Preparing Power Point Technical Presentation

Selecting the Best Car Audio Receiver

By Spencer Strunic
University of Minnesota Duluth Composition 3130 4/23/04

0.0 Purpose
A car audio receiver upgrade can vastly improve the driving experience. However,
purchasing a new receiver can be a confusing task for somebody who does not have much
background knowledge in the realm of electronics and the specifications involved. Many
retailers may actually advertise in order to make different units look better or more powerful
than they really are by emphasizing misleading characteristics, such as total harmonic
distortion, or maximum output power [1]. This report will conduct a sample comparison
between three receivers based on four criteria, and illustrate how buyers can compare
different models in order to choose the best unit for their needs.

1.0 Basis of Comparison

The three models chosen for this sample comparison are (1) the Eclipse CD5423, (2) the
Kenwood eXcelon KDC-X679, and (3) the Alpine CDA-9835. These units were selected
simply because they share similar features and are can be used for the same applications.
The four criteria used to compare the receivers are the following: (1) price, (2) performance,
(3) reliability, and (4) availability.

1.1 Description of Criteria

I chose the four criteria for this comparison according to what I consider the most important
factors for the average person interested in purchasing a new receiver, but without
background knowledge of the specifications involved. The significance of price is
straightforward. The importance of performance depends on the intent of the buyer, and for
this report, I assume that performance is relatively important. Specifications are defined in
Table 1 on page 2 in case the terms are not understood. Reliability will be somewhat less
important since oftentimes, retailers offer warranties to cover repairs. Similarly, availability
will not be a primary concern for this comparison, because most consumers are willing to wait
the several weeks it may take to acquire a particular model.

Term Definition Benefit

RMS value of the harmonic
Total components of the output signal The lower the thd, the higher the quality of
harmonic (excluding fundamental), expressed the output signal. For many units the thd
distortion as a percentage of the RMS of the will increase with the gain, so you will
(thd) fundamental component. Usually < notice more noise at high volumes.
0.1%

The output power that the internal

The rms output power signifies the level of
RMS output amplifier is capable of providing
power that the head unit can constantly
power continuously. Approximately 70% of
supply to your speakers.
the maximum output power.

The max output power is the amount of

Max/peak The highest output power that the
power your head unit will be able to supply
output internal amplifier is capable of
to your speakers during parts of songs that
power providing to the load.
require maximum gain.

The amount of gain that your head unit can

The relationship between gain and
Frequency supply for very low frequencies (deep
frequency (behavior of the internal
response bass) or high frequencies (treble) depends
amplifier of the unit).
on the range of frequency response.
 Range of frequency over which gain The range of sounds, from low (bass) to
Bandwidth remains within 3dB (29.3%) of high (treble) frequencies, that the receiver
constant gain. is capable of handling.

The ratio of the desired signal to any
Signal-to- other added signal. Usually, a
Noise ratio "weighted" value is provided, which
(S/N) means 8dB is added to the actual
unweighted value.
The higher the S/N ratio, the less
unwanted noise you will hear in your
music. Ratio levels above 70dB will still
probably not be detected by the human
ear.

A unit of measure given by 20*log(x),

dB The more decibals, the higher the value of
where x is the signal or parameter in
(decibels) that parameter.
question.

Table 1: Definitions of parameters [2,3].

2.0 Comparison
The data given for each of the three models is summarized in Tables 2 and 3, given below.

Parameter Kenwood KDC-X679 Alpine CDA-9853 Eclipse CD5423

Output power
22W x 4 (<1% THD) 26W x 4 (1% THD) -
(rms)
Output power
50W x 4 - 50W x 4
(max)
Signal to Noise
106dB 105dB 95dB
ratio (CD)
Signal to Noise
70dB 80dB -
ratio (FM Tuner)
Total harmonic
0.008% (1kHz) 0.008% (1kHz) 0.006% (-)
distortion
Frequency
10Hz-20kHz 5Hz-20kHz -
Response (CD)

Sugg. Retail Price $400 $550 -

Table 2: Parameters provided by manufacturer [4,5,6].
Parameter Kenwood KDC-X679 Alpine CDA-9853 Eclipse CD5423

Source Crutchfield Crutchfield Teckla

Output power 23W x 4 (4Ohms, 5%

22W x 4 (<1% THD) 26W x 4
(rms) THD)
Output power
50W x 4 60W x 4 -
(max)
Signal to Noise
110dB 105dB 95dB
ratio (CD)
Total harmonic
- - 0.027% (1kHz)
distortion (amp)
Total harmonic
- - 0.013% (1kHz)
distortion (CD)
BW / Frequency
10Hz-20kHz 5Hz-20kHz -
Response

Price $329.99 $549.99 $249.50

Table 3: Parameters provided by retailer [1,7].

3.0 Recommendation
I recommend the Eclipse CD5423, because the performance characteristics are very
impressive for the relatively low price. Moreover, the power ratings are given for a 4 load
rather than a 2 load, so I can expect the ratings of this unit to be more accurate for my
purposes than the ratings of the Alpine or Kenwood models. However, different individuals
could very well have different opinions regarding which criteria are most important, so
consumers who do not agree with my comparison can very well use the data to come to their
own conclusions.

4.0 Works Cited

[1] Sales Associate, Teckla Car Audio. Telephone Interview. April 10, 2004.
[2] Jung, S.; Kim, N.; Cho, G. Class D Audio Power Amplifier With Fine Hysteresis Control.
Electronics Letters, Vol 38 No 22, Oct 24, 2002.
[3] Rashid, M. Microelectronic Circuits: Analysis and Design. PWS Publishing Company.
Boston, MA. 1999.
[4] Eclipse by Fujitsu Ten. CD Tuners.
http://www.eclipse-web.com/products/cdtuner/top.html. 2003.
[5] Kenwood USA Ltd. Product – CD/MP3/WMA Receiver – KDC-X679.
http://www.KenwoodUSA.com/product/product.jsp?
productTypeId=20&sortBy=price&productLineId=1&productId=2562. 2004.
[6] Alpine Electronics of America, Inc. CDA-9835.
http://iweb.alpine-usa.com/pls/admn/item_info?p_item_name=CDA-
9835&p_category=10&p_subcategory=45&p_main=10. 2003.
[7] Crutchfield New Media, LLC. Car Audio and Video: CD, MP3, DVD Receivers, Satellite
Radio, etc. http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S-9L7NptnrjlT/ProdMenu.asp?
s=0&cc=01&c=3&vst=Y. 2004.