Australian INCAR magazine

ISSUE 1#19

3 × HOLDEN RIDES...

SSV UTE · CLUBSPORT · SE RODEO UTE

PLAYING THE JOKER SQ UPFRONT, SPL OUT BACK!

Owner Sam

SALUTIN INCAR SISG OUR TERS! Owner La ura

QUEEN OF CLUBSPORTS PINK’N’PROUD’N’POWERFUL!

EISA AWARDS

INCAR WINNERS FROM THE GLOBAL EXPERTS

EXTRAORDINARY DYNAMIC, AU

Immerse yourself in refined sound, the X-Series is the benchmark in high-re with exotic materials including a nano-fibre cone and carbon graphite dome volumes these speakers deliver on sound quality, with unrivalled accuracy an

Carbon Graphite Dome Tweeter

Audiophile Sound Experience

Alpine has designed a carbon graphite hard dome tweeter moving away from the standard silk dome material. This lightweight tweeter dome provides a wider high frequency range up to 50kHz for the highest sound detail.

Alpine’s X-Series speakers have an designed to reach their full potential w amplifiers for the most pure hi-fidelity s

Nano-Fibre Woofer Cone The woofer cone consists of nano-fibre material to achieve a very fast response speed and dynamic, while maintaining high clarity and realistic sound reproduction.

ADVANCED DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY FOR HIGH-RESOLUTION SOUND X-SERIES DIGITAL AMPLIFIERS DIGITAL AUDIOPHILE AMPLIFIERS

Engineered to deliver sound excellence, the X-Series amplifiers are the culmination of the latest advanced digital amplification technology—this provides exceptional levels of operational efficiency and ultra-high-resolution signal processing.

X-Series amplifiers allows you to achieve the ultimate sound experience through their ability to reproduce Hi-Res sound quality with wide frequency ranges and virtually zero distortion. What’s more, you can fine tune the amplifier to your preference for an ideal crossover balance in order to achieve a euphoric harmony.

Meticulously crafted for practicality the compact amplifier design is ideal to suit any installation requirements and can be stacked vertically minimising the space needed.

Drawing on decades of manufacturing expertise, X-Series amplifiers are built to the highest class-leading standards for reliability and robustness, enabling long periods of play without compromising sound quality. X-Series provide unprecedented sound purity, accuracy and power output.

■ COMMON FEATURES: • SELECTABLE VARIABLE HIGH/LOW PASS FILTERS (MONO AMPS: LP ONLY) • SELECTABLE SUBSONIC FILTERS (MONO ONLY) • STACKING CAPABILITY • QUICK CONNECTORS FOR SPEAKERS AND POWER SUPPLY • ULTRA WIDE FREQUENCY RESPONSE RANGE • THERMAL AND LOW VOLTAGE PROTECTION • BASS KNOB (RUX-KNOB) CONTROL READY WITH MONO AND 5CH AMPS

X-A90V

$799.00

X-A70F

$699.00

X-A90M

4 CHANNEL + MONO AMPLIFIER

4/3/2 CHANNEL AMPLIFIER

DIGITAL MONO AMPLIFIER

• 100W RMS X 4 + 500W X 1 [2Ω@14.4V] • 75W RMS X 4 + 300W X 1 [4Ω@14.4V] • BASS KNOB CONTROL READY

• 175W RMS X 4 [2Ω@14.4V] • 120W RMS X 4 [4Ω@14.4V]

• 900W RMS X 1 [2Ω@14.4V] • 600W RMS X 1 [4Ω@14.4V] • BASS KNOB CONTROL READY

$699.00

RUX-KNOB.2 SUBWOOFER CONTROLLER Get the RUX-KNOB.2 to control the subwoofer level output right from the dashboard and make bass adjustments on the fly. This controller is compatible with the X-A90M, X-A70F (3Ch+4Ch bridge mode) or X-A90V (5Ch) and includes a 5 meter cable.

UTHENTIC SOUND REPRODUCTION

esolution audio craftsmanship. The revolutionary X-Series loudspeakers are engineered with precision and employ a sophisticated motor design combined tweeter to achieve a spatial sound impression and realistic sound reproduction. Moreover, X-Series can handle massive amounts of power, and even at high nd authenticity. X-Series speakers are tuned perfectly to pair with the X-Series amplifiers for an overall dynamic and superlative audio experience.

extraordinary dynamic range capability and they are hen paired with the X-Series ultra-high-resolution digital ound.

X-SERIES SYSTEM

Norm. RRP $3225 Save $326

X-SERIES HIGH-RESOLUTION SYSTEM

$2899.00

X-Series amplifiers set the standard for ultra-high resolution sound quality and power output whilst utilising a very compact design. In addition, the X-Series speakers are designed for true Hi-Res Audio playback, featuring ultra-low distortion and a wide frequency range.

AMPLIFIER, SUBWOOFER AND SPEAKER SYSTEM • X-A90M X-SERIES MONO AMPLIFIER • X-A70F X-SERIES 4/3/2 CHANNEL AMPLIFIER • X-W12D4 X-SERIES 12” SUBWOOFER • X-S65C X-SERIES 6-1/2” COMPONENT SPEAKERS • X-S65 X-SERIES 6-1/2” COAXIAL SPEAKERS PKN: X-170401

X-S69C

$699.00

X-S65C

$679.00

X-S65

$549.00

X-W12D4

$599.00

X-SERIES 6X9” COMPONENT SPEAKERS

X-SERIES 6-1/2” COMPONENT SPEAKERS

X-SERIES 6-1/2” COAXIAL SPEAKERS

X-SERIES 12” SUBWOOFER

• FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 45HZ-50KHZ • 360W PEAK POWER • 120W RMS POWER

• FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 55HZ-50KHZ • 360W PEAK POWER • 120W RMS POWER

• FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 55HZ-50KHZ • 330W PEAK POWER • 110W RMS POWER

• FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 23HZ-200HZ • 2700W PEAK POWER • 900W RMS POWER

X-W10D4

$499.00

X-SERIES 10” SUBWOOFER • FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 26HZ-200HZ • 2700W PEAK POWER • 900W RMS POWER

INCAR #1-2019

CONTENTS 20

Group Editor Jez Ford Contributors Jez Ford, Damon Greenwood Group Art Director Kristian Hagen Technical Editor Greg Borrowman Advertising Sales Manager Lewis Preece lpreece@nextmedia.com.au Advertising Traffic Diane Preece dpreece@nextmedia.com.au National Advertising Sales & Divisional Manager Jim Preece jpreece@nextmedia.com.au Production Manager Peter Ryman Circulation Director Carole Jones Australian InCar Entertainment is published by nextmedia Pty Ltd ACN: 128 805 970, Level 6, 207 Pacific Highway, St Leonards NSW 2065 © 2018/9. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced, in whole or in part, without the prior permission of the publisher. The publisher will not accept responsibility or any liability for the correctness of information or opinions expressed in the publication, or for the loss or damage to products or materials submitted to the magazine for review or other purposes. All material or equipment submitted is at the owner’s risk and should be covered by a suitable insurance policy throughout transit and while with the magazine. While every care will be taken, nextmedia does not accept liability for loss or damage.

Privacy Policy: We value the integrity of your per-

sonal information. If you provide personal information through your participation in any competitions, surveys or offers featured in this issue of Australian InCar magazine, this will be used to provide the products or services that you have requested and to improve the content of our magazines. Your details may be provided to third parties who assist us in this purpose. In the event of organisations providing prizes or offers to our readers, we may pass your details on to them. From time to time, we may use the information you provide us to inform you of other products, services and events our company has to offer. We may also give your information to other organisations which may use it to inform you about their products, services and events, unless you tell us not to do so. You are welcome to access the information that we hold about you by getting in touch with our privacy officer, who can be contacted at nextmedia, Locked Bag 5555, St Leonards, NSW 1590.

Level 6, 207 Pacific Highway, St Leonards, NSW 2065 Locked Bag 5555, St Leonards NSW 1590 Tel: (02) 9901 6100 www.nextmedia.com.au David Gardiner Chief Executive Officer Bruce Duncan Commercial Director

INCAR ON THE INTERWEBS: AVHUB.COM.AU Delightfully digital as this issue may be, we’ve long been posting our best bits at AVHub.com.au, so for the very latest news in mobile entertainment, cars and features, visit AVHub and subcribe to the newsletter, which will alert you to future digital issues direct to your inbox. Audio, AV, photography and guitary bits are also up there on AVHub.

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An Australian Incar Entertainment & Alpine Promotion

Alpine Halo9 iLX-F309E 9” floating display entertainment unit

THE CARS

Alpine innovation continues with the unique design of the Halo9, delivering a revolutionary 9” high-definition touch-screen that fits directly into any dash with a 1DIN or 2DIN slot.

a limitless amount of options such as Spotify, iHeart Radio, Podcasts and even DAB+ digital radio providing a wide range of digital only radio stations.

The iLX-F309E brings a large screen to a variety of vehicles without the need for custom installation, the super-slim display hovers over the dashboard providing a sleek and classy look.

Equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto you have a multitude of smartphone options

The Halo 9 provides flexibility when installing. The display can be angled from +45 degrees to -20 degrees to match a wide range of dashboards. The display gets locked in delivering no movement when using the unit, what’s more is the display height can also be adjusted plus or minus 3 centimetres from the

available you can get directions, make calls, send and receive messages and listen to music all in a way that allows you to maintain full focus on the road. Users can control elements of their smartphone through the 9″capacitive display or activate Siri and Voice Recognition for minimised distraction.

centre position, allowing for standing and hanging configurations.

A wide range of entertainment options are made possible through the iLX-F309E with HDMI and USB connection allowing for high quality video and audio playback. What’s more DVD and CD’s can be played back in high resolution with the

Enjoy all your favourite audio with

THE STORIES

optional DVE-5300 optical drive.

06 ALPINE HALO9 promotion with AIE

Alpine’s innovative iLX-F309E 9-inch floating display entertainment unit explained.

2

Australian Incar Entertainment #02_2018

www.avhub.com.au

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08 PLAYING THE JOKER

A tribute to Heath Ledger’s performance as The Joker, but also a project of passion for owner Sam Halter, this SSV Ute boasts dual systems, street-cred and show-winning SPL...

42 CARS VS HOUSES

Which wins for acoustics?

20 QUEEN OF CLUBSPORTS

Our second ride shows again how our incar sisters are doing it for themselves — Laura Mcmurdo’s’s VY Clubsport defies classification... elegant yet mean, angry yet sweet. And you’re gonna hear it coming...

54 EISA AWARDS 2018-2019

We join the global experts to pick the year’s best in-car entertainment.

32 RODEO DRIVE

This issue’s ‘Drive from the Archive’ is an entirely-customised Rodeo, overcoming two-seater cabin limitations for audio…

.…

78 MEET THE SUPERSONIC BLOODHOUND

Saved from sale and back on track to beat the world land speed record by covering a mile in just 3.6 seconds.

www.avhub.com.au

05

Alpine Halo9 iLX-F309E 9” floating display entertainment unit Alpine innovation continues with the unique design of the Halo9, delivering a revolutionary 9” high-definition

a limitless amount of options such as Spotify, iHeart Radio, Podcasts and even DAB+ digital radio provid-

touch-screen that fits directly into any dash with a 1DIN or 2DIN slot.

The iLX-F309E brings a large screen to a variety of vehicles without the need for custom installation, the super-slim display hovers over the

ing a wide range of digital only radio stations.

The Halo9 provides flexibility when installing. The display can be angled from +45 degrees to -20 degrees to match a wide range of dashboards.

dashboard providing a sleek and classy look.

Equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto you have a

The display gets locked in delivering no movement when using the unit, what’s more is the display height can also be adjusted plus or minus 3

multitude of smartphone options

centimetres from the centre position,

available, you can get directions, make calls, send and receive messages and listen to music all in

allowing for standing and hanging configurations.

A wide range of entertainment

a way that allows you to maintain full focus on the road. Users can control elements of their smartphone through the 9″capacitive display or activate Siri and Voice Recognition for minimised distraction.

options are made possible through the iLX-F309E with HDMI and USB connection allowing for high quality video and audio playback. What’s more DVD and CD’s can be played back in high resolution with the

Enjoy all your favourite audio with

6

Australian Incar Entertainment #02_2018

optional DVE-5300 optical drive.

An Australian Incar Entertainment & Alpine Promotion

www.avhub.com.au

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2009 VE COMMODORE SSV UTE FEATURE CAR

E H T G N I PLAY

R E K JO

’s performance as A tribute to Heath Ledger ct of passion for The Joker, but also a proje V Ute boasts dual owner Sam Halter, this SS show-winning SPL... systems, street-cred and Story Damon Greenwood

Pix Dreamy Images

www.avhub.com.au

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2009 VE COMMODORE SSV UTE FEATURE CAR

o... let’s say you’re a major fan of Heath Ledger, of Batman and the Joker, you like your grumpy V8 utes, loud music and car shows? How might you roll all that together in one impeccable mean machine?

Read on!

S

‘WHY SO SERIOUS?’ Sam Halter’s LS1 VE Ute covers all the bases, and then some, as the car is regularly driven on the street, in addition to being show-ready, with its dark Ledger-Joker custom paint theme and a dual system ready for performance from the rear tray system. It competes at events and car shows from Tamworth, Grafton and Lismore out to Warwick and Toowoomba (that’s a lot of squished bugs) and she has more than 20 various trophies to weigh down her garage cabinetry, including Queensland Overall State Champion Ute, and Queensland State Chick’s Ute. Sam enters it regularly in both SQ and SPL comps, and its best recorded SPL was 142.4dB, achieved at an Option Audio event.

‘WHATEVER DOESN’T KILL YOU, SIMPLY MAKES YOU STRANGER…’ The impetus for this outstanding creation was the desire for a well-deserved ‘me’ creation.

Newly single after a 15-year, two-child relationship, Sam bought something for herself. In her own words: “The Joker/Heath is like me... out of the box, something different... a female in a ute in a man’s world.”

After the purchase the ute was driven into Sam’s own garage, so that she could help with the install. It took an agonising eight weeks for it to see the light of day, with the initial rear install done

by Ross at ‘Runt to Grunt’ Car Audio, followed by tuning and accessories by Peter at Xstreme Installs.

Best and most surprising of all — the entire system is completely removable in case she may ever need to part ways with the car.

The Ledger-Joker theme is carried throughout the entire install via impressive airbrushing both on the panels and in the engine bay; we particularly like the cash painted on the door cards, and the cityscape and wads of cash on the boot panel shown here — highly effective.

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So how are the tunes? Well the system is split into two separate systems for cabin and tray — these are completely exclusive, using separate source units and even batteries. It’s a best of both worlds scenario — SQ when you’re on the road, plenty of grunt at the back for presenting at shows.

CABIN FEVER As so often in our featured installs, Audison’s bit Ten D signal processor and 24-bit A/D and D/A converters is central to the audio magic in the cabin, taking the output from the factory head unit, converting and optimising it before feeding onto Fusion DA Series amplification in the form of the CA-DA41400 four-channel amp, and a CADA12250 monoblock subwoofer amplifier.

The CA-DA41400 is rated at 4 x 150W RMS of clean Audison-massaged music power, though its peak music power is listed up to a healthy 1400W, ready to deliver its best to each of the Fusion PowerPlant PP-CM650 6.5-inch splits which have been custom installed in the doors and under hydro-dipped panels in the dash for the mid-range and tweeters respectively.

The CA-DA12250 is responsible for getting the custom mid-mounted Joker’s hair flying, pumping 500W RMS into a Fusion PP-SW150 12-inch subwoofer which is mounted in an enclosure between the two custom seats. And if you are thinking that 500W RMS don’t sound like the ultimate work-out, peak power is listed as 2250W and trust us, at

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4 ohms with the subwoofer situated a mere foot from your noggin, there will be enough depth-plumbing on tap to resonate the brain fluids and bring a Joker-size smile to your face. Besides, the cabin system is just for starters...

THE TRAY The trophy-winning SPL-shaking tray layout is nice, elegant and well-balanced — we might even call it impressively artistic. We love the “Why so serious?” Ledger-Joker quote split between each of the subwoofer amps mounted directly in the centre of the tray. The same motto is also stitched into the custom driver and passenger seats — it’s a stylish way to complete the install — clearly a life message from the owner Sam (and so much more positive than some of the darker Ledger alternatives… “Smile, because it’s easier than explaining what is killing you inside”? Er, no. Or “Madness is like gravity...all it takes is a little push…” Surely entirely inappropriate for an SSV ute...).

This second system, then, starts with a Fusion MS-AV700i head unit from the NMEA Technology award-winning 700 Series — one versatile and powerful head unit which not only offers everything from DVD, CD, and AM/FM radio to iOS and USB and MTP file playback… it’s even marinecertified to IPX5 waterproofing, which might come in handy at shows during unexpected sprinkle-showers. If this doesn’t take your music source, well, you probably don’t want it.

The AV700i has its own power but this is thoroughly upgraded here, with its line-outs instead passed to separate

2009 VE COMMODORE SSV UTE FEATURE CAR

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2009 VE COMMODORE SSV UTE FEATURE CAR

amplification in the tray — a Fusion Performance Series PF-4004 amplifier rated at 4 x 80W RMS of Class-AB power bridged for 2 x 200W RMS and up to 2400W peak power for the PowerPlant Series PP-FR6920 6 x 9-inch speakers with their audiophile-grade cones anglemounted at the top of an enclosure close to the rear window — and facing rearwards for maximum horn loading to appease the crowds. Then three Fusion PF8003D Class-D amps push the power into a pair of Fusion PF-FR6030 3-way triaxial 6-inchers, and 150W RMS each into the two mirrored (left and right) ported enclosures housing three Fusion PF-SW100D4 subwoofers.

Along with a Fusion MS-TV 220LED 22” monitor, extensive lighting is utilised in the tray to highlight the various parts of the install, but not excessive or extravagant — our pictures show the sophistication of this install as well as its instant visual appeal.

SHOWSTOPPER

IT’S A BEST-OF-BOTH-WORLDS SCENARIO — SQ WHEN YOU’RE ON THE ROAD, PLENTY OF GRUNT AT THE BACK FOR PRESENTING AT SHOWS.

Indeed the several themes that are interwoven through the tray and cabin systems are meshed incredibly well, testament to the time, thought and planning that has gone into this project, to achieve the exact look and feel that Sam wanted. No single aspect is overrepresented, and the slick result belies the sweat that must have been involved.

Building a great show car always involves sacrifice, but it’s all too easy to go overboard, confusing both the system and the custom design. Sam not only knows what buttons to press, she knows when to hit the design brakes — stopping at exactly the right point with this car, producing grunt, level, uniqueness, show-readiness and subtlety all in a package that pays homage to her passion for Heath Ledger and his iconic role as the Joker.

As the madman himself said: “They laugh at me because I’m different. I laugh at them because they’re all the same...”

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“WHATEVER DOESN’T KILL YOU SIMPLY MAKES YOU... STRANGER…” HEATH LEDGER AS THE JOKER

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2009 VE COMMODORE SSV UTE FEATURE CAR

CREDITS owner: Samantha Halter vehicle: 2009 VE Commodore SSV Ute

•

Fusion for all stereo equipment

•

Dan’s Custom Car Lights

•

Runt to Grunt Car Audio (Tray Stereo Build)

•

Xstreme Installs for lights, tune and accessories

SAM SENDS SPECIAL THANKS TO: Annvid Auto Upholsterers, Capalaba QLD Dan’s Custom Car Lights, Carina QLD Xstreme Installs, Brisbane QLD Unique Skin Coatings, Brendale QLD TyreHyped, Coomera QLD Pomponazzi, Meadowbrook QLD Fusion Entertainment, Brisbane QLD

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2009 VE COMMODORE SSV UTE FEATURE CAR

TECH SPECS owner: Samantha Halter vehicle: 2009 VE Commodore SSV Ute engine: L98 6.0 Ltr induction: VCM OTR internals: 222/224 Mild Cam exhaust: XForce 2 1/2” Full stainless Steel system with Extractors transmission: 6 speed Manual clutch/suspension/brakes: standard wheels: 22” wheels X 8 1/2” all round tyres: 245/30/22 exterior modifications: Joker Themed Air Brushing; Custom Headlights; Pomponazzi Quartz Coating; Brake Colour Coding interior modifications: Custom Seats; Custom Lighting; Door Trims; Rear Wall; Centre Console; Dash Lights; Mounted Joker Head; Floor Mats

CABIN SYSTEM Line source Audison Bit Ten D processor 2 x PowerPlant PP-CM650 6-5-inch splits Fusion CA-DA41400 4-channel Car Amplifier Fusion CA-DA12250 monoblock Amplifier Fusion PP-SW150 12” subwoofer

TRAY SYSTEM Fusion MS-AV700i Fusion Link DVD/CD/AM/FM/iPod/ USB/MP3-N2K/Ethernet head unit Fusion PF-4004 amplifier 3 x Fusion PF8003D amplifiers Fusion PF-FR6030 3-way triaxial 6” speakers Fusion PF-SW100D4 subwoofers Fusion PP-FR6920 6”x9” speakers Fusion MS-TV 220LED 22” monitor total system power (12V/4 ohm): cabin 1980W RMS; tray 2800W RMS configured power (as wired): cabin 2600WRMS; tray 3400W RMS highest recorded dB: 142.4dB (Option Audio SoundOff Meadowbrook Qld)

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QUEEN OF C

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2004 HOLDEN VY CLUBSPORT SPECIAL EDITION FEATURE CAR

CLUBSPORTS Our second ride shows again how our incar sisters are doing it for themselves — Laura Mcmurdo’s VY Clubsport defies classification... elegant yet mean, angry yet sweet.

And who is she trying to ‘IRRIT8’? Not us… we love it.

Story Damon Greenwood Pix Tony Rabbitte

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FEATURE CAR 2004 HOLDEN VY CLUBSPORT SPECIAL EDITION

T

here are many different types of custom cars — just like there are many different types of custom car owner. Often, however, car and owner fall neatly into a describable category — street, sleeper, modified, JDM, drift, drag, show, daily... unfinished project... or plain ol’ crazy.

And while crazy is certainly a notable element throughout the build of ‘IRRIT8’, this is a vehicle which crosses into other groups; it refuses to be pigeonholed.

And we like that.

Take a gander at the full selection of pix here, and you will see what we mean. What’s more, this beast is owned, and has been built, by a woman. Pertinent to its design?

Hard to judge; colour-scheme aside, we reckon few hardened car showgoers would pick its owner when they see this showpiece coming at them.

Just look at it — 4-inch reverse cowl, aggressive cams, full top-end re-build and the exhaust dumping before the diff. Impressive by any standard.

And there is a lot of love here also — nothing has been overlooked or half-arsed implemented. IRRIT8 sits there quietly (or actually, not so quietly) looking good… elegant, yet also a little mean.

One might even doubt that the reverse cowl actually hides anything serious... until she fires up. That cowl

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FEATURE CAR 2004 HOLDEN VY CLUBSPORT SPECIAL EDITION

actually hides an over-the-radiator air intake which then feeds a Proflow Hirise intake manifold. The top-end has been fully rebuilt, along with a double-row timing chain and Crow cams, with exhaust gases exiting via an X Force exhaust system which dumps before the diff. Angry!

AUDIO How about our main focus, the tunes? As you can imagine, competing with such an angry exhaust could be a daunting task!

The good folk at Frankies Auto Electrics out at Albion Park stepped up to the challenge along with Pioneer — and began by treating the car with Dynamat sound dampening materials from head to toe, a very good start to any install, but especially here when designing a system that will be competing with an angry engine.

The system itself provides a mix of Pioneer power and bass along with an upfront component split of Clarion 6-inch, midrange and tweeter. The audio odyssey starts with two Stinger Dry Cell Batteries, feeding three Pioneer amps. The battery

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BRING YOUR PORSCHE HOME.

You demand great sound and outstanding style from your car’s custom audio system.

Now you can bring that performance home.

The GRAVITY ONE Bluetooth speaker delivers pure minimalism with 360° listen-anywhere sound. Designed by the renowned Studio F. A. Porsche, the GRAVITY ONE incorporates KEF’s signature Uni-Q technology in a winged design crafted from a single piece of aluminium.

Bluetooth Speaker

THE SPEED OF SOUND

power, along with the audio signal from the Pioneer double-DIN Bluetooth head unit, runs into into the three Pioneer amps which are responsible for tunes reaching a Clarion 6-inch 3-way component front-end, with Pioneer pro co-axial rears and and a pair of twin 6-inch pro Pioneer components (these for show duties).

The bass is handled by two 1200W Pioneer subwoofers in custom sealed enclosures. Indeed the whole install is custom, from the A pillars to the back of the boot.

As for positioning, the Pioneer double-DIN head unit has been fitted in the standard place in the lower part of the dash column. But your gaze is quickly drawn to the A pillars, where the Clarion four-inch midrange and tweeter preside in custom enclosures. Being white (where all around everything else is black) these really provide a visual focal point for the audio system, more than a hint that there maybe a lot more going on beneath the surface. The six-inch mid-bass drivers are firmly mounted in the factory door positions, while in the rear are a pair of Pioneer Pro tweeters — great for shows and to keep people happy in the rear when the dump-before-diff exhaust is screaming.

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Aside from the overall look, our favourite part of the car is the boot. A LOT of time has been spent here; EVERYTHING is custom. The boot lid houses a pair of twin six-inch components, including another pair of pro tweeters.

And check the three amplifiers, mounted under plexi-glass and arching from the floor to the top of the back seat, nice.

Next are the two massive NOS bottles left and right of the amplifier centre channel, airbrush-painted to display that proud rego tag, “IRRIT8”.

Sounds good, right? But that’s not all. The whole boot is tastefully lit with LEDs in a riveting blue-purple that accentuates the main colour scheme surprisingly effectively, without going too far into a separate palette.

But you see what we mean about classification. Is it a Streeter? Yes? Is it a Show Car? Certainly. Is it a project?

Of course. Drifter? Could be, if inclined. Drag car? Most definitely. Sleeper? Not so much...

Overall an excellently built and finished ride with all the bells and whistles and then some, sporting a well-thoughtout colour scheme — and just on the right side of over-thetop crazy. Another stunner, and all done by fellow car and car audio lover: Laura.

2009 VE COMMODORE SSV UTE FEATURE CAR

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2004 HOLDEN VY CLUBSPORT SPECIAL EDITION FEATURE CAR

TECH SPECS owner: Laura Mcmurdo vehicle: 2004 Holden VY Clubsport Special Edition engine: 5.7L LS1 intake: OTR transmission: Manual exhaust: X-Force dumped at the diff suspension: XXL King Springs Rear, standard front brakes: HSV wheels: 20”x 9.5” F1 Symmons tyres: 245/30/20 Exterior Mods: Custom pink with blue pearl. Pink airbrushing and white pin stripe by Ryan Cribban

SYSTEM source: Pioneer front amplifier/s: Pioneer Class D rear amplifier/s: Pioneer Class D sub amplifiers: Pioneer Class D front speakers: Clarion 3 way component rear speakers: Pioneer 2 way coax subwoofer/s: 2 x Pioneer Class D 1200 W enclosure: 2 individual sealed enclosures battery: 2 x Optima body deadening: Full Dynamat treatment

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“COLOUR-SCHEME ASIDE, WE RECKON FEW HARDENED CAR SHOWGOERS WOULD PICK ITS OWNER’S GENDER WHEN THEY SEE THIS SHOWPIECE COMING AT THEM.”

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2004 HOLDEN VY CLUBSPORT SPECIAL EDITION FEATURE CAR

CREDITS owner: Laura Mcmurdo vehicle: 2004 Holden VY Clubsport Special Edition

LAURA SENDS THANKS TO: •

Frankies Auto Electrics

•

Pioneer

•

Finer Detail Industries

•

JDR Motorsport

•

Mick McRace Engines

•

McMurdo Engineering

•

Girls Garage

www.avhub.com.au

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O E D O R

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HOLDEN RODEO FEATURE CAR

E V I R D This issue’s ‘Drive from the Archive’ joins the two other Holdens this issue – a Rodeo which is entirely customised from its wheels to the roof. A two-seater cabin may have its limitations for audio, but the experts at Image Conversions have pulled some aces out of their sleeves…

Story Ed Kramer ▶ Images Tony Rabbitte

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33

ou’d be hard pressed to slip even a business card under the chassis of this Rodeo – it has been lowered that much.

But of course, that’s not been done willy-nilly here. The entire car shines brightly in the world of design and customisation, with a full rebuild inside and a comprehensive restyle on the outside, while the engine and suspension have been reengineered.

And the all-important audio kit has not been neglected either.

Y

BODY BUILDING So strategies, feature adaptations and work aplenty has gone into this build. The car has been dropped by three inches, the roof line chopped by two and a half. The front guard indicators were shaved; the tray sides were shaved and smoothed; the wheel arches were pumped. Front bumpers from the Rodeo and a custom 1960 Cadillac were moulded together. Sheet metal was prepared for fitting inside the tray, along with matching bodyline, a pop-up hard lid, and Cadillac-style rear and tail lights.

In order to enhance the look still further, there was a decision to drop the number-plate down, insert smooth pop-out door handles, box in the sills and then cover the flat floor, engine bay and firewall with sheet metal. A bonnet scoop, custom-alloy intake grille, custom-made flushfitted glass, polished copper-rolled tube and a

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HOLDEN RODEO FEATURE CAR

variety of other subtle body modifications were carried out. The low stance and the gold 19- and 20-inch wheels (front and rear respectively) give the Rodeo an enhanced aggressive look.

CRIMSON TIDE As for the respray, we reckon the crimson (Brandy Wine HOK) is a stunning choice. The colour has been used throughout the engine bay and other areas, and has also been tastefully carried through into the magnificent custom

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interior, transforming the Rodeo’s cabin into a sea of crimson and cream with touches of copper — a superb choice of colours that deliver an utterly arresting visual presentation.

And the workmanship inside stands out as being first class. There’s a rose gold and crimson slim-style steering wheel from Colorado Customs, a B&M gear shifter with the custom Image Conversions tablet for touch-control of systems and audio. The Brandy colour has been used in the custom steel dash (featuring Dakota digital

gauges), door frames and steering column; even the steel pedals receive the colour treatment.

The seats are a modified Rodeo bench frame with a mix of Brandy suede and cream leather, while Skyline R32 foam has been used for the seat foam. The floor has been lined with cream goat-hair carpet (of course!) and the headlining features brandy suede and cream leather.

Audio-wise we have a rather simple system which features very high quality gear. The current kit list was finalised after the originally-specified

The ultimate experience all-new state-of-the-art Thomastown showroom.

209 Settlement Rd Thomastown Ph: 9464 4373

14 Translink Drive Keilor Park Ph: 9336 0188 www.streetsoundvision.com.au

474 Whitehorse Road Mitcham Ph: 9874 5678

TECH SPECS owner: Michael Ellard vehicle: 1992 Holden Rodeo engine: 5.7L LS1 intake: Elderbrock high rise intake & throttle body transmission: Auto exhaust: Modified HSV Clubsport headers, 2.5-inch stainless steel exhaust suspension: Custom tube control arms, modified lower arms & RE6 airbags, RE6 Slam Specialties airbag, triangulated 4-link rear with cantilever airbag brakes: 340mm Brembo disc, Nissan GTR calipers front, 280mm Brembo disc, Nissan GTR calipers rear wheels: Intro Retro Billet 19 x 8.5 front, 20-inch 20 x 10 rear tyres: Pirelli P-Zero; 225/35/R19 front, 265/30/R20 rear

SYSTEM source: Image Conversions touch control system using Samsung 7-inch TAB3 tablet (custom software) front amplifiers: 1 x Focal amplifier subwoofer/amplifiers: 1 x Focal IBus 2.0 front speakers: 2 x Focal 165 KRX K2 Power 165mm 2-way splits crossover: Active Focal battery: Optima Yellow Top lighting: Warm white LEDs sound deadening: Melomotive installed by: Image Conversions total build time: Three weeks credits: Big brother Matt, father Ray, Steve, Paul, Ricky, Pete, Mitchell, Skippy, Johnny and Frank from Image Conversions, V & Jason from Twisted Metal, Bill, Steve & Kailen from Hy-Tone Trimming, Chris & Pete from Glassbenders, Ali from Mobility Engineering, Laurie from The Chop Shop and Owen from House of Kolour.

equipment proved unable to fit into the limited space of the Rodeo.

The signal starts with a unique approach.

Rather than using a head unit, the Rodeo employs a Samsung 7-inch tablet which has been beautifully integrated into the centre console just behind the gear stick. Custom software and a relay provide control over the wipers, headlights, lighting system, a variety of accessories and, of course, the audio system.

The amplification is provided via a Focal amplifier powering Focal 165 KRX K2 165mm split speakers with the mid-bass drivers mounted on the doors in custom Brandy leather pods.

Uniquely, the tweeters have been placed in small Brandy fibre pods (the size of the tweeter itself making them almost invisible and providing a free-air appearance) on the lower section either side of the steel protrusion at the centre of the

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“RATHER THAN USING A HEAD UNIT, THE RODEO EMPLOYS A SAMSUNG 7-INCH TABLET WHICH HAS BEEN BEAUTIFULLY INTEGRATED INTO THE CENTRE CONSOLE...”

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HOLDEN RODEO FEATURE CAR

DRIVER PROFILE Name: Michael Ellard Car: 1992 Holden Rodeo Ute

1. What got you into car electronics?

Working for my father building limousines we have learnt everything about big, loud and fancy cars.

2. Dream Car? Custom built to my design.

3. Other hobbies/interests?

Cars.

4. Where to next?

Now started my own custom car building company ‘Image Conversions’ to go to bigger & better builds.

dash. A Focal IBus 2.0 provides the low-end notes. So yes, simplicity itself but extremely effective, especially in a small cabin such as the Rodeo’s.

CONCLUSION Michael Ellard’s Rodeo is sublime. It is jawdropping both in and out, while adopting a novel way of managing the audio system. His company Image Conversions may be a young start-up but this level of work equates to years and years of inindustry experience at the highest level. This is an extraordinary work of car art. Yippee-ki-yay!

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CELEBRATING THE YEAR’S BEST PRODUCTS

GLOBAL AWARDS 2018-19 visit www.eisa.eu for the winners

EISA is the unique collaboration of 55 member magazines and websites from 27 countries, specialising in all aspects of consumer electronics from mobile devices, home theatre display and audio products, photography, hi-fi and in-car entertainment. Now truly international with members in Australia, India, Canada, the Far East and USA, and still growing, the EISA Awards and official logo are your guide to the best in global consumer technology!

TESTED BY THE EXPERTS n WWW.EISA.EU

THE HOME VERSUS THE CAR

A STUDY IN ACOUS So the car environment as an acoustic setting. Good or bad? You might think bad — there’s a whole heap of road noise for one thing, and you’re limited in where you can position your speakers for another. Tweeters down in the door? Subwoofer in an unmoveable boot position? Your home hi-fi lover will see only these limitations compared to their big room of audio joy at home.

But but but! Talk to those who design loudspeakers, and you can get a different story.

For starters the car environment is broadly predictable. If you’re designing home speakers, the great unknown is the room they’ll be used in — big or small, soft or hard, side walls or no side walls or one side wall?… they just don’t 42

STICS

BY DAMON GREENWOOD

I must reference a very useful source for this article: ‘The Loudspeaker Design Cookbook’ 5th edition, by Vance Dickason. DG

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THE HOME VERSUS THE CAR know. Compare this with someone designing a line-fit system for a new specific car model — they know everything about the ‘room’, except possibly which seat fabric the owner will choose. They know the dimensions of the car to the millimetre, the precise position of their speakers. Fire up the computer and they can tune their sound near perfectly from the CAD design program alone, knowing that every driver will hear the same thing, or thereabouts. Our Editor remembers no less a hi-fi luminary than UK reviewer Jimmy Hughes once telling him he’d taken to sitting in his car in the garage to listen to music, even though he had a hi-fi system worth squillions (well, rather more than most of us) in an adjacent room.

So the car versus the room — let the debate begin.

LET’S TALK SCIENCE Clearly, this is a topic that has been hotly debated in the Car Audio world since the day the first ‘wireless’ was put in a car. And obviously the two 44

environments are worlds apart in acoustic terms.

There are two main and common things that happen to sound inside a vehicle. Firstly the small enclosure space of a car ‘traps’ the bass — its pressure levels will rise compared with those of higher frequencies which will tail off more quickly. The overall effect is that bass and subbass response is substantially lifted.

Secondly there are a lot of potential reflections and refraction points for sound in a car (reflections being complete bounces, refractions being more deflections around obstacles — for ease of reading through the rest of the article I’ll use reflections to cover both).

Compare that with a larger room at home, where reflection points are a predictable hazard for muddying sound, particularly at what is known as the first reflection point (the side wall bounce halfway between the speakers and the listener), but also from the rear wall, ceiling and floor.

Those who care can use acoustic treatment to absorb or often better

diffuse the sound at these points.

Soft furnishings, rugs and acoustic panels can help deaden a room, but this can also go too far. Full absorption at the first reflection point can made a room sound dead, while a diffuser scatters the sound for a more realistically lively result.

LET’S TALK HEARING Another fact that should be noted: the human ear has been optimised to hear sounds between frequencies of 2kHz and 5kHz (even more specifically between 3.5kHz and 4kHz). You can explain this by pointing at the physical size of the

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THE HOME VERSUS THE CAR ear and its components, but that’s to ignore the likely evolutionary reason for developing this way in the first place — possible reasons are that these are the frequencies that are emitted by predators who want to eat/kill us (both now and in caveman times), leaves rustling, that sort of thing. Baby cries have been posited as another important sound in that range.

The human ear can localise sounds more accurately as frequency increases. The higher frequencies have a shorter wavelength (so there are more waves per second), giving more information to the brain about where the sound originated from via reflections. Once you’re down to 1kHz and lower, your ability to localise decreases to the point of zero.

Indeed using the formula: frequency = speed of sound divided by wavelength 46

and adapting that to wavelength = speed of sound divided by frequency then with 343 metres per second as the speed of sound, the wavelength of a sound at 1000Hz come out at 0.343 metres, a little over 34 centimetres.

Now your noggin is about that wide, right? So any sound that hits either of your ears under that

frequency can’t be localised, because the full wavelength can’t be differentiated between the left and right sides of the head. (The brain does localise these sounds through their harmonics to a small degree, but that is another extensive massive story!...)

LET’S TALK WAVES While we’re talking wavelengths, the equations opposite yield the wavelengths of 1.7m and 0.34m for frequencies of 20Hz and 100Hz respectively. So we can expect a standing wave to form in a car where these dimensions are matched, and a standing wave (as its name implies) sets itself up with its amplitude peaks and troughs fixed in space.

So you’ll experience a boost and in some cases a corresponding dip at certain points between these two frequencies, notable dependent on the distance between the subwoofer and the driver’s seat. Most vehicles also have peaks and dips between 150Hz and 350Hz due to the width of the car. These exact frequencies

will be different between every car — they may be broadly predictable for a given model and make, but not entirely so, and tuning these out is why people use a RTA (real time analyser) to identify them, and lots of tuning time with a powerful accurate EQ system to flatten them out. Sometimes acoustic treatment can be required to kill them off rather than adjust around them.

It can be worth it, since once the responses are flattened out, every piece of music put through the system will sound its absolute best.

Standing waves also occur in the home environment — both horizontally and vertically, and many music lovers will be aware of a bass lift in certain places of the room. Even leaning an extra foot in towards your speakers can change the frequency response dramatically in these situations. Those with subwoofer systems simply must take care to position it (or them) accurately for the specific listening position. Our colleagues at Australian HI-Fi magazine can help with this —

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THE HOME VERSUS THE CAR see their article online at avhub.com.au/subplacement.

LET’S TALK PATHS Path length is perhaps the most important aspect of sound quality in a car. Get this right and most of the hard work is done.

First of all, we are not in America, where left-hand drive vehicles allow many more installation options, due to the accelerator still being on the right but the steering column being on the left of the car. In Oz we are hamstrung by not only the steering column but our accelerator leg all being on the right side, thus blocking a clear path from the right-hand side kick panel.

I have built many SQ systems in my time, and have tried almost every possible permutation of front speaker positioning to give the best stage height, width and image, whilst trying to minimise frequency steering and phase issues between the various drivers. The trick in every case is to maximise the path length 48

of those frequencies that we hear optimally (2kHz-5kHz). Achieve this and everything else falls into place.

AN EASY SYSTEM The following is my favourite system — very easy to tune, and because of minimal components the frequency steering and phase issues don’t pose much of a problem either.

I’m going to say a 3-way component split and two subs right?

Wrong. The best system I have ever built comprised of a 6.5-inch midrange and an extremely good tweeter, with a 10-inch sub in a small sealed enclosure, and amps easily able to provide twice the power of all the driver ratings.

Of course in a perfect world (and if you have the components and tuning time) then a three-way system is

indeed optimal, but with that set-up limitation in Australian right-hand drive vehicles, the simpler set-up is a great compromise.

Midranges can (and often do) go in the A pillars with the tweeters, but installation constraints limit the available angles there — and your path length is shortened this way.

So how do we maximise path length plus give a great sound with my suggested system?

The answer is simple — dastardly even. Start with a natural cone mid-bass driver (paper pulp is my fave); look for a high Qts, great for big leaky doors. The most important component in this whole system by far is the tweeter, for reasons which will become obvious. Look for a LARGE soft dome, a voice coil at least one-inch diameter, good power handling and an Fs (resonant frequency) less than 1kHz, indeed the

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THE HOME VERSUS THE CAR lower the better. Home tweeters are fine because you’ll be running amps fully active so you can adjust levels to suit impedance at the end.

Here comes the dastardly bit.

The tweeters are installed on the A pillar as low down as possible but facing toward the windscreen and up. And not just willy nilly – I use a laser pointer to bounce from where the tweeter will be installed, off the windscreen, to where I want the stage to focus — middle of the car at ear height, unless you’re preparing a one-seat wonder. Once you have marked on the windscreen where those points are for left and right (and they won’t necessarily

50

be symmetrical) then you can get to work on the tweeter pods.

So why such good tweeters?

Well human ears can hear from 20Hz to 20kHz; if you’ve high-passed your tweeters at 2000Hz then you have just maximised the path length for about 90% of your music content, and the part which we are most sensitive to, as detailed above.

By the way, when determining your high-pass crossover points use the following guide: 2 x resonant frequency is the lowest you can go to protect your tweeters, and at that frequency you would want at least 18-24dB/oct slopes on your crossover. If you go to 2.5x resonant

frequency then you should be safe with 18dB/oct. Any higher frequency and you should be right with 12dB/ oct (just watch your amplifier power and listen for distortion when tuning).

Won’t the mids confuse everything if they’re mounted in the door on a completely different angle? You would think so… but here is part two of the dastardly stuff.

Firstly mount the drivers in body deadened doors solidly (even a slight angle is preferred, to ward off any standing waves). Then band-pass the mids. The low-pass frequency should overlap the tweeter by a quarter of an octave (400-500Hz) and start with a high pass of 80Hz; the same overlapping is done with the subwoofer.

For example, pre-tune start with the following crossover points: • tweeter high-pass at 2000Hz; • mids band-pass between 80Hz and 2500Hz; and • subwoofer low-pass at 100Hz. Once you have the levels adjusted, listen extensively and adjust the crossover points and

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THE HOME VERSUS THE CAR levels until you reach your best sound, and hopefully you’ll have achieved the trick of persuading your brain into believing that everything is originating from the tweeters.

The results are astounding; my final test is to listen to Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ – the footsteps from left to right should start from a foot wide of the car and seem to walk across the front of the bonnet to finish a foot past the other side.

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FINAL NOTES Some final notes in no particular order. Firstly I prefer a sealed subwoofer enclosure because it gives a much flatter and more predictable response.

The higher the mid-bass highpass crossover, the snappier and tighter the midbass will be.

Do NOT go lower than 2 x Fs on the tweeter — you could break your very expensive tweeters. Always be observant of noise when tuning.

So there you have it – hopefully an informative and not too wildy technical piece on the acoustics of your vehicle and what that means to sound quality. I trust this has inspired you to rebuild, re-design and re-tune your pride and joy!

Meanwhile those who listen at home may now be feeling disappointed that their listening lounges lack A frames in which our cool tweeter pods can be mounted and perfectly angled. Perhaps we car

lovers can persuade them to follow the guru and go sit in their garage for a higher level of entertainment!

Article: Damon Greenwood

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EISA AWARDS 2018-2019 AS THE COMBINED JUDGEMENT OF MAGAZINE EDITORS AROUND THE WORLD, THE EISA AWARDS NOW DELIVER A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE ON THE BEST-VALUE AND HIGHEST-PERFORMING CONSUMER ELECTRONICS YOU CAN BUY. AND WITH AUSTRALIAN INCAR A PROUD EISA MEMBER, WE GET TO REVEAL THE WINNERS...

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he announcement last year that EISA, then the European Imaging and Sound Association, was going global felt like an inevitability. While audio

markets and sometimes models do vary around the world, consumer electronics has never been so globalised as it is today, and spreading the EISA footprint allows the organisation to deal directly with global head offices, as well as bringing in opinions from outside its European headquarters.

Ours, for instance! We were invited to consider joining EISA in 2016, and agreed, knowing both the organisation and many of those already involved; we were officially enrolled as members in 2017, as the organisation rebranded itself as the Expert Imaging & Sound Association.

THOSE EISA MEMBERS IN FULL...

Audio & Cinema em Casa (Portugal) AUDIOreview (Italy) Australian Hi-Fi (Australia) Australian InCar (Australia) AutoSound Technical Magazine (Finland) AVPremium (Spain) Bug (Croatia) Car&Hifi (Germany) Datatid TechLife (Denmark) Digital Video HT (Italy) Focus (Netherlands) Focus Numérique (France) Fotografi (Norway) Foto-Kurier (Poland) FotoMagazin (Germany) FOTOobjektiv (Austria) Fotosidan Magasin (Sweden) FotoVideo (Czech Republic) FotoVideo Magazin (Hungary) FWD Magazine (Belgium) Heimkino (Germany) HemmaBio (Sweden) HiComm (Bulgaria) Hi-Files (Serbia) Hifi & Musik (Sweden) Hifimaailma (Finland) Hi-Fi News (UK) Hifi Test TV Video (Germany) Home Cinema Choice (UK) HVT (Netherlands) Kamera-lehti (Finland) Les Années Laser (France) Media Totaal (Netherlands) Mobil (Sweden) ON OFF (Spain) PhotoNet (Greece) Shoot (Belgium) Smart Photography (India) Sound+Image (Australia) Sound & Vision (USA) Soundstage Hi-Fi (Canada) Sound Vision Hxos (Greece) Stereo (Germany) Stereo+ (Norway) Stereo & Video (Czech Republic) Stereophile (USA) Stereo, Video & Multimedia (Ukraine) Super Foto Digital (Spain) Sztereó Sound&Vision (Hungary) touchIT (Slovakia) Tutti Fotograf (ltaly)

www.eisa.eu www.avhub.com.au

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s the flagship model in Pioneer’s range, this top-of-the-line head unit comes fully equipped with all the features that the more discerning user could possibly desire. Key among these is Apple CarPlay’s wireless and wired func-

tionality, alongside the wired Android Auto, providing the convenience of smartphone operation. Fully equipped with navigation, dual camera input, DAB+ tuner, USB and HDMI hook-ups, the AVIC-Z910DAB also offers wireless connectivity via Bluetooth as well as boasting built-in Wi-Fi for fuss-free smartphone connection. A wealth of entertainment options is opened up to the user thanks to the inclusion of AppRadio Mode +, while the AVIC-Z910DAB’s stunning sonic prowess makes it a force to be reckoned with. www.avhub.com.au

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his entry-level in-car sound processor offers way more features than you might expect for the money. Designed to be ready for any innovations on the horizon, it can be upgraded to meet the demands of future vehicles

and to accept any interface updates to Wi-Fi and vehicle integration. Its ultra-flexible and supremely powerful PC software ensures perfect handling of all sources along with personally tailored processing for the ultimate in in-car entertainment. With a new feature set that includes algorithms for bass and centre channel processing along with soundstage and musical clarity enhancement, it is compatible with hi-res – handling music files up 96kHz/24-bit. If you are running a six-channel system, the Helix DSP Mini ticks all the boxes. www.avhub.com.au

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t first glance this might appear to be a straightforward four-channel power amplifier, but a quick listen makes it clear that the Ground Zero GZPA 4SQ is capable of so much more. Key to its success is the ‘tube-like’ sound provided

by its user-adjustable Class AB to Class A bias control. Each of the four channels boasts two pairs of high-power MOSFET output devices while its power supply, with supersized transformer, has the capacity to support very high power outputs under dynamic conditions. The result is an amplifier that’s overflowing with cutting-edge technologies, components and top-class engineering, including German-made, low-loss MCAP-MKP capacitors, Burr-Brown op-amps and Japanese Nichicon capacitors.

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hen it comes to US-designed DSP amplifiers, JL Audio takes some beating.

With its direct digital signal routing, from input to output, the VX800/8i is capable of pumping out astonishing sound. A full-range Class D eight-channel

amplifier, it boasts integrated DSP for a wide range of installation-specific settings.

High-speed, second-generation NexD2 switching technology is on hand to deliver crystalclear audio via its RCA analogue and digital pre-outs (these at up to 96kHz/24-bit), while the high efficiency/cool-running amps fire out a rated 75W/4ohm per channel.

Finally, the VXi-BTC Bluetooth communicator and VXi-HUB network hub are available for fine-tuning and connection, offering control of up to five VXi amplifiers at once.

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pecifically designed for BMWs and compatible with all ‘Hi-Fi System’ equipment, the Match Up 7BMW comes with a mounting plate and plug-and-play harness so that it can be installed in just a few minutes.

It’s an invaluable upgrade, boasting seamless integration, which delivers more power and dynamics to your in-car performance. A seven-channel amp, it includes proprietary ‘Class HD’ amplification that routes extra power to the woofers, resulting in a highly dynamic sound that has to be heard to be believed. The powerful 64-bit DSP runs proprietary algorithms to get the best out of factory speakers, including the centre channel, resulting in a powerful bass response and vastly improved soundstage no matter where you are sitting in the car. www.avhub.com.au

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T

he combination of its compact design and carefully thought-out technologies makes this subwoofer the perfect solution for upgrading OEM systems in modern cars. The use of a high-performance amplifier

with HE-LI (High Efficiency – Low Impedance) technology together with a specially developed driver delivers high dynamics from an impressively small enclosure.

Meanwhile, the ease of configuration and adaptability means that installation should be a simple process. The presence of high-level RCA inputs in combination with the SSP (Sub Smart Plug) connector also makes it possible to use the subwoofer as a quick detachable device. The Audison APBX 10 AS effortlessly proves that market-leading low-end rumble needn’t cost the earth.

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esigned to be as small as possible for a complete audio system, the Gladen Pico 8|12 offers impeccable control of input signals and includes a universal interface to connect with OEM head units. It boasts a 3x9 band parametric

equaliser, the option to deal with any delays and differences in level (gain) on its inputs plus a flexible mixer for signal routing. The high-speed PWM stages process 96kHz/ 24-bit audio streams directly, with 12 channels of DSP feeding eight Class G/H amplifiers. As the first Mosconi Gladen device to work directly with the Gladen Aures in-car measuring system, it makes integration easier than ever. It provides automatic DSP setup and centre channel management, with mixing, straight summation or special algorithm matrix options all possible. www.avhub.com.au

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udison’s no-nonsense approach means that the TH K2 II A Coro eschews fripperies and instead employs the very best materials for the job at hand. This two-way kit comprises a 165mm cone woofer

and 38mm dome tweeter, both featuring over-sized neodymium magnet assemblies to extend response and dynamics as far as possible. All design and engineering parameters are pushed to the very max, and with a 24-month development period for each drive unit, Audison’s efforts have clearly borne fruit. These spectacular drivers are perfectly equipped for partnering with modern DSP technology, and ready to action the smallest adjustment to any setting.

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he first and only in-car measuring system to employ binaural in-ear sensors, Gladen’s Aures uses high-quality microphones to provide extremely accurate measurements. This in-depth analysis adopts psychoacoustic

principles to achieve impressively precise sound tuning. The Aures can be used as a standalone measuring system or in combination with MOSCONI Gladen DSP products for even more fine-tuning. With the latter option, the system suggests variables for semi-automatic measuring and DSP adjustment, making for quick and efficient system tuning. Manual time alignment and frequency response adjustment is retained to suit personal listening preferences. www.avhub.com.au

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esigned for easy installation where space is limited, this Morel Integra driver is used for both in-car audio and in-wall products under different names.

Thanks to its limited depth, it can be installed in-wall using proper frames

with almost no space behind as well as in shallow places in the car, as the mounting depth is a mere 0.67in (17mm). An ‘Endumax’ multilayer sandwich cone, with convex geometry, and ‘Acuflex’ soft dome with 2.1in and 1.1in voice coils, respectively, provide precision and control. The speaker cleverly uses the same magnet for woofer and tweeter voice coil, which not only saves space but also provides an almost perfect phase alignment. This ‘Zero-Point’ dual-concentric technology assures that limited space need not affect the speaker’s sonic prowess.

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What the experts say...

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PHOTOGRAPHY EXPERT GROUP AWARDS

HI-FI EXPERT GROUP AWARDS

EISA CAMERA OF THE YEAR 2018-2019 Sony A7 III EISA PROFESSIONAL DSLR CAMERA 2018-2019 Nikon D850 EISA DSLR CAMERA 2018-2019 Canon EOS 6D Mark II EISA BEST BUY CAMERA 2018-2019 Canon EOS M50 EISA SUPERZOOM CAMERA 2018-2019 Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV EISA MIRRORLESS CAMERA 2018-2019 Fujifilm X-H1 EISA PROFESSIONAL MIRRORLESS CAMERA 2018-2019 Sony A7R III EISA DSLR ZOOM LENS 2018-2019 SIGMA 14-24mm F2.8 DG HSM | Art EISA DSLR TELEZOOM LENS 2018-2019 Tamron 70-210mm F/4 Di VC USD EISA DSLR PRIME LENS 2018-2019 Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM EISA PROFESSIONAL LENS 2018-2019 Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR EISA MIRRORLESS WIDEANGLE ZOOM LENS 2018-2019 Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM EISA MIRRORLESS STANDARD ZOOM LENS 2018-2019 Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 Di III RXD EISA MIRRORLESS TELEZOOM LENS 2018-2019 Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS EISA PHOTO INNOVATION 2018-2019 Canon Speedlite 470EX-AI EISA PHOTO SERVICE 2018-2019 CEWE Photobook Pure WITH HOME THEATRE VIDEO & DISPLAY EXPERT GROUP EISA PHOTO VIDEO CAMERA 2018-2019 Panasonic LUMIX DC-GH5S WITH MOBILE DEVICES EXPERT GROUP EISA BEST SMARTPHONE 2018-2019 Huawei P20 Pro

EISA STEREO SYSTEM 2018-2019 Marantz ND8006/PM8006 EISA ANALOGUE MUSIC SYSTEM 2018-2019: Pro-Ject Juke Box S2 EISA COMPACT MUSIC SYSTEM 2018-2019: Denon CEOL N10 EISA ALL-IN-ONE SYSTEM 2018-2019 Naim Audio Uniti Atom EISA WIRELESS SYSTEM 2018-2019 DALI Callisto 6C & Sound Hub EISA STEREO RECEIVER 2018-2019 Yamaha R-N803D EISA AMPLIFIER 2018-2019 Primare I15 Prisma EISA BEST BUY AMPLIFIER 2018-2019 Pioneer A-40AE EISA HIGH-END AMPLIFIER 2018-2019 NAD M32 EISA STREAMER 2018-2019 Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra EISA DAC 2018-2019 Chord Electronics Hugo 2 EISA TURNTABLE 2018-2019 Technics SL-1200GR EISA LOUDSPEAKER 2018-2019 ELAC Adante AS-61 EISA BEST BUY LOUDSPEAKER 2018-2019: Q Acoustics 3050i EISA SMART LOUDSPEAKER 2018-2019 Harman Kardon Citation 500 EISA HEADPHONE 2018-2019 Sennheiser HD 660 S EISA HIGH-END HEADPHONE 2018-2019: Focal Clear EISA HI-FI INNOVATION 2018-2019 Micromega M-One M-150

EISA AWARDS 2018-2019

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A funding crisis last year threatened to shut down the entire Bloodhound Supersonic Car project, which aims to achieve a new 1000mph World Land Speed Record with a vehicle powered by both a jet engine and a rocket to deliver 135,000HP — that’s more than six times the power of all the Formula 1 cars on a starting grid put together.

While sponsors include South Africa’s Cape region, where the record attempt is planned, there is a firm British focus to the project, with The British Army and Air Force both involved, along with educational institutions and The Institute of Mechanical Engineers, so it’s appropriate that it is a mechanical engineer, Yorkshire-based entrepreneur Ian Warhurst, who has bought into the project after selling his Barnsley-based turbocharger firm Melett to US company Wabtec Corporation last year.

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#01_2019

BLOODHOUND

BACK ON TRACK The 13-metre 7.5-tonne Bloodhound uses a Eurojet EJ200 jet engine together with a Nammo rocket/rocket cluster, and an additional Jaguar Supercharged V8 engine just to drive the rocket oxidiser pump. A global search for a suitable venue settled on the Hakskeen Pan in northwest South Africa, a more forgiving surface for steel wheels than Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats where Sir Malcolm Campbell was the first to set a Land Speed Record over 300mph in 1935,

and in better condition than the Black Rock Desert where an annual Burning Man festival has damaged the surface where ‘Thrust SSC’ set the current record of 760.343mph (the first supersonic land speed record) under a team which went on to found the Bloodhound project.

Until the attempt takes place, Bloodhound will continue its impressive educational role inspiring the next generation of engineers.

More info: www.bloodhoundssc.com

PICS: Flock London / BloodhoundSSV

SRP $399.00

SRP $599.00

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Alpine Halo9 Introducing the revolutionary iLX-F309E, with its stunning and incredibly large 9� display, the Halo9 design has no bounds by installing into virtually any dashboard with a 1-DIN or 2-DIN space.

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