Question : I'm thinking about upgrading my car audio but don't honestly know where to start. What do I buy?
I don't want to spend a TON of money, but enough to make listening to my iPod enjoyable. I don't care about pumping out a ton of bass and blowing people's hats off so much as having a good, crisp, balanced sound while I drive, even at higher volumes.
I know there's a lot of things you can buy- Amp, speakers, sub, and car stereo. What things will make the biggest difference and what should I look for? I probably won't spend more than 2-3 hundred in all.
Right now I run my ipod through a cassette adapter and some songs have clear deep bass while most buzz the speakers and sound bad- I have to turn the bass a little lower than normal to keep it under control.
I know switching to a stereo cable may make a big difference but speakers might as well. I may not even need an amp, but I've never dealt with car audio before so if you can share any insight with me or help me know what to put my money towards, I would be especially grateful!
From : Phayke
I don't want to spend a TON of money, but enough to make listening to my iPod enjoyable. I don't care about pumping out a ton of bass and blowing people's hats off so much as having a good, crisp, balanced sound while I drive, even at higher volumes.
I know there's a lot of things you can buy- Amp, speakers, sub, and car stereo. What things will make the biggest difference and what should I look for? I probably won't spend more than 2-3 hundred in all.
Right now I run my ipod through a cassette adapter and some songs have clear deep bass while most buzz the speakers and sound bad- I have to turn the bass a little lower than normal to keep it under control.
I know switching to a stereo cable may make a big difference but speakers might as well. I may not even need an amp, but I've never dealt with car audio before so if you can share any insight with me or help me know what to put my money towards, I would be especially grateful!
From : Phayke
Answer from IchtheosaurusRex:
Start at the ends
If you want to upgrade your car's sound system on a budget, start with the high and low ends. What we're going to do is make your factory sound system sound better.
I don't know what your car came with originally, but most newer cars come with separate tweeters - small, high-frequency drivers that are mounted either in the door panels or the dashboard. These are usually pretty low-grade, ceramic magnets, paper cones. Mine were terribly scratchy-sounding. You want to get rid of those and replace them with some high-quality dome tweeters. I replaced the ones in my 2002 Acura RSX with Infinity Reference 1031T.
Price only $40.77 if you buy it at amazon.
Product Features
The 1031T is a 1-inch, edge-driven textile dome tweeeter kit to restore missing highs to any car audio systems. Features everything you need to install in any location. The number-one aftermarket car audio speaker . . . five years running*
When you want a truly moving car audio experience, look no further than Infinity Reference speakers. And you won't be alone in having great sound in your vehicle. Infinity Reference has been the top-selling aftermarket car audio speaker for five years running, and with good reason. Infinity Reference continues to lead the industry with innovative materials and breakthrough engineering that delivers extreme output with accuracy and detail for the ultimate listening experience on the road. And proprietary features such as patent-pending Plus One cones, true four-ohm topology, and UniPivot edge-driven tweeters leave the competition scrambling to keep up. So experience what so many others have enjoyed for years, and install Infinity Reference speakers in your vehicle. Prepare to be moved.
We test it so you can crank it
The last thing you want to worry about is the quality of your speakers. We understand. All new Infinity products have to go through nearly 500 hours of environmental testing. We put them under temperatures fluctuating between -35 degrees C and +90 degrees C with up to 90 percent air humidity for more than 200 hours. We expose the speakers to UV light for more than 150 hours to simulate a mounting location on a rear deck. We even shake things up, as all of our new car audio products have to pass extensive vibration testing before we release them for production. We've made unparalleled efforts to ensure the best possible quality so that you can listen long and loud when you crank up an Infinity speaker.
Now we want to work on the other end. You may or may not have a factory subwoofer in your car, but if you do, it's pretty anemic. My car came with one that fits inside the spare tire. Clever idea, but a lousy subwoofer. I replaced it with an 8" Bazooka BTA8100:
This is a self-amplified, self-baffled sub woofer that pumps out plenty of bass without making you unpopular with your neighbors. It's small enough to mount anywhere - I have mine in the back of my hatch area. You can drive it from speaker-level or line-level inputs, and as installations go for subwoofers, it's about as easy as you can get. Market price is $230 and only $167.26 if you buy at amazon
Finally, we're going to lose the cassette adapter in favor of an FM modulator:
This one is generic, will work with any MP3 player. Some iPod-specific models are available, too. Check this page:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&index=aps&keywords=Universal%2C%20FM%20%26%20Cassette%20Adapters&linkCode=ur2&tag=portaevapocoo-20
Price (for the model shown): $40. Instead of working through your cassette player, it broadcasts a low-power signal to an unused band on your FM radio. It's got an internal battery, so you don't need to use the lighter plug if you don't want to. Far more convenient, and you'll get better sound.
Total investment: $360. I know that's more than you want to spend, but the biggest ticket is the sub. If you can live with less bass, do the tweeter upgrade and get the iPod adapter, and you'll still have a big improvement in your sound without destroying your budget.
Start at the ends
If you want to upgrade your car's sound system on a budget, start with the high and low ends. What we're going to do is make your factory sound system sound better.
I don't know what your car came with originally, but most newer cars come with separate tweeters - small, high-frequency drivers that are mounted either in the door panels or the dashboard. These are usually pretty low-grade, ceramic magnets, paper cones. Mine were terribly scratchy-sounding. You want to get rid of those and replace them with some high-quality dome tweeters. I replaced the ones in my 2002 Acura RSX with Infinity Reference 1031T.
Price only $40.77 if you buy it at amazon.
Product Features
- Plus One (patent pending) woofer cone
- Edge-driven, textile-dome tweeter
- 2-Ohm impedance
- Sensitivity: 93dB
- Power handling, peak: 150 watts
The 1031T is a 1-inch, edge-driven textile dome tweeeter kit to restore missing highs to any car audio systems. Features everything you need to install in any location. The number-one aftermarket car audio speaker . . . five years running*
When you want a truly moving car audio experience, look no further than Infinity Reference speakers. And you won't be alone in having great sound in your vehicle. Infinity Reference has been the top-selling aftermarket car audio speaker for five years running, and with good reason. Infinity Reference continues to lead the industry with innovative materials and breakthrough engineering that delivers extreme output with accuracy and detail for the ultimate listening experience on the road. And proprietary features such as patent-pending Plus One cones, true four-ohm topology, and UniPivot edge-driven tweeters leave the competition scrambling to keep up. So experience what so many others have enjoyed for years, and install Infinity Reference speakers in your vehicle. Prepare to be moved.
We test it so you can crank it
The last thing you want to worry about is the quality of your speakers. We understand. All new Infinity products have to go through nearly 500 hours of environmental testing. We put them under temperatures fluctuating between -35 degrees C and +90 degrees C with up to 90 percent air humidity for more than 200 hours. We expose the speakers to UV light for more than 150 hours to simulate a mounting location on a rear deck. We even shake things up, as all of our new car audio products have to pass extensive vibration testing before we release them for production. We've made unparalleled efforts to ensure the best possible quality so that you can listen long and loud when you crank up an Infinity speaker.
Now we want to work on the other end. You may or may not have a factory subwoofer in your car, but if you do, it's pretty anemic. My car came with one that fits inside the spare tire. Clever idea, but a lousy subwoofer. I replaced it with an 8" Bazooka BTA8100:
This is a self-amplified, self-baffled sub woofer that pumps out plenty of bass without making you unpopular with your neighbors. It's small enough to mount anywhere - I have mine in the back of my hatch area. You can drive it from speaker-level or line-level inputs, and as installations go for subwoofers, it's about as easy as you can get. Market price is $230 and only $167.26 if you buy at amazon
Finally, we're going to lose the cassette adapter in favor of an FM modulator:
This one is generic, will work with any MP3 player. Some iPod-specific models are available, too. Check this page:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&index=aps&keywords=Universal%2C%20FM%20%26%20Cassette%20Adapters&linkCode=ur2&tag=portaevapocoo-20
Price (for the model shown): $40. Instead of working through your cassette player, it broadcasts a low-power signal to an unused band on your FM radio. It's got an internal battery, so you don't need to use the lighter plug if you don't want to. Far more convenient, and you'll get better sound.
Total investment: $360. I know that's more than you want to spend, but the biggest ticket is the sub. If you can live with less bass, do the tweeter upgrade and get the iPod adapter, and you'll still have a big improvement in your sound without destroying your budget.
Answer from countryboy86:
Good sound starts with the head unit.
Ok, so you want some quality tunes? Fair enough and this is really easy. If you have already gone to a local car audio store they probably told you that you need a whole bunch of things you don't understand. (Not trying in insult your intelligence) They are salesman too... I have owned a $2000.00 sound system and only later realized that i can get the same at only a fraction of the cost and get the same great sound. DO NOT be afraid of doing car audio yourself, it's not at all complicated. Everything comes with directions and with the internet your resources are limitless.
Your head unit( cd player) is where all the magic begins. The better the head unit the better the signal is going to your speakers, now with that let me say this, no head unit can do great things with factory speakers.
You need to upgrade your head unit first. I have used several different brands and can advise you that they ARE NOT all the same. The three best brands that i have personally used are: 1. Kenwood 2. Pioneer 3. Alpine
Your head unit is like your PC, it controls everything. It doesn't matter if you have the best monitor in the world, if your PC tower is junk then the rest is no better. Installing a head unit takes nothing more than attention and patience, If you decide to save yourself $75.00 and install it yourself then here are some pointers: Your going to need an adapter so that you can wire your new head unit in your factory stereo system. You can get the complete kit at Walmart.com and they have these kits for almost all makes and models. this will run you about $25.00. Now your going to have to take your dash apart...sounds scary huh? it's not that bad for most cars and your can find instructions for that on the internet.
Now for the bass issue in your factory speakers... Factory speakers are made with a high quality cardboard( thats what i call it) and they are very easy to make distort and possibly pop. Now if your wanting a good crisp sound then your speakers are an issue. Replacing your speakers is very affordable. Once again i have used several different brand and there are two that i recommend highly.
PIONEER AND VISONIK
Now with replacing your head unit and speakers there are some other things you should put your attention to, like the watts.
When you purchase your head unit look at how many watts/channels it has. This is important because you will not have an amplifier to push your speakers so you want a head unit that will be able to do it by itself. A good general watts/channels is 50w/4, this equals up to a total of 200 watts put to the speakers or 50 watts to each speaker(four speakers).
Something else to watch out for is something like 50w/2, this means that you only have 100 watts, which again is only 25w to each speaker(four speakers). See how this works? You want your head unit to push your replacement speakers correctly so when you purchase speakers look at their total watts. You want your watts to be as equal as possible without overloading your speakers. (Yes you can do this with only a head unit) Speaker size is important because you will have to find out what size are currently installed.
EXAMPLE: You find a head unit that reads 60w/4 (240w), then you find speakers that come in pairs(2) that are 150w total output, and you need four so now you have 300w total output. This is a good find cause now you can push your speakers properly without overloading them.
Now where to go to purchase these... Believe it or not Walmart.com and amazon.com is a great place to start. There is nothing wrong with purchasing their equipment, it is just as good as everyone else's. Plus their prices are very competitive and you can get your adapter, head unit, and speakers there. You should go by there and maybe a local car audio dealer and try some of the head units out and see what you like best.
This whole project can be as cheap as $177.00, and can run up to and even beyond $378.00.
Good luck and short of knowing what the make and model of your car is this is as far as i can advise you. Please feel free to ask me any clarification questions.
Good sound starts with the head unit.
Ok, so you want some quality tunes? Fair enough and this is really easy. If you have already gone to a local car audio store they probably told you that you need a whole bunch of things you don't understand. (Not trying in insult your intelligence) They are salesman too... I have owned a $2000.00 sound system and only later realized that i can get the same at only a fraction of the cost and get the same great sound. DO NOT be afraid of doing car audio yourself, it's not at all complicated. Everything comes with directions and with the internet your resources are limitless.
Your head unit( cd player) is where all the magic begins. The better the head unit the better the signal is going to your speakers, now with that let me say this, no head unit can do great things with factory speakers.
You need to upgrade your head unit first. I have used several different brands and can advise you that they ARE NOT all the same. The three best brands that i have personally used are: 1. Kenwood 2. Pioneer 3. Alpine
- KENWOOD: Has many great options and is moderately priced. This brand was very user friendly and received many compliments on it's apperance.
- PIONEER: Very user friendly and very well priced (low). They are the most stylish out of the three. Most have a great equalizer that can be custom tuned.
- ALPINE: They are kinda plain but they will rock FOREVER! They are simple to operate as they don't have much to them ( without advanced audio equipment). They are a little higher in price, which is truly their only downfall.
Your head unit is like your PC, it controls everything. It doesn't matter if you have the best monitor in the world, if your PC tower is junk then the rest is no better. Installing a head unit takes nothing more than attention and patience, If you decide to save yourself $75.00 and install it yourself then here are some pointers: Your going to need an adapter so that you can wire your new head unit in your factory stereo system. You can get the complete kit at Walmart.com and they have these kits for almost all makes and models. this will run you about $25.00. Now your going to have to take your dash apart...sounds scary huh? it's not that bad for most cars and your can find instructions for that on the internet.
Now for the bass issue in your factory speakers... Factory speakers are made with a high quality cardboard( thats what i call it) and they are very easy to make distort and possibly pop. Now if your wanting a good crisp sound then your speakers are an issue. Replacing your speakers is very affordable. Once again i have used several different brand and there are two that i recommend highly.
PIONEER AND VISONIK
Now with replacing your head unit and speakers there are some other things you should put your attention to, like the watts.
When you purchase your head unit look at how many watts/channels it has. This is important because you will not have an amplifier to push your speakers so you want a head unit that will be able to do it by itself. A good general watts/channels is 50w/4, this equals up to a total of 200 watts put to the speakers or 50 watts to each speaker(four speakers).
Something else to watch out for is something like 50w/2, this means that you only have 100 watts, which again is only 25w to each speaker(four speakers). See how this works? You want your head unit to push your replacement speakers correctly so when you purchase speakers look at their total watts. You want your watts to be as equal as possible without overloading your speakers. (Yes you can do this with only a head unit) Speaker size is important because you will have to find out what size are currently installed.
EXAMPLE: You find a head unit that reads 60w/4 (240w), then you find speakers that come in pairs(2) that are 150w total output, and you need four so now you have 300w total output. This is a good find cause now you can push your speakers properly without overloading them.
Now where to go to purchase these... Believe it or not Walmart.com and amazon.com is a great place to start. There is nothing wrong with purchasing their equipment, it is just as good as everyone else's. Plus their prices are very competitive and you can get your adapter, head unit, and speakers there. You should go by there and maybe a local car audio dealer and try some of the head units out and see what you like best.
This whole project can be as cheap as $177.00, and can run up to and even beyond $378.00.
Good luck and short of knowing what the make and model of your car is this is as far as i can advise you. Please feel free to ask me any clarification questions.
Resources: Askville