Interesting Custom Sub Box Technology?

…Thinking Inside of the Box with DSP

By James Chevrette

In today’s car audio environment, every manufacturer from A-Z is harping on Digital Signal Processing (DSP). DSP is now combined with amplifiers, but how about amplified subwoofer enclosures?

A German company named ELAC has pioneered such a technology in the home audio space.  It customizes the woofer cabinet using EQ/DSP to the subwoofer using a cell phone. It uses the microphone within the cell phone to calibrate the subwoofer cabinet: It works like this:

• Mount the subwoofer cabinet into a wall cavity.
• The ELAC amplifier sends 3 sets of pulses into that cavity to recognize if there is any insulation and the volume of the wall space.
• Next it calibrates EQ curve, crossover and time alignment to wherever the user is sitting. So, for example, in the home theater situation, this would be center of the couch.
• The user then makes adjustments in real time using their phone.

Imagine being able to use DSP to overcome the wrong box for the subwoofer, and give the customer the best bass experience in the driver’s seat!

Since every subwoofer company has over a dozen SKUs and manufacturers use different materials, magnet structures, etc, how can we expect the manufacturers’ products to perform their best by using a generic subwoofer box? Why aren’t we using or borrowing this technology from the home theater space?. Embracing this technology could overcome most automobile issues with accurate enclosure size, matching to vehicle size and subwoofer placement.

I would like to clarify that the ELAC subwoofer comes with its own amplifier and built-in DSP.  Imagine the ability to place a self-powered sub box into a car, use your phone to calibrate it to the driver’s position and have it all time aligned and equalized using an “app.”

When a 10-inch subwoofer is a 10-inch subwoofer in most consumers’ minds, how do we differentiate the difference between brands? Is it just price, cosmetics, dealer recommendation or is it time to embrace technology like this from ELAC?

If you would like to read more on ELAC’s technology, click here:  https://www.elac.com/category/subwoofers/integrator-eq-iw-s10eq-w/

Photo: ELAC IW-S10EQ in-wall subwoofer with Auto EQ

James Chevrette has been a territory manager for over 8 years with Trends Electronics, Canada’s largest Electronics Distributor, but he never forgets his roots. He has worked in an installation bay, in R&D in manufacturing, and personally trained thousands of people across Canada. Through his dealing with National accounts, regional chain stores, and relationships with brick and mortar independent retailers, he offers a unique perspective about business growth opportunities. He started a non-profit blog in 2015 to educate people within and outside his industry. It has since reached across North America and into Europe with over a million posts read.