Car Speakers and Top Ten Brands

Ⅰ. Overview of car speakers

The car speaker is an electro-acoustic transducer device responsible for converting electrical energy into sound energy. All music is sounded through loudspeakers for people to listen to and enjoy. As the only equipment that converts electrical energy into sound energy, the quality and characteristics of the speaker play a decisive role in the sound quality of the entire audio system. Due to the special nature of the car, we cannot install universal speakers like home theaters in the car. Instead, we install each car speaker directly on the car. A high-end car can even have more than a dozen speakers installed.

Speakers mainly include biconical, two-way, three-way, independent component, subwoofer, etc. The independent component type includes an independent tweeter unit, an independent midrange unit and a crossover network, and is generally installed on the front door of the car. Generally speaking, the larger the diameter of the speaker, the better the low frequency. If you like to listen to bass, we'd better use larger-diameter speakers.

Ⅱ. Development of car speakers

In 1923, the first car equipped with a radio appeared in the United States. Many subsequent cars had radios mounted on the dashboard assembly.

In 1930, Galvin Manufacturing Co. launched the world's first car radio, the 5T71, and named the product brand Motorola.

In 1936, Delco, a subsidiary of General Motors, produced the first car radio integrated into the dashboard, which was used in models of multiple GM sub-brands such as Chevrolet and Master Deluxe.

In 1952, Blaupunkt launched the world's first FM car radio, model AutoSuper A52KU.

In 1963, Becker launched an all-solid-state radio, miniaturizing the car audio host.

In 1969, Becker launched the first car audio head unit equipped with stereo output.

Beginning in 1974, some European countries implemented carrier technology so that traffic information can be pushed to drivers at any time.

After 2000, car audio gradually added technologies such as digital radio, satellite radio, and even digital TV broadcast.

Ⅲ. The working principle of the car speakers

The speaker pushes the surrounding air by generating mechanical vibrations, causing the air medium to fluctuate, thus achieving the conversion of "electricity-force-sound". Most of the speakers currently used in high-fidelity audio are electric speakers. Other more common ones include electrostatic type, flat type, etc. However, due to technical and price issues, it is difficult for us to apply it to high-fidelity sound systems in large quantities. The host in the audio converts the digital signals of the music software into corresponding electrical signals, and then transmits them to the speakers. When an alternating current passes through the coil in the speaker, the coil cuts the magnetic field lines and the coil will move. The direction and magnitude of the motion change depending on the direction and magnitude of the input signal. The movement of the coil causes the eardrum to vibrate, and the vibration of the eardrum compresses or stretches the air, thereby propagating sound waves, so we hear the sound from the speaker.

Ⅳ. What are the characteristics of car speakers?

1. Wide frequency response: Car speakers need to be able to transmit a wide frequency range to provide more realistic sound effects.

2. Low distortion: Car speakers need to have low distortion characteristics to ensure that the sound delivered remains clear and accurate.

3. Easy to install: Car speakers usually need to be easily installed so that they can be replaced or upgraded without affecting the appearance and interior space of the vehicle.

4. High power: Car speakers need to have enough power to achieve sufficient volume and sound quality. It usually uses a high-power audio amplifier.

5. High sensitivity: The noise environment in the car is very complex. In order to ensure that the car speakers can clearly transmit sound in a high-noise environment, they usually have high sensitivity.

6. Waterproof and dustproof: The environment inside the car is easily polluted by dust and water vapor. In order to ensure the stability and durability of the speaker, the car speaker usually has the characteristics of waterproof and dustproof.

Ⅴ. What are the index requirements for car speakers?

The indicator requirements for car speakers mainly include the following aspects.

1. Price indicator

The price of car speakers is an indicator that users are very concerned about. Under the premise of ensuring the above indicators, the price should be as reasonable as possible to meet the consumption needs of users.

2. Environmental indicators

Car speakers will face various harsh working environments such as high temperature, low temperature, rain, sand and dust during use, so its temperature, waterproof, dustproof and other performance indicators are also very important.

(1) Temperature

High temperature: 85 degrees can work normally. At the same time, there is also the problem that the power amplifier in the south cannot work normally under the sun.

Low temperature: -40 degrees can work normally. In the past, a certain car company had a problem that the door horns of cars sent to the northeast region were frozen and the paper cones were broken.

(2) Waterproof: Level 6 waterproof

3. Installation size index

The installation size index of the car speaker is also very important, because it needs to adapt to the installation space of different models. Therefore, the speaker’s installation depth, diameter, shape and other parameters need to meet the vehicle’s installation requirements.

4. Sound quality index

The sound quality index of car speakers is the most basic requirement, which includes frequency response, distortion, signal-to-noise ratio, sound field, etc. The frequency response should be as flat as possible, the distortion should be small, the signal-to-noise ratio should be high, and the sound field should be broad and realistic.

5. Appearance design indicators

As a part of the car audio system, the appearance design of car speakers is also very important. A good exterior design can increase the overall beauty of the car and at the same time improve the car owner's consumer experience.

6. Power indicators

The power indicators of car speakers mainly include rated power, maximum power and sensitivity. The rated power refers to the power that the speaker can continuously output, the maximum power refers to the power that the speaker can withstand instantaneously, and the sensitivity refers to the response of the speaker to the input signal.

Ⅵ. What are the car speakers brands?

1. FM Acoustics

FM Acoustics, founded in 1985, has always been extremely mysterious, rare and expensive. FM Acoustics may be the world's top HI-END brand. Even experienced audiophiles may not have heard of FM Acoustics audio equipment because it is ridiculously expensive. Since the production of FM Acoustics equipment consumes a lot of manpower and material resources, FM Acoustics insists on manual testing in Switzerland, where labor is extremely high, so its price is much more expensive than ordinary equipment.

2. Bang & Olufsen (representative brands: Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi)

This audio brand has a similar origin to many supercars in Europe and has a very long history. Even after nearly a century, B&O still insists on creating perfect sound quality that accurately matches the interior structure of the car. Today it has become one of Denmark's most valuable audio brands.

3. Harman Kardon (representative brands: BMW, Land Rover)

Harman Kardon was founded in 1953 by Dr. Sidney Harman and Bernard Kardon, who love music and art. Harman Kardon has been cooperating with Mercedes-Benz since 1999. In 2002, the first harman/kardon Logic7 surround sound car audio system was introduced into the Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan.

4. Naim (representative brand: Bentley)

Although Naim is not that old, it can definitely be regarded as a super famous brand in the UK. Unlike other speakers, Naim's appearance is very low-key and simple, but the materials inside are of the highest quality, and the price is of course much higher than its competitors. The most common cooperative brand of Niam audio is Bentley.

5. Dynaudio (representative brands: Volvo, Volkswagen)

Dynaudio was founded in 1977 by Wilfried Ehrenholz and a group of electroacoustic engineers. Its headquarters are in Hamburg, Germany, but its production base is in Skanderberg, Denmark. It has both the rigorous scientific attitude of Germany and the excellence of Danish craftsmanship. Dynaudio has always insisted on absolute loyalty to music, maximum linearity and minimum distortion, neutral tone, no noise, excellent sound quality, and excellent instant response. The most amazing thing is its incredible power carrying capacity. Dynaudio's tweeter can withstand 1Oins/1000W of power without burning out, which is a devilish indicator that many units cannot reach.

6. Burmester (representative brands: Mercedes-Benz, Porsche)

Burmester was founded in 1978. It quickly became the epitome of high-end audio. In addition to speakers, the sound of Burmester's power amplifiers, CD players, D/A decoders and FM tuners are all very famous. And such rigorous and high-end audio can only be matched by luxury brands such as Mercedes-Benz and Porsche.

7. Meridian (representative brands: Jaguar, Land Rover, Ferrari, McLaren)

Meridian adheres to the design tenet of nobility and simplicity, both in terms of appearance and performance. As long as the microphone can detect the sound, Meridian can clearly reproduce it, and its sound design quality is outstanding.

8. Mark Levinson (representative brand: Lexus)

Compared with other audio brands, Mark Levinson seems relatively niche. This brand, which specializes in developing high-end audio systems, currently only carries Lexus models. Mark Levinson aims to exceed all performance limitations, minimizing distortion and giving the owner the highest quality experience. This purpose is indeed more consistent with Lexus's car-making philosophy.

9. Bowers&Wilkins (representative brands: Maserati, Jaguar, Volvo)

Bowers & Wilkins, founded in 1966, is the UK's top audio brand. It has been focusing on the manufacturing and research and development of speaker technology for many years. From high-fidelity speakers, home theaters, new media products to car audio, every Bowers & Wilkins product strives to present an immersive listening experience. Bowers & Wilkins is highly praised by music lovers and professional recording studios for its crystal clear sound quality and simple industrial design. Its biggest feature is that it is loyal to the authenticity of the sound, allowing every trace of charm in the original sound to flow to the ears of the listener without any loss.

10. BOSE (representative brands: Mazda, Nissan, Cadillac, Audi, Infiniti)

BOSE was born in the United States in 1964. Because of its long history and wide use, it is known to most people. So far, BOSE car audio can be divided into four series. Ranked from high to low according to market positioning, they are Bose Advanced Technology flagship series, Bose Performance series, Bose Premium series and Bose Small Vehicle personalized series.

Among them, the Bose Advanced Technology flagship series is only customized for top luxury models. The "Panaray" model sound system equipped in Cadillac CT6 is the first product in this series. Secondly, the Bose Performance series is specially designed for high-performance sports models or luxury models. In the domestic market, the first model equipped with this series of audio systems is the 2017 Infiniti Q60. The Bose Premium series audio system is the core product of BOSE car audio. We can see it in models of Volkswagen brands such as Chevrolet, Nissan, and Mazda. Finally, the target products of the Bose Small Vehicle personalized series are entry-level models that are not equipped with any brand of audio system.

Although Bose is very well-known in civilian products, it has no place in the hifi and hi-end fields. Although Boshi's products apply some so-called advanced acoustic technologies, which allow them to produce good mid-low frequencies with smaller speaker units and cabinets, they are often only suitable for pop and modern music with lower requirements. Once high resolution, large dynamics, and low distortion are required, it will be obviously insufficient.

Ⅶ. How to judge the quality of car speakers?

1. Listen to low frequency

The low frequency of inferior speakers sounds bloated and loose, lacking layering and solidity. High-quality low-frequency should be clean, crisp, and well-defined. Even the bass of various low-frequency instruments such as drums, cellos, bass guitars, basses, or pianos can be easily distinguished. Inferior low-frequency car speakers can make you feel dizzy if you listen to them for a little longer. This is definitely not as comfortable and natural as a clean sound.

2. Test the IF

Normal people's voices are the mid-frequency sounds we hear, including speaking and singing. It is not difficult to detect the advantages and disadvantages of mid-frequency sounds. Pay attention to whether the human voice has an abnormal nasal sound or the feeling of being strangled. Most of the audible sound frequencies, or frequencies of music, are concentrated in the mid-frequency range. A good mid-range sound should be a true restoration, and the instrument timbre should be full of texture. If the mid-frequency (including artificial) sound coloration is serious and the performance is distorted, it will become an obstacle to replay for all types of music.

3. Test high frequency

A high-quality speaker tweeter will show different flexibility for different instrumental music. The so-called diffusion of high frequencies and the sense of space in the sound field are the reasons why treble and super treble are good. The low-quality high-frequency sound is like piercing the ear, which makes people have a splitting headache, and even turns the bel canto of the violin or soprano into the sharp noise of brakes, with serious distortion.

4. Test the volume

Some car speakers perform stably at low volumes, but will distort or even produce "broken sound" when the volume is increased. High-quality speakers can create a clear sound field and imaging, express the position and texture of different instruments, have sufficient diffusion and a sense of space in the sound field, and the sound coloration is not obvious. The weak sounds and tail sounds during music replay can be clearly heard, and no distortion is shown when the volume is increased. In addition, vocals and musical instruments can be released and released freely, and the front and rear sound fields are connected naturally. It can not only create the surging waves of a pipe organ, but also express the bounce of notes on a piano like the tinkling of spring water.