Car owners guide to: Car Audio
 Although
factory fitted in-car entertainment systems have become more advanced,
there's just as much scope for adding and improving as there was
ten years ago. It's inevitable that car manufacturers have one eye
on the final price tag of the vehicle and so, while incorporating
some kind of an in-car system is a must for the car's sales features
list, don't expect too much.
The other thing of course is choice. Isn't it just plain nice to
be able to have what you want, not what the car manufacturer locks
you into having?
The first thing that's needed is a way of integrating or interfacing
new in-car sound system components into the factory wiring. If we
go back ten years or more things were a little simpler, but with
the added electronic sophistication of today's vehicles - plus steering-wheel
mounted volume control, radio search and so on - integrating new
items generally requires an extra gizmo.
That's no problem at all. MMSA members have access to a wide variety
of good quality, reliable factory interface devices and all the
cables and other general accessories to get everything working perfectly.
All you need to do is to start planning your personalised in-car
entertainment system - and of course they can help you with that
too - and, however discreet or however wild you want it to look
and sound, they'll make it a reality.
How to improve your factory in-car sound system
Here are some first steps to think about.
Change that factory fitted Car Audio Player!
Most vehicles today have a factory fitted Radio-Cassette or CD-Radio,
but most don't have the latest features, performance or the looks
we want. Don't be put off by the non-standard size of the face plate,
MMSA members provide the right trim panels and electrical interfaces
to get your chosen replacement looking good and working well.
Add an Amplifier!
Providing a volume level that will make the music sound realistic
- with good bass, delicate mids and highs and no distortion - is
largely down to the quality of the power amplifier. Car makers tend
not to worry about it too much. To them an amplifier is an amplifier
and they assume most buyers won't know the difference anyway.
If you really don't fancy changing the factory fitted music player,
then add a better quality car audio amplifier and upgrade the factory
car speakers. In nearly every case it will transform the sound even
though you've not changed the music player in the dashboard.
Add MP3, CD Changer, DAB Digital Radio, DVD or Sat Nav!
MMSA members have the answer when it comes to adding or 'interfacing'
these to your factory fitted in-car system. 'Auxiliary Input Interfaces',
'CD Changer Interfaces' and 'Docking Stations' make it all possible
and give much better results than when using "cheap and easy"
options such as FM modulators, which reduce everything to analogue
radio quality.
And most of all... Change those factory car speakers!
Even hooked up to the existing factory music player and amplifier,
good quality speakers, properly installed, will give a huge improvement.
If you do nothing else, make this your first upgrade.
We each hear sounds slightly differently, and different types of
music will sound better on some speakers than others, so it's important
to go along and listen in the shop. Take some of your favourite
CDs and listen to a few speakers, then make a shortlist of two or
three. Now audition each of them for 15 minutes, longer if you can.
Don't make a snap decision because some car speakers can sound great
at first but tiring after a while.
Make this simple upgrade first and you'll be astounded at the improved
sound coming out of your factory in-car system.
High-End Car Audio Systems
Those wanting the very best sound, whether for competition or purely
for their own enjoyment, will naturally be looking to use the best
quality products. It's clearly the ideal starting point, but good
planning and installation can make a world of difference too.
There isn't the scope here to cover the subject in any depth, but
achieving a top-class sound in a vehicle is a fascinatingly interesting
subject. The acoustics are complex and the inherent limitations
of working in a vehicle present a challenge which many find completely
absorbing. This is why you may have seen Autosound competitions
taking place - something which has grown into a passion of car audio
enthusiasts worldwide.
There are many challenges when building a true hi-fi quality car
sound system - or the loudest one in the SPL competition arena -
and what sets apart a fine system from a great one is often the
element of experience; knowing what to expect by taking a certain
path when planning and fitting the stereo system.
Many MMSA members have competition experience and have built high-class
car audio demonstrators, so they are the guys to ask for advice.
It's a great hobby - have fun.
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