So you want to upgrade your car stereo? This is something that many people decide to do after buying their car. At this point, you would want to look for the best stereo you can purchase. 

A car sound system is an easy thing to replace if you know what you are doing. Better options for your stereo components are available and can be easily installed. As you start to look for these options, you will notice that the number that are available is numerous if you search online for the right stereo to upgrade the car’s audio system. 

Sometimes when you buy a vehicle, the sound system is not up to your exhausting standards. Since you will want to upgrade the system, the accessories will need to be bought separately since they were not installed on the assembly line and available at the time of purchase. This is the same for many parts of the car, but especially true for the audio system. 

To upgrade the basic audio system in your vehicle, you will either need to do it yourself or have professionals do it for you. If you have decided to install it yourself, you will need to go find the parts yourself. The parts can be found at your local car stereo shop. You can buy these components there or you could go online and purchase them there. Shopping online for these parts means that you can find them quickly and purchase them easily.

Online shopping is a big advantage for you as it allows you to compare prices, find the best deals and get fast shipping to your house. The clearance deals are found online and allow you to get rock bottom prices for components that are top of the line. Many times, you can get overnight shipping so you not only get the best deal, but the part is on your doorstep the next day.

One thing you can also count on is this. By going to manufacturer’s websites you will be able to find many models that are just being rolled out into the marketplace and are not in the brick and mortar stores yet.

A quick way to improve your car’s stereo is to add subwoofers and high range tweeters. Most standard speakers cover the mid range decently well. Adding a subwoofer will make sure your low range (or bass) is solid. Adding a high range ( or treble) tweeter is also a good idea as well. This wil lensure that you have the low, mid and high ranges covered.

If you search online to get a good deal and make sure the installation is done correctly, you will be satisified with your decision to transform your drab audio system into a powerhouse

Car subwoofers are large speakers that are used to create frequencies that ordinary loudspeakers are unable to produce effectively. These frequencies are usually in the range at or below 100Hz. These subwoofers are typically 8 inches or larger, and have to be placed in an enclosure to function properly.

Types

1. There are several types of car subwoofers: tube-type subwoofers and vehicle-specific subwoofers. The tube-type car subwoofer contains the subwoofer on one end and is sealed on the other. Vehicle-specific subwoofers are built primarily from wood and fiberglass. They are designed to fit into “factory-created” pocket. These tend to be more specific than the tube-type due to the fact that they are specific to one vehicle.

Considerations

2. Car subwoofers tend to take up quite a bit of space because of their size. Anyone considering the purchase of a subwoofer must take the space factor into consideration before buying one. The smaller the space within which to place a subwoofer, the more the power of the subwoofer will have to be increased.

Features

1. Features of car subwoofers include enclosure type, power handling and sensitivity. The enclosure is basically the kind of box the actual subwoofer will be mounted in. The power handling is the amount of power the speaker can withstand before failure becomes imminent. Sensitivity is a measure of a specific amount of the subwoofer’s power at a certain distance. The standard car subwoofer sensitivity is 1 watt of power to 1 meter of distance.

Misconceptions

2. Generally speaking, one 12-inch car subwoofer will be more powerful than two 10-inch subwoofers. There are a number of factors that need to be taken into consideration when making this choice, but for the most part, one larger subwoofer will have more clarity and more punch than two smaller ones.

Function

3. Car subwoofer cones are made of treated paper or composites. Paper is too lightweight to withstand the power of the subwoofer for extended periods of time, but it also tends to be more responsive. To achieve a “big bass” sound, increase the number of car subwoofers. The greater the cone surface area, the greater the sound.

Car audio components are being improved each passing day to upgrade sound systems. If one does not opt for these improved components, then one might just be living in the past. These improved components add greater functionality to your car audio system.

These components are speakers, subwoofers, tweeters, amplifiers, ipod adapters and more. All these add another dimension to your audio system. You have the option of settling for your factory installed system, however, aftermarket systems are massively superior to factory systems. But that’s by the way.

To take your car audio to another level, you’ll need to add new speakers, upgrade your receiver, add tweeters, add an amplifier, install vibration dampers like dynamat, install bass blockers on your full-range component speakers, add equalizers and other signal processors — the list goes on…

Adding new speakers to your audio system will alter your setup most dramatically (if done right). This is because your speakers are the most important units in your car audio set up. Also know that you need to add such that will fit your vehicle. This will prevent sound inbalance or damage to your audio system. What you install is what you get. If you install old age-stricken stuff, then you get old age-stricken sound.

Adding tweeters to your sound system improves your listening experience. A tweeter takes care of those sizzling highs that cannot be catered for by regular speakers. A crossover will help make your output stage a lot better.

Upgrading your receivers will ensure better sound and less distortion. This could include adding additional music sources like a portable DVD, a satellite radio tuner and more; through an auxiliary input.

You also need vibration dampers. Dynamats absorb the vibration caused by your car speakers and road noise. When these vibrations are absorbed, you can conveniently hear the music that comes out of your sound system without background noise.

If you’re in for the best sound, you’ll need to add a bass blocker. Installing bass blockers on your full range component speakers simply help to block the bass frequencies that your speakers cannot handle. They are installed on your speaker’s wire. This helps remove distortion from your music.

Other steps you could take to improve your car audio output include making sure your subwoofers and speakers are in phase, changing the position or enclosure style of your subwoofer and avoiding extreme bass control boost.

Your subwoofers and speakers wired in phase helps give more balance to your sound. Make sure the positive and the negative sides are wired accordingly at both the receiver and the speakers.

Changing the enclosure style of your subwoofer actually depends on the type of bass sound you prefer. Some prefer a boomy bass; others prefer a low frequency bass. The position of your subwoofer will determine that.

Avoiding extreme bass control boost and turning up your volume instead will give less distortion to your signals.

Implement these and your car audio will never remain the same.

Check speaker phase! The speakers in your system should all be firing in phase — simply put, all the cones should be moving out and in at the same time. If they’re not, you lose bass response, making your system sound anemic and unfocused. It’s important to check all your speakers, even if your system was professionally installed. 

To determine if a pair of speakers in your vehicle are in phase, listen to some bass-heavy music with your stereo’s balance control all the way to one side. Now return the balance control to the center — you should hear significantly more bass. If you don’t, your speakers are out of phase. Switch the positive and negative leads on a single speaker, and try again. If you hear more bass, leave it! Check the front and rear speakers independently in this manner.

Turn on your subwoofer system. Reverse the speaker wires going to your sub and listen for a change in bass response. Again, if it gets louder, leave it! (Make sure that multiple subs are wired in phase with each other.) 

Flatten it out! Especially if you have a sub, it may be tempting to crank up the bass on your receiver. Tune your system first with the receiver EQ set flat — all tone controls at “0″ and no EQ curve engaged. With the subwoofer off, turn some familiar music up to a moderate listening level, then slowly increase the subwoofer output until you hit the “sweet spot” — the place where the bass really kicks in without overwhelming the rest of the music. 

If the bass sounds like it’s coming from behind you, lower the sub amp’s crossover point to “de-localize” the bass. If your amp has a non-adjustable crossover, try moving the subwoofer. For example, if it’s firing toward the rear, turn it around so it fires forward or sideways (remember to check your phase again with the sub in its final position). 

Listen and experiment! Your system should create a “soundstage” — close your eyes and you should hear the instruments in front of you, arranged from far right to far left, with (if you’re listening to rock’n'roll) the kick drum, bass guitar, and lead vocal right dead center. 

Some vehicles make it tough to establish a strong front soundstage:

If your car has small front speakers, install some Bass Blockers. They’ll filter out the low frequencies so your speakers will play louder and clearer, bringing the soundstage back in front of you. If your receiver has built-in crossover capability, use its high-pass filter to remove low bass from smaller speakers for improved performance.

If you have a subwoofer (or larger speakers in the back), use your receiver’s fader to move the music forward and then turn up the overall level to bring the bass back into play.

If your front speakers are mounted low in the doors, some receivers feature independent front/rear tone controls or signal processing that raises the front image. Or, if possible, install a set of tweeters in front.
Instead of cranking the bass way up to increase your system’s impact, raise the bass a little bit and lower the highs and mids. It’s smart to keep equalization to a minimum — pumping up the bass control just robs your system of its effective power.

First rate bass!

1. System sounds dull? Put a set of tweeters up front to strengthen your front image and add liveliness to your sound. Many receivers feature signal processing (BBE, DSO, MediaXpander, etc.) or extensive equalization which can do a lot to improve a dull-sounding system.     

2. Vocals and instruments sound buried? If your receiver has a midrange control, boost it up a little bit; if it includes a parametric EQ, try adding a little bump in the 400-1000 Hz range. Replace your rear full-range speakers with some high-quality midrange speakers to bring out warmth and detail without adding more sizzle. Installing Dynamat (or any sound-absorbing material) in your vehicle will reduce road noise which masks crucial midrange details.     

3. System too bright? If your front speakers have swiveling tweeters, aim them away from you. If you have installed component tweeters, check the crossovers for output level switching — a drop of 3 dB can make a huge difference in the way your tweeters match up to the rest of the system. Experiment with your receiver’s EQ. If that doesn’t nail it, consider a receiver with more equalization control or (for an amplified system) an outboard equalizer.

Think ahead! Once you’ve taken the time to adjust the system, then you’ll know if you’ve made smart purchases. Always buy with an eye to the future — you might be saving 40 bucks on your receiver, but what’s the point if it’s missing some crucial features you’ll be needing when you expand your system? If you plan on adding a sub to your system later, spend a little more on a multi-channel amp (instead of a 2-channel) so you can power your front speakers and subs with one amp. Don’t install 10-gauge power wire if your ultimate goal is a throbbin’ multi-amp system. With the right components and some careful adjustments, your car can be a fantastic place to listen to music.