Tech Support

Thiele/Small" commonly refers to a set of electromechanical parameters that define the specified low frequency performance of a loudspeaker driver. These parameters are published in specification sheets by driver manufacturers so that designers have a guide in selecting off-the-shelf drivers for loudspeaker designs. Many of the parameters are strictly defined only at the resonant frequency, but the approach is generally applicable in the frequency range where the diaphragm motion is largely pistonic, i.e. when the entire cone moves in and out as a unit without cone breakup.

Using these parameters, a loudspeaker designer may simulate the position, velocity and acceleration of the diaphragm, the input impedance and the sound output of a system comprising a loudspeaker and enclosure. Rather than purchase off-the-shelf components, loudspeaker design engineers often define desired performance and work backwards to a set of parameters and manufacture a driver with said characteristics or order it from a driver manufacturer. This process of generating parameters from a target response is known as synthesis. Thiele/Small parameters are named after A. Neville Thiele of the Australian Broadcasting Commission, and Richard H. Small of the University of Sydney, who pioneered this line of analysis for loudspeakers. These measurements are also used for designing enclosures for Subwoofers.

FUSION Electronics offers a limited one year warranty on all car audio products - ensuring all FUSION speakers, subwoofers, amplifiers, active enclosures, bass packs, head units or accessories are free from defects in material and workmanship, accirding to the following terms and conditions:
 

• The limited warranty for the FUSION product purchased extends to the first twelve (12) months beginning on the date of purchase of the product.
• The limited warranty extends only to the original consumer purchaser (consumer) of the product and is not assignable or transferable to any subsequent purchaser/end user.
• The limited warranty extends only to consumers who purchase the product in one of the countries (or areas) set forth on www. fusionelectronics.com. The limited warranty is   only valid in FUSION’S intended country (or area) of sale of the product.
• During the limited warranty period, FUSION or its authorised service network will repair  or replace, at FUSION or FUSION’S authorised dealer, any defective product or parts thereof with new and return the product to the consumer in working condition. No charge will be made to the consumer for either parts or labour in repairing or replacing   the product. All replaced parts and cosmetic parts should be free of defects at the time of shipment and, therefore shall not be covered under these limited warranty terms.
• Repaired product will be warranted for the balance of the original warranty period or for ninety (90) days from the date of repair, whichever is longer.
• All warranty claims must be accompanied with a copy of this warranty card, and a copy of proof of purchase date.

The consumer shall have no coverage or benefits under this limited warranty if any of the following conditions are applicable:

• The product has been subject to: abnormal use, abnormal conditions, improper storage, exposure to   excessive moisture or dampness, exposure to excessive temperature or other such environmental conditions, unauthorised modifications, unauthorised connections, unauthorised repair including but not limited to use of unauthorised spare parts in repairs, misuse, neglect, abuse, accident, alteration, improper installation, acts of God, spill of foods or liquids, maladjustment of customer controls or other   acts which are beyond the reasonable control of FUSION, including deficiencies in consumable parts such as fuses, and breakage or damage to antennae unless caused directly by defects in materials or workmanship, and normal wear and tear of the product.
• FUSION was not notified by the consumer of the alleged defect or malfunction of the product during the applicable limited warranty period.
• The product serial number or the accessory date code has been removed, defaced or altered.
• The product was used with or connected to an accessory not supplied by FUSION or fit for use with FUSION product, or used in a manner other than its intended use.

If a problem develops during the limited warranty period, the consumer should take the following step-by-step procedure:
1.The consumer shall return the product to the place of purchase for repair or replacement processing.
2.The consumer shall also be charged for any parts or labour charges not covered by this limited warranty. The consumer shall be responsible for expenses related to
reinstallation of the product.
3.If the product is returned to FUSION after the expiration of the warranty period, FUSION’s normal service policies shall apply   and the consumer will be charged accordingly.

THE BENEFITS CONFERRED BY THIS LIMITED WARRANTY APPLY TO THE EXTENT THAT THEY ARE NOT SUPERCEDED BY ANY OTHER RIGHTS AND REMEDIES UNDER ANY APPLICABLE LEGISLATION THAT CANNOT BE EXCLUDED. OTHERWISE, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY IS EXCLUDED AND THE FOREGOING WARRANTY IS THE PURCHASER’S SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY AND IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, FUSION SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR A LOSS OF ANTICIPATED BENEFITS OR PROFITS, OUT OF USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE PRODUCT.

• Some states in America do not allow the exclusion or limitation of consequential damages, so the above limitation and exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights which may vary from state to state.
• FUSION neither assumes nor authorises any authorised service centre or any person or entity to assume for it any other obligation or liability beyond that which is expressly provided for in this warranty.
• All warranty information, product features and specifications are subject to change without notice.

A 2- way speaker, also known as a Co-Axial speaker, has a seperate tweeter mounted on a pole assembly in the centre of the speaker. The tweeter has a built in crossover which seperates the high frequencies and gives more clarity and definition to your music.

A 3-way speaker or Tri-axial speaker has an additional midrange speaker mounted alongside the tweeter on the pole assembly. A crossover filters the correct frequencies to the appropriate speaker providing increased clarity and a wider frequency response.

An example of a 2-way speaker                                         3-way speaker

Speaker Terminology
 
Dual - Cone
A dual cone speaker is classed as a full range speaker but instead of using a seperate tweeter it has a small cone in the centre directly connected to the voice coil that reproduces the high range frequencies due to it’s specific design. While inexpensive compared to a separate tweeter it is not as efficient.
 
Midrange Speaker
This refers to a speaker that generally ranges in size from 3—1/2” to 6—3/4”that
reproduces the midrange frequencies. Generally they would be used in a system that has separate speakers for low,mid and high range that are driven individually.
 
Tweeter
The high range frequencies are reproduced by the tweeter. In two and three way speakers the tweeter is mounted in the centre of the mid cone on a pole piece and in components it is a separate unit.
 
Components or Separates
Component systems produce better definition and detail, as well as giving you the ability to  optimize imaging and soundstage reproduction. This is partly due to the vastly superior cross over system used in most component systems and the ability to place tweeters in the best position to enhance imaging.
 
Soundstage
This refers to the individual vocal and instrumental “images” that are reproduced to create your stereo systems soundstage. The better the soundstage reproduction the greater the  perception of width and depth.
 
Imaging
Imaging is the ability of your stereo system to reproduce the location of individual instruments and vocalists accurately as they were positioned during the original recording. Tweeter placement is important and ideally there should be equal and unobstructed path lengths between your tweeters and your ears,this will create a soundstage that is lifelike.
 
Voice coil
A voice coil is a length of insulated copper or aluminium wire wound onto a circular former that provides the motive force to the cone by reacting with the magnet when the current is passed through it.
 
Speaker Surround
Surrounds can be manufactured from a variety of materials. The most common in car audio is butyl rubber as it tends to last longer. Some manufacturers use foam or cloth. The surround allows the cone to travel in and out without restricting the length of travel.
 
Maximum / Peak Power
The Max/Peak power rating of a speaker is the amount of power that the speaker can handle in short bursts or peaks without causing permanent damage to the voice coil. If this rating is exceeded constantly you will risk burning the voice coil

What is a Crossover

Crossovers are essentially filters that separate or block frequencies and route them to the correct speaker. There are two common types of crossover,”passive” and “active”.

Passive Crossovers

Passive crossovers are non-powered and are most commonly used with component systems in-line with the speaker wires located between the amplifier or head/source unit and speakers. They are also used in fullrange speakers. Both two and three way speakers have passive crossovers to separate or block the frequencies for the mid and/or tweeters to ensure the appropriate frequencies are delivered to the respective driver.
 
Active Crossovers

Active crossovers are electronically powered units that are placed in-line with the RCA signal lead between the head unit/source and the amplifier.
They will provide better signal separation and unlike passive crossover there is no power loss.

Crossover Filters

There are three main types of crossover filters. High-pass filter, low-pass filter, and a subsonic-filter.
 
High-Pass Crossover

A high pass crossover allows high frequency signals in the 5kHz-20kHz range (generally) to be passed to the speaker/tweeter and the lower frequency signal is blocked.
 
Low-Pass Crossover

A low-pass crossover allows the low frequency signal in the 50Hz-250Hz range (generally) to be passed to the speaker/sub and the higher frequencies are blocked.
 
Subsonic Filter

A subsonic filter is essentially a high-pass crossover which blocks the frequency signal generally from 10Hz-40Hz this signal often contains no music and its removal will improve woofer control and sound quality.
 

    My speakers are 300 watts “MAX” and 90 watts “Rated Power” what size amp     
    do I need to drive them to achieve the best performance.  
  
 

 . When you are choosing an amplifier to drive speakers or a Subwoofer you should  
    use the “RMS” per channel ratings(Amplifier) and the “Rated Power”

   (Speaker/Subwoofer) as the reference for your choice. Always define which
    ratings you are comparing and try and get them as close as you can.                                                                                                     

    “Max/Peak” Power Rating
    The “MAX/PEAK” power rating of a speaker is the amount of power
    that the speaker can handle in short bursts or peaks without causing
    permanent damage to the voice coil.If this rating is exceeded constantly
    you will risk burning the voice coil.
 
     “Rated Power” Power Rating  
     The “Rated Power” rating of the speaker is generally considered to be the
     nominal constant power that the speaker will handle continuously
     without causing damage.
 
     Therefore if your speakers are rated at 90 watts (Rated Power) you should drive   
     them with an amplifier that is capable of supplying 90 watts RMS per
     Channel or as close to that as possible. That is not to say that an amp
     capable of a higher output cannot be used if the amplifier settings are
     managed responsibly realising the potential to overdrive your speakers
     exists. This rule also applies to using an amplifier that is under driving
     your speakers. Constantly driving a distorted signal from an overdriven  
     Source to your speakers can cause damage to the voice coils
 

Always use the supplied Speaker Template

A common cause of speaker failure we see is when the mounting holes are drilled with the speakers in place. When the drill bit is withdrawn from the hole the material that has been removed (metal or wood etc ) can drop into the speaker and/or voice coil resulting in speaker failure. This is not covered under the product warranty. Always  use the provided template to pre drill the mounting holes.
 

I have installed a new set of speakers and there is no bass. Have I done something wrong?
 
One of the most common causes of lack of bass from speakers is out of phase wiring. This occurs when the positive and negative wires are connected incorrectly. The positive and negative wire connection at the source must be the same at the speaker connection.
Check the connections for consistency firstly.
Another clue to this fault is that the bass will sound louder outside the vehicle than inside.

Most speakers will have a positive + sign and/or a negative — sign on the terminal, some have a red mark for positive and/or a black mark for negative. If in doubt  there is a relatively simple way to check the phase of the wiring. Using a 1.5v or AA battery hold the positive and negative wires connected to your speaker on the relative terminals of the battery, if in phase both  speaker cones will move outward but if one is out of phase the cone will move inward. Both speakers must move in the same direction when tested.
 

I have installed a new set of speakers and they sound distorted and crackly, what could cause this?
 
A common  installation error we see that results in these symptoms is when the speakers are mounted in the vehicle and the mounting holes are drilled with the speakers in place. When the drill bit is withdrawn from the hole the material that has been removed (metal or wood etc ) can drop into the speaker and/or voice coil resulting in speaker failure. This is not covered under the product warranty. Always  use the provided template to pre drill the mounting holes.
 
Another cause of distortion or crackling is a burnt voice coil which is a symptom of overdriving the speakers or delivering a clipped or distorted signal to the speakers from the source unit or amplifier. You may be able to smell the coil is burnt or by gently applying even pressure depress the cone of the speaker and you will feel if the coil is rubbing or binding.

Mounting speakers on an uneven surface can also twist the frame out of shape and cause the voice coil to rub and cause permanent damage.
 
Insecure wiring or poor connections are common causes of crackly or distorted sound from speakers. Check all wiring.
 

I have no sound coming from my new speakers I have just installed. What could be the problem?
 
Firstly you need to check the wiring from your source/amplifier to your speakers to ensure that no wires are going to ground/earth by touching any part of the vehicle as this could put the source/amplifier into protection and/or terminate  signal output to your speakers. Also check fuses etc as grounding the system may blow fuses.

 
In some cases you may cause permanent damage to the source unit by grounding the speakers ( out put IC failure) so careful attention to secure and insulate wiring is very important.