Hey car audio experts, time to stop wondering how many *doof*owatts to supply to those 20 15W7s youve expertly packed under the front seats of your mini clubman, go back to basics and help me with a letter i intend to send to a local car mags car audio section. I want to write this letter because it is obvious that these people have absolutely no clue, popular myths need debunking.
Dear Reverb,
After far too much mucking around i have finally ended up with a car sound system that sounds about right for my musical taste. While this is a good thing, far more depressing is the fact that the whole process cost me a whole lot more time, effort and money than need be. The following hints are based on my own experience and anecdotal evidence, and are presented to this fine publication in the hope that your readers can learn from other peoples mistakes.
1. Research. Before setting up your system, RESEARCH what you need. Know how brands stack up against one another. KNow what components would be best for your musical taste, and your car. Sometimes Salesman can be a great source of exactly the sort of advice you probably dont need, try the internet.
2. Just because Brand X makes good home electronics does not mean they are any good at car audio. Head units aside they are often beaten on price and performance by lesser known car audio specialty brands.
3. Ignore peak power outputts. When matching speakers / subs to amps talk only in rms figures. THis simplifies things and means figures are less misleading.
4. You get what you pay for. The Taiwan made 2000 watt amp for 90 bucks isnt going to have the performance as the 2000 watt rms 2000 dollar JL Audio amplifier.
5. As stand alone speakers well amplified 6x9s are great, their bass presence can almost match a small subwoofer. However if you are running subwoofer(s) then its hard to see the point of the things.
6. There are heaps of good installers out there, but some will just cut corners. Ask to see some work they have already done. If it comes down to it, having a mate do a crap install for free is better than paying somebody 500 bucks to do a similarily ****e job.
7. For unbiased friendly advice check out clubknowledge.com and go to the car audio forum. I will vouch for those guys.
Jarrod.
Well thanks for looking that over and id appreciate any input...feel free to add to or modify the above.
Thanks.
Replies (0)
Dear Reverb,
After far too much mucking around i have finally ended up with a car sound system that sounds about right for my musical taste. While this is a good thing, far more depressing is the fact that the whole process cost me a whole lot more time, effort and money than need be. The following hints are based on my own experience and anecdotal evidence, and are presented to this fine publication in the hope that your readers can learn from other peoples mistakes.
1. Research. Before setting up your system, RESEARCH what you need. Know how brands stack up against one another. KNow what components would be best for your musical taste, and your car. Sometimes Salesman can be a great source of exactly the sort of advice you probably dont need, try the internet.
2. Just because Brand X makes good home electronics does not mean they are any good at car audio. Head units aside they are often beaten on price and performance by lesser known car audio specialty brands.
3. Ignore peak power outputts. When matching speakers / subs to amps talk only in rms figures. THis simplifies things and means figures are less misleading.
4. You get what you pay for. The Taiwan made 2000 watt amp for 90 bucks isnt going to have the performance as the 2000 watt rms 2000 dollar JL Audio amplifier.
5. As stand alone speakers well amplified 6x9s are great, their bass presence can almost match a small subwoofer. However if you are running subwoofer(s) then its hard to see the point of the things.
6. There are heaps of good installers out there, but some will just cut corners. Ask to see some work they have already done. If it comes down to it, having a mate do a crap install for free is better than paying somebody 500 bucks to do a similarily ****e job.
7. For unbiased friendly advice check out clubknowledge.com and go to the car audio forum. I will vouch for those guys.
Jarrod.
Well thanks for looking that over and id appreciate any input...feel free to add to or modify the above.
Thanks.
Replies (0)
Copyright ClubKnowledge 2009 * All Rights Reserved
