A Bit Technical, But A Thorough Read
Written: Apr 21 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great, thorough coverage. Writers who fully understand what they are talking about.
Cons: A bit technical and difficult to understand at times, particularly to the average reader.
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| Sneil_IV's Full Review: Car Stereo Review Magazine |
I remember fondly the first time I cracked open an issue of CSR. Almost simultaneously, my jaw dropped and my brow furrowed. The jaw was dropped because of the unbelievable installs I was seeing; the brow furrowed because I couldn't understand a word of what they had done. "Fuse-watching LEDs that are mounted next to the capacitors in a ring of 1/2" MDF and coated with Sunfire-Red fiberglass?" I'll see you later, thanks.
But car stereos were something that I was quite interested in, and as such CSR became an interest to me, particularly as I proceeded to install my own stereo. While the deeper concepts baffled me (a lot of which still do), I picked up some of the more general things. For example, thanks to the demo cars in the magazine, I learned that kick panel placement is optimal for the best imaging possible. While I didn't, at first, fully understand all about imaging, I could at very least break it down to a Tarzan-like "Kick panels = good". Similarly, when building subwoofer boxes for my friends, I turned again to CSR and found that all competitors used at least 3/4" MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) for their subwoofer boxes, based on the inherent strength of the wood. While my friends certainly aren't competing, we could at least build a nice, sturdy box.
The reviews in CSR are quite thorough, as well. Once again, only a very knowledgeable car-stereo enthusiast will understand all of the technical read-outs on a subwoofer, for example, but even the average Joe Stereo can determine whether an item is quality or not based on the basics of car stereo- power handling, frequency response, clarity, etc. There has yet to be an article that was so scientific that I couldn't comprehend at least the general overview of it.
As far as Car-stereo related events and cars, CSR has that easily covered. All of the big IASCA and USAC events are reported on, giving lists of the winners, their scores, and (when applicable) their decibel ratings. Of course, they also have the obligatory jaw-gravitizing pictures of the cars at these shows, which are breathtaking.
Similarly breathtaking, the cars they feature in the magazine offer great stories. CSR completely tears apart each car's system, telling the reader every step of the install, and the function of every component. Why is that extra EQ there? Ah, for Db drag-racing purposes. They tell who installed, ballpark cost, and even length of install. A nice picture diagram at the end helps the reader follow the install, and CSR even sound-checks each car themselves, so the reader can get an idea what the car's acoustic qualities are.
There really isn't a way to dumb-down a car stereo magazine so that everyone can understand, and still maintain the degree of in-depth reporting that CSR has. However, for anyone that understands the basics of car stereo, this magazine should serve to do nothing less than enhance that knowledge, which is never a bad thing. If for nothing else, at least buy one now and then to peek at the fantastic cars they feature, with the stereos that we all aspire to owning own day.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Sneil_IV
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Member: Neil Janowitz
Location: Rochester, NY
Reviews written: 93
Trusted by: 192 members
About Me:
Holy halibut, weekly humor columns at www.neiljanowitz.com . Join the mailing list, son.
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