If you’re a total newbie to the world of car audio systems, then there’s just one key fact that you should be aware of. It isn't some byzantine formula that’s used to calculate speaker power levels or optimal speaker placements. It doesn't have anything to do with squeezing every last bit out of a car audio capacitor or adding an additional battery. It’s not even a hot tip on where to get the cheapest prices on audio gear.
The Beginner's Guide to Car Audio Systems
The most important thing to remember is that your car stereo probably doesn’t sound as good as you might think it does. And that isn't a judgmental statement. The fact is that the sound system is one of the places that OEMs almost universally neglect in the name of higher profits, and most people don't even realize what they're missing.
If a car stereo sounds okay to enough people, then that’s all the OEMs are usually looking for. Even factory-installed “premium sound systems” usually aren’t up to snuff.
So how can you tell if your factory audio needs a little tender loving care? Here’s a test that just about anyone can do:
~ Go sit in your car, close the doors, and crank up the windows.
~ Put on your favorite music and turn up the volume. Don't be afraid to go higher than you normally would, but we aren't talking “blow out your eardrums” high.
~ Listen to the music.
You’re listening for a couple different things, and you don’t have to be an expert audiophile to pick up on them.
If you find yourself turning up the treble due to a lack of clarity, that’s something that an upgrade can fix.
On the other hand, if you find yourself turning up the bass only to have the bass sound hollow or empty, that’s also something an upgrade can fix.
If the music sounds distorted when the volume is up really high, that’s another thing you can take care of with a little tinkering.
So where do you get started? There are a lot of different ways for a newbie to tear into a factory sound system upgrade, so there are a handful of questions that can help set you on the right path:
~ How important is your budget? Do you have much money to spend on upgrades?
~ Do you want to improve your sound while keeping your factory stereo?
~ Would you rather ditch the factory stereo and start fresh?
~ How important is bass?
~ Do you like listening to your music loud?
You might be surprised at how the simple act of pondering those five questions will set you on the road to building a great car audio system.
