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The Can-Am Defender is a work-focused side-by-side, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun while getting things done. Rockford Fosgate, the undisputed leader in powersports audio upgrades, proudly announces their Stage 1 roof audio upgrade for select 2017 and newer Can-Am Defenders. Let’s check it out!

What Is the Rockford Fosgate DEFEND17-STG1?

Can-Am seems to have decided that very few Defenders come with an audio system. Rockford Fosgate comes to the rescue with their DEFEND18-STG1. This compact audio system mounts to the roof right by the front windshield and includes a PMX-1 media receiver and a pair of 5.25-inch TMS5 Element Ready speakers in custom enclosures.

PMX-1 Source Unit Features

The heart of the DEFEND18-STG1 Defender audio system is the PMX-1 media receiver. This compact source unit features a 2.3-inch dot-matrix display protected by a tempered glass screen. Unlike similar units with plastic front panels, you don’t have to worry about scratches, fading or yellowing with the PMX-1. A large rotary volume control is in the center, and easily accessed buttons on either side make using the radio while wearing work gloves a non-issue.

The PMX-1 is most commonly connected to a smartphone via Bluetooth. You can stream music stored on your phone or from an online service like Pandora, iHeartRadio or Spotify. The Bluetooth connection supports the AVRCP protocol, so you can change tracks from the radio. The PMX-1 includes an AM/FM tuner with weather band support. It also has a stereo auxiliary input and a USB port, which means you can easily connect a thumb drive to play MP3 or WMA audio files.

The PMX-1 includes a built-in four-channel amplifier rated to produce 25 watts of power into 4-ohm speakers. That’s about 20% more power than most car radios. The radio also has a built-in seven-band equalizer to let your installer fine-tune the performance of your audio system.

You can even control the PMX-1 from your iPhone or Android smartphone using the RF Connect app. Download the app and pair your phone to give you source and volume control while you’re having lunch or hanging out by the campfire. Rockford Fosgate’s optional PMX-BTUR Bluetooth universal remote is a very worthwhile upgrade. With this remote attached to your steering wheel, you can control the audio system wirelessly.

TMS5 Speakers Deliver Big Sound

Initially designed for the Tour-Pak speaker locations on the back of many Harley-Davidson motorcycles, the TMS5 speakers are a perfect fit for the Defender audio system. These 5.25-inch coaxial drivers feature carbon-fiber reinforced polypropylene woofer cones with a Santoprene rubber surround for excellent longevity. An ultra-efficient neodymium ring magnet motor works with the oversized 35-mm voice coil to produce impressive output with minimal power.

A 25-mm proprietary film dome tweeter with a neodymium magnet handles high-frequency reproduction. An integrated phase plug over the tweeter helps deliver even sound distribution through the listening environment. The heart of these speakers is a glass-reinforced polymer frame that can withstand extreme temperatures. Rockford Fosgate rates the TMS5 speakers as being 91 dB efficient (at 1W/1M) and capable of handling 65 watts of power. As is practice with Rockford Fosgate, these specifications comply with the CTA-2031 standard, so you know you can trust them.

Features of the DEFEND17-STG1

No speaker will sound good without an appropriate enclosure. The DEFEND17-STG1 system includes durable, weather-resistant pods that attach to the steel roll bar on your Defender. Once in place, the bracket and mounting panel for the PMX-1 source unit fit in the middle to hold everything securely. Your installer doesn’t have to drill holes or cut anything to complete the installation. Rockford Fosgate includes all the wiring and fasteners needed to complete the installation.

Designed to Sound Great for Years

All Defender audio system components feature Rockford Fosgate’s Element Ready design. This means they’re constructed from UV-resistant materials, so they won’t fade, yellow or crack. They are also weather-resistant, so they’ll continue to work if they get wet, dusty or muddy. Where Rockford Fosgate takes things further is their testing to ensure that the products can handle extreme temperatures. Whether blasting through the woods on a hot August afternoon or returning from a mid-winter hunting expedition, you can count on your audio system to keep working. The Defender system is also engineered to cope with the impacts and vibration that are typical for side-by-side and off-road applications. Rockford Fosgate stands behind its powersports audio upgrade solutions with a two-year warranty.

Upgrade Your Can-Am Defender with Rockford Fosgate Audio Today!

If you’re looking for a great way to add an audio system to your Can-Am Defender, visit the Rockford Fosgate website and check the compatibility chart to make sure your model year and trim level are compatible. You can find an authorized Rockford Fosgate Dealer near you using their Locator Tool to purchase the system and have it installed. Be sure to check out Rockford Fosgate on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram to see what other amazing car audio, marine, motorcycle and powersports audio products they are introducing.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Rockford Fosgate has entered the Jeep audio system upgrade market with solutions like no other. If you have a 2018 through 2023 Wrangler four-door or a 2020 or newer Gladiator, the new Stage 5, 1,800-watt all-in-one audio kits are the only premium solutions on the market. Let’s look at what makes these sound system upgrades unique.

Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator Stereo Upgrades

Let’s start with the components common to the 18WRNGLER-STG5 and 20GLADR-STG5 kits. Both kits include a pair of Element Ready Rockford Fosgate M5-series amplifiers. A four-channel M5-800X4 amplifier provides up to 100 watts of power to each front and rear speaker, and an M5-1000X1 can crank up 1,000 watts of power to the system’s subwoofers. The kit includes a mounting plate that securely locates the amplifiers under the driver’s seat.

The Wrangler and Gladiator kits include two sets of TMS65 6.5-inch Element Ready speakers in Jeep-specific enclosures. The front speaker pods are a drop-in fit for the lower part of the dash, while the rear speakers are in a new soundbar overhead enclosure. The kits also include a set of M2-TS 1-inch tweeters on mounting plates for the dash.

Both systems include a digital signal processor with a pre-loaded tune. The processor can detect the type of vehicle it’s installed into (Wrangler or Gladiator) and load a calibration optimized for that particular Jeep. The DSP integrates seamlessly with the factory-installed source unit and detects which radio is connected through its CAN bus communication. When combined with the Jeep-specific settings on the amplifiers, your installer doesn’t have to spend any time configuring the system, worrying about load resistors or measuring voltage or frequency response. The Rockford Fosgate R&D team has done all that work for you!

All of the upgraded components mount to the factory fastener locations. The R&D team at Rockford Fosgate 3D-scanned every part of the vehicle and created the pods, brackets, wiring and enclosures to fit perfectly with no modifications. Integration wiring features factory-style connectors and T-harnesses, so no cutting or splicing is required. Each kit has a fuse holder on a custom bracket and all the power wires for the amplifiers. Finally, a remote subwoofer level control mounts in the dash and looks like the controls on the radio. How’s that for classy?!

2018-2023 Jeep Wrangler Subwoofer System

Now, let’s talk about what’s unique to the 18WRNGLER-STG5 kit. This system includes a pair of subwoofer enclosures that fit by the rear windows in the cargo area of the Wrangler. Each enclosure features a T1S2-12 12-inch subwoofer. These aren’t dainty little shallow-mount subwoofers. The T1-series slimline subwoofers are top-of-the-line drivers that feature technologies like the IDHS copper cap heat-sinking shorting ring and VAST surround design. The cones are a matrix of carbon fiber, PMI and glass fiber, so you know they will sound great, even with the volume cranked!

The design of the subwoofer enclosures and the overhead soundbar match the cosmetics in the vehicle while looking cool. All enclosures feature Element Ready materials and designs, so they won’t fade from UV exposure, melt in the hot sun or crack in cold winter climates. Anyone who sees your Wrangler will know you’re serious about sound and quality at first glance.

If you have a Wrangler Unlimited with the premium audio system, Rockford Fosgate created the WRNGLR-TRIM to return the cargo area to its original condition so the new subwoofers fit perfectly.

Jeep Gladiator Subwoofer System

The Rockford Fosgate subwoofer system for the Gladiator fits under the rear seat and features a pair of 10-inch T1S2-10 Power Series subwoofers. The enclosure is made from an Element Ready material that will face all the challenges you or Mother Nature can throw its way. In the enclosure, you’ll see metal inserts for mounting hardware and a spot for the OEM bolt holder. There are no worries about keeping the hardware for the doors safe. The 20GLADR-STG5 includes a jack relocation bracket behind the rear driver’s side passenger seat. The Rockford Fosgate team has indeed thought of everything!

World-Class Jeep Audio System Upgrades

Whether your Wrangler or Gladiator came with the base-level sound system or the premium option, the Rockford Fosgate Jeep audio upgrade kits are perfect for people who are serious about their music. From flawless radio integration, seamless mounting and premium audio components to perfect fit and finish and professionally tuned sound, there is nothing like the 18WRNGLER-STG5 and 20GLADR-STG5 on the market. You even get your own Rockford Fosgate Jeep rubber duck with the system. We doubt you’ll give this one to a fellow Jeeper, though!

If you’re ready for serious sound in your 2018 to 2023 Wrangler four-door or 2020 or newer Gladiator, drop by a local authorized Rockford Fosgate retailer and ask about the Stage 5 Jeep audio upgrade kits. You can find an authorized retailer near you using the Dealer Locator on the website.

For more information about Rockford Fosgate audio products for your car, truck, motorcycle, side-by-side or boat, follow them on Facebook and Instagram and check out their amazing videos on YouTube.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Without investing in an understanding of the technologies that improve speaker performance by reducing distortion, choosing one driver over another based on features and specifications alone can be challenging. The 12-inch Rockford Fosgate T1D212 and T1D412 are good examples of premium subwoofers laden with modern tech that outshine competing products. Let’s take a deep dive into the 12-inch T1 Power Series subwoofers from Rockford Fosgate.

Rockford Fosgate T1D212 and T1D412 Features and Specifications

The T1D212 and T1D412 are identical subwoofers, aside from their voice coil impedance and some minor variances because of differences in moving mass. The T1D212 has a pair of 2-ohm voice coils, while the T1D412 has dual 4-ohm coil windings. Both drivers are rated to handle 800 watts continuously, with peak power ratings of 1,600 watts.

Rockford Fosgate built both solutions around unique die-cast aluminum baskets featuring Flex-Fit. The Flex-Fit feature means the mounting locations for the hold-down screws are slotted to allow the driver to be aligned perfectly with the rest of the installation. Each driver includes an aluminum trim ring with a mesh grille to conceal the mounting hardware for a clean and classy appearance.

The cast aluminum basket incorporates cooling vents under the spider mounting lip. These vents help hot air escape from the top of the motor. They also prevent pressure build-up under the cone and spider at higher excursion levels to improve linearity. The T-yoke includes a vent to improve power handling and release pressure under the dust cap.

These T1-Series subwoofers feature Rockford Fosgate’s Inductive Damping Heat Sink. While this feature looks at first glance like a way to help improve motor cooling, it has a second equally important benefit. When current from the amplifier passes through the voice coil winding, it produces a magnetic field. This field interacts with the stationary magnets in the speaker to push the cone outward or pull it rearward. However, as the voice coil moves through the magnetic gap, that motion creates a secondary magnetic field in the voice coil that can oppose the field created by the amplifier. The result is reduced efficiency and some midbass output attenuation. The IDHS system helps to short out this unwanted current flow. As a result, subwoofers with this technology play louder with the same power as drivers without it. Including IDHS also improves midbass performance, making subwoofers like the T1D212 and T1D412 seem to “hit harder” than those without it. Win, win and win.

These Power Series subwoofers feature 3-inch diameter anodized aluminum voice coil formers wound with copper-clad aluminum wire. While using CCAW seems counterintuitive based on everything we know about connecting amplifiers to batteries, it reduces the weight of the moving assembly in these subwoofers while providing a specific impedance. As such, this conductor choice allows the design engineers to specify a specific impedance and moving mass. The latter improves midbass performance. Good midbass is crucial to getting the subwoofers’ output to blend seamlessly with the midbass drivers in the front of the vehicle.

A Kevlar fiber-reinforced paper cone is bonded to the voice coil assembly. Reinforced paper is ideal for woofer cones as it offers an excellent stiffness-to-mass ratio. A tall rubber surround that uses Rockford Fosgate’s Vertical Attach Surround Technique geometry provides the upper compliance. The VAST design allows for increased cone surface area by moving the outer attachment point closer to the perimeter of the basket. The 12-inch T1 subwoofers have an effective piston area (Sd) specification of 548 square centimeters. Popular comparable subwoofers from other brands have 486 to 510 square centimeter piston area specifications. With VAST, you get a lot more subwoofer for your money.

Each subwoofer uses a pair of progressive-roll poly cotton spiders. A spun-laced, Nomex-reinforced collar strengthens the connection between the spiders, the voice coil and the cone. The tinsel leads from the voice coils are sewn to the spiders to ensure silent operation at extreme power levels. Rockford Fosgate provides spring-loaded push terminals capable of accepting 8 AWG wiring for speaker wire connections. A jumper block integrated into the speaker connection block simplifies selecting between voice coil series and parallel wiring. Rockford Fosgate calls this their SWIFT terminal design.

T1-Level Power Series Subwoofer Applications

Using the Box Advisor on the Rockford Fosgate website, we see a recommended sealed enclosure volume of 1.25 cubic feet for the T1D212 and the T1D412. This enclosure results in an F3 frequency of 43.03 hertz and a Qtc of .745 for the T2D212. The slightly lower moving mass (Mms) and higher resonant frequency (Fs) of the T2D412 results in a Qtc of 0.862 and an F3 of 40.43 hertz. Both would sound magnificent.

The Box Advisor suggests 1.75 cubic feet tuned to 40 hertz with a 4-inch diameter round vent for vented enclosures. This design produces a nice bump at 53 hertz, adding more than 6 dB of efficiency over the sealed enclosures. The F3 frequency for these designs is right around 32.5 hertz. Based on the excursion graphs, an infrasonic filter set to 25 hertz would keep cone excursion under control in the bottom octave. If you want to trade that bump for increased low-frequency output, lowering the enclosure tuning to 33 Hz is an option. However, the difference isn’t significant, and the infrasonic filter remains required either way.

Premium Power Series Subwoofers from Rockford Fosgate

In the land of “bigger is better,” Rockford Fosgate’s T1 subwoofers include features you won’t find on most products with similar ratings. No, these aren’t inexpensive options, but the added features outlined above more than justify their price by measurably improving performance. If you’re serious about bass that sounds great, hits hard and performs reliably, drop by a local authorized retailer and ask about the Rockford Fosgate T1D212 and T1D412 Power Series subwoofers. You can find a Rockford Fosgate dealer near you using the locator on their website. Follow Rockford Fosgate on Facebook and Instagram, and check out the fantastic videos on their YouTube channel.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

When it comes to the most stereotypical car audio upgrades, most enthusiasts think of subwoofer systems. Whether you have a small sub in the trunk or a wall of woofers in the back seat, hearing and feeling the beat in your music is a game-changer. Depending on your mood or the music you’re enjoying, having the ability to fine-tune your subs lets you switch from tight and tweaky to ground-pounding and violent in less than a second. If you want the ultimate control over the bass in your vehicle, the Rockford Fosgate RFPEQU universal parametric equalizer and line driver is a great choice. Let’s check it out!

What Is the Rockford Fosgate RFPEQU Line Driver Feature?

The Rockford Fosgate RFPEQU is a stand-alone signal processor designed for installation between the radio and your car audio system’s amplifiers. The processor will accept stereo inputs up to 10 volts RMS and can provide up to 10 volts RMS to maximize the performance of any amplifier brand. The integrated level control allows your installer to configure the RFPEQU to act as a line driver by boosting the incoming audio signal to ensure that you can keep the gains on the amps all the way down.

The RFPEQU can also work as an integration processor. Your installer can connect the balanced differential inputs to the speaker outputs of a factory-installed or aftermarket radio. Not only will the processor provide a clean signal, but it can also generate a remote turn-on output to activate any brand of amplifier. The auto turn-on feature is enabled automatically when using the high-level input. The RCA harness uses a Molex-style connector with white, white/black, gray and gray/black wires with RCA ends. If your installer is wiring the RFPEQU to a radio with RCA preamp outputs, they can use the RCA jacks. If your system only has speaker outputs, they can cut off the RCA ends, leaving left and right positive and negative wires to connect. It is a very intelligent design.

Rockford Fosgate Punch EQ

The Punch Equalization curve, also called Punch EQ, has been around for more than 50 years. It was first invented to compensate for acoustical deficiencies of the automotive environment, but now is an excellent solution for bringing the factory speakers in your car or truck to life or adding some boom from a subwoofer system. Designed with the Equal-Loudness Contour (formerly the Fletcher-Munson curves) in mind, Punch EQ allows you to dial in up to 18 dB of boost at 45 hertz and 12 dB of boost at 12.5 kHz. The equalization gives you the kick you want without risking massive damage to subwoofers, typical of level control adjustments. You can think of Punch EQ as having a built-in infrasonic filter.

The high-frequency boost works like the loudness control on a factory stereo. When the volume is low, it’s hard to hear bass and treble frequencies. You can dial in more EQ boost, and the system will spring to life.

Modular Remote Level Control

The Punch EQ level is adjustable using the included remote control. The remote has a single knob mounted in a compact plastic housing. Utilizing the provided metal bracket, your installer can mount it under your dash or in a storage compartment in the center console. If you want something more customized, your installer can disassemble the remote and surface-mount the front face for a more integrated look. Rockford Fosgate includes a silver label plate and mounting nut. Finally, Rockford Fosgate provides a short extension cable to relocate the LED off the circuit board. If your installer wants to put the knob in the side of the steering column and the LED on the top, it’s not a problem. Those Rockford Fosgate engineers are smart!

The Ultimate Car Audio Integration Solution

If you want to improve the sound of your car stereo system, the Rockford Fosgate RFPEQU and its remote Punch EQ feature is perfect. If you need a line driver, it’s got you covered. Want a remote bass boost control? Yeah, taken care of. Need a factory radio integration solution? Bingo, it nails that one, too! As mentioned, it works with any amplifier brand, so it’s a Swiss Army Knife for car audio upgrades.

Visit a local authorized retailer today and ask about the Rockford Fosgate RFPEQU. It’s an excellent solution for so many car audio upgrade needs. You can find a retailer near you using the Dealer Locator tool on their website. Oh, and be sure to follow Rockford Fosgate on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube to learn more about their amazing products and the events they attend.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.