Glossary
of Terms

2-WAY

A speaker system with two types of drivers (see also COAXIAL)

3-WAY

A speaker system made up of three different types of drivers.

ATTENUATE

To turn down or reduce.

Auto EQ

Automatic equalization sets the bass, middle and treble at the optimum level to improve your listening experience.

AUTOMATIC VOLUME CONTROL

Head unit’s volume automatically increases along with car’s speed

Aux in

Auxiliary Input. A basic connection between an mp3 player & a car stereo. The connection is made via a cable with a 3.5mm headphone jack at each end.

BANDPASS FILTER

A combination of high and low pass filters connected in series with an overlap between the lower and upper frequencies, usually used for the mid-range in a 3-way component system.

BASS

The lower end of the frequency spectrum, sometimes also known as mid-bass.

BASS REFLEX

See PORT

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances. This data can be text, photographic or audio. Bluetooth is used mainly in car audio for making and receiving telephone calls.

Bluetooth Ready

This unit will be Bluetooth enabled with an optional adapter

BRIDGEABLE TO MONO

Where the two separate outputs of some stereo amplifiers can be combined to give a mono signal.

COMPONENTS

Separate speakers, usually a tweeter and mid-range with appropriate crossover.

CROSSOVER

A selective filter which splits signals into different frequency bands that can be fed independently to separate speakers. A passive crossover filters signals after they have been amplified. An active crossover (more effective and flexible) filters signals before amplification, sending different signals to different amps.

CROSSTALK

The level of stereo separation ie. the isolation of the two channels of a system.

CT

Clock Time. See RDS

DAB

DAB is a digital radio technology for broadcasting radio stations. DAB is more robust with regard to noise and multipath fading for mobile listening.

DAC

Digital-to-Analogue Convertor

Detachable Faceplate

Enables you to remove the car stereo faceplate to deter thieves

DIN

DIN E is the German standard of measurement for most in-dash players to enable sets to be fitted in standard slots.

Disabled System Indicator (DSI)

A red indicator blinks on the unit after the faceplate is removed, warning potential thieves

Divx

A video codec which became popular due to its ability to compress lengthy video segments into small sizes while maintaining relatively high visual quality.

DNR

Dynamic Noise Reduction. Similar to Dolby but not as effective.

DSP

Digital Sound (Signal) Processor. Let’s you program a listening environment pattern and change the sound to suit the music. A type of equalizer.

DUAL CONE

Speakers which have two cones; the second cone is usually much smaller and glued directly to the center of the main cone although it has just one voice coil.

Dual zone

Different audio areas of your vehicle, i.e. rear seats rather than front seats

Dual Zone Entertainment

Enables you to set audio to be heard in a particular area of your vehicle, i.e. rear seats rather than front seats

DYNAS

New technology to guarantee perfect FM reception due to much higher selectivity plus improved sensitivity.

EON

Enhanced Other Networks. Allows interruption of RDS bulletins from other local stations.

EQ

Equalization. Each EQ band influences different qualities of a mix or instrument:

FADER

Control which balances sound from front to rear in a four-speaker set-up

FLAC

enjoy FLAC lossless digital audio files in your vehicle with playback output at CD quality, without the need to convert

FLAC Support

Free Lossless Audio Codec compresses audio without any loss in quality

FULL RANGE

Wide frequency response.

GAIN

Degree of signal amplification, achieved by an amp, tuner or pre-amp circuit. Expressed in decibels (dB)

Generic Access Profile (GAP)

Controls connections in Bluetooth and enables your device to be visible to the world

HDMI

High-Definition Multimedia Interface supports image or video play back on HD TV or PC

HERTZ

Unit of measurement for frequency, often written as Hz or kHz

High Level Input

An input configured to accept speaker level signals

HIGH PASS FILTER

(Capacitor) Essentially allows more signal to pass through the higher the signal gets, typically used and supplied with tweeters.

Human Interface Device Profile (HID)

Enables the connection of devices used by Bluetooth HID such as keyboards, pointing devices, gaming devices and remote monitoring devices.

Impedance

Impedance is a measure of something that opposes/restricts the flow of current in an electrical INFINITE BAFFLE

See FREE-AIR

INTRO SCAN

Plays approximately the first 10 seconds of every track on a tape/CD

ISO

ISO 10487 was created in 1995 and defines a standard for connectors for the head unit to the car’s electrical system, consisting of a system of four different connectors typically used in head units for car audio.

Most head units have their own connector but come with a power loom that converts to standard ISO. Some head units are ISO ready.

ISO connector

Allows audio devices to be quickly connected without need for wiring

LOUDNESS

Boosts low frequencies. Useful at low volumes but most loudness circuits can cut off an unacceptable amount of treble.

LOW PASS FILTER

(Inductor or Choke) Allows more signal to pass through the lower the signal gets – ideal for a sub.

Made for ipod

Play your iPod/iPhone on this unit via the front/rear USB port

MDF

Medium Density Fibreboard. Used for building bass enclosures, door panels etc.

MHL

Mobile High-Definition Link allowing mobile phones, tablets and other devices to be connected

MIDRANGE

As the name suggests, frequencies in the middle of the frequency range.

MOSFET

Amplifier power supply switching device designed for optimum performance.

MULTIPATHING

Annoying ‘chopping’ interference on FM caused by reception of a signal that’s been reflected (ie. off tall buildings)

OHM

A measurement used of how much the flow of electricity is restricted or impeded. The higher the measurement the higher the resistance.

PORTED

If the port length and diameter is correctly matched to the box volume and subwoofer’s characteristics it will greatly increase efficiency and a good ported box offers lower distortion.

POWER FADER

Controls volume relation between front and rear speakers connected to built-in amplifier.

POWER LOADING

System loads and ejects CD or tape automatically.

PRE-AMP

Holds controls for volume, bass and treble but has no on-board amplification.

PRE-AMP FADER

Adjusts front/rear balance at pre-amp level, used in combination with pre-outs and external amplifiers.

PRE-AMP OUTPUT

A pre-amp output (pre-out) on a head unit allows the addition of an amp or other peripherals when system building.

PRESETS

Stations which can be held in a tuner’s memory for instant recall.

RCA

An RCA connector, sometimes called a phono connector is a type of electrical connector commonly used to carry audio and video signals. The name “RCA” derives from the Radio Corporation of America, which introduced the design by the early 1940s for internal connection of the pickup to the chassis in home radio-phonograph consoles.

RDS

RADIO DATA SYSTEM. Traffic information system on FM. RDS shows station name display (PI/PS) and delivers traffic bulletins (TP/TA) Also locks onto best possible frequency for a station in a particular part of the country (AF) Can display time and date on the receiver (CT) Sets with PTY (Program Type) will automatically tune into a station broadcasting Pop, Classical, News etc.

RMS

Root Mean Square. “RMS power” is sometimes used in the audio industry as a synonym for “mean power” or “average power”.

ROLL OFF

The point at which the frequency level/performance of a speaker decreases.

RTA

Real Time Analyzer. Piece of equipment which measures frequency response and SPL level.

SD Card

Secure Digital or (SD) is a memory card format for use in portable devices, such as mobile phones, digital cameras, sat nav units, tablet computers & more recently car stereo units.

Security Code Function (user set)

Set your own number-based security code, deters thieves by disabling unit when input incorrectly

Serial Port Profile (SPP)

Enables you to connect more than one Bluetooth device to your car audio system

Simple Secure Pairing (SSP)

Enables you to connect any one Bluetooth device to your car audio system

Siri Eyes Free

make use of your iPhone’s Siri functionality through your unit’s external microphone and the speakers of your vehicle

SPL

Sound Pressure Level. Monitored using pro kit and measured in decibels – basically the amount of volume produced.

Spotify Link App

Recognises music streaming service Spotify, enabling you to play your Spotify playlists

STAGING

Where the listening perceives the origin of the music to be coming from.

Stalk Control

Maintain the controls of your steering wheel with an optional adapter.

SUB BASS

The ‘thumping rumble’ in a system.

SUBWOOFERS

Large speakers designed to produce the low frequencies, designed to be used in a cabinet, tube or free-air application.

THD

Total Harmonic Distortion

TWEETERS

Reproduce the higher frequencies (treble), they are generally fairly small.

UNILINK

Sony bi-directional 8-pin BUS connector for centralized multi-media control from a master unit.

WMA

Windows Media Audio (WMA) is an audio data compression technology developed by Microsoft.

Works with iPhones

This unit will work with your iPhone with either an optional cable or the white USB cable which came bundled with your iPhone.