A Simple Guide for Upgrading Your Car’s Audio System
Deciding to upgrade your car audio setup is an exciting venture that will enhance the audio experience in your vehicle for years to come. Tailoring the perfect audio system depends on your sound goals and what level of performance you're looking to achieve with your audio system. If you are like us, music is likely an essential part of your life. It's vital to have a car audio system with the highest quality performance that suits your taste, and sometimes the stock audio system your car comes with is just not adequate.
Whether you're looking to upgrade a few elements of your current system or completely start over from scratch, this guide will help you design the optimal high performance car audio system for your vehicle.
Components of A High-Performance Car Audio System
Start designing your car audio system upgrade by considering which components you need to achieve your sound goals. The primary parts you'll need to build a car stereo setup are:
- Amplifiers: Upgrading your car’s amplifier will let you turn your music up louder without the distortion that some speakers can create. Amplifiers work by boosting an audio signal into something powerful enough for the speakers to output. Speaker systems need amplifiers to work, especially high performance car audio systems. Whether you are starting with a simple Mono Block Class D amp for your enclosure or a 4 Channel to boost your mids and highs, our broad selection of amplifiers is sure to have the perfect solution for your application.
- Enclosures: One of the simplest and economic audio system upgrades you can consider when designing your sound system is adding a subwoofer enclosure. Subwoofer enclosures usually are easily installed in the trunk or back seat of your car with minimal implications on your car’s interior. Just connect the sub enclosure to an amp and head unit and boom, instant bass! Subwoofer enclosures add bass and clarity to your stereo's sound, and can also add to a system's performance in a variety of ways. A quality subwoofer will add depth and realism to your music that you would otherwise miss out on with a factory car stereo system. Consider your options of buying your components separately or in a combo package and whether you want a sealed or ported enclosure when comparing enclosures.
- Loudspeakers: The loudspeakers are the foundation of your car audio system and will produce a wide range of frequencies of the audio output. When choosing the perfect loudspeaker for your build you want to consider what type of loudspeaker is best you’re your desired sound. Coaxial speakers are simple to install while component speakers are harder and take more time & effort. Component speakers, because of their design, offer better sound quality and clarity than coaxial speakers. Coaxials are good, but many are average (however, still much better than standard single-cone speakers). Ensure the speaker you choose is best for your application and is compatible with the other new parts you'll install. Loudspeakers come with many features, shapes, and sizes for specific applications. For help comparing Audiopipe loudspeakers use our Loudspeakers Buyer’s Guide. When shopping for aftermarket car loudspeakers, make sure to get the correct size speaker, otherwise you may need to have them custom installed by a professional.
- Subwoofers: If you're on this website right now odds are that you know exactly how important subs are for a high performance car sound system. Most factory stock audio systems don’t pack enough punch when it comes to their subs. Subwoofers are responsible for reproducing the lowest, deepest sound ranges that add body to any audio system. Music just isn't the same without a good subwoofer and here at Audiopipe we take pride in building high quality and dependable subwoofers for every level of performance whether it is for beginners, car audio enthusiasts, or car audio competitors.
- Tweeters: If you’re looking to enhance your car’s audio experience don’t overlook your tweeters. Tweeters produce high-frequency sounds and are used as part of a speaker system but never alone. They’re always used in addition to other speakers. Besides having balanced music, tweeters give clarity in the sound of your car. That means you can hear every voice or word clearly without struggle no matter the noise around your car.
- Processors: Adding digital sound processors to your car's stereo build will give you advanced control and customization of your sound system. Whether you’re looking to enhance your bass with a Digital Bass Processor or fine tune your sound with a Digital Signal Processor Audiopipe is sure to have the perfect processor to help you reach your car audio performance goals.
- Head Units: Your head unit is where you control the music, and it also provides other benefits like Bluetooth, GPS navigation, touchscreen controls, auxiliary inputs and preamp outputs. It's a good idea to consider upgrading the head unit because the audio line level output of an aftermarket head unit is superior to the factory head unit and allows for improved sound quality. Be sure to check that your head unit is compatible with your components before purchasing.
Steps for Planning a Car Sound System Upgrade
Enhancing your car audio system should involve some planning before you start your build. Consider following these steps to plan out how you want to approach your project:
- Determine a budget: Create a budget for your car stereo setup to stay within your means and still get a top-notch audio system. Choosing to invest in high-quality audio equipment is an excellent decision, and a budget will help you achieve your target stereo build.
- Consider your sound goals: Assess your current stereo setup and create a list of what it's lacking and what you want to gain with a new system. Planning will help you decide on the proper equipment for your vehicle and help you build a perfect sound setup for you.
- Decide to start from scratch or only replace certain parts: If you already have audio equipment you're happy with, there's no need to replace every component of your current setup. You can keep what already works well and add equipment that builds upon what you already have.
- Plan when you want to purchase each component: You can choose to buy all your equipment at once or spread out your purchases and build your system over time.
- Decide whether you want to self-install or use a professional: Some people prefer to be hands-on and build their entire system on their own. But you also have the option of having a professional install your new equipment for a stress-free installation, often with the added benefit of extended warranty.
Where to Get Quality Parts
Purchasing high-quality high performance car audio equipment ensures that your audio system will last a long time. You should buy your audio components from a certified dealer that authenticates their products. While it's possible to find parts used online from third-party sellers, you face the risk of buying a faulty or damaged product. When you purchase from a legitimate dealer, you're guaranteed to receive the highest quality product available. Dealers also provide the added benefit of warranties, so you're protected if anything happens to your components. All Audiopipe products come with a one year warranty, however, a one year warranty extension is available when your unit is purchased, installed, and registered with an Audiopipe authorized dealer.
There’s nothing like walking into your nearest car audio retailer and speaking directly to a sales representative to get further information or recommendations for your project. If you are not sure where your nearest Audiopipe dealer is located, you can always check the Dealer Locator here on our website.
Installing Your New Audio System
After finding the perfect products for your new stereo build, you can start thinking about the final step — installation. You can decide to install the system on your own or have a professional install your equipment.
Self-Installation
Deciding to install your audio equipment on your own is a big decision. Modern cars are more complex than in the past, and it makes installing new after-market equipment more challenging. You'll also need tools to perform the installation, which can take away from your budget if you don't already have them. You also face the risk of damaging your vehicle or new equipment.
But learning to install audio equipment can be a rewarding experience if you're committed to learning the ins and outs and have time to spend working on your stereo build.
Professional Installation
Having your equipment installed by a professional technician is generally the best decision because you don't pose the risk of damage to your vehicle or equipment. Professional installers will have an insurance policy that will pay to repair your car if anything is damaged during the installation process. Audio technicians will have years of experience installing equipment, and they also have all the necessary tools to do it efficiently and correctly. When you're spending money on high-quality equipment, it's beneficial to have it installed correctly.
Find an Audiopipe Dealer Near You
At Audiopipe, we pride ourselves in offering high-quality products like our subwoofers, amplifiers and speakers to elevate your audio system for maximum performance. We sell all the parts necessary for your build, from cables to speakers, equalizers, power distribution blocks and much more.
If you have questions about building a competition car audio system or simply want to enhance your ride, our staff is here to guide you through the process. Find a dealer near you to browse the widest variety of speakers that fit your audio preferences. Looking to build your car stereo setup on your own? Reach out to our customer service team at 1-877-283-4674, and they'll be happy to answer any questions you have about your car sound system layout.