Boston's New Pro Series: Now Shipping!

We gave you a preview of the new Boston Pro SE components back during our CES coverage in January, and now, ladies and gentleman, they have arrived. To commemorate their 25th Anniversary, Boston Acoustics released a new line of components, the Pro SE (Special Edition) series. Taking cues from their highly praised SPZ line, Boston took this design one step further to ensure the absolute best sound quality. The crossover's components for the SE series have an extremely low tolerance rating (1%!), and to maximize sound quality and accuracy, Boston upgraded the tweeter from the standard Pro series to the highly regarded Neo Type M tweeter from the SPZ series. The Pro SEs will be available in both 6.5" or 5.25" versions. More pics and specs after the jump.

New Vifa Drivers Launching in January

By: Ben Vollmer, Car Audio Nationals/Team SoundDomain

Tymphany, the parent company for such well known brands as Peerless, Vifa and ScanSpeak, is developing an entirely new range of VIFA drivers. Prototypes of the new driver line, scheduled to launch January 2009, will be on display at Tymphany’s suite at CEDIA in September 2008.

The new range will include the following:

Sound Quality Summit Returns

Hybrid Audio has announced the return of the Sound Quality Summit, hosted by SQ Guru Scott Buwalda. Not sure what it is? According to Hybrid Audio:

"The Sound Quality Summit™ is an interactive and fun seminar focusing on advanced topics in car stereo sound quality, proctored by Scott Buwalda, three-time expert world auto sound champion and internationally-recognized authority in high-end mobile audio. The conference includes both theory and applied fundamentals in sound quality, including hands-on training, listening evaluations, laboratory exercises, and secrets to making great sound quality.  Topics include everything from the most basic principles of sound to advanced topics in car audio sound quality.  The seminar is appropriate for all levels of expertise; all are encouraged to attend."

The Summit is currently scheduled take place on the island of Trinidad May 17-18, 2008, with other locations possible later in the year. Dallas, TX and Atlanta, GA are current contenders for US locations , but other location are possibilities. The event will offer many different seminars covering a pretty comprehensive host many seminars covering all topics:

• Speaker Diaphragms
• Speaker Directivity
• Active Verses Passive Crossovers
• Crossover Filters
• Time Delay and Crossovers
• Benefits of Active Crossovers
• Tweeters and Crossovers
• Zero Delay Plane
• Distortions
• Phase
• Group Delay and Enclosure Group Delay
• Impulse Response
• Power Handling and Power Compression

If you've ever wondered how to achieve aural perfection in your own car, were curious about what makes a great speaker great, this is the seminar for you.

Source: Hybrid Audio

Go To 2 Channel Bridged vs. 4 Channel With the Flip of a Switch!

By: Richard Vedvik (keep_hope_alive)

Many people on SoundDomain are told to eliminate their rear speakers. It seems like a foreign concept, and many people are very reluctant to give it a try. Why would you do this? Because in the real world, like at a concert, the audio mainly comes from in front. I was constantly playing with my fader to find a good place, but after a while I just kept the fader all the way to the front.

My next question was regarding volume. Is it louder to run all four speakers at 50W each or bridged at 200W to the front only? So I decided to use some standard Bosch 5-pin relays to give myself the ability to switch between bridged to the front versus the four channels front and rear. For safety I would power the system down between switching (so the amplifier couldn't be harmed from any switching transients). (I recommend using ignition voltage for the control so the coils aren't left on and end up draining your battery.)

My end product was a relay board that's easily wired between a four channel amp and four speakers. One switch located at the dash allows for quick and easy comparisons. Try it for yourself and see what you think is better - bridged to the front only or front and rear.

Follow the jump for details on how to do this for yourself and the results of what I found after trying out my new toy.

New MB Quart Discus Speakers

MB Quart has long been one of the premier names in car audio, known for producing some of the best sounding speakers available. For 2008, you can expect an almost entirely redesigned line, and first to be announced is the new mid-level Discus series. One of the most notable changes is the upgrade to Quart's new WideSphere tweeter, which last year was only available in the Premium series and Q-Line. The WideSphere tweeter allows a much broader dispersion and better off-axis listening response over typical convex tweeter designs (it also looks pretty sexy!). Quart also engineered the midbass drivers with glass-fiber/ABS blend baskets to reduce resonance and improve midbass response.

I've had MB Quart speakers in almost every single one of my cars at one time or another, so I'm really looking forward to seeing the rest of the line as Quart releases the details. More to come!

For now, follow the jump to get details, pricing, and small gallery of pics!