Conference hips::uk_audioo

    
    I nearly put this in AUDIO, but having seen the same note twice
    I now can't resist.
    
    Not meaning to pick on anybody, but,...
    
    Car audio is getting better I admit. My question though is why bother?
    if you only listened with the car engine switched off, and the car
    parked off road somewhere a long way from traffic then I could see
    the point, but last time I measured the sound level in my car (a
    while back) I got 69dB of *noise*. To achieve say a 50dB signal
    to noise ratio (very minimal requirement in my opinion) I'd have
    to play the stereo at 119dB which is close to the pain threshold
    and over the point at which hearing damage is inevitable...
    
    /. Ian .\

    re .1....
    
    Ah, but what was the spectral content of your 69db of noise? Chances
    are that there were several gaps through which a reasonable illusion
    of quality music reproduction could get through. Also, so long as
    the music was 3db above the noise level, it would be perceived as
    twice as loud, dynamic range notwithstanding - I don't recall the
    figures, but I'm sure cassette can't achieve 50db *range*, and
    certainly most FM stations don't, even though it may be achievable.
    
    CD can, of course, but then your argument begs the question of whether
    there's any point in in-car CD or not - probably not, unless you
    drive a Roller or a Jag. And many modest but good in-car systems
    are as good as the exotica on the move, given quality source material.
    Like Ian I can't see the point, but if others do, fine. But it ain't
    really hifi, is it?
    
    Dave
    

    Well, I enjoy listening to music in the car, so it must be worth
    it!
    
    Cheers.
    
    Mark.

    And remember that you brain does some pretty astounding maths
    (convolution etc) to enable it to select the sounds that it wants
    to hear....the road/engine noise can be ignored by the brain to
    a large extent... try listening to a decent ICE system on the motorway
    at high volume, then turn it off!
    
    No, it's not Hi-Fi by any standards... but it's ENJOYING THE MUSIC
    THAT COUNTS.                                  
                                                  
    Dave
    

    re .1
    
    I remember an article in Wireless World some years back which raised
    essentially the same points. The author calculated the sum of the
    various background noise sources, added on what to him seemed a
    reasonable signal-above-noise threshold, and then outlined his design
    for an amplifier capable of delivering the required output. I seem to
    recall such points as heatsinks constructed from old cast-iron central
    heating radiators, and power supply connections using starter-motor
    cables from scrapped cars. He also mentioned that due to audio feedback
    effects, the turntable itself had to be installed in a shed at the end
    of the garden, which lead to problems with hearing the first few bars
    of any record. On one occasion he dropped the pickup arm on to the
    record, and the subsequent transients required him to replaster the
    ceilings of three rooms! 
    
    He concluded, however, by saying that for as-yet unexplained reasons,
    he had later been able to purchase both adjoining properties at very
    advantageous prices, and this had helped to subsidise the cost of the
    equipment. 
    
    Oh yes, the author's name was George Izzard de Veering (say it slowly)
    and while I forget the year, the cover date was certainly April.

    I drive an XJ6 and have installed a Pioneer 9080 with a Pioneer
    amplifier for the rear speakers.  The speakers are AR, although
    I don't know the model as the shop installed them with the original
    Jaguar grills back on for aesthetic reasons.
    
    The sound is excellent but I detest the digital volume control which
    is so difficult to operate or even find if you want to drop the
    volume in a hurry.  Why couldn't they have fitted a big 'proper'
    volume control knob.
    
    The unit is a bit flashy as well, with far too many lights and things,
    typically Japanese.  It is a pity that English firms don't make
    decent car audio that doesn't look flash (like my Cyrus II amp and
    Quad tuner etc.)
    
    Anybody any comments?
    
    Nick.
    

 My friend has bought a Pioneer I.C.E. unit, and wants to fit an amplifier to 
it, the only problem is, he was told that he needed one with a High Powered
Interface, which is not standard (obvously) and that Pioneer were still working 
on their one. 
 Does anyone know which makes produce such a unit, whether this just means
pre-amp and that he will be able to get away with just using a higher power amp,
or indeed if anyone has such an amp ??


	Thanks

		 Alan
		~~~~~~

  Mail : Juno::wood or Janus::wood

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P.S. I will be cross posting this in CARS_UK.