Collection of Musical Misconceptions
Myth 1. “My radio outputs 200 watts”The basis of the misconception is the confusion of the concepts of rated and maximum power. Manufacturers of audio equipment (and not only automobile ones) like to indicate peak power figures, without explaining that these values can only be obtained by testing acoustics on special stands. By definition, the consumer will not receive two hundred watts. Instead, you can look for the parameters of the nominal, that is, actually achievable power - if you find at least the inscription "4x15 W", there is already a reason for joy - your radio is not the worst.
Where does such a significant difference in readings come from? When talking about peak power, it should be borne in mind that this is a certain limit, upon reaching which the end comes for the equipment. In the literal sense of the word, this is a test of technology's strength.
Beautiful peak power numbers can be achieved in different ways. One method is to cool the equipment with liquid nitrogen. The overheated equipment, on the verge of failure, will cool down a little, and then the last juice will be squeezed out of it, which will then give a reason to stick a bright sticker on the production model with the promise of those same two or three hundred watts. Cheap Asian brands, however, are not so scrupulous. Without any testing, they claim high power, the numbers of which are taken from the air. The risk is zero: the consumer almost never has the opportunity to check these numbers.
Myth 2. “I have a good expensive car, therefore the “music” in it is excellent”
In this essay, we start from the concept of “high-quality car audio,” which implies first-class components, correctly matched to each other and installed on the car by professionals. Economics will help debunk this myth: you have to pay for everything good. Ultimately - to the consumer, but first - still to the manufacturer. This is not profitable for him: it is not a fact that a car with a decent increase in price will sell well. And only professionals, who always strive to improve something on their own, will appreciate a cool audio system. According to experts, there are only a few cars with a good standard audio system.
Myth 3. “My car has 12 speakers, that’s the sound!”
The sound quality in a car is not achieved by the number of speakers. If the equipment is mediocre, then the effect will be even the opposite: noise and wheezing will come at you from all 10 (12, 18, etc.) speakers. Often a powerful front end, a subwoofer and a 4-channel amplifier are enough to make the car sound beautiful and strong. The number of standard speakers in a car is determined not by engineers, but by marketers. In the premium segment, the number already goes up to a good two dozen (the Mark Levinson audio system in Lexus includes 19 speakers scattered throughout the cabin), but the main function of such systems, with rare exceptions, is image-based. Often the size, shape and placement of speakers depends on the whim of the designer. You will see a beautiful column somewhere near the windshield trim line and you will never guess how “empty” it is.
Myth 4. “An active subwoofer will replace a whole bunch of other components for me.”
An active subwoofer differs from a regular subwoofer in that the amplifier is also located in the same housing. Meanwhile, the close proximity of these components is considered controversial from the point of view of efficiency. The option when the subwoofer is located in the trunk and the amplifier in the cabin (for example, under the seat) is preferable. Of course, the active subwoofer is larger in size - those who prefer it have a sort of hefty “barrel” in their trunk. How then was the myth born? The answer lies in the field of psychology: well, how can “active” be worse than “passive”?..
Myth 5. “More functions, good and different”
The pursuit of additional functions in certain devices is a kind of mania among both manufacturers and consumers. A phone without the Internet is not a phone, an audio system without a TV and navigation is the third grade of yesterday. Well, let it be today and the choice between two “or”: either all of this will work, but only half-heartedly, or some will work well, but some will not matter. Companies that compete for buyers in the lower price segment tend to mix everything together. Reputable brands, on the contrary, strive to “separate the flies from the cutlets”; for example, in Pioneer head units, the radio exists completely separately from the disc player.
Myth 6. “All components must be the same brand”
You can easily understand the logic of these people. A person opens a specialized magazine, reads a comparative test of head units and sees that the winner is a product from company N. Having reached this point, the person closes the magazine and goes to buy an N radio, N speakers, an N subwoofer and an amplifier. Having collected this entire N-set, he will probably even be satisfied with the result (if not the sound itself, then at least morally that he did everything right). Meanwhile, companies that produce the best head units turn out to be weak in the manufacture of other acoustics, and vice versa.
They produce it solely so that the line of components is represented to the maximum. How to explain the paradox? Disassemble the radio and speaker and look at what is inside both. Roughly speaking, in the first case microelectronics and corresponding technologies are used, in the second case macroelectronics are used. A competent seller is obliged to bring the buyer up to date, and an illiterate (or lacking initiative) will sell the same N-set. In a branded N-bag.
Myth 7. “Ford acoustics are best suited to my Ford”
This conclusion does not stand up to any criticism, but the error itself is forgivable. You really only need to select original parts for the car - spark plugs, light bulbs, brake pads. However, “music” is not included in this list. However, come on, does any automaker make acoustics of the same name? They do, although only a few. There are, for example, head units from Daewoo and Hyundai. But much more often, car companies simply order “music” on the side, and then put their logo on it. In this case, the opinion that makes up the seventh myth can be understood as follows: “the standard audio system of my car is the best option for it.” We have already said that great audio systems are not installed as standard.
For those who consider themselves sophisticated audiophiles, when buying a car, it is better to immediately abandon the basic audio system, if possible. In addition to the net benefit, you will also make life easier for the installers by saving them from unnecessary work. Here we will also touch on another myth that is close in meaning: they say, my standard equipment may not be very good, but I’ll buy a more expensive subwoofer and this will improve the matter. It won’t succeed - good technology works only with good technology, and with mediocre technology it itself is a mess.
Myth 8. “Acoustic N is the winner of car audio competitions, that’s why I choose it”
Competitions are different. We hear about SPL (Sound Pressure Level) competitions much more often than about competitions to determine the highest quality audio system. With sound pressure, everything is clear: the car is stuffed with all sorts of “booze” to the limit, the windows are reinforced so that they don’t fly out, and in order not to go deaf, at competitions they launch all this stuff from the remote control, while being at a distance.
Quality is not determined by volume at all. Here they study the general composition of the musical background and the influence of its components (tones and semitones, instrumental parts separately from vocal ones, etc.) on each other. For this purpose, recordings of various musical styles are specially selected. High-quality sound, to put it simply, allows you to hear all the musical features both together and separately. And which aspect is closer to you?
Myth 9. “The best body for installing audio equipment is a sedan”
An ancient opinion, regarding which, however, there is almost no mistake now. The judgment was fair ten years ago, when an audio system meant only a radio with speakers, and few had heard of subwoofers. The argument put forward was this: only in a sedan the shelf behind the rear seats is rigidly fixed; in hatchbacks and station wagons it is movable. Consequently, in the latter two bodies, the rear speakers will experience shaking, which will affect the sound quality.
Nowadays, no one cares about rear speakers: it is much more effective to install a subwoofer and a powerful “front” (see also myth 3). And priorities have now changed exactly the opposite: it is single-volume bodies that are considered the most suitable for installing a high-quality system. After all, a subwoofer installed in the trunk of a sedan is in stronger “insulation” than in a station wagon. The sound, of course, will pass through the hard back wall, but the much-valued compression effect, when the sound is not only heard, but also felt, will, of course, be much weaker.
Myth 10. “I’ll buy myself a capacitor and listen to music for hours without worrying about the battery.”
The role of a capacitor in an acoustic system is to accumulate energy, to be an energy buffer, ready to release this energy when necessary. But the point of the capacitor is not to replace the battery. The capacitor is powered by the battery in any case; it is simply included in the electrical circuit as an additional link. Again, the performance of a capacitor is not measured by the duration of listening to music while the engine is not running. The capacitor has a very narrow specialization: if the battery charge may simply not be enough (for example, other energy consumers are turned on), it gives up part of its energy to ensure normal sound. Not every audio system needs a capacitor, but only the most powerful of them (producing several hundred W of actual power).
Myth 11. “Actually, I understand electrics. I’ll install my audio system myself.”
A difficult legacy of previous decades, when the car owner had to be his own painter, mechanic, turner and electrician. The need to be a general repairman has faded away; we drive modern cars, but echoes of the era still sometimes arise. Most often - in the name of saving, of course.
No one will argue that it is not difficult to embed a radio into the dashboard. But this is a philistine level, and today we are talking about professional car audio. Dozens of components, selected from hundreds of combinations, are connected by meters of wiring, which takes more than one day (connecting the components is half the battle; you also have to painstakingly “listen” to the “scene”, achieving ideality). To enjoy music inside the car, you need to remember that in addition to assembling the components into one whole, the system also needs to be configured. After all, as mentioned above, good sound differs from ordinary sound in nuances.
And here, not only garage craftsmen show poor training, but also – take note – master installers of dealership centers. There is no staffing position “car audio master”, there is “additional equipment master”. Today it’s a subwoofer and an amplifier, tomorrow it’s a plastic body kit and xenon, the day after tomorrow it’s engine crankcase protection. It is clear that poor quality work will not allow even expensive equipment to be fully realized.
Myth 12. “It’s all nonsense. Cool “music” can be bought for five thousand - you need to know the place”
For five thousand - definitely not possible. You can’t even do it for ten, or – you’re still looking for some kind of middle option. The stingy one still pays twice - remember this when embarking on a pursuit of sound. Having decided on your desires, show your car to specialists. For any machine there is a standard conversion algorithm; you can follow it, you can work together to develop an individual path. The main thing is that car audio specialists should deal with car audio. As the English proverb says, The shoemaker makes good shoes because he makes shoes and nothing more - “the shoemaker makes good shoes because he makes shoes and nothing else.”
As a rule, in the mass market, automakers select audio systems focusing on the average consumer: the main thing is that you can listen to the radio, sometimes connect a phone via Bluetooth or a flash drive via USB. Engineers don't expect you to listen to music at maximum volume or that you have an exceptional ear for music.
Even if the manufacturer installs a couple of additional speakers, this does not lead to a significant improvement in sound quality. And installing a subwoofer purchased at the nearest supermarket by the owner will not solve the problem either. Driving with the trunk rattling and headlights blinking due to voltage drops in the on-board network is not at all cool. Audio preparation in a car is a sequential process. First, vibration isolation is done, then the speakers are changed, and then a subwoofer is added. If the stages are swapped, for example, installing good acoustics but not preparing the doors, the effect will only worsen.
VIBRATION INSULATION
The first thing to start with is damping and vibration isolation of the doors, as well as installing standard speakers on rigid rings made of plywood or MDF. In this case, the standard speakers and head unit remain. These simple manipulations allow you to add “depth” to the sound. On average, such work in a workshop will cost 15,000 rubles, but you can save money by doing everything yourself. After spending a couple more thousand, you can add sound insulation: the cabin will become noticeably quieter.
If you plan to replace the speakers and install a subwoofer, then you won’t be able to get away with vibration isolation of just the doors; you’ll have to “roll” the entire car. For doors, vibration isolation with a thickness of 2 mm will be sufficient, and for the ceiling, floor and trunk lid, preferably 4 mm. Such a layer will increase the rigidity of surfaces and get rid of rattling of metal, plastic and casings.
Loud music broke the mirrors.
REPLACING THE AUDIO SYSTEM
To achieve improved sound quality and volume while ensuring safe operation of the entire system, a minimum set of components is required. It includes good speakers, an amplifier and three types of wiring - power, speaker and interconnect cables. Of course, it would be better to also change the “head” - the transmitted signal will become cleaner, and a more advanced device will help you more accurately customize the system for yourself.
It seems that the speakers are easy to replace - unscrew the old ones and install new ones. However, not all so simple. To replace the speakers, a whole range of work is required: run power cables (“+” and “–”) from the battery to the amplifier, which will most likely be installed in the trunk. If you plan to install a subwoofer in the future, then it is better to take wires with a cross-section of at least 35 mm 2, or better yet with a margin of 50 mm 2, and definitely copper wires - they conduct current better. You need to run interconnect cables from the radio to it and acoustic wires from the amplifier to the speakers. Power and speaker wires can be laid side by side, but interconnect cables are laid separately - either on the other side of the car or along the central tunnel. You can also do it through the ceiling. This is done to avoid “noise” - when the generator’s operation is heard through the speakers. The farther the interconnect cables are from power and acoustics, the better.
Niche for spare wheel.
To protect yourself from a possible short circuit, place a fuse on the positive wire no further than 40 cm from the battery. On the reverse side, the amplifier already has its own fuse.
It is better to choose pop speakers. They have a large volume reserve, while playing quite well. The diameter of the speakers will depend on the possibility of installation in your car: 16 or 20 cm. It costs from 20,000 rubles, and this does not take into account the cost of installation.
Stage speakers are acoustics in which everything is aimed at maximum sensitivity and, therefore, volume. “Estrada” requires relatively little power, but you will achieve decibels that are absolutely unattainable for conventional acoustics. Properly configured pop speakers play clearly and richly; you will not notice any difference in quality with coaxial acoustics.
CHOOSE A SUBWOOFER
Subwoofers come for different purposes and tasks. But you should never buy ready-made options with a built-in amplifier. You will be upset, to put it mildly. If you want more low frequencies, you can pay attention to budget models measuring 12 inches and rated power up to 1000 watts. The amplifier for the sub must be selected with a 1.5-fold power reserve, which will help avoid “clip” - a distorted signal that is obtained when the device is operating at maximum. A specialized workshop will make you a subwoofer enclosure based on your musical preferences. “Turnkey” with installation will cost another 30,000 rubles.
In the budget and mid-price segment (when, for example, the cost of a subwoofer is no more than 20,000 rubles), you should not pay attention to the specified maximum power of the speaker - this is a marketing ploy to attract buyers. With such power, it can only work for a couple of seconds.
We highly recommend installing a voltmeter in a visible place inside the car - this will allow you to monitor voltage drops in the network. It is necessary to connect to the largest consumer - the amplifier for the subwoofer. Amplifiers only operate correctly when the voltage is at least 12 volts. If the standard battery is not enough, it is better to replace it with an AGM one. This type of battery is capable of delivering more current, and, accordingly, there will be less sag under load.
AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) is a technology for producing lead-acid batteries. The difference between AGM batteries and classic ones is that they contain absorbed electrolyte rather than liquid, which provides a number of advantages in their operation. The disadvantages of this type of battery are the price and heavy weight. But there are more advantages: high output, very fast charging (to fully recharge, the on-board network output voltage of 13.8–14.5 V is enough), endurance, ability to work normally down to -30 degrees, sealing (you can put it on its side and not worry about harmful acid vapors, which is important when installing the battery in the trunk).
The total budget for alterations at the moment will be about 80,000 rubles. For the money you get very good, detailed sound. Doors will no longer play along with the music. There will be two amplifiers installed in the trunk - one for acoustics, the other for a subwoofer. The volume reserve will allow you to sound a small beach in the summer, and in the cabin the rear view mirror will shake from the low frequencies. But if this is not enough, look at how far you can go in search of the ideal car audio using the example of my personal car.
OPEL ASTRA: THERE IS NO LIMIT TO PERFECTION, OR SOUND AT THE PRICE OF A CAR
The basis of everything in car audio is proper nutrition. Large power consumption (about 7 kW in total in this machine) requires special operating conditions. An increased-performance generator of 270 A is installed under the hood (the standard one produced only 120 A). It charges three AGM batteries with a total capacity of 250 Ah, one under the hood and two instead of a spare wheel. Connecting the batteries, generator and amplifier took about 40 meters of 50 mm 2 wire - each about the thickness of a thumb.
We had to sacrifice not only the spare tire, but also the entire trunk. A double floor was installed in it. Amplifiers were located on the first “floor”. There are three jokes about them, like batteries - each for its own type of speakers. Subwoofers are already installed on top. There are two of them, 15 inches each.
Initially, there were other subwoofers, less powerful, and a weaker amplifier. Later I replaced the subwoofers, and already changed three amplifiers. The first one had a power of 2 kW, now it is 5.5 kW. Now the sound pressure in the cabin of my car reaches 151 dB. With such figures, the increase in each decibel in hearing is a doubling of the volume, and in terms of money the amount increases exponentially. For example, changing the amplifier to a more powerful one with an improvement in the result by 1.5 dB cost me 70,000 rubles.
The doors are equipped with pop-up acoustics: two mid-frequency speakers and one horn that plays the high frequencies. To accommodate the installation of such a number of speakers, door cards were manually made and covered with leatherette.
The standard head unit definitely wouldn’t have been able to cope, so it was replaced with a radio with a processor: it allows you to send to each speaker the frequency range for which they are designed. The system is balanced the way I like it. But there is a special regulator at hand that allows you to add low frequencies when there are not enough of them.
The budget for this configuration is not low at all. Lots of hand work, professional components installed. The cost of modifications at this time was already about 270,000 rubles, actually equaling the price of the car itself. But this amount does not bother me; I have already ordered other batteries to add a couple of tenths of decibels. And by the time you read, the amount may have already changed a lot.
An article about how to choose the right speaker systems for a car interior. What to look for when choosing. At the end of the article there is an interesting video about how to choose inexpensive speakers for your car.
Automakers rarely pay due attention to the quality of acoustics and the correctness of their location. As a result, the sound cannot be called ideal.
Therefore, many car enthusiasts decide to change the standard acoustics. However, her choice is a difficult matter. There are many different factors that need to be taken into account in order to purchase a truly high-quality system.
What to consider when choosing a speaker system for your car
Acoustic type
Car acoustics can be component or coaxial.
Coaxial acoustics characterized by its simplicity. In it, all the speakers are arranged in one column. Such a system consists of a large speaker with smaller speakers mounted in front of the diffuser. The speakers are divided by range, so there are both single- and four-way devices. Each audio range has its own speaker. Such acoustics are inexpensive and very easy to install.
At the same time, such systems are losing their popularity. Usually they are chosen only by those car owners for whom sound quality is not particularly important; it is more important for them that there is simply music in the car. Coaxial speakers are installed by drivers of cheap cars, taxi drivers and truck drivers in trucks.
Component acoustics more perfect. All its components operate in their own frequency band. The speakers are located separately from each other. The crossover separates the frequencies and is located outside the speaker. If you correctly position the speakers in the car interior, the effect of “presence” will be achieved. In this case, even an inexperienced music lover can easily distinguish the playing of different instruments. True, installing component acoustics requires professionalism, so it is better to entrust this matter to specialists. They will be able to position the speakers correctly to ensure the best possible sound.
Typically, a component system includes several midrange or low-frequency speakers (midbass), as well as several tweeters (tweeters). More advanced acoustics are also equipped with a subwoofer.
So, if you just want music playing in your car, choose a coaxial system. It's cheap and easy to install.
Motorists with “sophisticated” musical needs are better off purchasing component acoustics. In principle, even an inexpensive set, when installed correctly, can provide decent sound for music inside the car.
Speaker sizes
Typically, speaker sizes are indicated in inches. It should also be said that the speakers are round and oval. The most common sizes of round speakers are: 4, 5, 6, 6.5, 8, 10.
Oval speakers usually have the following sizes: 7x10, 6x9, 5x7, 4x6.
Let us remind you that these dimensions are in inches (1 inch - 2.54 cm).
There are several important aspects to consider when choosing speaker sizes. Large diffusers reproduce low-frequency sounds better. Accordingly, high-frequency sounds sound better on small speakers.
Therefore, it is usually advised to choose round car speakers with sizes “6” and “6.5”, or oval “6x9”. Smaller speakers will not be able to properly draw the “lows”.
The second aspect that you should definitely pay attention to when choosing speaker sizes is the standard locations for installing speakers. They may differ in different machines. There are certain standards (4-6.5 inches), but car owners need to take measurements in advance. Otherwise, you will have to saw down the door card later. If this doesn't bother you and you want to create really good sound in your car, then ignore this aspect and choose a 6x9 system.
Number of lanes
You need to understand that each band corresponds to a certain frequency played by the speakers. As a rule, there can be two or three bands (high, medium, low frequencies). Some systems have more than three lanes.
Many people mistakenly believe that they need to choose acoustics with the maximum number of bands. However, this won't do anything. The sound quality will not improve significantly. It is very difficult to coordinate the interaction of more than three speakers in one system.
Therefore, when choosing acoustics, you should not chase the number of bands. It is better to purchase rear two-way systems and front three-way systems.
Speaker material
The highest quality sound can be obtained if the high-frequency speakers are made of silk and have a large dome, and the low-frequency speakers are made of pressed cardboard or paper. It is important that they are treated with a special impregnation that will protect them from exposure to water. The speaker magnet must be made of neodymium. This will give the system more power, but will take up less space, which is very important during installation.
Acoustic power
It can be nominal or maximum (peak). The rated power is the main one. It allows you to listen to music for a long period of time. The speakers cannot withstand peak power for long, otherwise the diffuser suspension will collapse, the coil will overheat, or other damage will occur. Very powerful acoustics must have an amplifier.
When choosing speaker power, you should be guided by one simple rule - the peak power of the speakers should be three times the maximum power of the amplifier. Otherwise you will burn the speakers.
Speaker sensitivity
This is a more important parameter than power. Sensitivity is a value measured in decibels and shows the sound pressure produced by acoustics at a distance of one meter when a sound power of 1 W is supplied. Acoustics with greater sensitivity will sound better without an amplifier. If the acoustic sensitivity is less than 90 dB, you will need an amplifier. Also, when choosing acoustics, you should pay attention to the resonant frequency, which affects the depth of the bass. The lower the resonant frequency, the better the bass sounds.
Motorist's musical preferences
Oddly enough, this parameter should also be taken into account when choosing car acoustics. For example, some speakers are good at reproducing electronic music, but are not suitable for instrumental or classical music, and vice versa. If you want to find a “golden mean”, you will have to choose inexpensive systems, but they will not sound very high quality. Let's say Morel acoustics are better suited for listening to instrumental music, and Hertz has good bass.
Brand
There are quite a lot of acoustics manufacturers now. The most famous brands are: Hertz, Boston Acoustic, Infinity, JBL, Alpine, Helix, Morel, DLS, Ground Zero and so on. Previously, Kenwood, Panasonic, Pioneer were popular. But now high-quality acoustics are rarely found among the systems of these manufacturers. Although some people still choose Pioneer out of habit.
It is impossible to advise which acoustic manufacturer is better to choose. Almost every brand has top lines. At the same time, it is important to evaluate the entire system: radio, subwoofer, amplifier, and not its individual elements.
In addition, if a cheap radio is installed in your car, you should not count on high-quality sound, even if you install the most expensive acoustics from a well-known brand.
Choose the acoustics whose sound you like best. True, there is one nuance here - the music will sound differently at the stand and in the car interior.
Speaker levels
When choosing car acoustics, you should proceed from its level. There are four in total:
- The simplest acoustics. Such a system is cheap, but you will not be able to impress your passengers and people on the street with high sound quality. In this case, you can purchase inexpensive speakers from not very well-known companies. Just don't buy a Chinese fake. You can install spaced or coaxial speakers in front, and simple speakers (“pancakes”) in the back.
- Average acoustics with high power. In front, you need to install a spaced system with silk tweeters. They can be placed on special podiums. At the rear, install the usual “pancakes”, since the main sound is provided by the front speakers; you can save money on the rear ones.
- High level of acoustics. In this case, the choice should be taken very seriously. In front you need to install a fairly expensive diluted system. The speakers must have high-quality sound and high power, otherwise they will not withstand the “pressure” of the amplifier. The speakers will need a podium, and the doors will need sound insulation.
When choosing rear speakers, you should consider what they are playing from. If directly from the car radio, you can purchase “modest” speakers. If it’s from an amplifier, you’ll have to fork out more. Rear speakers must have silk tweeters, which will provide clearer sound.
- "Competitive" acoustics. It amazes with both its cost and quality. An expensive three-component system is installed in front. At the same time, the sound stage for the speakers should be wide and deep. In this case, rear speakers are usually not installed, but two pairs of speakers are installed in front. Only professionals who are well versed in the “musical” issue should select and install such acoustics.
Finally, we will give a few more useful recommendations that will help you make the right choice of car speakers so that you can enjoy high-quality sound:
- The suspension of the speakers should not be made of fabric, but rubber.
- Silk tweeters should be used, since silk provides an even, soft and detailed sound.
- The speakers need to be fixed as rigidly as possible (preferably to wood or metal).
- It is imperative to soundproof your car if high-quality sound is important to you. Otherwise, the music will be drowned out by the noise of the engine and wheels.
- If you don’t understand it yourself, entrust the process of selecting and installing acoustics to specialists. To get really good sound, you need to have certain knowledge and skills in various industries. In addition, setting up acoustics is a complex process.
Let's sum it up
How to choose an inexpensive audio system for a car - watch the video:
You will need
- -sound insulation
- - vibration isolation
- -helper tool
- - musical auto components
- -high capacity batteries
Instructions
To achieve truly high-quality music sound in a car, many changes need to be made.
The first thing you need to do is rid the car of extraneous noise and crickets. To do this, it is necessary to completely seal the vehicle with sound insulation, especially at the joints of parts such as the connections between the doors and the dashboard. Much attention should be paid to sound insulation of arches, because 60% of extraneous noise comes from there. A double layer of sound insulation is applied to the arches, sills, luggage compartment, doors and engine compartment of the car.
After pasting with noise insulation, vibration insulation of the vehicle follows. It is worth noting that it is necessary to use plastic films between the layers of noise insulation and vibration insulation, especially in the doors, so that condensation does not accumulate and car parts do not rust. Vibration insulation is thicker compared to the first material, so it is necessary to calculate the place for its installation, especially if the car is of domestic production.
Next you need to position it correctly. Here you should pay attention to the reflection of sound directly in the user's car. If it is a hatchback or station wagon, then the sound and bass from the trunk is reflected much better in such a body than in a sedan, which in turn will lead to changes in the rear parcel shelf. For high-frequency speakers, it is also better to use sound reflection from glass; installation in the car dashboard in the upper part under the windshield is suitable for this. Mid-range speakers are best used in the front and rear doors. You need to pay attention to the installation of mid-frequency speakers so that the sound is not distorted or muffled; the installation should be at the end of the door, just above the seat. It is better to install bass speakers in the front doors and if the car is a sedan.
Once you have decided on the installation of the speakers, you need to use suitable podiums. For better sound, wooden structures are used to avoid unnecessary vibrations and noise. After purchasing or manufacturing the podiums, they are covered with additional material, according to the style of the car. Basically, these materials are carpet and leather, all those materials that additionally eliminate vibrations.
Next, you need to install car audio power units. Amplifiers, processors and are often placed in the luggage compartment to save space, better cooling of the system and, due to the weight of the system, better weight distribution of the car. Batteries are installed with increased capacity, sometimes even two batteries to power the entire audio system. It is also better to use a larger capacity generator for constant power.
For better system sound, you should use licensed auto components and not abuse sound pressure. For the correct layout, it is worth using 60% of the power of mid-frequency speakers, 30% and 10% of low-frequency speakers; this is the most acceptable layout for high-quality sound. Don’t forget about a high-quality radio, which must be processor-based or use a processor through adapters. For high-quality sound transmission, you should use a CD with the quality of the music on it in a 1:1 ratio or use an AUX wire to transfer music from the phone to the radio, but for this the phone must support music in quality (flac) in order to leave the highest sound quality .
It is worth paying attention to the interior styling, not only for aesthetic purposes, but also to additionally eliminate interior noise due to the use of leather material. All this will allow you to achieve maximum sound quality in your car.
Not every car is equipped with a sound system, especially when it comes to basic trim levels. Moreover, even the presence of a standard audio system does not guarantee high sound quality, so many have a completely logical desire to select and install a high-quality car radio. This matter is quite complicated, as it requires certain knowledge from the car owner. Therefore, you need to figure out which speakers are best to put in your car, and also familiarize yourself with the basic rules for choosing car speakers based on power, reliability and price.
What kind of acoustics to put in a car?
Experts divide the acoustic systems (AS) currently on the market into 3 types:
- broadband speaker - is a single speaker responsible for reproducing the entire frequency range. This type is the most affordable for the buyer, which is why many automakers equip their cars with just such systems. A wideband speaker is enough to listen to radio broadcasts or create a quiet audio background;
- coaxial - a more advanced type of speaker system, which involves the presence of several speakers located in one housing. The entire frequency range coming from the audio recorder is in this case divided into LF (low frequencies), MF (middle frequencies) and HF (high frequencies), each of which is reproduced by a separate speaker. This circuit allows you to significantly expand the range of reproduced frequencies and increase the quality of the audio system. The coaxial system is most popular among car owners, as it provides decent sound quality for relatively little money;
- component - the most advanced and, accordingly, expensive speaker system. The quality of the system is ensured by the fact that each of the three speakers (HF, LF and MF) is located in a separate housing. Budget component-type speakers are often equipped with a pair of low- and mid-frequency speakers (midbass), as well as a pair of high-frequency speakers (tweeters), while more expensive sets additionally have a crossover and a subwoofer.
When choosing car speakers, you should pay attention to such important parameters as size, power and sensitivity.
How to choose the right size car speakers
If we talk about speaker sizes, experts do not recommend purchasing devices with a height of 4–5 inches (1 inch - 2.54 cm). It is better to opt for 6–6.5-inch models, as they do a good job of reproducing low frequencies (bass).
As a result, if you want to get high-quality HF reproduction, then you should opt for speakers with the smallest cone diameter. If getting deep and high-quality bass is paramount, then choose speakers with the largest cone diameter.
What should be the power of good speakers?
When analyzing the concept of speaker power, it is worth remembering that the value of this indicator should be slightly greater than the outgoing power of the car radio. Otherwise, all attempts to obtain more or less high-quality sound will be reduced to zero.
Video: how to find out the power of the speakers
Typically, speakers are labeled with a rated and peak power rating, with the former indicating the power at which the speaker can be operated for long periods of time without the risk of damaging the cone or overheating the coil, and the latter indicating the maximum power the speaker can withstand for a short period of time. .
Sensitivity, resonant frequency and sound character of car acoustics
Of course, when choosing speakers, size and their power are important, but sensitivity (sound pressure), resonant frequency (Fs) and overall sound quality (Qts) are key.
In this case, the following statements are true:
- The higher the sound pressure (sensitivity) parameter, the better. An indicator in the range of 92–94 is considered optimal.
- The recommended value of the resonant frequency should vary between 60–75, and the lower this parameter, the deeper the bass the car owner will receive in the end.
- The Qts should ideally be greater than 0.6, especially if the speakers are installed in car doors.
Video: how to choose the best budget subwoofer for a car
Selecting speakers without an amplifier
If a car owner is faced with the task of choosing speakers without an amplifier, then you need to understand that achieving high sound quality will be almost impossible. Remember: without an amplifier, car audio is simply unable to reveal its full potential.
But don’t be upset, because not everyone needs a first-class speaker, and it is quite possible to achieve sound quality that is sufficient for the average user. For this, it is recommended to use speakers with a high level of sensitivity and light suspension (ideally made of paper or Kevlar).
Basic rules for choosing speaker systems for a car
When buying car speakers, you need to pay attention not only to its brand and price. You should also listen to the advice of competent specialists:
Which manufacturer's speakers should you choose?
When purchasing acoustics for your car, you should immediately determine which parameter will be your priority. If preference is given to trusted brands, you should pay attention to manufacturers such as Sony, Pioneer, Kenwood and JVC. In most cases, they provide decent sound quality and are reliable. The main disadvantage of speakers of these brands is their high cost.
If you are a perfectionist or a fan of classical music, then avoid budget systems and speakers from manufacturers such as Mystery, Supra, CallCell and Fusion. You will not be able to achieve high-quality and beautiful sound in your car with them. However, more expensive models of these brands are distinguished by acceptable sound quality and uninterrupted operation for several years.
We recommend choosing speakers from brands such as DLS, MTX, JBL, Focal, Hertz, Rockford Fosgate, Magnat, Boston Acoustic, Alpine, Blaupunkt, Nakamichi, Lightning Audio, Infinity or Morel. Judging by user reviews, the models of these brands have a good price-quality ratio.
Finally, we would like to emphasize that illiterate installation of speakers can negate all the advantages of even the most productive and expensive radio. Therefore, to get truly high-quality sound, it is best to install an audio system in your car in specialized auto repair shops, where you can count on the help of real professionals.