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Monthly Archive: January 2021

Subwoofer Buying Guide: Top Factors to Consider

Upgrading your home theater experience requires the best subwoofer, but which type of subwoofer should you purchase?

Subwoofers can improve the audio system’s performance; it can expand your home theater’s sound spectrum. And even if your home theater features more than 6 speakers, it still requires a subwoofer to provide that impressive low-end sound or quality-rattling rumble sound when watching movies. But which subwoofer is best for your home theater?

If you are planning to purchase a subwoofer and it is your first time to do so, here the top factors to consider when buying a subwoofer:

#1: The Subwoofer Size

Subwoofers come in different sizes, and the first thing you need to do when buying a subwoofer is finding the right size that can fit the home theater’s area – the larger the surface area, the bigger subwoofer it requires to energize all the air space. For instance, if you are equipping a home theater at an average-size room (150-230 square feet), it makes sense to choose a subwoofer with a 12-inch driver. However, note that two 6-inch drivers will not make a 12-inch, but will perform a single 6-inch driver.

Meanwhile, for a small-sized room (below 150 square feet) it may require an 8-inch subwoofer, and below, as well as if your driver and cabinet size is small, it makes sense to purchase an 8-inch subwoofer. If you are worried about how an 8-inch subwoofer will perform, try to read a well-researched review about the best 8-inch subwoofers in the market today.

#2: The Wattage, the RMS, and the Peak

Do look for a subwoofer that can improve the sound quality of your bass because all subwoofers are designed to boost the low-end sound that your bass produces, instead, check the sub’s power output before purchasing any brand.

Generally speaking, a high-powered sub can produce a more powerful and better impact on low-end sound than a low-powered subwoofer. However, not all low-powered subwoofers are unable to produce quality bass similar to a high-powered one. For instance, a 1000-watt subwoofer does not have to play better than a 100-watt subwoofer. In fact, there are 100-watt subwoofers that play better than 1000-watt subwoofers; likewise, a 1000-watt subwoofer can play better at a ‘regular’ room volume than a 100-watt subwoofer.

Instead, pay attention to the subwoofer’s continuous wattage or RMS rating (Root Mean Square). It is the measurement of how much power a subwoofer has when driven into a reasonable volume for too long. For instance, a subwoofer with 150 RMS watts is considered a powerful subwoofer.

Additionally, always keep in mind that the overall wattage of the subwoofer is not equal to the volume of the low-end sound.

#3: The Equalizer (EQ)

Choose a subwoofer with EQ processing; this will help you minimize the peaks and frequency response. Although setting the equalizer does not fill in the gap, it will allow you to boost frequencies that are hard to hear.

#4: Budget

How much are you willing to pay for a subwoofer?

If you are ready to pay more for a quality sound, there are quality-made subwoofers, equipped with quality features that are worth purchasing. However, try reading reliable and unbiased product reviews first and see if it is the right subwoofer that you need.

How to Fix Flickering Automotive LED Lights and Bulbs that Keeps Blowing Out

Flickering car LED lights and bulbs that keep blowing are two common automotive lighting problems. If your car is in such a condition, learn how to fix it DIY. 

Faulty automotive lighting seems not a serious issue compared to a damaged car engine. Though it is a common and simple car problem, a faulty light brings inconvenience and trouble. For example, driving with one burned-out bulb in the headlamp is unsafe. It increases your risk of accidents. 

The most common automotive lighting problem is flickering and burned-out bulbs. This problem stems from different roots. It might be due to a bad bulb, a loose wiring connection, bad ground, corrosion, or a failed switch.

If your car has the same problem, worry not. A flickering and burned-out LED car light is easy to fix. Various online sources, like this one; https://www.ineedbrightlights.com/why-car-led-lights-glow-when-switched-off/ will teach you how to troubleshoot and fix common car lighting issues. 

Flickering LED Lights

Flickering bulbs are not only annoying. It could also do more damage when left unfixed. There is only one reason for flickering lights, and that is a loose wire connection.

How to Fix It? 

When dealing with a car’s wiring, always take caution. The last thing you would want is to get electrocuted while fixing your car’s bulb. Wear gloves and do not touch the wirings, nor do anything with the car if the engine is running. Also, make sure the car has cooled down before touching its wirings. 

Consult your car’s repair manual. Look for the vehicle’s wiring diagram and study it. The manual will direct you to the correct wire connecting the headlight’s bulb. Once you found it troubleshoot the connection. 

If one of the bulbs in the circuit flickers, check the wirings for that bulb. But if all of the lights in the circuit flicker, there is a high chance that the problem is on the ground source and not the wire. 

For this issue, all you have to do is tighten the loose wire. After doing so, check the lights again. If it still flickers, redo the process. But what if the same happens? The problem could be on the breaker due to a short circuit. You will need professional help with this type of problem.

Burned-Out LED Bulbs

A bulb that keeps blowing out is a common car lighting problem. Albeit it is not a serious car issue, it will cost you money since you keep on buying new bulbs to replace the burned-out ones every single time.

How to Fix It? 

Water stuck on the assembly and electrical short are typical causes of burned-out bulbs. 

This problem is easy to fix. Check the assembly if there’s water on the bottom of the light housing. The water usually enters the light housing through cracks on the headlamp. Drain out the water and replace the assembly. If the headlamp has cracks, it is best to replace it or have it sealed. 

If the reason for the bulbs burning out is electrically short, you can fix it by yourself. However, if you don’t have any idea how to fix a short circuit, ask for help from a professional.