A lot of people around the world spend some hours of the day in their cars. Whether it’s driving home from work, going to a grocery store, or traveling to a camping site for the weekend, your car will come in handy. But being behind the wheel for a long time can be monotonous (which can even become dangerous). Besides, getting stuck in a traffic jam is not fun. That’s where a great audio system can save the day.
However, it can be hard to satisfy everyone with a basic car set, so no wonder people want to enhance the sound. Since there are thousands of choices for you to do it, it can be hard to make the right one. Check out this article to learn about the core concepts of a good car audio system and the tips to improve the sound quality.
#1: Head unit
Another name for this part of a car audio system is a stereo receiver. It’s kind of a
central nervous system of your sound set that connects all other parts together in one place. It’s usually located on the car’s main dash so you can easily control all the parameters you need like the volume, FM radio, Bluetooth connections, etc. Also, some head units give you the ability to navigate around your USB stick content and set up custom equalizer settings.
A good head unit allows you to use all the system functions without freezes and delays. Also, you can install a more enhanced version with a separate subwoofer and GPS navigation.
#2: Amplifier
If you transmit the signal from your head unit directly to the speakers, the sound will be weak and noisy. To make the membranes move with wider amplitude and increase the output quality, you need an amplifier. Usually, it consists of two parts: a preamp and a power amplifier. The first one takes the necessary information from the source like a radio or Bluetooth-connected phone and interprets it into a signal for the second one. Then, the power amplifier augments this signal, the speakers move, and you hear the sound.
For a standard car audio system, a basic built-in amplifier will be just fine. But if you are looking for a really boosted sound, you can choose a more sophisticated option with a separate amplifier.
#3: Speakers
As we already mentioned, the speakers’ task is to actually produce the sound. Their membranes move up and down in various frequencies to create air vibrations that your eardrum receives. The most common car speakers work with all audible frequency ranges, but sometimes they can be complemented with more specific ones.
To test some of the best audio systems without wrecking your car right away, you can try renting a car. It will allow you to estimate if you want sound quality like that in your vehicle. To add more spice to the experience, you can try hiring some luxury cars while traveling. Just imagine: you go to a convertible car rental Dubai offers, rent a Ferrari, drive to the desert, and watch the sunset while listening to your favorite playlist. Isn’t it cool?
#4: Subwoofer
Talking about more specific speakers. The primary task of a subwoofer is to make the low-frequency signal (bass) richer and more energetic. It can be combined with a general speaker or have its own place in the car. It depends on how much bass you want to hear and how much space you are ready to sacrifice for it.
How to better your car audio system: Tips to follow
- Use sound dampening materials: to lower the outside street noise, try to fill in the space in your car with something like spray foam insulation.
- Tune the system right: raising all the equalizer controls up is not an option.
- Trust professionals: if you don’t have a lot of knowledge about how cars work and how to install a new audio system, you should delegate this task to experienced specialists.
To sum it all up
Now, when you know the basics of car audio systems, you can start looking for your perfect solution. The process of choosing and buying a good car audio set can still be overwhelming, but having general knowledge will significantly facilitate it. The best strategy will be to look at as many options as you can so you will have a better understanding of what you need and what you can afford.
