How To Choose An Aftermarket Car Audio System

Searching the web for answers will leave your head spinning with too much information, as there are many important factors to consider in selecting a car stereo system that meets your particular needs. With this in mind, I've simplified the process down to the key factors to consider in selecting a car audio system. I hope this spares you buying the first aftermarket sound system that you find on sale, which might not be right for you, or your car. I'm going to save you time you won't spend searching for answers on the Internet, money you won't waste on parts you don't need, and embarrassment you won't have asking advice from friends, commission sales people and installers. As a bonus, when your family and friends want to buy their own aftermarket car sound system, this article will make YOU their resident "expert!"

Know Thy Vehicle...

The first step is to figure out the size of the components that fit your vehicle's stock provisions without any major modifications. IE. To see if speakers will fit in a vehicle, you must take off the speaker cover, and measure it's length, width and depth, as not all cars can accommodate speakers with a large magnet. Many aftermarket auto-electronics manufacturers have guides to help determine what size radio and speakers will fit what vehicles. Metra (manufacturer of parts used by car stereo installers) offers a fitment guide on its Web site.

Know Thy Self...

Determine realistic goals for your aftermarket car audio system project. IE. Building a loud, flashy stereo system is far different than buying a great-sounding audio system using your pre-existing speaker locations. For example, if adding subwoofers, consider how much cargo space you want to give up to get that extra low end sound. Another consideration is whether or not to maintain a stock appearance, which will discourage theft. In addition, if you lease the vehicle or intend to trade it in, choose components and installation that won't permanently alter it's appearance and/or can be easily removed. Contemplate keeping the factory head unit, if it integrates with other systems in the vehicle, and adding only amplifiers and speakers.

Know Thy Budget...

Always know your budget *before* you shop for an aftermarket car audio system. The "budget" must include installation, labor and parts (mounting kits and amp wiring). NOTE: If you're keeping your factory radio, ask about the availability of any options and the cost of any adapters. As with many things in life, the more you are willing to spend on your new car audio components, the better features and sound quality you'll get. Depending on how important music is to you, it may be worth spending more for high-quality audio components, and then adding on to the sound system over time.

Know Thy Shops and Installers...

Finding car audio retailers is as simple as an Internet search, but deciding which shop is right for you is not so easy. Sometimes, the shop you choose is just as important as the products. Always ask friends' opinions and check online reviews. Make sure the retailer is an authorized dealer for the brands they carry and ask them how they handle product warranty issues. Make sure the shop's installers are professionally certified by the Consumer Electronics Association's MECP program. (Mobile Electronics Certified Professional) which is the only nationally recognized program. Ask about installation rates, labor rates, warranty and guarantees, and see that the installation bays (where your car will be worked on) are spacious, clean and well lit. NOTE: It's always best to visit a shop at slow times (weekday mornings), when there will be time to ask questions, test-drive products and listen to systems without being rushed.

Know Thy Audio System Components

HEAD UNIT

If you're purchasing a complete car audio system, start with the head unit or radio. Find head units that fit your vehicle (DIN, DIN-and-a-half and double-DIN are standard sizes) and have your desired features (such as navigation, satellite radio, MP3 playback and iPod integration). Check out all of the features and controls yourself, and don't simply be won over by what the salesperson is pushing on you. Listen intently and evaluate various components (especially the speakers) for good sound reproduction. The best way to do this is to use your own CD to audition audio components. Always use tracks with which you're very familiar, so you know exactly how they're supposed to sound.

Many models now offer detachable faceplates, but this security feature only works if you remove the faceplate. Some models even feature a plate that rotates when you turn off the vehicle, only making it look as if it's been removed. Another available feature is automatic volume control, where the system automatically adjusts the radio's volume, based on the vehicle's speed and the varying amount of road noise and wind noise inside it. Most people prefer units that have larger buttons with greater space between them, as they are easier to use, so they distract the driver from the road less. The same goes for the radio display, most prefer large numbers that are easier to read. In addition, try to find a radio that shows not only the radio station, but also the time and preset number.

AMPLIFIERS

As for amplifiers, it simply come down to budget, system configuration and your own brand preferences. IE. If the speakers you like can only handle 50 watts per channel, then you don't need a 100-watt amp. Amplifiers are the backbone of the car stereo system, and weak amplifiers can damage strong speakers. Amplifiers provide the power, eliminate distortion and increase sound clarity. The size of the amplifiers depends on how much power needed. Basically, the more power you have, the better control you have over your system. So, a good power amp will sound "clear," even if you turn the system above half volume. Where the amplifiers are placed in the vehicle is not critical. They simply need enough air flow and to be mounted on a dry surface. If you are the DIY (Do It Yourself) type, you'll need the following tools to install the amps: an installation kit (featuring a power wire, ground wire, RCA, remote turn on lead and a fuse), crimpers and a drill. Already knowing your head unit and amplifier choices makes it easier for you to choose speakers.

CAR SPEAKERS

Aftermarket car speakers have a larger frequency response (more sound coming through the speakers) and more power handling capabilities, which results in a brighter high end and a fuller lower end to their sound. Now that you know which speakers will fit your vehicle, let your ears do the talking. Evaluating speakers is highly subjective, so you should play your own music through them, and get what sounds best to YOU, as you will be the one listening to them. If the store has demo vehicles, listen to your speaker choices in them to get the best idea of how the speakers sound installed. Store demo rooms are not great for auditioning speakers, as their acoustics and speaker positioning are nothing like that of a vehicle. Also ask which amplifiers are driving them and with how much power wattage.

Aftermarket car speakers come in two main categories: full-range speakers, and component speaker systems. The easiest way to replace factory speakers is with full-range speakers, as they contain all the speaker elements in one unit: a woofer for the lows, and a tweeter mounted onto the woofer for the highs. Some models will also have additional drivers (midrange or supertweeter). Some higher end, full-range speakers also use external crossovers. These separate the different sound frequencies sent to the woofer and tweeter. This way, neither one tries to reproduce frequencies for which they're not intended. The result is a cleaner, more efficient sound. Full-range speakers come in many sizes to fit into factory speaker spaces. Simply remove the old speaker, connect the new speaker and mount it.

Component speaker systems offer a superior speaker design to give you the most detailed sound, and exceptional dynamics, using separate woofers, tweeters, and external crossovers. The tweeter comes separate from the woofer, so it can be mounted in a location that provides the best imaging. This will give the sound greater depth. The crossover network comes external to the woofer and tweeter. Using higher quality internal components creates a sharp separation of the frequencies sent to the different drivers. This results in a more realistic sound.

There are two main specifications when considering which speakers are right for a car: Sensitivity and Power-handling. Sensitivity measures "how much sound a speaker yields from the power applied to it." IE. For a low-powered car stereo (like most stock car audio systems), speakers with high sensitivity ratings will work best. For a high-power system (a brand-name receiver or external amplifier), speakers with lower sensitivity ratings work better. Power-handling refers to how much power (watts) a speaker can handle. In a low-powered system, the speakers don't need to handle lots of power. In contrast, a high powered system (powerful external amps) requires speakers whose power-handling equals the output of the amps. NOTE: The key is the maximum RMS power-handling, not the peak power handling. (RMS ratings measure how much power the speaker can handle on a continuous basis, not just for a short period.)

OTHER ACCESSORIES

Generally, the use of separate tweeters will enhance sound quality. Separate subwoofers will enhance the lower end sound of music. Subwoofers are hard to judge in a sound room too, because a closed vehicle will enhance their bass response. Let the salesman know what you want from your woofer, so they can be sure your component choices accomplish your audio goals. IE. Don't expect to have booming bass from a cheap 8" sub woofer. A speaker's materials also determine its durability and sound quality. Make sure you get all the accessories and component enhancements you will need. IE. Foam baffles to protect your speakers from dust and moisture. Bass blockers to improve smaller speakers' efficiency. Dynamat to lower noise levels inside the vehicle, which will improve clarity.

WOOFER

To effectively reproduce low notes, the woofer should be made of stiff, yet lightweight material, and polypropylene is used by most manufacturers. Polypropylene is sometimes mixed with other materials (IE. mica) to make it stiffer and give a more accurate bass tone. Woven fabrics and synthetics coated with metals, are also strong and lightweight, providing excellent response. All of these materials endure heat, cold, and moisture well. The surround materials on a woofer allow the cone freedom of movement, so it can give off bolder bass. Surrounds must be able to endure extreme temperatures and humidity. Rubber ones perform best, but foam and cloth surrounds are less expensive, and still perform well.

TWEETER

A tweeter's material greatly effects it's sound. Tweeters made of soft materials, like poly, textiles and silk, yield a mellow sound. In contrast, hard materials, such as metal, ceramic and graphite, produce a bright high end. When replacing speakers at the bottom of a car door, full-range speakers with pivoting tweeters work best. Tweeters produce very directional high-frequencies, so pivoting (or swiveling) tweeters can be pointed towards the listener for greater sound depth. Detachable tweeters can be used with either full-range speakers or component systems, making them ideal for reuse in multiple vehicles.

CD changers come in a variety of styles to consider. A remote CD changer fits best in the trunk or rear hatch area, but can be custom mounted under some seats, in the glove box or in a side panel. It can be added to any system via an RF controller unit that interfaces via the existing AM/FM antenna lead. A remote CD changer can store up to 12 CDs, but the frequency response through the RF modulator is not as good as from an in-dash CD changer. The in-dash 6 CD changer has begun to appear on more and more vehicles. NOTE: the head unit and CD changer must have same manufacturer and operating system. Even when they are from the same manufacturer, some older models *still* will not work with newer models.

Knowing the basics about your vehicle's stock stereo system, aftermarket car audio systems and your sound system goals is the best way to prepare to purchase a new car stereo system. Knowing the correct questions to ask sales reps and installers takes the stress out of any aftermarket car audio system project.