Product Spotlight: Audison APBX 10 AS2

One of the best upgrades you can make to your car audio system is to add a high-quality subwoofer. Whether you are working with a simple factory-installed radio and speaker system or planning a studio-quality listening environment, accurately reproducing bass frequencies is important. The folks at Audison have a full line of compact subwoofer enclosures that can transform your system from good to awesome. In this spotlight, we will look at the Audison APBX 10 AS2.

Features of the Audison APBX 10 AS2

The APBX 10 AS2 is a low-profile 10-inch active subwoofer enclosure. The term “active” means this unit has an integrated amplifier. Essentially, with some wiring to feed it power and a signal from the radio, this is all you need to add bass to your car, truck, or SUV.

The enclosure measures 17.3 inches long, 13.2 inches wide, and stands a mere 6.2 inches tall. The amplifier is mounted on one of the thin side panels, and the subwoofer is designed to fire down into the floor or back wall of your car or truck. Feet are included to raise the enclosure off the floor so the subwoofer doesn’t hit anything. The enclosure has rounded corners for a little extra style.

The amplifier included with the APBX 10 AS2 is rated to provide up to 400 watts of power. Audison uses a 0.16-ohm low-impedance driver in the enclosure, so the amp doesn’t need a switching power supply. This design is said to boost system efficiency.

The Audison APBX 10 AS2 looks neat and tidy once installed.

Amplifier and Integration Features

The amplifier can accept speaker-level or preamp signals to ensure integration with factory-installed and aftermarket source units is simple and reliable. In high-level mode, the amp will accept up to 8 Vrms on the speaker leads. In low-level mode, the maximum input is 4 Vrms.

The amp has a three-position remote turn-on function switch. The amp can be activated when 12 Volts is applied to the remote terminal. Alternatively, in DC mode, the amp’s circuitry will monitor the speaker wires for the DC offset voltage from a BTL amplifier. Finally, if neither of those options works with your source unit, the amp can detect an electrical audio signal to bring things to life.

In terms of signal processing, the amp has a crossover that can be adjusted from 50 to 300 hertz and features a second-order Butterworth alignment. The internal crossover can be defeated with the Lo-Pass/By-Pass switch if you have a source unit or signal processor with integrated filtering. There is also a bass boost function that lets your installer dial in a bump of up to 6 dB at 45 Hz to add a little extra thump to your music. Finally, there’s a fixed fourth-order (-24 dB/Octave) infrasonic filter set to 24 Hz.

Audison includes their HRC AP remote level control with the APBX 10 AS2. This remote connects to the amp via the included 3.5mm jack. Your installer can mount the control on the dashboard or in the center console to give you control over the bass level. While the original gain setting should provide a nice balance, sometimes we want a little more or a little less bass, depending on our mood or the choice of music.

The amplifier includes a feature called Dynamic Bass Tracking (DBT). This circuitry monitors the audio input in real time to prevent signals that could cause distortion, keeping your music from sounding bad. This circuit will also prevent damage to the woofer.

Audison Subwoofer Features

The subwoofer integrated into the enclosure is based on Audison’s APS 10 series of drivers. The subwoofer features a heavy-gauge stamped-steel chassis to which a single ferrite magnet is affixed. Cooling vents in the basket, under the spider mounting plateau, help to keep the voice coil assembly cool. There are also vents in the cone to allow hot air to escape from the motor assembly.

The cone is made of pressed paper with a water-repellent coating to prevent it from absorbing moisture in humid or damp climates. A polypropylene dust cap keeps debris out of the magnetic gap and gives the driver’s face a clean, classy appearance.

Upgrade Your Car Audio System with Audison Today!

If you want to take your car audio system to the next level, drop by an authorized Audison retailer today and ask about the APBX 10 AS2 subwoofer enclosure. Audison offers a similarly designed, but slightly more compact 8-inch solution called the APBS 8 AS2 if space is at a premium.

You can find an authorized retailer using the locator tool on the Audison website. Be sure to follow Audison on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to learn about all the amazing audio integration solutions they offer.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Product Spotlight: Memphis Audio Power Reference Subwoofers

There are hundreds of subwoofer options on the market. For a company to set itself apart from the competition is no easy feat. With that said, Memphis Audio has developed something truly unique that offers value to both retailers and consumers. Let’s take a look at the Memphis Power Reference Series of subwoofers.

Models and Power Handling

There are six models in the Power Reference series. At the top is the 12-inch PRX12FT, which is rated to handle 400 watts continuously and 800 watts peak. The 10-inch PRX10FT has the same power handling ratings. Both of these drivers are available in models with blue LED illumination built into the cone assembly, as part numbers PRXL12FT and PRXL10FT.

The series includes an 8-inch model called the PRX824V2, which is rated for 200 watts continuous and 400 watts max. Next, there’s the 6.5-inch PRX624, rated for 150 watts continuous and 300 watts max.

The series also includes two shallow-mount woofers. The 12-inch PRXS1224 has a 350-watt continuous, 700-watt max power rating. The 10-inch PRXS1024 has the same ratings.

Memphis Audio Power Reference Subwoofers — Memphis offers 10- and 12-inch Power Reference models with integrated blue LED illumination in the cone.

Features of the Power Reference Subwoofers

The Power Reference series includes four sizes: 12-inch, 10-inch, 8-inch, and 6.5-inch models. They are all based on a heavy-gauge stamped-steel chassis that features three thick “M”s on each side, making them unique from all other subs. The drivers feature a polypropylene woofer cone stitched to a rubber surround for reliability. The cone has another giant letter M in two-tone black-on-black artwork. A custom-tooled rubber trim piece serves as a mounting gasket, ensuring an airtight seal against the enclosure face. Memphis sells pressed-mesh grilles compatible with all Power Reference subwoofer sizes.

At the base of the cone is a TIL fiberglass voice coil former to help ensure reliable operation. The tinsel leads are sewn to the spider to ensure quiet operation. Spring-loaded terminals will accept up to 10-AWG speaker wire.

All Power Reference subwoofers feature Direct Voice Coil Cooling (DVCC). DVCC works by including a series of small vents in the bottom plate of the subwoofer. These vents allow hot air to escape from the voice coil. The result is improved power handling and reduced power compression.

FLEX Voice Coil Impedance

If you are used to shopping for subwoofers, then you should have noticed that we listed only a single model in each size. So, what about varying voice coil impedances to optimize the power your amplifier produces? Memphis has developed a system called FLEX Selectable Impedance Technology.

On the 8-inch, 6.5-inch, and shallow-mount subwoofers, there’s a two-position jumper block on the opposite side of the chassis from the speaker terminal block. Depending on where your installer places the jumper, the driver presents a nominal impedance of 4 or 2 ohms. There’s no need to worry about getting the ‘right’ subwoofer for your amplifier. The 10-inch and 12-inch subwoofers feature Tri-FLEX. This solution offers three jumper positions with 1-, 2-, and 4-ohm configurations.

FLEX eliminates the potential confusion associated with series- and parallel-wiring for dual-voice-coil subwoofers and lets your installer get you on the road quickly and efficiently. Very cool!

Check Out Memphis Power Reference Subwoofers Today!

If you are shopping for a high-performance subwoofer solution for your car, truck, or SUV, drop into a local authorized Memphis Audio retailer and ask about the very cool Power Reference subwoofers. You can find a shop near you by using the Locator Tool on the company website. Be sure to follow Memphis Audio on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Product Spotlight: KICKER KMC5

Going back a few decades, only a handful of car audio manufacturers offered marine-specific source unit options. These were often car radios with oversized front panels with waterproofing features. Now, there are dozens of companies that offer marine source units. One that stands out for its features and performance is the KICKER KMC5, which is the subject of this product spotlight. Let’s check it out!

Features of the KICKER KMC5

The KMC5 is a marine source unit with a face measuring 5.5 inches wide and 3.5 inches tall. The radio mounts through a three-inch hole, so it can replace a small round unit or a large gauge in an instrument cluster. If nothing else, drilling the mounting hole with a hole saw is much easier for your installer than cutting out a rectangle with an air saw. The radio needs about seven inches of clearance behind the mounting surface for the chassis and wire connections. The front panel is IP66 rated, so you don’t have to worry about rain or splashes causing issues. Of course, KICKER’s Real Marine rating means the radio is built with materials that won’t fade, chalk, crack, or corrode when exposed to the sun or saltwater.

The radio features a sunlight-viewable 3.5-inch full-color LCD screen that provides a clear view of what’s playing from a USB thumb drive, SiriusXM satellite radio, or the built-in AM/FM tuner. USB support is compatible with FAT32-formatted thumb drives, and media formats include MP2, MP3, WMA, WAV16, FLAC, AAC, ALAC, and M4A. You can also stream music or a service like Pandora, iHeartRadio, Spotify, or Apple Music over the Bluetooth A2DP connection. The radio includes Bluetooth AVRCP so you can control your smartphone or media player from the source unit.

While we are on the topic of audio sources, it’s worth noting that the KMC5 includes a Weatherband tuner and an auxiliary input. You can use the input with something like a TV, DVD player or media player if you have a larger boat. Speaking of video, the KMC5 has a video input that can be used with an optional backup camera. There’s an external trigger included, so the rear camera can be activated with a switch at the helm. This would be a great option for backing a boat into a narrow slip at the marina.

If you’ve looked closely at the buttons on the face, then you might have seen the Favorite option. This is a quick-access button to whatever source, radio station or weather information channel you want.

KICKER KMC5 — The front panel of the KMC5 radio features a 3.5-inch color display, making it easy to see what’s playing.

System Features and Specifications

Moving on from source options, we should discuss the outputs from the radio. The KMC5 includes six channels of amplification, each rated to deliver 25 watts into a 4-ohm load and 40 watts into a 2-ohm load. You’ll notice the power wire on the amp harness is larger than the typical 14- or 16-gauge conductor you’d find on a 22-watt x 4 radio. Your installer may need to run a dedicated 10-AWG cable for power and ground to the fuse panel at your point. Hey, if you want an amp, even one in a source unit, to produce power, you need to feed it power properly.

On the preamp side, the radio includes stereo front and rear outputs, a pair of subwoofer outputs and a 2-zone RCA output. The fifth and sixth speaker output connections are assigned to the second audio zone output. So, you could power speakers beside the TV, in the galley or a berth. If you are using the preamp outputs with a separate amplifier, the second audio zone might be ideal for a set of wakeboard tower speakers. This system design would give you separate control of the zone-2 volume. In fact, you can rename this separate zone to Tower, Transom, Cockpit, or Interior in the setup menu. You can also configure the Zone-2 volume to track the main volume or be adjustable on its own.

Audio Features

The KICKER KMC5 includes an adjustable high-pass crossover for the front and rear speaker and preamp outputs. The filter can be set to 50, 80, or 120 hertz to suit the size of the speakers in the system. The radio has two tone-control options. It has conventional bass, midrange and treble adjustability, or it can be switched to Custom EQ mode. The Custom EQ includes Rock, Pop, Jazz and custom options. In the custom menu, you can boost or cut audio at 50, 125, 250, 500, 1k, 3k, and 8k Hz center frequencies to fine-tune the system.

You can expand the KICKER KMC5 with the two-inch KRC12 remote or the KRC55 Digital remote. The KRC55 includes a color display that replicates what’s shown on the main radio screen.

Upgrade Your Boat with the KICKER KMC5 Today!

If you are in the market for a full-featured multimedia radio for your boat, or even a side-by-side or UTV, then drop by a local authorized KICKER retailer today and ask about the KMC5 radio. You can find a KICKER dealer near you by using the locator tool on their website.

Be sure to follow KICKER on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to learn more about their impressive car audio, marine, motorcycle, powersport and lifestyle product offerings.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Hertz VENEZIA V8 DSPx² Explained: Marine-Grade DSP Amplifier for Tuned, Powerful Sound

The Hertz VENEZIA V8 DSPx² is a marine-grade amplifier with a built-in digital signal processor (DSP) designed to power and tune an entire audio system from a single compact, marine-ready chassis. Combining eight channels of amplification with advanced signal processing, it allows a professionally designed system to deliver clean, controlled sound in boats and other harsh outdoor environments.

Modern marine audio systems face unique challenges. Wind noise, engine noise and open-air listening environments make it difficult to achieve balanced, detailed sound. A DSP amplifier like the VENEZIA V8 DSPx² allows a professional technician to precisely tune the system so music remains clear and dynamic even when conditions are less than ideal.

By combining amplification and signal processing in one product, the VENEZIA V8 DSPx² simplifies system design while providing the flexibility needed for high-performance marine audio systems.

The Technology Behind the Hertz VENEZIA V8 DSPx²

Close-up of the Hertz VENEZIA V8 DSPx² marine amplifier power and signal connections. — Close-up product details reinforce the amplifier’s purpose-built marine design and professional-grade system integration.

The defining technology in the Hertz VENEZIA V8 DSPx² is the integration of a high-performance multi-channel amplifier with advanced digital signal processing. This approach allows a professional retailer to power speakers and precisely control how audio signals behave throughout the entire system.

A digital signal processor (DSP) works by analyzing and modifying the audio signal before it reaches the speakers. In a vehicle or marine environment, speaker locations, reflective surfaces and background noise can dramatically affect how music sounds. The DSP allows technicians to correct these issues by adjusting crossover points, equalization, time alignment and output levels so the system performs as a cohesive whole.

In the VENEZIA V8 DSPx², the DSP and amplifier sections are engineered to work together from the start. This integration reduces the need for separate components and allows signal processing adjustments to directly influence amplifier output. The result is more precise control over the system’s tonal balance and dynamics, which is especially important in open-air listening environments where clarity and projection matter.

Another important advantage of this integrated design is system flexibility. An eight-channel amplifier provides multiple configuration options for powering speakers and subwoofers throughout a vessel. The DSP makes it possible to tailor each channel’s response to match the speaker type and its location within the boat, helping create a balanced listening experience across multiple seating areas.

Marine environments also place special demands on electronics. Moisture, vibration and temperature changes can affect performance and reliability. By combining signal processing and amplification within a single purpose-built marine amplifier, Hertz reduces system complexity while maintaining the durability needed for life on the water.

Key Features and Capabilities

Connection panel on the Hertz VENEZIA V8 DSPx² marine DSP amplifier. — The rear panel highlights the amplifier’s integrated connectivity for multi-channel power and advanced system control.

The Hertz VENEZIA V8 DSPx² includes a range of technologies that support high-performance marine audio systems:

Eight Channels of Amplification: Provides the flexibility to power multiple speaker zones or combine channels for higher output when needed.
Integrated Digital Signal Processor (DSP): Allows professional system tuning including equalization, crossover configuration and time alignment for improved tonal balance.
Marine-Grade Construction: Designed to withstand moisture, salt exposure and vibration common in marine environments.
Compact System Architecture: Combining amplification and DSP processing reduces the number of components required in the system.
System Tuning Flexibility: Multiple output channels allow retailers to create tailored listening zones throughout the vessel.

Design And Construction

Top view of the Hertz VENEZIA V8 DSPx² marine DSP amplifier. — The low-profile chassis and clean industrial design reflect the amplifier’s premium marine-focused engineering.

The VENEZIA V8 DSPx² is engineered specifically for marine use, where durability is as important as performance. Marine electronics must withstand humidity, salt exposure and vibration without compromising reliability or sound quality.

Hertz designed the amplifier with protective materials and sealing strategies that help guard sensitive circuitry from environmental exposure. These measures help maintain consistent performance in challenging conditions often encountered on the water.

Thermal management is also critical in compact marine installations. Efficient amplifier design helps control heat buildup while maintaining stable output performance, even during extended listening sessions.

The result is a component built not only for sound quality but also for long-term reliability in marine environments.

Why This Product Matters for Vehicle Audio Upgrades

The Hertz VENEZIA V8 DSPx² matters because it allows a professionally designed audio system to deliver clear, balanced sound in environments where traditional systems struggle. By combining amplification and advanced signal processing, it gives system designers the tools needed to optimize every speaker in the system.

In open-air marine environments, music can easily become thin or uneven without proper tuning. A DSP amplifier allows professionals to shape the system’s response, so vocals, instruments and bass remain balanced across different seating areas.

For listeners, the result is a more immersive and enjoyable experience. Music sounds more natural, details become easier to hear and the system performs consistently even when background noise increases.

Upgrade Your Vehicle with Help from a Professional

Achieving the best performance from a DSP amplifier requires expert system design and precise tuning. A qualified specialty retailer has the tools and experience to integrate products like the Hertz VENEZIA V8 DSPx² into a system that delivers outstanding sound.

Visit the BestCarAudio.com Dealer Locator to find a trusted professional near you. A knowledgeable retailer can recommend the right equipment, design a system tailored to your vehicle and provide the expert calibration needed to bring your music to life.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Product Spotlight: Audison APBX 10 AS2

Features of the Audison APBX 10 AS2

Amplifier and Integration Features

Audison Subwoofer Features

Upgrade Your Car Audio System with Audison Today!

Product Spotlight: Memphis Audio Power Reference Subwoofers

Models and Power Handling

Features of the Power Reference Subwoofers

FLEX Voice Coil Impedance

Check Out Memphis Power Reference Subwoofers Today!

Product Spotlight: KICKER KMC5

Features of the KICKER KMC5

System Features and Specifications

Audio Features

Upgrade Your Boat with the KICKER KMC5 Today!

Hertz VENEZIA V8 DSPx² Explained: Marine-Grade DSP Amplifier for Tuned, Powerful Sound

The Technology Behind the Hertz VENEZIA V8 DSPx²

Key Features and Capabilities

Design And Construction

Why This Product Matters for Vehicle Audio Upgrades

Upgrade Your Vehicle with Help from a Professional

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