For most of us, streaming the genre of music we want from an online service is the way to go. Whether we’re in the office, at home or in the car, access to millions of songs is always just a click away. Let’s take a look at some of the more popular music streaming services available.

Pandora

Because of how it chooses the music you want to hear, Pandora is a unique streaming service. Powered by the Music Genome Project, Pandora analyzes between 150 and 450 attributes, depending on the genre of music, to classify each song. Interestingly, the analysis is performed by a musician in a process that takes 20 to 30 minutes. At least 10% of the songs are analyzed by more than one musician to maintain statistical accuracy.

What does this mean to the listener? If you choose a song you like, such as “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana, Pandora will play that song, then follow it with something very similar. Using this example, Pandora, when used via its website with a computer, offers a list of features of the song. They are “Grunge recording qualities, Repetitive melodic phrasing, Extensive vamping, Minor key tonality and A vocal-centric aesthetic.” Similar songs would include “My Hero” by Foo Fighters, “Machinehead” by Bush and “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” by Green Day. You can create your own station based on an artist or genre of music. It’s a great way to get your Synth Pop fix when you’re feeling retro!

There are dedicated iOS and Android apps for Pandora, with integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Many aftermarket source units include a Pandora application built into the radio interface to let you give a thumbs-up to the songs you like.

Pandora was purchased by SiriusXM in February 2019 for $3.5 million. It’s worth noting that Pandora is not available in Canada.

Spotify

It is said that Spotify is a great streaming service for people who know what they want to hear. In contrast, Pandora might be a better source for finding new music. Spotify lets you search by song title, artist, album or genre. Listeners can create and share playlists of their favorite songs. According to Wikipedia, Spotify offers access to 50 million songs and as of the summer of 2019, has 232 million active users. Dedicated applications are available for your computer (Windows, Macintosh or Linux), as well as PlayStation, Xbox and Internet-connected speakers like Sonos, Alexa and Google home.

Spotify has iOS and Android apps that are compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Like Pandora, many aftermarket radios include dedicated Spotify apps.

Tidal

Known best for its amazing sound quality, Tidal offers two levels of service: Tidal Premium, which uses lossy files, and Tidal Hi-Fi, which features FLAC-format CD-quality streams at 44.1 kHz sampling rates and 16 bits of resolution. Bandwidth reduction comes from FLAC compression that only reduces file size and not sound quality. Tidal claims to offer more than 60 million tracks and 240,000 videos.

Another characteristic that makes Tidal unique is access to exclusive music, including “first access” to releases from artists such as Beyoncé, Rihanna, Kanye West and Jay Z. Many artists are shareholders and co-owners in the company.

Of course, Tidal apps exist for iOS and Android mobile devices. CarPlay and Android Auto both support Tidal.

Qobuz

After a rocky start, Qobuz claims to be the first music streaming service that offers 24-bit Hi-Res files. Users have their choice of Qobuz Premium with MP3-quality 320 kbps streaming, Qobuz Hi-Fi with CD-quality FLAC files at 44.1 kHz/16 bit or Qobuz Studio with Hi-Res FLAC at up to 192 kHz and 24-bit resolution. Qobuz claims to offer access to 40 million songs. Unlike the other services we have listed, there is no free trial for Qobuz. If you’re serious about the quality of your music, then it’s worth checking out Qobuz.

Explore New Music with Streaming Services

There are dozens more popular streaming services like Apple Music, Google Play Music, Amazon Music and iHeartRadio. All of these have mobile apps that are supported by the smartphone integration solutions CarPlay and Android Auto. If you have questions about how to enjoy a streaming service in your car, or how to upgrade your mobile audio system to get the most out of the music you love, drop by your local specialist mobile enhancement retailer today. They would be happy to help!

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Whether you own a brand-new Ram Rebel or a classic Dodge 1500 pickup, your local mobile enhancement specialist carries a variety of accessories and upgrades that can improve the functionality of your vehicle and your enjoyment of it. If you love music, a speaker or subwoofer upgrade can transform your listening experience. If you use your truck for work, a toolbox or bed cover could be right up your alley. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular upgrades that are available.

Ram Pickup Truck Stereo Upgrades

If you have an older Dodge or Ram truck, upgrading the radio with something more modern can open up a whole new world of entertainment options. For those with the 1.5-DIN radio, up until now, adding multimedia was nearly impossible. The new “floating” display radio solutions from Alpine and Sony have changed this. The Alpine iLX-F309 and Sony XAV-AX8000 (shipping around December 2019) feature a single-DIN radio chassis and a huge 9-inch touchscreen display that mounts in front of the dash. These radios include Bluetooth calling and audio streaming, support for MP3, WMA, AAC and FLAC digital audio files from a USB stick and, most importantly, include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration.

No matter what trim level of truck you own, upgrading the speakers or adding a subwoofer will make a huge difference in the way your music sounds. Better speakers offer improved clarity, thanks to a reduction in distortion. Typically, they will also play a lot louder when combined with an upgraded amplifier.

Adding a subwoofer system to any truck is perhaps the most dramatic improvement you can make. Having an amplifier and speaker dedicated to producing bass not only allows you to hear more low-frequency information from your music, but it also alleviates the need for your smaller speakers to try to reproduce those power-hungry frequencies. In short, everything about your stereo will sound better with a subwoofer.

Safety and Collision Avoidance Systems

Your local mobile enhancement retailer offers a variety of backup cameras and collision avoidance systems for Ram trucks. A backup camera is one of the best upgrades you can make to a pickup truck. Being able to see what’s hiding behind that tailgate can prevent accidents and injury. Camera options include solutions that mount to the license plate or that are integrated into a new tailgate handle.

Parking sensors are another great upgrade for pickup trucks. These small sensors mount in the front and/or rear bumper to detect and warn the driver as you approach an object. The system will begin beeping once you are a few feet away from a wall, a post or parked vehicle. Once you are within 12 inches, the beeping becomes a solid tone to let you know it’s time to stop.

Remote Starters and Security Systems

Most people think that remote starters are only for people who live in areas that get cold. The reality is, having a remote starter in Florida, Texas, Arizona, Georgia or California is a great way to let the air conditioning system start cooling the vehicle before it’s time to leave. Whether you are worried about heat or cold, a high-quality remote starter is a great way to make your vehicle more comfortable.

Your local specialist mobile enhancement retailer can help you choose a control option that provides the range you need to ensure your vehicle can be started long before it’s time to leave.

If you are worried about someone stealing a cool set of wheels, most remote starters can be upgraded to include security functions. Adding a tilt/motion sensor and shock sensor will sound an alert if someone jacks up your vehicle to steal your wheels.

Ram Running Boards and Bed Covers

Functionality and styling upgrades are very popular with truck owners. A set of side-steps or running boards is a welcome addition on a truck with big wheels or a lift kit. For a truly elegant solution, motorized running boards like the PowerStep from Amp Research make it easy to get in and out when a door is open, then fold up tight against the rocker panel when the doors are closed to maintain ground clearance and aerodynamics.

If you carry tools or personal belongings in the bed of your truck, adding a tonneau cover is simple and effective protection. A soft roll-up or folding cover is an inexpensive way to conceal what’s in the bed. A hard cover upgrades your protection by making it difficult to access the contents. Both hard and soft covers roll or fold quickly to provide complete access to the bed to load and unload large items.

Lighting Upgrades

If you find you spend a lot of time driving after the sun sets or you take your Ram or Dodge off-road, a lighting upgrade might be a great idea. LED and HID bulb upgrades for the factory headlights can more than double the amount of light produced to help you see farther and be safer. A set of auxiliary lights in the form of LED light cubes or a light bar can light up a trail or road to ensure you can see everything in front of you.

Window Tint and Paint Protection Film

Another great upgrade that can improve the comfort and safety of your Ram or Dodge truck is window tint. Adding tint to the windows blocks 99% of the UV rays from the sun to protect your skin and reduce damage to the fabric, leather and vinyl in your truck. Choosing a high-quality ceramic film can cut the amount of heat that enters the truck by more than two-thirds to keep it cool on a hot summer day.

Paint protection film is an incredibly durable transparent urethane coating that is applied directly over the paint on your truck. Also called clear bra or Heli Tape, paint protection film is designed to absorb impacts from sand, gravel, stones and small rocks to prevent chips and scratches. The film can be applied to front bumpers, the hood, fenders, mirror covers, door handle cups, rocker panels and the perimeter of the truck bed and the tailgate to keep your investment looking like new.

Upgrade Your Ram or Dodge Pickup Truck Today!

Whether you need an old blown speaker replaced, want a studio-quality sound system installed or are shopping for truck accessories, drop by your local specialist mobile enhancement retailer today to find out how you can improve your Ram truck.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

When it comes to recreating music in our cars, the weakest link in the chain will be the downfall of the entire system. Knowing this, if we start with the best recordings possible, the chances of our music sounding more realistic and lifelike increase astronomically. The equipment required to record, master and distribute high-resolution music helps to ensure that our mobile entertainment systems sound amazing.

What Is High-Resolution Music?

By definition, any music that is recorded with a bit rate (sampling rate) and bit depth (resolution) higher than that of a compact disc is considered high-resolution. This means 48 kHz and higher sampling rates and 24-bit resolution are required. Higher sampling rates capture some harmonic information, but transmitting and reproducing those sounds is extremely difficult.

Where Can I Get High-Resolution Audio Files?

Perhaps the best-known source for high-resolution music is hdtracks.com. This website rightly boasts that it has the widest collection of high-resolution music available. You have a choice of purchasing and downloading albums in AIFF, ALAC, FLAC and WAV formats at resolutions up to 192 kHz/24-bit as well as 2.8 MHz and 5.6 MHz DSD files. File formats vary by album.

Another popular source for buying high-resolution albums is Acoustic Sounds. Acoustic Sounds Super HiRez specializes in DSD format. The itrax.com website is another great source.

If you’re into streaming, you will definitely want to check out Tidal.com and Qobuz.com.

Why Should I Buy High-Resolution Music?

Some people will tell you that humans can’t hear audio above 20 kHz and that we don’t need more than 16 bits of resolution to accurately recreate a listening experience. Let’s say these statements are completely accurate. Why then would we want to buy high-resolution music? The answer is noise and accuracy.

The effort required to build a microphone that records to 40 or 50 kHz requires serious attention to detail. Capturing the upper end of the audible range is child’s play for products of this caliber.

The second benefit of high-resolution recording is a reduction in noise. This reduction comes from the fact that there’s an increased number of bits to work with (65,536 vs. 16,777,216) and the fact that the equipment used must be of a higher performance specification. Digital interfaces capable of working with high-resolution microphones from companies like RME, Presonus, Apogee and Focusrite deliver amazingly accurate digital conversions of the analog signal from the microphone. If you’re a numbers geek, as many of us are, here are some specs from the best studio-quality interfaces:

Frequency Response: 2 Hz to 92 kHz at -1 dB
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 113 dB unweighted
Total Harmonic Distortion: <0.00032%
Channel Separation: >110dB

How to Reproduce High-Resolution Audio in Your Car

Buying great music is one thing, reproducing it in a vehicle is another challenge. Companies like Audison, Sony, Brax, Zapco and Kenwood all make audio components that will output or process high-resolution audio file formats. Of course, to hear that level of detail, you’ll need amplifiers capable of playing to at least 40 kHz and speakers with similarly impressive specifications.

Finally, and most crucially, how these components are integrated into your vehicle is also very important. To make the best use of the high-frequency information audible from high-resolution recordings, your tweeters will need to be mounted on-axis with the listening position or bounced off the windshield from a dash-mount location. If not, the directivity characteristics that are inherent in every speaker will make those sounds inaudible.

A Great Source Helps Ensure a Great Performance

If you’re passionate about your mobile audio system, drop by your local specialist mobile enhancement retailer today and ask them about upgrading your car stereo to support high-resolution audio formats like FLAC, DSD, WAV, ALAC and AIFF. We know you’ll be blown away by the accuracy and detail.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Many new cars and trucks come with a feature called stop-start technology. This system senses when the car is stopped at a red light or stop sign and shuts down the engine to save fuel. As soon as you release the brake pedal, the engine starts up again, and you’re on your way. The question for those of us who are interested in upgrading our vehicles is, does this technology work with our new electronics? Read on to find out if your new high-power amplifier, dash camera or radar detector will get upset when your car stops and starts.

How Does Stop-Start Technology Work?

Almost all new cars are controlled by computers. As such, the act of turning off your engine at a stop light is as simple as cutting spark to the ignition system and fuel injectors. To restart the car again, the vehicle initiates the start-up sequence as though you pressed the start button on the dash. The radio keeps playing, the climate control system keeps running and all the lights stay on while the engine is off. Other than an eerie silence and a split-second hesitation when it’s time to drive off, you don’t really notice anything.

In the background, the computer in your car is monitoring several systems to determine when it should stop the engine and when it needs to start it again. If it’s summer and you’re running the air conditioning, the computer will monitor the temperature in the vehicle. If it starts to warm up, it starts the engine so the compressor can run. If it’s winter and you have the heated seats and rear window defroster running, the system pays close attention to the current draw on the battery and its voltage. Brake pedal pressure, the position of the clutch (if you have one), engine coolant temperature, a buckled seat belt and many other conditions determine whether the engine will stop at a light and when it will restart.

What’s the Problem with Stop-Start Systems?

While saving fuel seems like a great idea, there is a drawback to this system in terms of aftermarket electronics in your car. When the engine starts, there is a large draw from the vehicle battery. In some cases, the battery voltage can drop well below 9 volts. For many years, electronic devices designed for use in cars had a low-voltage cutoff around 10.8 volts. In cases where the voltage drops into the 9V or less region, your amplifier, signal processors, source unit, dash camera or radar detector may shut down, then restart once the voltage increases. If the voltage drop is extreme, problems with the microcontrollers in your devices may occur.

Dealing with Stop-Start Vehicles

If you own a vehicle equipped with one of these fuel-saving technologies and are interested in adding aftermarket electronics, search for a specialist mobile enhancement retailer who is familiar with how they operate.

For low-power devices like signal processors, radar detectors, laser jammer and dashcams, voltage stabilization modules are available to help keep everything happy. Companies like ARC Audio design their new amplifiers and processors to handle these low-voltage conditions. Audison offers a product called the ES3 that will help maintain voltage to certain low-power devices. Work with your salesperson to choose products that list stop-start compatibility in their feature list.

You will also want to make sure that the battery or batteries in your vehicle are in good condition. Even after a few years of regular use or in even harsher conditions involving multiple short trips, batteries can build up a layer of sulfate on their lead plates that can dramatically reduce their current delivery efficiency. A high-quality battery charger with maintenance capabilities can be a great investment in maintaining the life of your batteries and, of course, will ensure that your vehicle is ready to go whenever you are. Some companies offer maintenance chargers specifically for start-stop batteries.

Choose Your Technology Upgrades Wisely

If you’re thinking about upgrading the technology in your new car or truck that has stop-start technology, visit your local specialist mobile enhancement retailer and ask them about the solutions they have available.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

With the rise in popularity of digital media files over the last decade, car audio enthusiasts find themselves being more likely to carry a USB memory stick than a stack of compact disks. When it comes to organizing all those MP3, WMA, AAC and FLAC files, most manufacturers suggest that you don’t put all the songs in one folder. Read on to find out why.

How Car Radios Understand USB File Structure

Unlike a computer, your car radio is very limited in its ability to interpret different USB drive formats and the subsequent file structure. Most systems require that the USB drive be formatted using the FAT or FAT32 file format. Some new multimedia receivers can understand NTFS and exFAT file formats, so larger storage devices can be used.

Next, you need to maintain a standard long file name format that allows for a total of 255 characters, including the file extension (.mp3, .wma or .flac). An important part of the standard is avoiding command characters such as /, \, *, :, ?, “, <, > and|. These characters may be misinterpreted by the system and result in a file being unreadable, or on extreme cases, cause the system to stop reading subsequent filenames.

Folder Structure and File Limits

In most cases, you are limited to no more than eight folder layers. So, beyond the root folder, you may have subfolders by genre of music, artist name and album name. This configuration is fine as the music is stored four layers deep. It is worth noting that extremely long folder names may, depending on the radio and its available memory, cause problems. We recommend keeping everything as short and efficient as possible.

Different source units have significantly different limits on the total number of tracks they can play and the number of files or subfolders they can interpret. Many radios have a limit of 255 or 999 files or folders per directory and can only detect up to 999 files. Some radios increase this to 5,000 or 9,999 tracks. A few units on the market can read an impressive 65,535 files per folder, and there are a couple with supposedly no limits at all.

Don’t Put All Your Files in One Folder

When you are planning on buying a new radio, it’s worth spending a few minutes to find out whether it will play your music as you have it organized on your USB stick. Some radios won’t randomize songs in different folders, and others are extremely finicky about the total number of files. If you need help choosing a receiver that will sound great and play your digital media collection, drop by your local specialist mobile enhancement retailer and give the radio you have in mind a try!

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.