For optimum performance, keep the port one vent-diameter away from the back and sides of the enclosure. Obstructing the output of the vent may change the tuning frequency and increase port noise. If small enclosure design prohibits you from placing ports in their optimum location, do the best you can. Remember, the important guideline is not to block the openings of the port(s) and to position multiple ports on the same side. NOTE: This “rule-of-thumb” applies to the most common types of vents (circular, rectangular, square, Aeroport, etc..)

Some enclosure designs are based upon “slot” vents. The inherent design of these vents utilize some of the enclosure walls as part of the vent length. To minimize turbulance at the ends of the vent, we recommend to “round-off” the inside edge of the interior part and all edges of the external parts to equlize air flow accross the thickness of the wood (see diagram.) If your enclosure is located in a trunk pressed against the back seat with the woofers facing the tail-lights, it is common to “fire” the ports up through the rear deck. We do not recommend modifying the rear deck by cutting sheetmetal to accomodate these ports. Also, do not install the port(s) on the rear side due to air-restrictions from the rear seats.

Disconnect all speaker cables from the amplifier. You will be able to verify the squeal is no longer audible; but to verify elimination of engine whine, connect a small test speaker with very short speaker leads to each output from the amplifier. If the noise is eliminated in each channel, you most likely have a short in the speaker line between the outputs of the amplifier and the speaker itself. If so, carefully check each speaker connection for the following possibilities:

• Wire strands shorting across amplifier terminals
• Screws driven through speaker cables
• Speaker terminals touching metal inside door panel
• Blown speaker (electrical failure will cause the voice coil may be melted, possibly causing an electrical short)

When you have identified the cause of the speaker short, carefully connect one channel at a time and verify that the noise does not appear again. This issue is isolated to the PRIME series amplifiers due to a different amplifier topology used. Punch and Power amplifiers do not exhibit this issue.

Prime International, one of the industry leader in high-performance car audio systems in India, is satisfying market demand for more powerful component systems with the addition of the T3 and T5 series to the Power speakers family. The two new models are available in retail stores across India.

For hard core audio fanatics, there is no such thing as too much bass. The T3 and T5 components have been designed specifically to cater to full range with more bass. The two hi end component systems have set a new benchmark in the loudspeaker technology.

The new T5 (T5652-S) 6.5” 2-way component system features the first intelligent passive crossover that monitors signals from the amplifier and intuitively interacts with the installer.  Included with the crossover is a Remote Tuning Module allowing convenient tuning of the system from the driver/passenger seating area.  The T5 also features a Liquid Crystal Polymer cone and copper phase plug resulting in a phenomenal frequency response.

The T3 series (T3652-S) 6.5” 2-way component system is a simpler version of the T5.  The T3 series features the same Liquid Crystal Polymer cone combined with a Neodymium tweeter for impressive sound quality.  An installer friendly external audiophile grade crossover with on/off axis control allows optimization of speaker location within the vehicle.

For more information on T3 and T5 components please visit our official website www.rockfordindia.com

The Prime Series R2 subwoofer range is finally launched. After a long wait this new category has started shipping out to all distributors across India. Prime R2 shallow series includes a 10” or 12” subwoofer offered in dual 2 or 4 ohm configuration. They feature a mounting depth of only 3.4 inches on the 10” sub and 3.6 inches on the 12.”

“These shallow subwoofers will make a big impression on the market,” said Bill Jackson, president of Rockford Corporation.  “We’ve established new ways that allow us to pack some of our best subwoofer technology with less expensive yet high quality materials.  This means enhanced sound and better quality with less money out of pocket.”

When audio enthusiasts need a great performing shallow subwoofer at a value price, the R2 Shallow is the solution. It is capable of handling 200-500 watts of power and producing typical in-car sound pressure levels of 130 dB.

“The shallow R2 subwoofers will really shake up the market,” said Drew Kallen, director of loudspeaker engineering for Rockford Fosgate.  “They’re designed to fit in shallow applications using a one piece cone that delivers a truly memorable bass reproduction.”

The wait for a slim bass solution is finally over. Now owners of SUV’s & MUV’s can also enjoy the Rockford Fosgate sound experience with the new R2 slim woofers.

Rockford Fosgate, the industry leader in high-performance car audio systems, launched its new Pro Series speaker systems at The Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, USA in Jan 2012. The Pro Series has finally hit the Indian shores and will be available across the country from the mid of September. The pro series speakers have been designed specifically for SPL (Sound Pressure Level) conditions.

“Over recent years, the market has been demanding louder systems, but not necessarily just low-end from subwoofers,” said Jake Braaten, Rockford director of product development. “The professional audio market has utilized and perfected technologies over the decades, such as for use in arenas and stadiums, which allows for crystal clear audio to be projected over long distances. Utilizing such specialized technologies but for use in a more compact system, Rockford has heeded the call with the new Punch Pro Series.”

100-Watt PPS4-6 system specs include:

• · Corrugated treated cloth surround
• · Fiber reinforced high strength paper cone with treated W style surround
• · Billet stock machined aluminum phase plug
• · High temp aluminum voice coil
• · Fatigue and tear resistant poly cotton spider
• · Periodic-stitched fatigue resistant lead wire
• · Stamp-cast steel frame
• · All metal input spring terminal connection
• · Grilles and mounting hardware included
• · Impedance: Available in India in Single 4-Ohm version only
• · Sensitivity 92.4 dB (PPS4-6)

Frequency Response 85Hz – 5Khz (PPS4-6)

Rockford Fosgate India pumps up the volume at the Fast & Furious Night held at the Delhi Technological University. The official RF demo car; The Bass Devil was a total showstopper.

This event organized by DTU was a gathering of all those people who love their rides and the audio installed in them. A showcase of demo cars by almost all car audio brand owners and enthusiasts.

In addition to audio, people from all over the NCR territory brought their super cars and superbikes to show off their prized possessions. Lets hope this gathering is just the beginning of a new trend.

Team RF India is committed to participating and supporting all such events across the counrty.

The woofers may be wired in parallel or series and then driven on an amplifier with a matching impedance. Given below are illustrations of wiring options for 2 or more SVC/ DVC subwoofers at different impedances.

Wiring Option #1

Wiring Option #2

Wiring Option #3

Wiring Option #4

Wiring Option #5

Wiring Option #6

Wiring Option #7

Wiring Option #8

Wiring Option #9

1. Parallel Wiring
2. Series Wiring
3. Parallel/Series Wiring

Parallel Wiring combines all positive(+) leads together and all negative(-) leads together. The more the woofers in parallel wiring, the lower the impedance.

Example : 2 woofers of 4 Ohms when connected will arrive at 2 Ohms impedance.

Series Wiring is a method of connecting subwoofers end to end on a single string. The more the subwoofers connected on this method, the higher the impedance.

Example : 2 woofers of 4 Ohms when connected under this method will add up to 8 Ohms.

Parallel/Series Wiring is a combination of both parallel & series wiring methods in the same circuit.

When wiring subwoofers in parallel or series methods, one must be sure what amplifier to drive them on. A basic knowledge your amplifiers power capability and impedance would be helpful.

Failures in tweeters, speakers& subwoofers are caused by ELECTRICAL and/or MECHANICAL power handling issues. Most failures occur from ELECTRICAL failure caused by applying too much power to the speaker’s voice coil. Constant over-powering results in “burned” voice coils. The only fix for this is to reduce the amplifier gain controls and/or treble/bass boost controls or not to drive your audio system so hard. Distortion is not damaging to a speaker. However, if you hear distortion long before reaching peak system volumes, it’s just a good idea to readjust the amplifier or signal processor gain controls and/or readjust the equalizer settings to maximize your sound quality. MECHANICAL failures occur by using the wrong crossover point for the speaker/ subwoofer. Usually, too low of frequency applied to a small driver (tweeter/midrange) or too high frequency for bug drivers (subs) can physically cause the speaker surround to delaminate.

Distortion Contrary to popular belief, distortion does not cause speaker damage. Distortion is merely the audible detection of signal “clipping”. Clipping is when an audio component can no longer provide enough power supply voltage to “cleanly” amplify the audio signal. The popular belief is that if an amplifier “clips” it will send D.C. current to the speaker’s voice coil and “burn” it. THIS IS NOT TRUE. It would surprise you to realize nearly every car audio system’s amplifier “clips” when listening to music at moderate -to- loud levels. Electrically overpowering a speaker is caused by continually playing the audio system loud, resulting in applying more power to the speaker than it’s “rated” specifications. This is what causes speaker voice coils to “burn”. However, for “sound quality” reasons it is important to match the source unit and amplifier gain settings to optimize levels and minimize noise.

1. When building a subwoofer box use only good quality 5/8” MDF & high density carpet.
2. One needs to decide what type of enclosure to build – ported or sealed.
3. Depending upon the vehicle space one needs to decide upon the shape of the enclosure – rectangular, hexagon, square, cylindrical.
4. It is a myth that two different subwoofers can be installed in the same box. The biggest mistake is to install a subwoofer without checking its technical details.
5. Two subwoofers, even though similar looking may not sound similar after installing in an enclosure for the very reason that their technical specs are totally different. One may have been designed for infinite baffle whereas the other woofer may have been designed for sealed enclosure only.
6. Please check the owner’s manual before installing a subwoofer in a box. One needs to be sure of the internal space required for the subwoofer to be installed
7. Use good quality wires to connect the woofer and enclosure terminals. Usually 12 Guage or more is recommended depending on the power of the subwoofer.

If the above mentioned instructions are kept in mind one can build an amazing enclosure which will produce BASS enough to make friends jealous.