Audio Envy Automotive Design

Following up to last weeks post about dash camera and the security they provide, let's talk to aftermarket security systems.

What is an aftermarket security system?
An aftermarket security system is a system that will monitor your vehicle while you are away and the vehicle is locked. Most vehicles offer a "security system" from the factory but honestly they are usually lack luster at best and rarely protect the vehicle. Aftermarket systems do a better job at providing vehicle protection by monitoring the overall vehicle with enhanced integrations and extra sensors.

How do aftermarket security systems work?
Aftermarket systems will integrate into the vehicle and monitor parts of the vehicle like whether or not the doors, hood or trunk are open, and sound the alarm if it detects one of those being trigged. These systems also offer other monitoring sensors like a shock, accelerometer, glass breakage, and tilting.
Let's dive into each separately.
The shock sensor will monitor for quick, jolts of vibration, like an impact. This sensor will sound the alarm when it detects an impact or large vibration, like someone hitting your window with a hammer.
The accelerometer will monitor movement of the vehicle and will trigger the system in the event the vehicle is pushed forward or backwards. This is helpful for if someone were to hit your vehicle with another.
Glass breakage sensors listen for high pitch audio frequencies associated with glass breaking. This helpful for when a glass break tool is used to gain access to the vehicle and does not have enough impact to set the shock sensor off.
Just as the name suggests, the tilt sensor monitors tilting of the vehicle. This is an especially helpful monitoring sensor if you have aftermarket or sought after factory wheels (talking to you Honda owners). This sensor will sound the alarm when it detects an uneven change in elevation by as little as 1.5% for some sensors.

Other ways the aftermarket security systems help protect your vehicle is with a warn away led, a multitone siren and activations of the exterior parking lights. Extra bright blue or red LED lets potential vandals and thieves knows that the vehicle is protected and will sound the alarm if messed and they will likely move on to an easier target. The multitone siren and parking light activation helps attract attention to the vehicle, something no criminal wants.

How do I control aftermarket systems?
Aftermarket systems generally come with aftermarket key fobs. These key fobs are used to activate and deactivate the system. They almost always employ code hoping technology, which means crooks cant copy the frequency that controls the system. These key fobs also come as a 1 way or 2way option. 1 Way options just send a signal command to the system in the vehicle, there is no return signal. These 1 way systems are generally the cheaper option with a range of about 1500 ft. 2 Way systems send the command and the systems then sends confirmation of that command back to key fob. This means there is no guessing whether or not your vehicle actually locked. 2 Way systems are also beneficial because if your security system is activated within range of your key fob it will send a signal out to that key fob and the key fob will vibrate, make noise and flash the LEDs to notify you of the triggered security system. With ranges up to 3 miles you can rest easy that you will likely always be in range. Lastly, most modern systems now have the ability to be controlled through an app on your phone giving you an unlimited amount of range. As long as you and your vehicle have cellular service you will be able to monitor and control you aftermarket system. These telematic interfaces often come with GPS so you will always know exactly where your vehicle is.

What other features do aftermarket security systems have?
Aftermarket systems also come with starter interrupts. Theses systems disable the vehicles ability to start with activated even if the key is present. this feature is often activated once the security system has been activated by the aftermarket key fob.

Lastly, while more of a convivence feature, most systems also offer a remote car starter feature. This feature is pretty self explanatory and will start the vehicle with your key fob. Warm your vehicle up in the winter or cool it off in the summer for a comfortable ride the moment you enter the vehicle. This also means no more scrapping ice off the windows in freezing temperatures, let the vehicles defrosters do the work for you while you enjoy your morning coffee.

What makes a good security system?
A good security system will help deter and prevent criminals from gaining access to your vehicle or at the very least minimize theft and vandalism. In my professional opinion a 2 way system is a must for instant waring of system triggers, allowing you to act fast, preventing more harm or theft. When you looking for a system you also want a stand alone system that cannot be deactivated by the factory key fob of the vehicle. While using your existing key fob is wildly convenient, the factory key fob is easily cloned and crooks can just turn they system off without you even knowing!

In closing, a stand alone, 2 way security paired with a dash camera (that we covered last week) can provide you with great source of preventive protection and piece of mind. Having the convenience of a remote car starter is just the icing on the cake.

As always, if you enjoyed this bit of info please like and comment.
Any questions please send us a DM or give us a call 571-774-2653.

Audio Envy Automotive Design offers a full line of Remote Start, Security Systems and Dash Cams. Reach out for a quote today.

Wire routing is one of the most important part of installing aftermarket amplifiers. Keeping it neat and tidy makes sure wires don't get pinched and pulled. Zipped tied to the factory harness or duct taped to floor when needed keeps things where they should be. You can trust our

Check out latest build.

This build starts with a 2017 Porsche Macan GTS front stage and subwoofer upgrade.

We kept the factory PCM4 headunit upfront and inorder to do so we used a NavTV Zen-V amplifier integration interface. This interface allows us to take the factory fiber optic MOST150 signal and into a usable digital signal that can be passed into the Ground Zero GZDSP 6-8X PRO digital sound processor. The digital sound processor or DSP allows us full control of the audio signal. With the DSP we can set time alignment for proper stage presence, adjust individual speaker level for a balanced sound, independent channel crossover control and an independent channel 32 band EQ ensures tonal accuracy for a complete high end audio experience. Paired with the DSP is the Ground Zero BT-BOX which is a Bluetooth adapter that allows for direct Bluetooth streaming and app control of the DSP. Change presets and control main volume and sub volume all from your phone.

Following the GZDSP 6-8X PRO comes three Ground Zero amplifiers housed under the floor of the rear cargo area. We built a custom amp rack to mount all three amplifiers safely to the floor. Every Audio Envy Automotive Design amplifier install uses black and green Techflex protective wire sleeving, professional grade wiring as well superior wire management. And then we covered it all up with custom vinyl wrapped beauty panel with cuts outs to spy on the three amplifiers.

Two Ground Zero GZHA MINI FOUR's where used to power the fully active 3 way front stage. For the high range of the frequency spectrum, also know here as the sparkle, we turned to the high-end Ground Zero GZUT 28SQX 1 inch silk dome tweeter. Housed in a custom in-house 3D printed speaker adapter and installed in the factory dash location, the factory design of the interior stays intact. For the midrange we used the high-end Ground Zero GZUM 80SQ 3 inch midrange speaker. Mounted to a set of custom tooled composite speaker adapters in the factory door location, again keeping with the originality of the factory interior. Both the GZUT 28SQX tweeter and the GZUM 80SQ are powered by one of the GZHA MINI FOUR's while the other powers the mid bass woofers. The beefy Ground Zero GZUK 165SQ was also mounted on a custom tooled composite speaker adapter and mounted in the factory location. With the GZHA MINI FOUR being bridged down to a "two channel" amplifier these GZUK 165SQ speakers will never be short of power. 260 watts per speaker ensures plenty headroom, speaker control and enough power to get that extra volume of your favorite songs.

And if the beefy GZUK 165SQ speakers powered by 260 watts wasn't enough mid bass we installed a full Ground Zero GZDM PRO DOOR KIT. This dampening door kit uses 4 different types of dampening material. Butyl rubber, polyurethane foam, high density polyethylene foam and aluminum sheets all work together to add mass and dampen the fronts doors. Adding the GZDM PRO DOORKIT, not only reduces rattling caused by the upgraded mid bass, but itself improves the mid bass and it's quality. On top of reducing rattling and improved mid bass you can also expect to reduce unwanted road noise in the vehicle allowing you to only listen to the music you enjoy.

With the front stage fully upgraded, all we need for a fully functional well balanced system is sub bass. Sub bass may be one of the most effective upgrades in any system as it provides warmth and life to the music, plus you can never have too much bass. The last amplifier of the Ground Zero trio is a GZHA MINI ONE-K. With a footprint the size roughly equivalent to an iPad Mini and 1200 watts of power this amplifier packs a huge punch in a tiny space. We used MINI ONE-K to power not one but two Ground Zero GZUW 10SQ-D2 Subwoofers. These woofers find their home in an in-house designed and custom built vented enclosure. Our vented enclosures are professionally designed and built with every speaker in mind to ensure right, accurate and powerful bass. Finishing off the enclosure we built a beauty panel around it for a more finished look, we didn't just want just an enclosure in the back.

With all the custom equipment in the rear cargo area, mainly due to the small foot prints of the mini amplifiers, we were able to still magane to keep the factory spare tire and tire change equipment. Removal of two bolts and the enclosure and everything is easily accessible in under 5 minutes.

This build was a simple and straight to the point solution for creating a high-end front stage listening experience. Keeping the passenger area factory looking while upgrading the audio to a top tier level, while the rear cargo area has a little more flash and uniqueness to it. It's the perfect blend of subtle expression and high end sound quality.

Find this vehicle in the HKI/Ground Zero booth at car shows across the Mid-Atlantic area, sit in it and take a listen if you get the chance!

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