Upgrading your cars audio system is a great way to improve your driving experience. You spend so much time in your car, why not enjoy it?
Start by determining what aspects of your sound system you want to improve. This will help you determine what components are necessary. Some may require professional installation, while others can be installed by the DIY enthusiast.
Speakers
The speakers in your car are the first thing you can upgrade to make a significant improvement to your sound system. They come in a range of shapes, sizes and quality levels to suit your preferences. The best way to start is by determining what aspects of your current audio system you want to improve and what type of sound you are looking for.
Factory “full range” speakers are usually limited in power, and an upgraded amplifier will increase the audio quality by enabling the speakers to reach their full potential. Choose speakers that have a good reputation and are well reviewed online to ensure you are getting the most from your investment.
Amplifiers
Your car speaker system needs a strong and reliable amplifier to boost the audio signal into something louder enough for your speakers to output. A good amplifier can make a huge difference in how much bass your car stereo produces.
Finding a powerful amp that matches the size of your existing speakers and is compatible with other components is essential. Many amplifiers are bridgeable allowing you to combine two power channels to create a single channel with more power that is suitable for driving subwoofers.
A basic amp can be found for under $100 and will make your music sound crisp and clear in your ride. To achieve high-quality results, it is important to use quality wiring kits and distribution blocks that are fused for safety.
Subwoofers
Car speakers are typically not capable of reproducing the low frequencies needed to create an immersive listening experience. This is especially true with genres of music like hip-hop, electronic dance, and rock where bass tones are essential.
Subwoofers are designed to reproduce these sounds with more power and accuracy than your stock speakers can. They also help balance the audio system by freeing up your speakers to focus on mid-range and high-frequency sounds.
When choosing a subwoofer, it’s important to pay attention to its impedance and sensitivity to ensure they match up well with your amplifier. As a rule, it’s good to look for a subwoofer with at least an RMS of 50 watts.
Head Units
The head unit is the beating heart of your car audio system. The best quality head units enable a wide variety of media playback and allow you to control your music, the radio and other media.
Upgraded head units can provide extra features like built-in GPS navigation and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. Some premium single- and double-din aftermarket head units also include bass and treble tone controls as well as an equalizer built in.
If your new speakers don’t sound as good as you’d like them to, an amplifier can be installed. The amplification process boosts the electrical signal sent to the speakers, which causes them to vibrate and create sound waves that you can hear. The sound quality of your speakers will improve with proper installation and the use of high-quality aftermarket components.
Wiring
Your car’s wiring can get overwhelmed by the demands of an upgraded audio system. Amplifiers, subwoofers and speakers require a lot of power and can cause the wiring in your car to strain or even short out. The Big 3 Wiring Upgrade helps eliminate these issues by replacing three necessary wires in your electrical system with larger gauge wires.
This upgrade should be done before adding a high output alternator, second battery or capacitors to ensure that your new system will perform as intended. It is also a good idea to purchase a kit with the correct gauge wires and a fuse holder for protection. Using wire loom will help prevent any abrasion or damage to the upgraded wires over time. Lastly, make sure all of your amplifier wiring is properly grounded.
