You’ve probably had the experience of driving with the volume turned up, enjoying your music, when suddenly you hear a piercing noise. So what exactly is this harsh noise? Why does it make it difficult to listen to music? What is the cause of this noise? How to solve it? Today we’re going to find out. In this article, we’ll look at this harsh noise, what causes it, and offer some practical solutions to help us avoid it.
What is Distortion?
In fact, not only this harsh sound, but also blurred sounds and pops are a manifestation of ‘distortion’. So what is ‘distortion’? Distortion, as the name suggests, is the loss of realism in sound. Professionally speaking, distortion is a non-linear change in the audio signal that results in a distorted or altered sound that is inconsistent with the original audio signal. In other words, if the sound does not accurately reproduce the music or speech content, it is distorted. Common manifestations of distortion include: muffled sound quality, distorted sound, crackling sound or harsh noises. So what exactly causes distortion? Here are some common causes.
Common Causes
There are many reasons for distortion, and today we’ll start with the following common ones.
Clipping
Clipping usually occurs when the amplifier is not matched to the speaker, mainly for three reasons: insufficient amplifier power, impedance mismatch and signal overload. If the output power of the amplifier is insufficient to meet the demands of the speaker, the amplifier will attempt to deliver a stronger signal, but because it cannot exceed its maximum output power, the top and bottom of the signal waveform will be ‘clipped’. Also, if the impedance of the amplifier and the speaker are not matched (e.g. the amplifier has a 4 ohm output and the speaker have an 8 ohm output), the amplifier may not be able to deliver enough current to drive the speaker, resulting in signal overload or distortion. In addition, if the input signal is too strong, the amplifier will amplify the signal beyond its maximum output range, resulting in ‘clipping’ of the output waveform.Solutions
Audio Files and Transmission
If the audio files are of poor quality or overly compressed, this can result in poor sound quality from the source itself. Loose connections, damaged cables or poor contact during the transfer of the audio file can also result in loss of audio or interference. To check the wiring of your car stereo, we need to make sure that all connections are secure and undamaged. It is also important to check the cables and connections regularly.
Damaged or Aged Speakers
Speakers are the core component and their performance definitely has a direct impact on the sound quality. If the speakers are damaged or aged, such as damage to the voice coil, cone or any other component, it will have a negative impact on the sound quality.
Equaliser Settings
Inappropriate equaliser settings can also cause distortion. For example, excessive gain settings (especially in the low and high frequency bands) can cause the signal amplitude to exceed the carrying capacity of the amplifier or speaker, resulting in clipping distortion; secondly, excessive boosting of low frequencies can increase the load on the amplifier; in addition, excessive cutting or boosting of high frequencies can disrupt the balance of the audio, resulting in an unnatural or harsh sound; and finally, overlapping of frequency bands and phase distortion can affect the clarity of the signal, resulting in a blurred or unrealistic sound.
How Can these Problems Be Solved?
I think this is the most worrying part, so let us get to the point.
Selecting the Audio Source
Try to use a lossless format or a lossy format with a high bit rate. Lossless formats preserve the integrity of the audio and avoid loss of sound quality due to compression.Lossy formats preserve the integrity of the audio and avoid loss of sound quality due to compression.
Checking the Speakers
To ensure the best possible listening experience, it’s a good idea to check the condition of your speakers on a regular basis. Extend the life of your speakers to keep them in good working order through preventative maintenance, such as looking out for signs of cracks, wear and tear or other forms of damage.
Adjusting Equipment
Adjusting volume, gain, EQ and other audio parameters is another way to avoid distortion.
Reasonable Matching
Proper equipment matching can prevent clipping distortion. Firstly, make sure that the power of the amplifier and speakers are matched, so that distortion due to overloading can be avoided. Be careful when adjusting the volume and gain, do not turn the volume up too high, especially when playing high dynamic range audio, too high a volume may cause the signal to exceed the amplifier’s processing capacity, resulting in distortion.
As you can see, the problem of car stereo distortion is actually not that difficult to solve, the key is to find out the cause of the distortion and use a few tips that can significantly improve the sound experience of your car stereo. In short, whether you’re enjoying a favourite song or playing a podcast on the go, clear, pristine acoustics will make your driving time more enjoyable!