Why a DSP Amplifier is the Secret to Incredible In-Car Sound
The Pursuit of Audio Excellence
For many people, me included, music is extremely important, and we have never had so much choice and availability. From high resolution CDs to low-cost streaming services, your favourite music is at the tip of your fingers. Unfortunately, modern life rarely gives us the time to relax and spend time just listening to our music.
However, there is a place you can spend time just sitting, often for long periods, your car.
Your car can be your space, alone or with others, here is a place and opportunity to really listen the way you want to listen. Epic pieces, pop favourites, guilty pleasures, all can be played the way you want to hear them.
I have often thought it odd that people will spend a small fortune on home hi-fi equipment that rarely gets used but baulk at paying a fraction of that on car audio when they spend much more time driving. A few might argue that in-car sound cannot be great, but I know that is not true.
How It's Done
A good amplifier is essential for great sound but, in a car, the ability to modify that sound is of equal importance as we have limited scope to place the speakers where we want and certainly can’t change the listening location!
We will want to fit better speakers, but the original media player may well have an equalised output to compensate for the poor original ones. Speaker locations are often less than ideal and trim materials in a car will be both absorptive and reflective giving rise to ‘hot’ and ‘null’ spots in the audio spectrum.
We need a digital signal processor! Fortunately, the latest Audison Forza amplifiers carry a third-generation DSP that is extremely powerful and gives me the tools to tune the car to give a breathtaking audio performance accurately.
Let’s look at the flagship AF M12.14 bit (my favourite amp!)
Amplifier Stage
DSP Stage
Tuning
Once the input signal is corrected, the first step is to tune each speaker in turn. Distances to the listener are measured, appropriate crossover setting are applied, and the output carefully equalised for optimum response. I would then start introducing opposite pairs of speakers and correct for any cancellations. This can be done with time and phase adjustments or with the use of all pass filters. Finally, I will play the whole system and adjust as necessary.
Lastly, I will sit and listen. I have a tried-and-true set of test tracks that can fully stretch a system, but I also like to have a selection of the customer’s favourite music to play. Final tweaking here can really dial a system in.
Once tuned, the result can be completely immersive with a wide stereo image across the dashboard, superb, dynamic detail and a rich, blended bass that seamlessly fills the space. It can be exciting and responsive so that every journey becomes a pleasure.
Without the DSP, none of the tuning is possible, that is why I believe they are an essential part to a great car audio system.
If you would like to know more about how I can improve your car audio experience, please give me a call on 01625 432707 or drop me a line at [email protected]. Better still, call into my shop for a chat, we are on Sunderland Street in Macclesfield.
Just finished reading this, and I’m honestly impressed! I never knew a DSP amplifier could make such a huge difference in in-car audio. The ability to fine-tune sound and eliminate distortion is a game-changer. Definitely considering upgrading my setup now. Thanks for the detailed breakdown, really helpful insights!
Thank you for your comment. Feel free to ring me on 01625 432707 if you need any help! – Tim
Great post, Tim! I’m still amazed by the DSP you installed in my Seat Ibiza almost a year ago. Looking forward to more of your posts and future DSP projects on my cars.