It can be quite challenging for a beginner to design and install a car stereo system. As compared to a stereo system for homes, where you will be able to mix and match the kind of equipment that you want, car components and speakers are designed often with a particular manufacturer, make or type in consideration. It is also tough to set up and join all the things together within a car’s compact interiors. Here is how you can design and set up a stereo system in your car.
Choose the right Car Stereo Speakers
Determine what type of speaker would be a proper fit within your vehicle. In case you want a complete system, also consider the rear, center and front speakers. Remember that a special enclosure might be needed in a few speakers – that can need more room. Check your speaker’s power handling capacity with the amplifier’s power output. Also include car audio crossovers for tweeters and mid-range speakers. You would not like to have an underwhelming stereo speaker inside your car.
Opt for suitable Car Stereo Subwoofers
Subwoofers that are designed to be used in cars need a higher level of power as compared to regular speakers. These also have to be installed within an enclosure when set up inside a vehicle. The enclosures may be custom-created in the form of a DIY project, in case needed. Or you may purchase one that has been designed specifically for your car’s model or make.
You have to consider subwoofer enclosures of many varied types, on the basis of the woofer size as well as your vehicle type. When it comes to mobile subwoofers, the commonest sizes are 8-inch, 10-inch and 12-inch. A few manufacturers tend to offer amplified subwoofers along with enclosures. These can be set up with ease in vehicle trunks or behind pick-up truck seats.
Pick the best Car Stereo Amplifiers
The head units of most cars come with integrated amplifiers which generally run around 50W for every channel. But an external amplifier might be the most appropriate choice, considering the fact that these have a higher level of power and also the capacity to adjust the high-frequency, mid-range and bass levels separately. The overall sound of balanced systems tend to be much better.
Subwoofers, as compared to regular speakers, need a higher amount of power. You might think of going for an isolated amplifier for the car’s subwoofer. You may have the amplifier integrated into the head unit and run the speakers. Remember that the use of isolated car amplifiers needs crossovers between the speakers and amplifiers, so as to distribute signals in a proper way.
Car Stereo Receivers and Head Units
When you are designing and developing a system, you may use your present receiver or in-dash head unit. Or you might have it replaced with a completely new component. But the con in this case is that the majority of the head units that are factory made and installed into cars lack pre-amp outputs. This means you cannot make use of external amplifiers. You can find speaker level – line level converter units, although there is compromise on the audio quality front.
In case you are planning to have the in-dash head unit replaced, it is essential to know about the size of the chassis. You can find oversized as well as regular head units. While oversized units are referred to as Double DIN or 1.5 DIN, the regular sized ones are called Single DIN. Also think whether you would like to have a DVD or a CD player, with a video screen or without it.
Installing Car Stereo System
It can be quite tricky to set up a completely new stereo system inside your car. However, if you know enough about how electronic systems tend to work and have the necessary tools for installation, a basic idea of vehicles and some patience, you can consider a DIY installation. It is possible to find plenty of online guides and manuals that can offer useful tips and instructions to you when it comes to the installation of car stereo systems.
If that is not the case, get a professional to install the system. You can find quite a few companies that offer full-on installation assistance. Make sure that you get in touch with your car dealer and find out whether the extended / factory warranty of the vehicle will be affected by the installation.
Keep in mind that you should never set up a subwoofer within a wrong enclosure, given that it can have a negative impact on how it works. It is advisable that you develop your own box, with proper dimensions or simply opt for a readymade enclosure that is available in the market. Trying to force your ported box subwoofer inside a sealed enclosure will simply destroy it.
