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Car Audio - DIY
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The only way you're going to create a car audio system, and have it sound its best, is by following this information and simply learning how to do it. Let's begin with basic terms for different components to get you started:
RMS rating: This indicates how many watts RMS (continuous) a speaker or subwoofer can handle at all times, or, how many watts RMS (continuous) an amplifier, per channel, can provide at all times. You need to follow RMS ratings when matching components (amplifiers and subwoofers, etc.)
Peak power handling: This indicates how many watts total (at any one given time - a millisecond) a speaker or subwoofer can handle, or, how many watts total (at any one given time - a millisecond) an amplifier can provide, per channel. This number is mainly used to "sell" the consumer and should be disregarded.
Single and dual voice coils (SVC and DVC): This indicates the number of speakers terminals a subwoofer has. Single voice coil subwoofers have one set of speaker terminals. Dual voice coil subwoofers have two sets of speaker terminals, and can also handle more watts RMS compared to single voice coil subwoofers.
Sealed, ported and bandpass: This indicates whether a subwoofer enclosure is sealed, ported or bandpass. Sealed subwoofer enclosures will make a subwoofer hit harder and more accurately, while producing the deepest bass. A ported and bandpass subwoofer enclosure is designed to produce the loudest volume.
2-, 4-, 5- and 6-channel: This indicates how many channels an amplifier has.
Bridged: This indicates that 2 channels of an amplifier have been combined (bridged) to deliver a load from a single channel - usually delivering more watts RMS than the two channels could deliver, separately. For example: 125 watts RMS x 2 or 270 watts RMS x 1 bridged.
2-, 3-, 4-, 8-way: This indicates how many mid-range and tweeters a speaker has built into it, in addition to the woofer itself.
Single din and double din: This indicates whether a deck is single din (standard size), or double din, (oversize - for SUV's etc.).
Car CD Players: In terms of listening to music, your deck is the most important part of your entire audio system. It will not only allow you to listen to music, but to listen to music in various ways:
FM radio - Almost all car CD players are equipped with a basic AM/FM radio tuner. Some models may include a Super Tuner. This specific type of tuner allows you to receive weaker radio stations which are broadcasted from a farther distance - also giving you a stronger reception of local stations, as well.
HD radio - Some CD players are "HD radio ready". This means you need an external HD radio tuner which connects via plug-in to the rear of the deck. Other models have built-in HD radio tuners. HD radio offers static-free, crystal clear radio broadcasts. A subscription service is required - make sure your area offers HD radio channels.
Satellite radio - Some CD players are "satellite radio ready". This means you need an external satellite radio tuner which connects via plug-in to the rear of the deck. Other models have built-in satellite radio tuners. Satellite radio offers static-free, crystal clear radio broadcasts. Satellite radio requires a subscription service. Sirius and XM satellite radio have merged - one subscription plan will enable you to enjoy all satellite radio channels from both services, which at one point were available separately.
Music (store bought) CD's - Every CD player will play standard CD's which have been purchased in-store.
MP3 and WMA CD's - These CD's contain different, compressed formats compared to store bought - when you take music files from your computer and burn them onto a CD. You need to make sure the CD player is capable of playing CD's in these formats - if you have a collection of these types of CD's you'd like to listen to.
Portable audio devices - This will include all MP3 players and iPods. Some CD players are equipped with front 3.5mm inputs which allow you to connect your MP3 player or iPod. Other models include USB inputs, which can be used to connect your iPod for music options. A USB input will also charge the device you have connected - iPod, cell phone, etc.
Equalizers - If shaping your music in terms of acoustic range is important to you, look for a CD player that offers more of an advanced equalizer, such as a parametric equalizer. If shaping the acoustics is not important to you, a standard Bass and Treble control will be fine.
Preamp outputs - This is important if you decide to add an amplifier(s) to your system. The amplifier's RCA cables will connect to the rear of the deck, via preamp input, in order for the amplifier to receive the audio signal from the music.
What CD player will fit my car? If your vehicle has a single din opening, you will need a single din CD player. If your vehicle has a double din opening, you will require a double din CD player.
Most CD players are virtually the same width (across the front face). Some models may be different in length (front to back), however, there's usually enough pocket space inside your vehicle's dash board for almost any CD player to fit.
Double din car CD players may provide more power (RMS watt output per channel) because of its oversize and more available space for a larger, built-in amplifier.
Car DVD Players: This type of deck can offer all of the options a "standard" CD deck offers, above, plus DVD playback. And on top of that, the benefit of having a large, touchscreen display enabling you to toggle through menu options quickly and much easier. It also makes your overall system look that much cooler. It will be the ultimate command center for your entire system.
Extended video - Car DVD players are equipped with RCA video outputs so you may add additional video monitors - ceiling mount monitors, headrest monitors, etc.
Rear view cameras - A rear view camera (license plate camera) can be added to a DVD player, via plug-in. The video captured on the camera will be displayed on the DVD player screen. This is great for larger vehicles - giving you a 100% clear view of what's directly behind you.
Car Speakers: In fact, many factory speakers pre-installed in vehicles are 1-way. This means each speaker only offers a woofer - for bass, mid-range and highs. It contains no built-in mid-ranges or tweeters. This can cause a significant lack of frequency response - lacking detail your music is providing.
If you're concerned about appreciating the full detail your music has to offer, look for at least 2-way speakers - 3- and 4-way are even better. The more tweeters along with a mid-range a speaker has built into it, the better chance it's going to reproduce the fullest details your music is offering (cymbals crashing on drums, etc.).
Which speakers fit my car? This is where most people give up because they have no idea how to found out which size speakers will fit their vehicle. It's rather simple, actually. Go to any major search engine (Google) and type, for example: 2007 Chevy Camaro speakers.
This will give you results for Websites that will quickly provide you the answers on which size speakers fit the front and rear of your vehicle. Now you know!
There are a variety of options you must be familiar with when it comes to choosing speakers for your car:
Amplifier power for front speakers - If you choose to power your front speakers with an amplifier for louder music for yourself and front passenger, you must use a 2-channel amplifier and match the amplifier's RMS output, per channel, to the speakers RMS input.
For example: If each speaker is rated at 50 watts RMS, it's recommended to use an amplifier that delivers 50 watts RMS, per channel, or as close as possible without going over. Your rear speakers will receive power from the deck.
Amplifier power for front and rear speakers - If you want all four of your speakers to be amplified from an external amplifier, to provide louder music for yourself and all passengers, you must use a 4-channel amplifier. This setup also calls for various configurations:
Same RMS power handling for front and rear speakers - If both your front and rear speakers handle 50 watts RMS, each, it's recommended to use a 4-channel amplifier that delivers 50 watts RMS, per channel, or as close to it as possible, without going over. This way each speaker will receive the same amount of watts and should be equally as loud.
Different RMS power handling for front and rear speakers - 4-channel amplifiers have a volume (gain) control so you can adjust how many watts RMS the front channels are delivering to your front speakers and how many watts RMS the rear channels are delivering to your rear speakers.
For example: If you have 5.25" front speakers that handle 50 watts RMS and 6.5" rear speakers that handle 100 watts RMS, you could match them with a 4-channel amplifier that delivers 100 watts RMS, per channel. You will be required to turn the gain control down on the amplifier for the front speakers - otherwise, the front speakers will be receiving too many watts and will quickly become damaged.
Deck power - If you plan on using your deck to power your front and rear speakers, it's recommended not to use speakers that can handle more than 40 watts RMS. On average, most decks will only provide 10 - 25 watts RMS power, per channel. If you use speakers that can handle higher power ratings (50 watts RMS and more) the speakers will never perform at their top level.
Car Subwoofers: A subwoofer is needed for anyone desiring a certain level of bass in their system. Every subwoofer will require an amplifier. A subwoofer needs much more power than a deck could ever provide. The most common size subwoofers are 10" 12" and 15". There are several options available when choosing a subwoofer setup:
Component subwoofers - These types of subwoofers are offered individually, without an enclosure. You will have to follow the manufacturer's specification on the type and size of the enclosure the subwoofer needs to be housed in.
Enclosed subwoofers - These types of subwoofers are preloaded in an enclosure specifically designed for the subwoofer(s) to perform at their optimum level.
Powered subwoofers - These types of subwoofers are preloaded in an enclosure specifically designed for the subwoofer to perform at its optimum level, and is also equipped with a built-in amplifier, in a smaller, space-saving design. These are an easy add-on for factory systems, however, will not provide as much bass as component and enclosed subwoofers.
Accuracy - If you want the most accurate, hardest hitting bass (for rock n' roll, for example), use an 8" or 10" subwoofer(s) in a sealed enclosure.
Power - If you want the loudest and most powerful bass (to out-do everyone else), use the largest subwoofer(s) that will fit in your trunk and feed every single watt RMS that it, or they, can handle.
Volume - If you want the most volume of bass (for hip hop and/or rap, for example), use a 10" 12" or 15" subwoofer(s) in a ported or bandpass enclosure.
Car Amplifiers: In order for a system to be loud, an amplifier or multiple amplifiers need to be used. An amplifier takes the audio signal from the deck, via RCA cables, and amplifies it many times over and sends the amplified signal to the speakers or the subwoofer(s), or both. There are various types of amplifiers to use for various types of system configurations:
Mono class D amplifiers - These types of amplifiers have a single channel, are more efficient, run cooler, only amplify low frequency signals, and also provide the cleanest signal a subwoofer could possibly receive - which is why they're specifically designed for subwoofers.
2-channel amplifiers - These types of amplifiers provide two channels. Each, separate channel, may be used to power a total of two speakers, a pair of subwoofers, or can be bridged to operate in single channel mode to power a single subwoofer. When powering speakers, you will switch the amplifier to pass mid-range and high frequencies. When used for subwoofers, you will switch the amplifier to pass low frequencies.
4-channel amplifiers - These types of amplifiers provide four channels. Each, separate channel, may be used to power a total of four speakers, or power two speakers and bridge the other two channels to power a single subwoofer.
5- and 6-channel amplifiers - These types of amplifiers are less common and provide 5- or 6-channels. They give you more options compared to 2- and 4-channel amplifiers.
Harmonization: Once you have your system installed, before you start driving around and listening to it, you need to follow a short list of things-to-do to ensure that all components are performing together, perfectly (these steps are specifically for a system with multiple amplifiers powering both speakers and subwoofers):
1. Start your car, keep your system off.
2. Turn the gain control dials on the amplifiers all the way down.
3. Turn the deck on.
4. Go to the equalizer on the deck and make sure the bass is leveled out, or zero (0), or possibly a negative number (-1, -2, -3). You do not want your speakers trying to produce as much bass as possible (that's what the subwoofer(s) are for). At higher volumes, excessive bass will cause distortion which will interfere with the mid-range and high frequency reproduction of the speakers.
5. Turn the deck to 70 - 75% volume up. The stronger the signal coming from the deck to the amplifiers, the cleaner the sound will be. You will notice there is no sound because the gain control dials on the amplifiers are turned all the way down.
6. Slowly turn the gain control dial up on the amplifier powering the speakers, until the speakers are playing the loudest they can without any notice of distortion. They will be playing mostly all mid-range and high frequencies, so it may sound very loud, but with hardly any bass, which may also make it sound incomplete.
7. Slowly turn the gain control dial up on the amplifier powering the subwoofer(s), until the bass perfectly matches the mid-range and high frequency sounds of the speakers, without overpowering the mid-range and higher frequencies being reproduced by the speakers.
Everything in a car audio system needs to be well-balanced in order for your music to sound its best. Everyone hears things differently, so everyone is going to be different. You want to clearly hear the vocalists, the guitarists, the drummer, the bass from the car subwoofers, and other sound effects your music has to offer. One thing cannot overpower the other. You may want to change settings, manually, on the equalizer of the deck until a perfect balance of sound, as you hear it, has been achieved.
Article submitted Tuesday, November 01, 2011 & read 47 times.
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