How to Build the Ideal Car Stereo System
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The "ideal" car audio system is not
necessarily the loudest one, or the most expensive one. It's the one that best
meets your needs. So, the first step is to figure out what your needs are.
Ask yourself the right questions.
First, the most important question: What is the one thing
you want your new car stereo to do for you? If you can't quite put your finger
on it, let's take a close look at your current system. What type of
car system do you have now?
How does the sound of your current system make you feel?
Do you find yourself tapping your foot or drumming your fingers on the steering
wheel? Does a funky rhythm section groove get you smiling? Does a blues guitar
solo send shivers down your back?
No? Is the sound flat, dull, tinny, wi 818k109i mpy? Then you
suffer from the listening to an older car radio struggling to drive flimsy
factory speakers. Ok, we're making progress.
Now, let's look at what types of sources you have to
choose from.
Are you listening to mixed tapes on an old cassette deck?
Does it have CD or MD changer controls built-in? Would you enjoy a changer's
ability to put hours of music at your fingertips? Maybe you've got an in-dash
CD player that sounds great - but can it play customized CD-Rs and CD-R/Ws? Are
you interested in playing MP3, WMA, or other types of digitally-compressed
music formats in your car?
How does 100 channels of crystal-clear, digital Satellite
radio reception nationwide strike you? Does the picture of your kids in the
back quietly watching DVDs on a long drive appeal to you? Would a navigation
system be a beneficial addition to your audio/video system?
These days, technology moves so fast that the new car
audio system you bought 5 years ago is, in all likelihood, not capable of
playing many of today's most exciting music formats, not to mention playing DVD
movies. Start thinking about which, if any, of these new technologies you'd
like to incorporate into your car audio system. What are your
options?
A good way to start is by making a list of the components
in your system and rating them on a scale of 1-10. It usually makes sense to
begin by replacing the lowest-rated components. A new set of speakers or a new
CD-R/W-compatible, MP3-capable head unit with high RMS power can dramatically
enhance your listening experience.
But you may not be starting completely from scratch. You
might have certain components that you can use to build on. Augmenting your
setup with a subwoofer driven by an appropriate amplifier, for instance, will
fill in the lows that full-range speakers can't reach, giving you a richer
overall sound. Or if you already have an amp, equalizers, crossovers, and
surround processors can provide the precise adjustment you need to compensate
for your vehicle's acoustics.
The point is, you've got lots of approaches to choose
from. The type of system that will best meet your car audio/video needs will
depend on the symptoms you're trying to address, your budget constraints, and
your ultimate goals.
What if I'm unsure about where the problems lie in my current car stereo
components?
Good question. It's not always easy to diagnose what is
causing problems in a vehicle's audio/video system, even when you know that
you're not satisfied with its performance. But there are some simple steps you
can take to help you narrow it down:
Listen while parked in the driveway for a few minutes
Twist all the knobs and push all the buttons. Do all the functions seem to work
okay?
What would you like your radio to do that it won't do now?
Play CDs, CD-Rs, CD-R/Ws, MP3 files?
Tune-in digital Satellite Radio?
Control a CD, MD, or MP3 changer?
Play louder without distorting?
Play DVDs on a retractable LCD Display?
Listen to each speaker individually by adjusting the balance and fader
controls. Turn up the volume and the tone controls. Are all the speakers
working? Do any of them rattle or buzz?
Drive around and listen carefully.
Hit the highway and turn your stereo up loud enough to be heard above the road
noise.
Now find a place to park the car.
Keeping the volume at "highway level" (but without the road noise to
confuse your ear), do you hear a lot of distortion?
Set the balance, fader, and tone controls right smack in the middle. How's the
overall sound of the speakers? What's lacking? Bass? Treble? Clarity?
If your speakers sound OK at moderate volume, but not at "highway volume," you may want to start by adding more power. If the speakers sound bad all the time, you know to replace them first.
Now
it's time to start thinking about your driving habits and conditions...
Do you travel a lot?
If you spend a lot of time in your car, you should
consider investing in a CD, MD, MP3 changer, or satellite radio tuner. When you
match a changer or satellite radio with a receiver with built-in controls, you
get hours of music at your fingertips. You'll also get the added
"eyes-on-the-road" benefit of never having to fumble around for a
disc when you want to change the music.
Like to take the family on long road trips during
school vacations?
An in-dash DVD receiver can change your driving
experience. Your passengers can be quietly entertained in the backseat, so you
can concentrate on getting everybody there safely.
And for those, uhm,
"directionally-challenged" individuals amongst us -
End the "should we stop to ask for directions?"
debate when you install a navigation system in your car. Just enter your
destination into the trip computer and follow the voice prompts and visual
directions.
Drive a noisy car?
Is your music competing with your muffler for your
attention? You need to give your speakers more power. An amplifier increases
the volume of your system without distorting it, so you'll have no trouble
hearing your tunes with the windows down and the sunroof open.
You'll see a vast improvement in the clarity and detail
of your music too. You should also check out the vibration damping materials on
our site - a little Dynamat in your vehicle can go a long way in reducing the
interior noise level.
Where you do most of your driving can help you decide
what to look for in a tuner.
If you're often driving through heavily populated urban
or suburban areas you would benefit from a tuner with adaptive IF switching.
This feature evaluates broadcast conditions and switches the IF bandwidth
automatically - eliminating interference from neighboring stations.
You might also find that a receiver that can decode Radio
Data System (RDS) signals is useful. Some FM stations transmit additional data
in the form of textual program descriptions and even traffic information, which
RDS-capable tuners can use to limit station searches and alert you to traffic
road conditions.
If you're usually out on rural highways, you're going to
need a really sensitive tuner. Pay attention to the FM mono sensitivity spec on
the tuners you look at: the smaller the number, the greater the tuner's ability
to pick up weaker stations. Of course, a satellite radio tuner would ensure
that you receive up to 100 channels of programming in pure, digital clarity.
Weigh your listening habits...
What kinds of music do you listen to most, and how
loud do you like to play your tunes?
If you like it loud and heavy, you're going to want
outboard amplifiers and a sub or two for sure. Is the soft classical music your
jam? A new receiver should provide plenty of RMS wattage to full-range speakers
- though you would certainly still benefit from the low-frequency output of a
component subwoofer powered by an amp.
Do you like downloading and listening to Internet
music?
Buy a mp3 receiver that will play MP3 files recorded on
CD. Or, if you own an MP3 or MiniDisc portable, buy a receiver with an
auxiliary input.
Are you concerned about theft and your personal
protection?
A security system guards your valuable A/V system and
your car itself, and includes carjack protection and a panic button. Features
like remote door lock/unlock are extremely convenient, too.
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