal car audio assistance that can assess and recommend the best setup for your vehicle. Through the use of internet technology, our team can personally talk to you via FaceTime, FB Messenger or Android to get the perfect upgrade for your vehicle even when you are at home staying safe.

MECHANICS:

1) Call 310-830-1400 or message us at our Facebook Page; and schedule a call back appointment.
2) Our expert Virtual Assistant will call you via video chat.
3) Tell our Virtual Assistants what you desire to achieve in terms of sound and budget.
4) Our Virtual Assistant experts will provide you the best setup for your budget:

• Provide you the best options for Amplifier with the right wattage and impedance;
• Provide you the best options for speakers, tweeters and subwoofers with compatible wattage and wiring options that will work best on the amp;
• Provide you the best options for head units with navigation, Apple CarPlay or Android Auto and correct wiring harnesses compatible with your vehicle;
• And more!

5) After determining the items needed, we can assist you in ordering it in our website OnlineCarStereo.com. You can pay thru credit car, Paypal or apply for financing with guaranteed approval.
6) After you receive the items, if you are in the SOCAL area, you can schedule an install with our shops.

Remember to visit us at OnlineCarStereo.com to get all your car audio / video needs. We have thousands of products available with FREE SHIPPING. You can also subscribe to our newsletter to receive weekly promotion and save tons of cash.

Staying at home means we can now work on our car audio projects that have been stagnant for a long time. You might have purchased a new Alpine ILX-W650 7” Apple Carplay / Android Auto receiver; Pioneer AVIC-5201NEX 6.2” in-dash navigation stereo or a Kenwood Excelon DNX996XR 6.8 high definition touch screen with Carplay and navigation control but don’t have the time to bring it to an installer or work on the install in your garage. Well, today is the best time to do that and we will walk you through on how you can install your brand-new head unit.

PARTS YOU NEED

First, you need to determine the parts you need that are compatible with your vehicle. Every vehicle has proprietary wirings to control volume, break lights, Bluetooth, antenna adaptors and even steering wheel controls. Different car makers also have their own dashboard designs. This will make sure that you’re your head unit will look seamless on your vehicle without any gaps or spaces. A brand called Metra Electronics is known for manufacturing thousands of wiring harnesses and dash kits that are compatible for different vehicles. You should be able to find out what parts you need once you enter the year; make; and model of your vehicle.

1) Car radios are held by fasteners and are often hidden for design purposes. To access these, you will need to locate the trim pieces close to the radio and will usually pop out with the use of a prying tool.

2) Pull the trims carefully and disconnect the wires which are usually connected with clips.

3) Once you remove the trims, you will be able to unscrew the other large trim pieces on the dashboard.

TIP: Remember to keep track of the screws and their location to easily reassemble them when you are done installing.

4) After disassembling the trims, you can now unscrew the aluminum bracket and pull the unit out and disconnect the wiring harness from the car and the radio.

5) Some aftermarket radios come with an aluminum sleeve. Use this to install the head unit. Otherwise, just use the old one or sometime the head unit does not need a sleeve at and will directly screw you the bracket.

6) The new head unit will come with a proprietary harness that connect to the radio with open colored-coded wires on the other end. The Metra wiring harness that you purchased compatible with your vehicle will also have color-coded open wires on one end. Securely connect these wires to the proprietary wires of the head unit according to color using electrical tape.

7) If for some reason, your vehicle does not have a compatible wiring harness, you will have to cut the wires on the dashboard and connect the proprietary wiring harness of the new head unit manually using crimp connectors.

8) Once done, before reassembling, test the new head unit if all controls are working properly.

9) Reassemble the dashboard and trimmings.

There you go! We hope that you will enjoy your newly installed stereo receiver. If you have any questions, you can contact our technical team Monday - Friday for expert advice.

Remember to visit us at OnlineCarStereo.com to get all your car audio / video needs. We have thousands of products available with FREE SHIPPING. You can also subscribe to our newsletter to receive weekly promotion and save tons of cash.