The Sparked Innovations of a Lifelong Passion for Sound

When I was a kid, one of the first passions I remember having was the study and enjoyment of sound. I don’t just mean music, though that played a large part, but sound in general - the vibration of air molecules caused by various objects and materials, with and without purpose or intent. This fascination led me deep into the world of car audio, where I strive to learn every aspect of sound reproduction and enjoy it to the fullest. Let’s explore some of my experiences and thoughts to see if you can relate.

Early Experiments with Sound (1992)

The year was 1992, and at 12 years old, I had just received my first CD player—a bookshelf stereo with two separate speakers. I chose this style because I had been fascinated by rack stereos with tower speakers and wanted something fun to experiment with. This stereo became my gateway into experimenting with sound.

I began collecting different speakers from yard sales or found around the house. One day, I dissected a Realistic horn tweeter I bought from Radio Shack for $8.00. Upon inspection, I realized the construction was simple: a copper disc over a magnet with a tiny cone attached to the disc. Inspired, I tried to replicate it using a copper penny, a fridge magnet, and pieces of paper folded into various cone shapes. Connecting speaker wires from my stereo to the penny, I was thrilled when I heard faint music—even without mounting it to a magnet or cone. Passing the penny over a magnet amplified the sound, and this discovery ignited a lifelong fascination with the relationship between electricity, magnetism, and mechanical energy in the form of acoustics.

Sound Awareness and Musical Exploration (1993)

Fast forward to 1993, when Jurassic Park became my new favorite movie. Obsessed with the iconic theme music, I tried to replicate it on my keyboard. Despite having no natural musical talent, I was determined to recreate the pleasant sounds by ear. This experience heightened my awareness of sounds around me and helped me distinguish individual sounds in music.

After discovering Wu-Tang Clan, I started writing down notes to music as I listened repeatedly. I then searched for household items that could recreate the sounds I heard. At this point, I began buying car audio subwoofers and amplifiers. I eventually built a subwoofer drum kit, connecting 12-inch subwoofers to the microphone input of a home audio receiver I bought at a yard sale for $7.00. Tapping on the subwoofer drum kit and hearing the walls vibrate was exhilarating—a glorious moment that deepened my love for sound.

Building and Experimenting with Sub Enclosures

During my teenage years, I wasn’t interested in parties or dating. Instead, I spent countless hours building different subwoofer enclosures and experimenting with their placement to study how sound behaved in various positions. One of my favorite setups involved a pair of eight-inch Pioneer IMPP subs in a large ported box placed in the corner of my second-floor bedroom.

I would play tonal sweeps of 10-20Hz and walk around the house to feel the vibrations in different rooms. The best spot was at the top of the staircase, likely because it acted as a port to the first floor. When I turned 15, I started experimenting with my mom’s car audio system, and by 16, when I had my own car, my car audio career officially began.

Discovering Favorite Frequencies and Sounds

Even today, when I listen to music, I pay close attention to the various sounds. 90s bass music remains one of my favorite genres. Producers like Bass 305 and Bass Mekanik created some of the most pleasing sounds, with dynamic bass notes and electronic clicks that sounded amazing on a good tweeter setup. I would often modify my car audio system to enhance specific songs I enjoyed the most.

While some people mock SPL competitors by saying, “No one drives around listening to test tones,” I can confidently say that I have. In fact, I developed a love for certain frequencies through these sessions. Do you have your own favorite frequencies?

Acoustics, Psychoacoustics, and the World Around Us

As an adult, I feel I have gained a solid understanding of acoustics. My lifelong study of sound phenomena has even helped me understand how many haunted house experiences and ghost sightings can be attributed to acoustics and psychoacoustics. For example, low-frequency vibrations can cause eye jelly to vibrate, leading to hallucinations, while standing waves can create pockets of cold air. Infrasound can induce nausea or even move objects and open doors without an obvious cause.

Sound has been a window into the world of physics for me. It has helped me grasp complex concepts and understand the universe in ways I never imagined. This lifelong passion for sound has enriched my life immeasurably. Read more; Sparked Innovations