When it comes to buying or upgrading a car audio system, there are hundreds of products to choose from and dozens of questions for you to ask the sales staff at your local car audio retailer. This article provides some basic guidelines to help make the process easier for you, and ensure you get the equipment and service that fulfills your goals.
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1. What is your point?
Have you ever been driving while listening to music and thought to yourself, “That doesn’t sound right” or “This system doesn’t get loud enough”? Even worse, maybe you have headphones on – something that is illegal in many states and provinces. If there has even been a thought other than “I love my car stereo,” then you should make a visit to your local car audio retailer. Before you go, make sure you know why you are going. Is part of your system broken? Do you want a radio with a new feature? Do you want better sound quality? more overall volume? a little more bass? a lot more bass? Knowing what to ask for will help you arrive at the perfect audio solution quickly and efficiently.
If you have friends with aftermarket car audio systems, ask them if you can have a listen. Write down what you like about their systems and what you would do differently. If you enjoy your music loud, take some notes on a system that you think plays loudly enough – the make and model of speakers, amplifiers and subwoofers. If there was something you liked, like a pair of speakers or radio, write down the model numbers. Do the same for your existing system. If you provide clear goals, your retailer can narrow down upgrade suggestions accurately and efficiently.
A request from your retailer: Be honest about your goals and expectations. If you tell your dealer that you just want a small sub, but you like the sound of a pair of 12s in the back of your friend’s truck, you will end up being disappointed, and will likely push the system beyond its limits or to the point of failure. Ask for what you really want, and you will get something you will enjoy.
2. The Latest Thing
Over the past five years, the number of people who have chosen to add some form of Bluetooth hands-free solution to their vehicles has been considerable. If the solution has been a new head unit, then they also get USB for music playback from their phones or memory sticks. If there is something new that you want, let your retailer know. Some popular upgrades include a new source unit with CarPlay or Android Auto interfaces, cellphone voice dialing, SiriusXM satellite radio, a backup camera or parking sensor system, or a source unit with a Pandora Radio interface or support for high-resolution audio files like FLAC. Your local dealer would be happy to show you some of the features and products available to the mobile electronics industry.
3. Check it out
Once you have narrowed down your reason for visiting a retailer, you should have a plan to audition the product you have chosen. If it’s a radio, using it on a display board can often tell you almost everything you want to know. Make sure the user interface is easy to use and to understand. If it has Bluetooth, make sure your will pair with it and reconnect automatically every time you turn on the radio. If you are looking at a multimedia source unit, make sure you know how long it takes to start up when you start your car. This is important if you are adding a backup camera to the vehicle. Waiting for the radio to start so you can use the camera to back up is somewhat frustrating.
If you are after speakers or a subwoofer system, then auditioning those in a vehicle is a great idea. Once you have established how the products sound, you can listen to different speakers or subs on a display board in the store, and reference the difference from the product you listened to in the car.
4. What Flavor?
Do you need an audio system with everything from a single manufacturer? Absolutely not. While there is nothing wrong with having amps and speakers from the same company that makes your radio, different companies have different areas of expertise. The store you are dealing with carries certain brands for several reasons. Typically, a retailer chooses brands for their performance, reliability, and how easily the store owners can work with the manufacturer or supplier. When a store has a good relationship with a supplier, that often translates into better pricing and service on the products for the store, and subsequently for you.
Some consumers are skeptical about why a brand is suggested to them. That is not unreasonable, since many big box retailers are prone to pushing products that are profitable for them. Do your research and audition the products for yourself. If you like something different, then go with that. Just make sure your comparisons are “apples to apples” as best you can, and are based on fact, not reputation.
5. Trained Professionals
When it comes to handing over the keys to your car or truck, you want to know that the person working on the vehicle knows exactly what they are doing. There are programs like MECP (Mobile Electronics Certified Professional) and various local and regional government-run qualification standards that can help to quantify the skillset and knowledge of the person who will be working on your vehicle.
It is also worthwhile to ask to look at some of the work the shop has done. You want to ensure that everything is always neat and tidy when it comes to wire routing, and that products are mounted safely and securely. A neat and tidy installation area can be a good sign. You can often quantify the reliability of a shop by its clientele – if there are high-end cars around, then it probably has a good reputation.
6. Do It Yourself?
Over the years, do-it-yourself car audio installations have allowed people to learn a great deal about how their systems work. With the quality of factory systems improving day by day, the challenge of installing something “better” is becoming more and more difficult. Understanding polarity, phase, summing, equalization and time alignment is paramount to a successful installation. From a physical installation standpoint, working with aluminum chassis vehicles or ones with adhesive panel bonding and data communication buses poses unique challenges. Finally, even choosing a location to mount equipment has become more difficult. There are multiple computers scattered around modern vehicles, and any one of them could be a potential source of audio interference.
All of these are reasons not to do it yourself, but to turn to an established, reliable, knowledgeable shop.
7. Hook Me Up!
Modern vehicles offer many challenges when it comes to installing audio equipment. In many new vehicles, it is impossible to remove the factory radio because other vehicle functions are incorporated into it. In the case of these vehicles, you will want to make sure the shop you are working with has the tools and knowledge to test the factory audio equipment properly for signal connection points and deal with any integration challenges that come up. There are many products on the market designed to integrate with factory audio systems; ask your retailer which they use and why.
8. Stepping Higher
If you are looking for real performance from your audio system, your retailer may suggest several accessories that can improve that performance. Adding sound-deadening to your vehicle should be at the top of your list. Properly installed sound-deadening not only makes the vehicle quieter but can improve the performance of your speakers by preventing the sound coming from the rear of the speaker from canceling with the sound coming from the front. Bluetooth systems work better when the vehicle is quieter, and most sound-deadening materials also block heat, so your vehicle will be more comfortable. A moderately priced set of speakers installed with proper sound-deadening can sound better than an expensive set without deadening.
If the shop needs to create adapter rings for your speakers, what materials are they using? Ideally, you want something that will not be harmed by water – ABS plastic, HDPE plastic, or Lexan and plexiglass materials are great choices.
A higher-end installation may start to involve some cosmetic fabrication. Many shops are adept at creating trim and accent panels that can add unique style to your system and you vehicle. Materials like leather, vinyl, suede, transparent plastics and mesh are very commonly integrated into custom door, dash and trim panels. Shops should have some samples of their work on display so you can see what they offer.
9. Play Me a Tune
One of the most critical aspects of installing any car audio system is ensuring that each speaker is working in harmony with all the others in the vehicle. From the simplest check of balance and fader controls to ensuring that the acoustic polarity of your subwoofer is correct, each system deserves a good listen by your installer before it leaves the install bay.
As you delve deeper into the quest for realism and sonic perfection from your audio system, you will no doubt encounter Digital Signal Processing (DSP). There are several source units and amplifiers on the market with great DSP features, and the standalone processors are amazing. The key to the success of any of these systems starts with the design of the system and finishes with proper tuning. You will never get a great soundstage in front of you if your speakers are beside you. Auditioning a shop’s skills in tuning DSP systems can usually only be done in a vehicle, although a few shops have some dramatic displays in their showrooms. Have a listen to the demo vehicle.
10. After the Fact
Once your system is installed and tuned, the shop should give you a thorough walk-through of how it works, what adjustments you can make and what you should not touch. If you find that you don’t like some aspect of the system’s performance, then go back to the shop. Do not start turning dials and pushing buttons on your own – if the system was tuned properly and you start messing with it, you are more than likely to start to damage your equipment. This is a nice way of asking you not to turn up the gains on your amps.
Many shops offer lifetime installation warranties on products they install. Don’t get hung up if they don’t – it’s the philosophy of more and more shops to invest in making the installations they do so good that there is almost no chance of failure. Talk to your salesperson and understand their logic. In this case, the right answer is the one that works best for you.
Also, be sure to ask about the warranty on the products you are purchasing. Many car audio products have longer warranties when they are installed by an authorized dealer. Ask the shop what happens if something breaks. A few shops offer a direct exchange program; some send the product away for repair. Just make sure you understand how your shop of choice handles things before you make the purchase.
Buying Car Audio
The bottom line: Work with a competent retailer and you will end up with an audio system that sounds amazing and lasts for years and years. Great-sounding music can make a drive much more enjoyable.
So, You’re a newbie to the world of car audio and you’ve decided to spend your hard earned cash on audio upgrades. BRILLIANT!! but wait….
The following advice will help you buy and build a high performing versatile and upgradeable car Audio Install which will provide you with loud clear music, and be safe and reliable.
At the end of this Guide you should have a clear understanding of:
( Part I )
- The bits you need to buy to get a working sound system.
- The bits you DON’T need to buy.
( Part II )
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- How to install and wire it up to get it working (In a general sense).
- How it all fits and works together.
But before you step in a shop, you need find out the size of the components that fit your vehicle without major modification.
Once you know which components will best fit your vehicle’s stock provisions, you are one step closer in reaching your realistic “ICE” goal.
NOT to forget the…
Any good salesperson is going to ask the question, so it’s best for you to know your budget before you enter a store. Don’t forget to add the cost for installation, labor and parts, such as head-unit mounting kits and wiring.
Choose “The shop”..
An experienced installer can be your best guide to designing a system for your vehicle that both sounds great and is reliable.
Once you choose a shop, visit it on slow days, when the store is less crowded. You’ll want time to ask questions, test-drive the products and do some critical listening without being rushed.
“What Will I Need?”
The most fun part of every project is shopping. Yes, you will need to spend some money. How much, and on what, is down to you. The great thing about car audio is that there’s no right or wrong way to go about it. If you’re working on a tight budget, you can even replace components one at a time, as your budget permits, and eventually have a completely custom car sound system.
If you are going the piecemeal, budget-conscious route, then it’s a good idea to plan out a roadmap for what you want your finished system to look like. If you do that, then you’ll end up with components that all work really well together. Do your research and spend wisely.
For the purposes of your first install the recommended system will be:
Head unit. To play music, obviously.
You can narrow your search according to head units that fit your vehicle — The slim ones that are about 18 cm wide and 5 cm high are called single-DIN units, while the chunkier ones that measure 18 cm x 10 cm are double-DIN units. Depending on the slot space available in your car, you could choose either size. If you want to play music from a USB, MP3 player or from an iPod you will need a head unit that comes with a USB port or an Aux-in slot and with bluetooth if you want to use your to play your music without bothering to connect with any kind of wires.
If you can afford to stretch your bigger budget a little more, you can opt for a full 7 inch touchscreen unit with an option of navigation or you can go for a powerful unit with built-in signal processor and high voltage pre-outs for a much better sound experience of course.
An Amplifier – But do You Really Need a Car Audio Amp??
Most head units contain built-in amplifiers, but they’re usually not very powerful. Head units that do contain powerful amps tend more toward the expensive end of the spectrum, at which point it’s often a better choice to simply use a head unit with preamp outputs and a dedicated amp anyway. There are a number of reasons to include an amplifier in your car audio system, and you definitely need one if you want:
- louder sound without distortion
- to power a subwoofer
- to get the most out of your new speakers
If you don’t mind a little distortion, and you have no desire to crank your head unit to full, then you can probably skip the amp and focus on your head unit and speakers. Some head units have enough power to provide relatively distortion-free sound. When you’re working with a decent head unit to begin with, finding the right car amp is a much easier process.
A Set of Speaker.. Coaxials or Components??
One good place for budget-conscious newbies to start is the speakers. Factory speakers are typically pretty anemic, so you may notice a pretty big improvement in your sound by simply replacing your front speakers with a pair of Coaxials or Component speakers.
But the argument of component versus coaxial speakers is complicated, and there is no simple answer as to which one is better. Component speakers provide better sound, but they’re also more expensive. Full range speakers are also easier to install as you can typically find aftermarket units that are direct replacements for the factory speakers.
If sound quality is the most important factor in your decision making process, then you should consider component speakers. Otherwise, full range speakers will probably get the job done just fine
A Subwoofer of some kind.
Around 90% of car audio applications NEEDs a subwoofer. A subwoofer can make the difference between a good-sounding and a great-sounding system. All subwoofers come in a variety of sizes ranging from 8 inches (20.3 cm) to 15 inches (38 cm) and can go up to 22 inches ( 45.7 cm)! They need be fitted in an enclosure (speaker box) and connected to an amplifier.
Your music Genre will determine how many car subwoofers you should purchase. Generally speaking, you only need 2 subwoofers if you listen to hip hop, dance, techno or other bass-heavy music. Otherwise, 1 subwoofer should do. But for a newcomer, a Single 10” or 12” subwoofer in a sealed or ported enclosure, being driven by that wonderful 4 channel amplifier be just right.
Wiring kit to supply power & signal to the amp and speakers.
This will generally consist of a Speaker Cable, large gauge Power Cable, a fuse holder and fuse to protect the power cable. An identical gauge Ground cable is also needed to connect the amp to ground (your cars chassis).
“What kind of wires will I need?”
You DO need to invest in decent power cable to run your amp. Car audio systems operate at high power but low voltage, and this means their current draw can be insanely high. A powerful amplifier might draw 100 Amps at full load – Even an electric Kettle only draws 10 Amps!
This means that you need the thickest copper power cable you can afford, End of story. Realistically, 4Awg (4 gauge) is a minimum for any amplifier of acceptable power output. If you start exceeding 1Kw total power draw, it’s time to upgrade to 2Awg or even 0Awg.
Speaker cable is also important especially if you want best sound quality from your coaxials or components. So get your hands on the wire made up of a good quality Copper. It should also be of sufficient diameter to carry high voltage signals a few metres without appreciable drop. So a 16Awg-12Awg wire should be more than adequate for most applications.
RCA Cables (“Phono” cables) to carry the signal from the head unit to the amplifier:
RCA’s are a co-axial cable that send the signals to your amplifier. They are included with the amplifier wiring kit and are also sold separately.
Some head units have just one pair of outlet often called “Rears”, some have 2 Pairs “Rear and Sub” and some have three pairs – “Front, Rear and Sub” which is better and offers more flexibility.
In most audio systems 3 pairs making six channels is the most you will encounter.
Some other Fitments.
You may also need a Head unit wiring adaptor to convert your cars Wiring loom to an “ISO” block which is a standardised wiring block to allow you to plug in any head unit to any car and for it to work properly, drawing it’s power from the cars loom and powering standard speakers acceptably well, and a facia adaptor to make the head unit blend into the dashboard.
Sound deadening.
It is almost impossible to ignore the importance of sound deadening. The ever raging battle of Car Audio is defeating the harsh audio environment of a running, moving car and allowing the music to be heard. Sound deadening stops panel vibration thus making the car a quieter, more pleasant place to be even if you’re not listening to music. If you’ve not sound deadened, you’re wasting money you spend on upgrades like a more powerful amplifier or a slightly nicer set of speakers.
“What DON’T I need to buy?”
Some of this is contentious and some of it less so but this is a basic install and designed to get a new Car Audio enthusiast the biggest bang for their buck. As such you can safely ignore:
Equalizer/Processors:
These most definitely have their place, but in a first install, the head unit should give you some EQ and limited processing ability and will be more than confusing enough for a beginner. Some complex headunits have enough processing power on board to make external EQ’s and processors totally unnecessary.
Power capacitors:
Yes, lots of people have them, and they’re all shiny and stuff and they look bling. If you’re running a very powerful amplifier, and the power supply is a problem, there are many things you should do before spending money on a power capacitor. You should do “The Big Three” electrical upgrade to reinforce your charging system. You should Run a bigger battery or more batteries and you should invest in a more powerful alternator.
6X9’s:
Now, again, these have their place. Sort of. In specific applications they can be made to work well. However, if you have space to mount a pair of speakers on your rear doors, then adding a pair of 6x9s becomes totally unnecessary. particularly because they are large and badly (oval) designed, might have horrible sounding tweeters, they mess up the sound stage in your vehicle and they deafen you and your passengers. If they’re amplified they’re too loud and in the wrong place. If they’re unamped they’re probably distorting badly.
A well set up system should not need 6X9’s, and certainly not a cheap 6X9’s screwed into a sagging parcel shelf above a booming subwoofer.
Line Drivers:
These hark back to the good old days when head units had a very low Pre-Out voltage (0.1-1Volt). A Line Driver was like a pre-amplifier that boosted that voltage to 4-6V perhaps, and meant that your amplifier gains could be set lower, and higher sound quality and volume was the result. Nowadays even cheap headunits almost all have 2 Volt -8 Volt Pre-Outs, so a Line Driver is not necessary.
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(To be continued)
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