Many hobbyists prefer "do-it-yourself" modifications on cars and such modifications have a long and colorful history. Similarly car-audio also has a history of similar modifications. Starting from four car audio component speakers all the way up to entire vans hobbyists have constructed systems of varying complexity.



Lining up a car stereo car audio system begins with the car stereo. You can find stereos that feature CD changers, fancy displays... or just a radio! Some systems are designed simply to be loud, and feature a high power output rating, but have a limited frequency range. Higher fidelity systems offer a wider frequency range with a smoother response, making it sound clearer and crisper. Essentially, if you like to listen to classical - loudly or not - you probably want a system that focuses on fidelity rather than volume... but classic rock simply needs to be played loud.

Selecting the right car audio speakers is not rocket science. Most stereo systems have four component speaker outputs, whose output has two measurements, impedance and power. Impedance is measured in ohms, and the power is measured in watts. These specifications can be quite technically complicated, but for the normal user, it is a simple matter to match exactly the impedance of the speakers with the stereo output channel, and that the wattage of the speaker is equal to or greater than the stereo channel. If you do at least that, then you can enjoy your music !

Most consumers are content simply with driving the speakers from the internal amplifier of the car stereo, but for a louder, higher-fidelity system, you will want to purchase a separate amplifier. This amplifier will sit in between your stereo, amplify the signal further, and then output it to your speakers. If you go this route, you should follow the same rules for selecting car audio component speakers, only using the output specifications of the amplifier, instead of your stereo!

After you have outlined the specifications of the system you want, you must examine the layout of your car. Car audio component speakers come in many standard sizes - six inch diameter, for example - and unless you're looking to do some serious modifications, you obviously need to order speakers of the proper dimensions! Amplifiers can be placed anywhere convenient, but keep in mind you will have to run wires to all the speakers, as well as the stereo.

After you have decide on this you would be ready to install your system. The installation varies greatly from car to car but one common thing is to ensure that the car is off and the battery is disconnected at the time of installation. The car and the stereo both have manuals outlining the procedure of installation, and it is finally upto ones determination to install the system. Last but not the least amplifier wires should not be visible inside the car as some people are put off at the sight of it.