Getting the best sound out of the equipment you have is vital for music enthusiasts. Vinyl records have become popular again because of the raw, classic crackle sound they provide when the needle hits the disk.
A lot has been written about improving your music experience at home, but what about in your car? If you spend a lot of time driving or commuting, then having a high-quality sound system in your vehicle is just as important as having one at home. To improve the music experience in your car, follow these top tips.
Choose the Right Car Stereo
There are so many stereos to choose from that it can be difficult to know where to begin. Before doing any research, make a list of the connections and media types you might want to use:
- Bluetooth
- Aux
- USB
- HDMI
- DVD
- MP3
- Video
Once you know which connections you need, choosing the right car stereo will become much easier. Other things you need to consider are the faceplate, the speakers and sub you will connect to and if you want to integrate a screen for GPS or to watch films. Check the outgoing connections as well as the inputs.
Choose the Right Car Speakers
Speakers come in a range of sizes and power outputs. Think about the other components in your set-up when choosing your speakers because it will inform your decision. You will need to choose a set that can handle the power of the head unit you’re using or an external amplifier. Car speaker power is usually measured in watts, which is an important figure to pay attention to as this will tell you the maximum power your speakers can handle. The last thing you want to do is blow them when you crank up the volume.
Choosing the Right Subwoofer
A subwoofer or ‘sub’ will give you the low frequency and bass sounds in your music. Subs come in a range of sizes with some filling the whole trunk of some cars. You really can go all out if you love music with a lot of bass.
Subwoofers sometimes come as just the speaker, but you can also pick them up with an enclosure meaning you don’t have to mount them yourself. Just secure them in place, connect them up, and you’re good to go. Choosing the right subwoofer spec is essential as there’s a range of elements to consider including power, sensitivity, frequency range, and impedance.
Choosing the Right Amplifier
An amplifier boosts the signal of the music, so the signal becomes powerful enough to be registered and played by the speakers and the sub. Amps like the Planet Audio AC will stop your music being distorted if you lack an adequate current.
The main benefits of using an amplifier in your car are that an amplifier gives you better and clearer sound quality at all volumes, it provides power for upgraded speakers which couldn’t be installed in a normal car set up, and it provides enough extra power so that you can include a subwoofer in your system. They are definitely worth the extra expense.
