Qu'est-ce qu'un épicentre pour l'audio automobile ?

Si vous êtes un automobiliste qui aime avoir le meilleur système audio possible, en particulier avec des basses solides et naturelles, vous devrez peut-être consulter l'Epicentre.

Mais qu'est-ce qu'un épicentre dans l'audio de la voiture et comment cela fonctionne-t-il ? Découvrons ci-dessous.

Généralement, l'Epicentre détecte les harmoniques de basse et recrée numériquement les basses fréquences, offrant le punch et l'impact incroyables de la musique live. L'Epicentre est l'élément clé de nombreux systèmes audio professionnels, permettant des basses plus fortes et plus fortes.

Dans l'article ci-dessous, j'approfondirai les fonctionnalités de l'Epicentre et expliquerai les méthodes d'installation.

À quoi sert un épicentre dans l'audio automobile ?

La principale raison pour laquelle des épicentres sont installés dans les systèmes audio de voiture est la reproduction des tonalités les plus basses supprimées pendant le processus de production musicale.

Comme vous le savez, les tonalités basses ajoutent de la dynamique à la musique, changeant complètement l'expérience audio.

Un système audio de voiture standard avec seulement un autoradio et des haut-parleurs ne peut pas reproduire un son de pleine profondeur.

Avec un épicentre audio de voiture installé dans le système audio de voiture et avec l'aide d'un amplificateur de voiture supplémentaire, vous pourrez jouer des tonalités profondes de votre subwoofer dont vous ne connaissiez pas l'existence.

Épicentre du contrôle audio par rapport à Soundstream. Lequel est le meilleur ?

Épicentres du contrôle audio et le Soundstream sont le plus souvent installés dans les systèmes audio de voiture, mais sont-ils identiques ?

Ils fonctionnent de la même manière et se ressemblent, mais…

Soundstream est plus économique, donc ses composants ont des matériaux de moindre qualité et moins chers qu'AudioControl.

AudioControl est une question de qualité, et cette entreprise est vraiment bonne dans ce domaine. Tous les nouveaux produits bénéficient d'une garantie d'usine de cinq ans, et cela devrait tout dire. De plus, la conception de l'Audio Control Epicentre est moins sophistiquée et plus professionnelle que celle du Soundstream.

En ce qui concerne les produits, AudioControl propose deux modèles complètement différents :

• L'épicentre – installé dans le coffre ou à proximité de l'amplificateur

• L'Epicentre INDASH - installé dans la zone du tableau de bord

Bien que Soundstream ait plusieurs modèles différents dans l'offre, il s'agit en fait d'une unité Epicentre identique à l'intérieur, mais dans des boîtes de couleurs différentes, ce qui peut sembler joli, mais ne sonne pas mieux qu'AudioControl.

La principale différence entre l'AudioControl et le Soundstream est le prix, qui est le seul avantage du Soundstream.

Si cela ne vous dérange pas de dépenser plus pour un produit de la meilleure qualité, optez pour AudioControl.

Sinon, si votre budget est limité et que vous souhaitez toujours obtenir de meilleures basses du subwoofer, le bon choix serait le Soundstream.

Comment régler un ampli et son épicentre ?

Epicenters are equipped with two base controls, the “sweep” and the “width.”

Adjusting these controls allows you to optimize performance to the vehicle type, size, and individual needs based on the music type.

The “sweep” control allows you to choose the center frequency, which varies from 27 Hertz to 63 Hertz, and it should match the peak frequency for your subwoofer.

When you choose the frequencies close to the top end, the bass will become shorter, and you will feel more of a punch than just longer but softer vibrations.

On the other hand, the “width” allows you to control the shape of the filter around the centered sweep frequency.

In other words, it makes boosted frequencies broader or narrower around the central point selected by “sweep.”

Remember that both settings will be different for the different types of music you listen to. For example, for a rock, you will hear a lot of extra basses, especially for short drums kicks.

Therefore, you’ll likely need to select higher “sweep,” lower “width,” and longer decay than for electronic music where the bass is not so wide.

Settings are also different for sealed subwoofers versus bandpass or ported enclosures because of the various bass types they produce.

How Do You Set the Control Epicenter?

Setting the Epicenter is not complicated, but there are a few rules you have to remember about if you want to achieve the best results and how strong you want the bass to become.

To do it right, there are two bass controls outside the box, and they control the Para-Bass functions of The Epicenter, which I already mentioned earlier.

• The “Sweep” knob allows you to pick the center frequency that you want The Epicenter bass restoration circuit to maximize, and this should match the peak frequency subwoofer enclosure was designed for. The adjustable frequency range is between 27 and 63 Hz.

• The “Width” control then allows you to control the shape of the filter centered around the “sweep” frequency.

That is is when it comes to the outside control, there is more inside the Epicenter:

Input Grounding

For most systems, you can leave this set in the balanced position, but it can sometimes happen that the car radio may “search” for the ground through the RCA connectors.

In this case, you should change it to the unbalanced position, but again this is rare, and you may not experience it at all in your car audio system.

Ground Isolation

Ground Isolation makes alternative grounding connections, and it reduces the whine effect that may occur when the source unit and amplifier use different grounding.

Before adjusting to the ground isolation settings, remember to double-check that the audio system is turned off.

Bass Output Control

Because not all systems are designed the same, there may be differences between the SPL (sound pressure level) in various subwoofers.

Bass Output Control can either increase or decrease the signal voltage of the bass restoration circuit to make the sounds of the best quality.

The Epicenter’s factory-recommended settings are based on the subwoofer’s size:

• 8″ – 2.5V

• 10″ – 5V

• 12″ – 7.5V

• 15″ and more – 10V

PFM Subsonic Filter

This filter has been designed to protect the speakers from playing too low frequencies that could cause their damage.

The filter is fully programmable, and it allows you to adjust the PFM roll-off frequency to whatever you choose.

The factory-installed module at 33Hz will work with most subwoofers, but in case of any smellers that do not support the 33Hz, you may need to raise this value to approx. 3dB higher than the bottom frequency of the specific subwoofer.

To change the PFM frequency, you need to remove the top of the chassis and change the modules inside the device.

Can I Use Epicenter in the Car Without a Knob?

Standard knobs used in amplifiers are not needed for correct amplifier functioning, and they are often a nice to have rather than the required device.

However, when it comes to the Epicenter, it will not function without a knob as expected, and when the knob is not connected, the system puts the Epicenter into a bypass mode as a default.

In other words, if you do not have the Epicenter knob connected, the Epicenter effect is off, and when looking at the lighting at its top cover, it will be turned off.

The Epicenter remote knob controls the effect added to the existing signal and is needed for correct functioning.

The more you turn it up, the more bass frequencies are added to your audio signal, and if you turn it all way down, it adds almost no additional bass frequencies to the audio signal.

How Do You Set a Wide and Sweep Epicenter?

You may want to set a wide epicenter so that you can achieve more coverage in the car.

To do this, you first select your primary center frequency by adjusting the “sweep” control at 27 Hertz, then turn the “width” to the middle.

The car subwoofer manufacturer will recommend their own car subwoofer setting configurations for each car audio system. This is because every car audio engine differs, as well as music listening genres.

For example, an epicenter used with hip-hop music should be set to a different frequency than when associated with rock or jazz.

First, you have to set the “sweep” to match the peak frequency for the subwoofer.

After that, set the “width” to increase the car subwoofer’s performance and adjust for the best audible effect. In most cases, it will be in the middle or slightly below, but it depends on the subwoofer’s construction and the music type.

How Do You Activate the Epicenter?

Activating the Epicenter is as easy as turning on the car stereo. When the car’s ignition is turned on, a power supply for all car electronics is activated and starts feeding voltage to car audio components.

However, many make a mistake during connection and ignore the importance of the remote wire.

The remote wire from the Epicenter has to be connected with the remote wire from the car stereo, which is the first step.

When your Epicenter’s power, ground, and remote wiring is correct, ensure that the RCA signal wires are connected from the stereo.

After turning the radio on, you should see the lights on the Epicenter, which means it has been activated and receives the audio signals.

Conclusion

Epicenter is a small device that reproduces the lower tones to their original level and is especially needed for the older tracks.

Installation is straightforward, and the Epicenter has to be connected right after the signal source, which is in most cases the car stereo, but definitely before any crossover or equalizer.

Epicenter works the best when it receives most of the original signal and sends it for further amplification.

If you want to give it a try, this tiny device from AudioControl will put your music experience in the car to a different level.