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Everyone knows that the primary purpose of a car is getting from point A to point B, but sometimes arriving while blasting one’s favorite Necrophagist song is the only way it feels right. The stock speakers and stereo can hold up for a while but there is a huge chance that the speakers will be blown fast if listened to at too high a volume. If this sounds familiar, it may be time to simply replace the aging speakers and head unit with something a little more suited for blasting audio waves at the highest intensity possible.
The most important pieces to start with in a revamp are all of the speakers. Every car has different sized speakers, so going to Walmart and getting the best clearance special kit will simply not work for most people. Instead, there are car audio websites out there that allow an individual to easily input their specific car and get the sizes of the front and back speaker slots. Sometimes the spaces will not be standard, but in these cases there are usually adapters or ways of installing that will fit a standard replacement. Unless the person is adding an extra amplifier, most speakers can be used for great audio quality, and reviews are a person’s best friend for determining what will fit their listening style.
Do Your Thorough Research
Head units range greatly in cost and features, and as a result, research is very important for the individual to decide which is right for them. Most will offer similar speaker wattage, but some have features that are significantly better than their competition. Besides audio quality, it is important to pay attention to what inputs the stereo supports so the individual can easily interface their phone, MP3 player, CDs or even vinyl record albums if desired. It is a good idea to get as many inputs and features as possible in order to future proof the unit if a person wants to pick up a new music medium down the road.
After getting everything, it is time to install it all. The head unit usually has to be installed with a dash kit that allows it to fit into most cars’ abnormal stereo areas. The installer will also have to look up and create a graph matching what color of the car’s stereo wires match the stereo wiring harness. Usually the plug that enters the stock stereo has to be cut, but wiring harnesses that preclude this are available. Installing the speakers is incredibly open ended based on the type of car, but is usually easy once one figures out how to remove the door and rear dash panels. After installation, it is time for a test with one’s favorite Lady Gaga CD and Radiohead vinyl albums to test the different inputs properly.
Seth Frank is an honored factory-sealed vinyl records expert writing about Beatles vinyl records from SoundStage Direct and different types of turntables.
