In 2005, Hertz introduced the world to the Mille series of car audio speakers and subwoofers. These unique drivers featured the V-cone design to deliver impressive clarity and detail. Now in their third generation, Mille Legend tweeters, midrange drivers, woofers and subwoofers combine premium materials with state-of-the-art technologies to ensure that music enthusiasts can enjoy their music at elevated volume levels in amazing clarity and detail. Let’s take a close look at the technologies Hertz has implemented in its flagship speaker products.

Hertz Mille Legend Speakers – Moving Parts Technologies

From the detailed ML 280.3 Legend tweeter to the impact of the ML 2500.3 Legend subwoofer, the Hertz Mille Legend speaker family uses modern design elements and technologies that reduce distortion and improve performance.

The deep V-cone design is evident if you look at any Mille Legend midrange drivers, woofers or subwoofers. This one-piece cone design comes to a sharp inverted point in the center. Unlike a typical dome-shaped dust cap, the V-cone design resists resonance that can add distortion to the music signal. Hertz also claims that the design helps to improve off-axis performance, making a two-way speaker set sound better in the doors or dash of your car or truck.

The Boundary Free Surround design on all the drivers helps to reduce unwanted resonance and increase the effective area of the woofer cone. These surrounds are constructed from high-purity IIR butyl rubber that resists degradation from prolonged exposure to oxygen and ozone.

The stand-alone and coaxial tweeters use a diaphragm made from Hertz’ proprietary Tetolon fiber cone material. This lightweight textile provides an amazing balance of clarity and high-frequency extension. In addition, the inherent damping characteristics resist the addition of unwanted distortion at the highest of frequencies. The midrange drivers in the Legend series use cotton-damped pressed pulp paper cones that offer a near-perfect balance of rigidity and resonance-preventing damping. The subwoofers use a mineral-injected paper cone for added strength alongside the excellent damping characteristics.

To prevent power compression, Hertz has implemented large-diameter voice coil assemblies on all the drivers. There is a massive 4-inch coil in the 10-inch ML 2500.3 Legend and 8-inch ML2000.3 Legend subwoofers. There’s also the large-for-the-driver-size 0.8-inch coil in the 3-inch ML 700.3 Legend midrange speaker. Larger voice coils offer a significant increase in surface area that helps them dissipate heat and stay cooler.

Hertz designed this series of speakers using computer-based Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to optimize the connection between the voice coil former and the cone in all the midrange, woofer and subwoofer solutions. Ensuring that this crucial connection is both mechanically secure and thermally stable is another reason why the Mille Legend speakers sound great, even at high volume levels.

Motor and Basket Performance Features

All but the two coaxial drivers in the Legend series use neodymium ring magnets at the core of their motor design. These rare earth magnets help the speakers and tweeters deliver impressive efficiency without the need for large, heavy motors. The design also helps to reduce the overall depth of the drivers. Along the same theme, the top and back plates are forged and milled from low-carbon steel, which offers excellent magnetic permeability to further increase efficiency.

All the Mille Legend drivers use copper or aluminum shorting rings to help improve high-frequency performance. These rings short unwanted magnetic fields created as the voice coil assembly moves through the magnetic gap. In the midrange drivers and woofers, upper midrange clarity is dramatically improved, thanks to this technology. In addition, midbass performance on the subwoofers and enhanced tweeter clarity at the top end of the audible spectrum are also achieved.

Hertz Mille Legend subwoofers, woofers and midrange drivers are based on cast aluminum chassis that help ensure that every component is aligned perfectly. The design also serves as a heatsink to improve power handling and to isolate the cone and motor from vehicle vibrations while driving.

Upgrade Your Car Audio System with Hertz Mille Legend Speakers

If you’re shopping for new or upgraded speakers for your car audio system, visit your local authorized Hertz retailer and ask for a demonstration of the Hertz Mille Legend drivers. You can learn more about the impressive products from Hertz by visiting their website, Facebook page or their YouTube channel.

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Known best for its speakers and amplifiers, Hertz has recently added an impressive digital signal processor called the H8 DSP to its mix of car audio upgrade solutions. Since more and more car audio enthusiasts these days are working with factory-installed source units, Hertz focused on making its processor solution easy to integrate into these vehicles. With a full suite of tuning tools on hand for your installation technician, upgrading a vehicle audio system with the H8 DSP will transform it into something truly amazing.

Hertz H8 DSP Features

The H8 DSP features four speaker-level inputs, a pair of RCA auxiliary inputs and a TOSLINK digital input. On the output side, there are eight RCA outputs that will provide up to 4V of signal. The four speaker-level inputs will accept as much as 15V, and the RCA aux input is good for 5V. The processor also includes input level optimization LEDs to help maximize the signal-to-noise ratio of the system. Another increasingly important feature is called the Universal Speakers Simulator (USS) technology. This circuit presents an appropriate load to the factory amplifier or radio so that external load resistors aren’t required to make the system function.

Hertz includes a few welcome hardware connections that make using the H8 DSP quite convenient. First, the system includes enough memory for two tuning calibrations. External wire connections are available to let users switch between these presets quickly. The system also includes remote turn-on detection circuitry. This processing will allow the H8 DSP to turn itself on when it detects that the factory radio turns on. There’s also a remote output, so the processor can then turn on your system amplifiers.

The software includes an input/output configuration wizard that helps simplify the setup process. Not only does this help with signal routing, but it also enables the de-equalization process. Many factory-installed radios, including some that seem surprisingly basic, include speaker-specific equalization processing. The de-equalization process uses a test track (available as a download from the Hertz website) to undo the factory EQ curve as much as possible. The wizard also sets up some basic crossover settings that mean the system can be up and playing very quickly before the fine-tuning begins. This feature gives your installation technician a level playing field from which he or she can start the calibration process of your new speakers.

Signal Processing Features

In Expert mode, any of the eight channels can be configured with high- and low-pass filters with the option of Butterworth or Linkwitz-Riley filters with slop options up to -24 dB/octave. Crossover points aren’t infinitely adjustable, but there are 68 frequency options available – which is more than enough for any possible system design.

In terms of equalization, there are 31 bands, spaced at standard 1/3-octave spacing. Each band is adjustable on 0.3 dB steps up to plus or minus 12 dB. There’s a cool “select all” button that lets your installer change all the bands at once. This is a great feature if the person tuning your system needs more than 12 dB of cut or boost in a single band, as the entire set of slides can be moved at once.

Your installer can enter the distance between the listening position and the speaker, and then the processor will calculate the delay for each output. There’s a fine-tuning window that lets them add additional delay in 0.02-millisecond steps. There is also a polarity adjustment control of each channel that is labeled as “Invert Phase.”

The level of each of the eight output channels can be adjusted in 0.5 dB steps from 0 to -40 dB. There is a master volume control setting that works in 1 dB steps from 0 to -60 dB and a master subwoofer level control that provides 0.5 dB steps from 0 to -12 dB.

DRC HE Remote Control

The H8 DSP ships with the DRC HE remote control. This compact (2.48- by 1.4-inch) remote includes five buttons and a small 4.5-character, 12-segment display. The remote provides master volume control, subwoofer level control and balance and fader adjustment. The presets can also be toggled by the remote, along with the source input (speaker, aux, or digital). The included connection cable is 14.76 feet (4.5 meters) long. Finally, two-sided tape is included to surface-mount the remote in your vehicle.

Since the processor can operate in a stand-alone mode using the remote as the master on/off switch, it doesn’t require a traditional source unit to be in your audio systems. You can play music from a smartphone through a Bluetooth receiver or a media player like the Audison bit Play using the TOSLINK digital connection.

Upgrade Your Car Audio Experience with the H8 DSP

Whether you have an existing sound system or are planning a new build, having a signal processor like the Hertz H8 DSP in the system is a worthwhile investment. Drop by your local authorized Hertz retailer for a demonstration today! For more information about Hertz car audio products, visit their website, Facebook page, Instagram page, Twitter feed or 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.

Hertz Mille Pro speakers are designed for car audio enthusiasts who demand world-class performance and impressive value. The Mille Pro series includes five component speaker systems, a pair of coaxial speakers, or drivers in a-la-carte pairs for an actively filtered system. Trickle-down technology from the esteemed Legend Series helps to ensure that music lovers can find a solution that fits their needs.

Hertz Mille Pro Speaker Systems

Starting with the flagship MPK 1650.3 Pro, this two-way component speaker set includes a pair of 6.5-inch MP 165P.3 woofers, two MP 28.3 1 3/8” tweeters and a set of MPCX 165.3 passive crossover networks. The woofers are based on a cast aluminum alloy basket and use a 1-inch polyamide voice coil former with a 0.55-inch tall winding. The woofers have a nominal impedance of 3 ohms to maximize the power production capabilities of the connected amplifier. Xmax is specified at 4.5 mm, and power handling is a healthy 125 watts continuous. The woofer cones are made from a pressed pulp paper with cotton fibers, and they feature an exponential-curve deep-V shape. The cone is attached to a rubber surround that Hertz calls “Boundary Free” in reference to the smooth transition between the area that attaches to the cone and the outer roll. The MP 28.3 tweeters have a 1.1-inch voice coil and use lightweight CCAW wiring to assist with amazing transient response. The Tetolon fiber domes work with tuned rear chambers to deliver an extremely low resonant frequency of 900 Hz. This low Fs value allows for low crossover points and improves the overall dispersion performance of the set. The passive crossover networks include tweeter level attenuation switches and two contour settings to compensate for different tweeter installation positions.

The MPK 165P.3 Pro set uses the same 6.5-inch MP 165P.3 woofers as the above system with a set of MP 25.3 1.14-inch tweeters. These smaller tweeters are more suitable for integration into factory pods in sail panel, A-pillar and door locations. The crossover point in the included MPCX 2P.3 crossovers is at 4 kHz instead of 3 kHz, as in the 1650.3 Pro set.

The MPK 165.3 Pro Set uses the MP 25.3 tweeters with a set of 6.5-inch MP 165.3 woofers. These woofers retain the cast aluminum basket, pressed cotton and pulp-paper cone, the Boundary Free surround and a 1-inch voice coil design. Power handling is somewhat more modest at 110 watts, and Xmax is plus or minus 4 mm. The MPCX 2.3 crossovers have a 0 or +2 dB tweeter adjustment and filter the drivers at 3.5 kHz.

For those who require a three-way speaker solution, the MPK 163.3 Pro system adds a pair of MP 70.3 3-inch midrange drivers to the MPK 165.3 set. The mids feature a cast basket, dual neodymium magnets, cotton and pressed-pulp cones, and the Boundary Free rubber surround design. With a resonant frequency of 110 Hz and Xmax spec of 1.5 mm, these mids play down to 450 Hz with the included MPCX 3.3 passive networks.

For those who need a 5.25-inch component set, Hertz offers the MPK 130.3 Pro system. The system uses the MP 25.3 tweeters with a pair of MP 130.3 woofers. The woofers have cast baskets, and the same cone and surround design as their big-brother 6.5-inch speakers. The system includes the same MPCX 2.3 crossovers as the MPK 165.3 set.

High-Performance Coaxial Speaker Sets

There are two coaxial speaker options in the Hertz Mille Pro Series. The MPX 165.3 Pro set is a pair of two-way 6.5-inch speakers that use a 1-inch tweeter mounted at the very base of the woofer cone. The woofer uses a 1.42-inch voice coil former so that there is enough room for the tweeter to fit inside. The same paper-cotton cone and surround woofers design complement soft Tetolon diaphragms in the tweeters. Hertz added an acoustic lens on top of the tweeter to help improve off-axis performance.

The MPX 690.3 Pro is a set of 6×9-inch three-way speakers. The large oval woofer is complemented by a 1.4-inch soft-dome tweeter and a 1.14-inch super-tweeter. Both use the soft-dome Tetolon design with crossover points of 4 and 10 kHz, respectively, to deliver even dispersion both on- and off-axis. Power handling is rated at 130 watts, and the woofer has an Xmax spec of plus or minus 4 mm.

Premium Speaker Upgrades for Every Application

The Hertz Mille Pro series fits perfectly between the Mille Legend and the Energy speakers. The offerings combine great power handling, flexible installation options and the reputation for performance that has made Hertz one of the best-known speaker manufacturers in the car audio industry. For more information about these speakers, visit the Hertz website and be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and 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.

As a continuation of our look at the Hertz Cento Series, we are going to delve into the features of the new Cento Subwoofers. Available in 10- and 12-inch sizes with either two- or four-ohm voice coil configurations, the Cento subwoofers are a perfect example of trickle-down technology providing amazing value and performance for car audio enthusiasts.

Hertz Cento Subwoofer Physical Features

The Cento subwoofers are based on a rigid four-spoke basket. Vents in the base of each spoke allow hot air to escape from underneath the spider to provide voice coil cooling. A flat (not cupped) spider is mounted on a plastic spacer at the base of the basket. Spring-loaded wire terminals capable of accepting 8AWG wire are molded into an extension off the side of the spider spacer ring. Additional cooling is provided by vertical vents in the plastic reinforcement ring that is used to attach the voice coil former to the spider and the cone. This ring dramatically increases the glue contact area and helps to ensure each component is aligned perfectly at this crucial triple joint.

The glass fiber voice coil former has a diameter of 35 mm (1.38 inches) and serves as a home to a six-layer copper winding. The result is 300 watts of continuous power handling on the 10-inch CS 250 S2 and C2 250 S4 subwoofers and 350 watts on the 12-inch CS 300 S2 and S4 models. Based on the height of the voice coil windings and the thickness of the top plate, the Hertz Cento subwoofers have an X-max specification of 12.5 mm (one-way).

A one-piece ferrite magnet at the base of the speaker provides magnetic flux. There is no cooling vent in the T-yoke of the Cento subwoofers, so your installer can butt them right up against the back of an enclosure without fear of affecting their performance or reliability. Speaking of mounting requirements, the 10-inch subs require a mounting depth of 4.53 inches and the 12-inch models need 5.12 inches.

The cone and dust cap on the Cento subwoofers are made from polypropylene and are attached to the outer edge of the basket using a rubber surround. An ABS plastic trim and mounting ring around the perimeter of the drive provides a clean and classy appearance once installed. Hertz offers optional protective mesh grilles with part numbers CG 250 and CG 300 to help keep the subs looking like new.

Enclosure Requirements

Hertz suggests that the CS 250 S2 and S4 will work in enclosures as small as 0.57 cubic feet and the CS 300 S2 and CS 300 S4 will work in a 1-cubic-foot enclosure. The 10-inch designs result in a system F3 of 55 Hz, and the 12-inch designs have an F3 of just under 50 Hz. For both applications, Hertz recommends implementing an infrasonic high-pass filter at 15 Hz with a slope of 24 dB/octave to prevent damage due to high excursion levels. Based on a quick look at the specifications, your system designer can use these subwoofers in a vented enclosure to provide about 4 dB more output across the board in exchange for increased enclosure volume.

Amazing Bass and Great Value

A single Cento subwoofer is a perfect match for the DPower1 monoblock amplifier, or you could match a pair of them to the HCP 1D monoblock. If you’re in the market for a subwoofer that won’t break the bank but provides low-frequency performance from relatively compact enclosure designs, drop by your local authorized Hertz retailer and ask for a demonstration of the new Cento subwoofers.

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.

Known for its designs for car audio enthusiasts looking for speakers that sound great and offer exceptional value, Hertz has introduced its new Cento Series of high-performance car audio speakers. Developed using many of the same philosophies and materials as the flagship Mille speakers, Cento (pronounced chen-tow) includes 18 products, with coaxial speakers, two-way component speaker systems and a selection of raw drivers. The series also includes four subwoofers which we’ll look at in a future spotlight.

Hertz Cento Coaxial Speakers

The CX-Series coaxial speaker solutions include 4-, 5.25- and 6.5-inch round designs and 5×7 and 6×9 oval offerings. These speakers feature rubber surrounds on the woofers for excellent longevity and soft-dome tweeters for smooth and detailed high-frequency response. All four driver sets use a Semi-Pressed Paper-Mica (SPP-M) cone design that is both rigid and well-damped. The addition of mica powder aids in increasing both features without adding significant weight. In all but the 6×9-inch CX 690, the tweeters include a feature called Rotary High-Frequency Contour, which allows your installer to angle them toward the driver and passenger for improved high-frequency performance. The CX 690 is a three-way design that uses a 1.58-inch tweeter and an 0.8-inch super-tweeter for smooth sound dispersion.

The upgraded Cento Pro CPK coaxial drivers are available in 6.5- and 6×9-inch sizes. These models offer increased power handling and almost 50% more woofer excursion capability for enthusiasts who enjoy their music at higher volume levels. The Pro drivers use a pressed paper cone that was designed using Finite Element Method (FEM) modeling to ensure smooth and natural sound.

Component Speaker Systems

The four Cento component speakers include three 6.5-inch component sets and a 5.25-inch set. The CK165 6.5-inch system is the bread and butter of the Cento line. The woofers combine the same SPP-M cone and 1-inch voice coil from the coaxial series with an inverted dust cap. For high-frequency reproduction, a 1-inch Tetolon fiber soft-dome tweeter is included, and several mounting options are provided to make integrating the system into your vehicle easy for your installer. The CCX 2 passive crossover network offers 0 and -3 dB tweeter attenuation options to help tune the system for each application.

The CK 165 F is a similar 6.5-inch speaker system in terms of the tweeter and crossover but features a shallow-mount woofer with a mounting depth of 1.71 inches as opposed to the 2.46-inch requirement of the conventional woofer. Next in line is the CK 165 L component set. The woofers in this set use a non-pressed paper design for natural balance and solid, controlled low-frequency output.

Stepping up to the Cento Pro CPK 165 once again offers additional power handling and more excursion capability. Separate high- and low-pass crossover modules not only improve output capabilities but make installation easier. Also available in the Pro Series is the CPK 690 6×9-inch component set that is a perfect solution for Toyota and Ford vehicles that use a large, oval driver in the front doors. Both Pro-Series sets include the larger CP 25 1.15-inch Tetolon soft-dome tweeter and a lower crossover frequency to help raise the soundstage height.

Cento Component Speakers

Unique at their price points, the Cento series includes five raw drivers sold in pairs. Your retailer can help you choose from the C 26 or C 26 OE 1-inch tweeters. Both systems include the same 1-inch Tetolon fiber dome design as used in the CK component sets but offer different installation options. The C 26 features a mesh grille for surface mounting and includes an angled mounting bracket. The C 26 OE uses a compact design that is intended to fit into factory tweeter locations behind the factory grilles.

In terms of woofers, your retailer has the choice of the C 165 from the CK 165 component set, the C 165 F from the CK 165 F shallow-mount set or the C 165 L from the CK 165 L set. None of the raw woofer sets come with grilles, but they are available as part number CG 165 and work with all three options.

The raw drivers are a perfect solution for someone who wants to put together a mid-level active speaker system and would work perfectly with an HCP 5D five-channel amplifier, the H8 DSP digital signal processor and an appropriate subwoofer solution.

Experience Cento Speakers at Your Local Authorized Hertz Retailer Today

With so many offerings available, it’s well worth a trip to your local specialist mobile enhancement retailer to audition a Cento speaker solution that suits your musical tastes and power handling requirements. For more information, visit the Hertz website or follow them on Twitter, Instagram or check their 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.