Whether you are a seasoned audiophile with a discerning ear or someone who simply enjoys good music on the road, one thing is clear: a high-quality, reliable car audio system remains essential for a good driving experience.
The world of car stereos may seem an overwhelming terrain considering the amount of choices out there but it is actually relatively straightforward if you know the basics. So, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of sound systems and understand together what some of the best options for upgrade are.
Essential Components of a High-Quality Car Audio Setup
Head Unit
Before discussing the details of sound system selection, let’s go over the basics first and understand the essential components of car audio systems.
We’ll start with the head unit, also known as a car stereo or car radio. This component is probably the most well-known one, as it’s the part of the sound system that users interact with. Located on the dashboard, the head unit provides an interface and serves as the main center for controlling the different functionalities of the car audio. In newer car models, these units have LCDs and offer a wider range of functionalities.
Usually, quality head units offer equalization and sound processing features allowing users to fine-tune the car audio settings. These units often come with adjustable equalizer bands, letting you fine-tune different sound frequencies. They also offer features like time alignment and digital signal processing (DSP) to make your music sound clearer and more detailed.
Lastly, in some cars, it’s impossible to change the head unit and, in this case, the role of the DSPs becomes essential. DSPs make it possible to improve the audio quality and adjust various sound settings without changing the head unit, significantly enhancing the overall sound experience.
Amplifiers
Amplifiers are the second essential element in any car audio system. As the name suggests, the amplifiers’ role is to increase the audio signal that the head unit generates, making it strong enough for the speakers to reproduce the sound effectively. If it weren’t for the amplifiers, the sound would be too weak to be able to physically move the speakers and create the sound.
Generally, the head unit has a built-in amplifier that serves its purpose reasonably well. However, if you want a better and more powerful sound, then you’ll need to install an external amplifier, which in turn will allow you to increase the number of car speakers, giving you a truly enjoyable experience.
Speakers
The speakers are the last point in the sound system. They receive a signal from the amplifier and output the music that we hear. Now, there are two main categories of speakers – coaxial and component.
Coaxial speakers
Coaxial speakers are very common in most cars that have a head unit and four coaxial speakers. These speakers are capable of reproducing a wide range of audio frequencies, all coming from the same unit.
Component speakers
Component speakers, unlike coaxial ones, are specifically designed for a particular frequency range(bass, middle, or high), providing a better sound experience. You can have as many speakers installed as you wish with your chosen combination of frequency ranges.
Subwoofers
Subwoofers are specific types of speakers designed to produce prime-quality sound at one end of the frequency range spectrum. Typically, they generate low-frequency sounds like bass, drum beats, and deep vocals and create a truly immersive experience.
It should be mentioned that just like there are specialized speakers for super low frequencies, there are also speakers called super tweeters capable of producing high-frequency sounds.
Choosing the Right Components
In today’s market, with so many availabilities, it’s hard to decide what components to choose. There are some key factors to consider when making these choices. We’ll go over the major ones that you need to be aware of before deciding on how you want to rebuild your audio system.
One of the factors you should think about is brand reliability. Brands that are already established in the market have certain high standards that they uphold, which have been tested through time. So, when looking at different products, you’ll need to consider the brand behind the product and how it has retained its quality through time.
Power ratings are another key factor to keep an eye on because these are some of the best indicators of how potent your audio system will be. The power rating is crucial as it determines the sound quality and the probability of sound distortion.
Another point to keep in mind is that as high-quality as your chosen products may be, they also need to be compatible with one another. So keep in mind that the separate components of the system have to work well together for the final result to be satisfying.
Last but not least, there is also the issue of budget limitations. Obviously, not everyone can or is willing to spend fortunes on a car audio system. However, this doesn’t mean that you cannot get a high-quality audio system that you will enjoy. It all comes down to creating the right combination of components for your system that fall within the range of how much you want to allocate for this improvement.
Recommended Car Audio Setup for Sound Quality (for Every Budget)
To make your job easier, we have identified and grouped high-quality, compatible audio system component combinations for people with different budgets. Below are our suggested components corresponding to three main price ranges.
Low Budget for Best Audio Setup
For those looking for low-budget options, the prices start at $779, with the following possible combination:
- Head Unit: Kenwood KMM-x704 Bluetooth Radio
- Speakers: Kicker 6.5” Inch CS Speakers
- Amplifier: Kenwood x302-4 4 Channel Amplifier
- Subwoofer: JBL BassPro 12 Powered Subwoofer
Mid-Range Budget for Best Audio Setup
If you are ready to pay a bit more for a better experience here is an option that falls within the range of $1500 – $2500:
- Head Unit: Kenwood DMX907S Digital Multimedia Receiver
- Speakers: Hertz CPK165Pro
- Amplifier: Kenwood Excelon XR401-4 4 Channel Amplifier
Kicker 46CXA8001T 1600 Watts Bass Amplifier - Subwoofer: Kicker 48TRTP102 CompRT 10” Inch Subwoofer Enclosure with Passive Radiator
High-End Budget for Best Audio Setup
And lastly, if money is not an issue at all, you can expect to spend $5500 and above for a stellar sound system:
- Head Unit: Kenwood Excelon DNR1007XR 10.1” Inch Navigation Multimedia Receiver
- Speakers: Hertz MLK1650.3 Legend 6.5” Inch Component Speakers
- Amplifier: Hertz ML Power 4 4 Channel Amplifier
Hertz ML Power 1 1,000 Watts Bass Amplifier - Subwoofer: Hertz Mille Pro MPS 300 s4 Subwoofer
Additional Considerations for High-Quality Sound for Audiophiles
Apart from the abovementioned factors, there are a couple of other key points that you should keep in mind to get the maximum from this upgrade.
Signal Processors
Simply put, a digital signal processor or DSP is a device that will make your car sound even better than it does with all the changes. A DSP helps smooth out any inconsistencies with the car acoustics via manipulating signals. The result is a high-quality sound without distortions.
Soundproofing
External sounds are an issue that you may encounter when it comes to listening to music in a car. The noise and vibrations from the outside can affect your overall experience negatively by distorting the clarity of the sound and by distracting you, which in turn can cause tiredness and fatigue. This is where soundproofing comes in. Doing this will enable you to cut out the outside noise and have a more controlled audio environment in your car. This, in turn, will enhance your experience of listening to the audio.
Placement of Speakers
Another key aspect in getting the best possible results in the audio setup is considering the placement of the speakers. Depending on where each one of the speakers is, the sound experience will differ. So, when installing the audio system, make sure you take this into account as well.
Fine Tuning & Audio Setup
Essentially, fine-tuning ensures that there is a good balance between the different components of the music. It includes adjusting the right-left balance as it suits your ear, playing with the level of bass, highs, and mids, and making sure they all come through clearly. Trying various combinations and seeing how they sound will help you get the right adjustments and have a great music experience.
High-Resolution Audio Sources
Another thing to consider to ensure high-quality music in your car is the source that you use. Using lossless sources such as FLAC and WAV will ensure that the quality of the music remains high and does not suffer. This is because lossless sources, as the name suggests, retain their entire data during encoding, which means that no degradation of music occurs. This, in turn, provides excellent music quality.
Professional Installation
As you can see there are many things to consider when setting up your audio system. This is why it is always a good idea to have professionals do the installation of the system. At Santa Clarita Auto Sound, our experts will handle your car audio needs, providing you with the best sound quality and peace of mind. Trust us to take care of your installation for a superior audio experience. Getting your car audio installed by a professional will ensure a more seamless experience and will eliminate possible minor mistakes.
Regular Maintenance
And lastly, just like it’s the case with most things, regular maintenance is what ensures a long and undisturbed life for your audio system. Doing regular check-ups will prevent any major issues, ensuring that your investment pays off and was worth the trouble.
Conclusion
To recap, it all comes down to how much money and time you want to spend on your car’s audio system. If it’s something you have a particular passion and curiosity for, and if you spend long hours listening to music in the car, then, naturally, it’s worth going for the best available option. On the other hand, if you are someone who is easily satisfied with a decent system and does not spend a significant portion of their day listening to music in the vehicle, then settling for low-range and mid-range options is ideal for you as it will still ensure a good experience worth your time and the effort.
