_edited_edited.jpg)
Car Stereo Installation, Aftermarket Equipment, and Other Car Audio Essentials
“Where do I start with my car audio?”
This is a very common question we get here at Stereo Depot. Most of the folks we talk to have the same complaints about their factory car stereo system. It’s not powerful enough. The playback isn’t crisp. The car stereo doesn’t have current features such as Bluetooth. There’s a laundry list of reasons you should upgrade your car audio, so we’re going to break down a few starter items to look into.
Car Stereo Installation
If you’re going for louder and crisper sound – don’t start with a car speaker upgrade. What you actually want is professional car stereo installation. The reason behind this is that your powered speakers aren’t going to be much good unless you have a powerful car stereo to provide the signal. So, if it’s a choice between upgrading your stereo or your speakers first – always go with the car stereo.
Besides the obvious improvement in overall quality of playback, upgrading your factory car stereo to an aftermarket one will give you numerous features that you probably don’t have right now. The top ones include
Bluetooth: Most modern car stereo systems include Bluetooth, which allows you to seamlessly pair up your phone with the car stereo unit. This allows you to stream from your favorite services like Spotify or Pandora. Bluetooth also allows you to take phone calls while driving completely hands-free.
Touchscreen: It can be tough messing around with a bunch of buttons and knobs while keeping your eyes on the road. With a touchscreen interface, you can now control everything about your stereo on an expanded touchscreen. Think of it as a tablet device that’s dedicated to your car audio.
Equalizer (EQ): You should be able to listen to your music however you want. Some people prefer more bass or more treble in their playback. With an upgraded car stereo system, you will have different EQ settings that allow you to customize how your music sounds. This is a must-have feature for any true audiophile.
We can’t stress this enough…ALWAYS start with the car stereo when making car audio upgrades. Otherwise, your factory stereo will have a hard time keeping up with your new equipment.
Contact the team at Stereo Depot for your upcoming car stereo installation.
Premium Grade Car Speakers
If you’re still rolling with a pair of factory car speakers, then you already know there’s a lot to be desired when it comes to performance. If you try to push them too hard, you run the risk of blowing them. Real talk: factory car speakers are merely placeholders until you can upgrade. Fortunately, upgrading your car speakers is a pretty simple job and can be done for only a few hundred bucks.
When upgrading your car speakers, you’ll have a choice between coaxial car speakers and component car speakers. To break this down in simple terms, coaxial speakers are an all-in-one speaker in which the woofer, tweeter, and crossover are all contained within one unit. On the other hand, component car speakers break up those elements individually, which allows you to get more custom with your car speaker arrangement.
Come down to Stereo Depot and we can show you how component and coaxial car speakers compare side-by-side. The best way to know which you prefer is by hearing it for yourself. We can also perform your car audio installation once you’ve selected a pair.
Amplifiers
An amp is going to give your stereo a nice little boost in signal so that you can achieve greater levels of volume that are clear and crisp. Most people think all amps do is provide more power, but they increase the quality of playback as well. If you truly want to get the most out of your car stereo and speakers, getting a powerful amp installed is a no-brainer.
A couple things to keep in mind when amp shopping…first, make sure that you go with an amp that provides you with enough channels. If you plan on going with component car speakers, you’re going to need more channels to accommodate all those different pieces of equipment. Having more channels also gives you the option to add more components to your arrangement.
The second thing to keep in mind when amp shopping is the power level. You can’t just stick any amp in there. The amp’s RMS power should at least match your car speakers. This ensures that they’re not underpowered upon playback.
Elevate Your Car Audio at Stereo Depot
Think of Stereo Depot as your trusty guide to help you navigate the expansive world of aftermarket car audio. We have some of the largest stock and widest selection of aftermarket car stereos, speakers, and accessories. No matter what your budget is, we can help you find the perfect system that’s right for you. We also perform professional car stereo installation.
If you’ve been searching terms like “car audio near me” then look no further than Stereo Depot. We have two convenient locations – one in San Diego and one in El Cajon. Feel free to stop by either one and we’ll be happy to discuss car audio upgrades. If you want to set an appointment or send us an email, use the contact form on our website.