How To Choose Amplifier For Your Car

1. Ask a salesperson or installer what power rating you should consider, based on your existing stereo, speakers and musical taste.
2. Select two or three amplifiers to compare.
3. Compare amplifiers’ power ratings using the same parameters – ohms rating, voltage or frequency. (Most people in the industry use ohms rating as the standard of comparison, and set the standard at 4 ohms.)
4. Ask the salesperson to plug the possible amplifiers into a radio and speakers that are similar to the ones in your car.
5. Listen to the performance of each amplifier and select the one that sounds best to you.
6. Check the physical size of the amplifier to make sure it will fit where you plan to put it.
7. Gather as much technical information about your car’s current stereo and speakers as you can.
8. Determine where you intend to place the amplifier in your car.
9. Measure the area and write down the dimensions.

More Tips and FYI

• Choose an amplifier that’s stable down to 2 ohms. This will prove beneficial if you intend to add subwoofers to your system later.
•  If the amplifier and the radio can both accept two pairs of RCA cables, you’ll be able to use the radio’s fader control. If the amplifier or radio can take only one pair of RCA cables, the fader won’t function.
•  The amplifier should have gain (volume) controls for the front and rear channels.
•  Choose an amplifier that has built-in low-pass and high-pass crossovers.
•  If your car radio doesn’t have a low-level output, your amplifier will need a high-level input. This allows you to connect the speaker wires from the radio directly to the amplifier.
•  Select a location where the amplifier will get plenty of air so it won’t overheat.

 

Did You Know: How to remove 2008 Ford Focus Radio

I’ve put it upon myself to update my car’s sound system this summer. This came about after my brother totaled his car and I was left with his 2 12 inch Alpine sub woofers and still in great condition. I was doing some reasearch on the matter and apperently there are quite a few things that need to be done first. It isn’t required to remove the factory radio that came with the car, but I figure “why not” might as well do it big if I’m going to do anything at all. I drive a 2008 Ford Focus and this is how you remove the radio:

1) You want to start off by pulling the e-brake all the way up as far as you can. I also found it helps to put the key in the ignition (you don’t need to start it) and put your automatic transmission into D or L. This will just make it easier when you pull off the plastic that surround it.

2). Open the middle storage compartment and pry the plastic up with a flathead screwdriver (see picture below).

3) Once you remove the center plastic that surrounds the e-brake and shift stick you need to remove the 2 screws that secure the bottom of the radio unit into place (please see the below picture).

4) Using a flathead screwdriver pry the plastic plate on the passenger side (where the airbag is located). This won’t come all the way off, as there’s a screw keeping it from doing so. You should be able to to get it off enough to be able to remove the radio.

5) Remove the two screws holding the plastic that surrounds the steering wheel.

6) Lower the steering wheel all the way and remove this plastic.

7) Remove the vents above the top of the radio dash unit.

8) Remove the two screws holding the radio in place.

9) Starting from the bottom begin to pull the dash unit out.

I hope this helps for anyone who wants to try this. I apologize for not knowing technical words for things or for my lack of explanations. I hope the pictures speak pretty much for themselves. Good luck!

The Uno: Segway meets Motorcycle

Designed by 18-year old inventor Ben Poss Gulak, the 120-pound motorcycle is so easy to ride, it’s only control is a single on-off switch.  To ride forward, simply lean forward, to reverse, lean back. The degree to which to you lean increase or decrease your velocity. By using a pair of wheels, the bike can also make turns based on your side-to-side movements. The bike is a self-balancing motorcycle that uses a pair of gyroscopes to constantly keep its rider upright.

Should Old People Drive?

Once we reach a certain age our licences should be revoked, it’s as simple as that!

This is how old people see themselves driving:

This is how everybody else sees them driving: 

It was only acceptable for old people to drive, when they weren’t old, and neither was this style of car:

Old people are constantly getting into wrecks, or their cars are too smart for them and they don’t know how to use them. OR other cars appear out of nowhere and hit them.. It seems to me that everyone would be much safer if old people weren’t allowed to drive. What is your opinion on old drivers? 

Did You Know: Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a federal holiday observed annually in the United States on the last Monday of May. Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War. (Southern ladies’ organizations and southern schoolchildren had decorated Confederate graves in Richmond and other cities during the Civil War, but each region had its own date. Most dates were in May.) By the 20th century Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died in all wars. As a marker it typically marks the start of the summer vacation season, while Labor Day marks its end.

Many people visit cemeteries and memorials, particularly to honor those who have died in military service. Many volunteers place an American flag on each grave in national cemeteries.

Did You Know: Airplane Mode

When you enable airplane mode from the Settings screen, an airplane icon  appears in the status bar at the top of the screen and the following wireless connections and services are turned off:

• Cellular (voice and data)
• Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth
• GPS
• Location services

When airplane mode is on, you can still do things like:

• Listen to music
• Watch video
• Check your calendar
• Take or view pictures
• Hear alarms
• Use the stopwatch or timer
• Use the calculator
• Take notes
• Read text messages and email messages stored on iPhone

Maury Vs. Steve Wilkos

These two shows have been called “trash tv” but what is the point of these shows? Is it humor? No, the purpose of these shows is to help. Every episode of Maury either gives a DNA result or helps someone get out of a tough situation. Steve Wilkos is the exact same. The video posted above shows the two working together to help the young girls who have lost their way, through sex and violence. They work together to try to help those girls have a better life, as well as helping their families get their daughters back. These two shows may seem like ‘trash tv’ at first glance, but when you  don’t have the money for a DNA test, or your daughter is 15 and a prostitute, sometimes the humiliation of national tv is your only choice.

Did You Know: Pocket Pets!

Pocket (or Teacup) pets are animals that are genetically crafted to be smaller than they would naturally occur. The most common “pocket” pets are chihuahuas or pigs, and are a highly sought after pet. The chihuahua, unlike the pig, will stay about the same size, but the pocket pig will grow to be about the size of a large house cat. People think they are cute, and tiny, and “easy to care for,” but they don’t realize that the size they are when they get them is NOT how small they will stay. Ever wonder why there are pigs at the animal shelters? It’s because people buy these tiny little piggies, but once they start to grow and become “ugly” people will abandon them or put them up for adoption.

Gotye- Somebody I Used To Know (feat. Kimbra)

New or Old?

Lately new artists have been going for the “old” sound. Take Gotye for example: this song sounds more like it should be from the 80’s, featuring McJagger or something. The sound isn’t bad, and I’m not complaining, but it shows that they are running out of new music. Enjoy this song about broken hearts and a betrayed lover, while watching the singers stand naked and get painted!

Total Blackout

Being afraid of the dark doesn’t seem like such an irrational fear after all. This show is done entirely in the dark. Supposedly the contestants have a phobia of the dark, and are asked to complete various tasks while blinded by pitch black. It seems as though the show is staged (what on TV isn’t these days), but it is a very entertaining show none the less.