How 2 Build a Car Stereo System ?
#1
05-16-2008, 01:04 PM
How 2 Build a Car Stereo System ?
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How to Builda Car Stereo System ?[/align][align=center]
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The ‘ideal' car audio system is not necessarily the loudest one, or the most expensive one. It's the one that best meets your needs. So, the first step is to figure out what your needs are. Start off by asking yourself: what is the one thing you want your new car stereo to do for you? If you don't come up with an answer right away, then try looking at your current system.
What type of car stereo system do you have now?
How does the sound of your current system make you feel? Do you find yourself tapping your foot or drumming your fingers on the steering wheel? Does a funky rhythm section get you smiling? Does a blues guitar solo send shivers down your back?
No? Then is the sound flat, dull, tinny, or wimpy? You're probably suffering from listening to a car radio that's struggling to drive flimsy factory speakers. The good news is that you have a lot of options to choose from when replacing the various components in your audio system.
But what if you're unsure about exactly which component is the problem?
It's not always easy to diagnose what's causing problems in a vehicle's audio/video system, even when you know that you're not satisfied with its performance. But there are some simple steps you can take to help you narrow it down: [/align][align=center][/align][align=center][/align][align=center][:-]
[/align][align=center]
[ol][*]Listen while parked in the driveway for a few minutes.
Twist all the ***** and push all the buttons. Do all the functions seem to work OK?
What would you like your radio to do that it won't do now?
[ul][*]Play CDs or MP3 files? [*]Tune-in to satellite or HD Radio™ broadcasts? [*]Control an iPod® or other portable audio device? [*]Play louder without distorting? [*]Play DVDs on a retractable or built-in display?[/ul]Listen to each speaker individually by adjusting the balance and fader controls. Turn up the volume and the tone controls. Are all the speakers working, or do you hear a slight rattle or a buzz?
[*]Drive around and listen carefully.
Hit the highway and turn your stereo up loud enough to be heard above the road noise.
[*]Now find a place to park the car.
Keeping the volume at "highway level" (but without the road noise to confuse your ear), do you hear a lot of distortion? Set the balance, fader, and tone controls right smack in the middle. How's the overall sound of the speakers? What's lacking? Bass? Treble? Clarity?
[*]Rate your current gear.
Make a list of the components in your system, and rate them on a scale of 1-10. It usually makes sense to begin by replacing the lowest-rated components. [/ol][/align][align=center]
If the car receiver ranked the lowest, then consider either buying an adapter so it meets your needs or replacing the whole receiver. Replacing your receiver is usually one of the first steps to achieving better sound since the audio signal sent to the other components in your system is much cleaner coming from an aftermarket source.
However, if you know the audio signal isn't the problem or you don't want to part with your current receiver, then you might want to build up the other audio components in your vehicle. If your speakers sound OK at moderate volume, but not at highway volume, you may want to start by adding more power. If the speakers sound bad all the time, you know to replace them first.
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[URL=http://www.crutchfieldadvisor.com/S-vJHr0IxsR3W/learningcenter/car/idealsystem.html?page=2][color=#000
How to Builda Car Stereo System ?[/align][align=center]
[:-]
The ‘ideal' car audio system is not necessarily the loudest one, or the most expensive one. It's the one that best meets your needs. So, the first step is to figure out what your needs are. Start off by asking yourself: what is the one thing you want your new car stereo to do for you? If you don't come up with an answer right away, then try looking at your current system.
What type of car stereo system do you have now?
How does the sound of your current system make you feel? Do you find yourself tapping your foot or drumming your fingers on the steering wheel? Does a funky rhythm section get you smiling? Does a blues guitar solo send shivers down your back?
No? Then is the sound flat, dull, tinny, or wimpy? You're probably suffering from listening to a car radio that's struggling to drive flimsy factory speakers. The good news is that you have a lot of options to choose from when replacing the various components in your audio system.
But what if you're unsure about exactly which component is the problem?
It's not always easy to diagnose what's causing problems in a vehicle's audio/video system, even when you know that you're not satisfied with its performance. But there are some simple steps you can take to help you narrow it down: [/align][align=center]
[/align][align=center][/align][align=center][:-][/align][align=center]
[ol][*]Listen while parked in the driveway for a few minutes.
Twist all the ***** and push all the buttons. Do all the functions seem to work OK?
What would you like your radio to do that it won't do now?
[ul][*]Play CDs or MP3 files? [*]Tune-in to satellite or HD Radio™ broadcasts? [*]Control an iPod® or other portable audio device? [*]Play louder without distorting? [*]Play DVDs on a retractable or built-in display?[/ul]Listen to each speaker individually by adjusting the balance and fader controls. Turn up the volume and the tone controls. Are all the speakers working, or do you hear a slight rattle or a buzz?
[*]Drive around and listen carefully.
Hit the highway and turn your stereo up loud enough to be heard above the road noise.
[*]Now find a place to park the car.
Keeping the volume at "highway level" (but without the road noise to confuse your ear), do you hear a lot of distortion? Set the balance, fader, and tone controls right smack in the middle. How's the overall sound of the speakers? What's lacking? Bass? Treble? Clarity?
[*]Rate your current gear.
Make a list of the components in your system, and rate them on a scale of 1-10. It usually makes sense to begin by replacing the lowest-rated components. [/ol][/align][align=center]
If the car receiver ranked the lowest, then consider either buying an adapter so it meets your needs or replacing the whole receiver. Replacing your receiver is usually one of the first steps to achieving better sound since the audio signal sent to the other components in your system is much cleaner coming from an aftermarket source.
However, if you know the audio signal isn't the problem or you don't want to part with your current receiver, then you might want to build up the other audio components in your vehicle. If your speakers sound OK at moderate volume, but not at highway volume, you may want to start by adding more power. If the speakers sound bad all the time, you know to replace them first.
[:-]
[URL=http://www.crutchfieldadvisor.com/S-vJHr0IxsR3W/learningcenter/car/idealsystem.html?page=2][color=#000
#2
05-16-2008, 01:08 PM
RE: How 2 Build Ideal Car Stereo System ?
[align=center]How to Get a High-Performance Car Audio System[/align][align=center]for the Novice Member's like `Space[/align][align=center]
[/align][align=center]
What MCF Memberdoes theabove remind U `of? 
[/align][align=center]I think `drives a Red Monte : )
[:-]
'Buying a car audio system can be more complex than buying the car. Audio components come with their own set of technical specifications, which may be unintelligible unless you\'re an electrical engineer. Find a salesperson who will help you cut through the marketing talk and evaluate what\'s really important to you.';
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderate
Step1 Conduct enough research so that you're conversant with the basic terminology of audio systems. Audio and car magazines, knowledgeable friends and the Internet are your best sources. [/align]
Step2
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Step3
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Step4
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Step5
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Step6
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Step7
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Step8
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Step9
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[/align][align=center]What MCF Memberdoes theabove remind U `of? [/align][align=center]I think `drives a Red Monte : )[:-]
'Buying a car audio system can be more complex than buying the car. Audio components come with their own set of technical specifications, which may be unintelligible unless you\'re an electrical engineer. Find a salesperson who will help you cut through the marketing talk and evaluate what\'s really important to you.';
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderate
Step1 Conduct enough research so that you're conversant with the basic terminology of audio systems. Audio and car magazines, knowledgeable friends and the Internet are your best sources. [/align]
Step2
Set a budget. Complete systems range from $500 to many thousands of dollars, but you can find choices within any budget.
[align=center][/align]Step3
Determine what
high performance means to you. If you like rock and rap, maximum power output is important. If you like classical music, you want moderate power and exceptional sound quality.
[align=center][/align]Step4
Avoid buying a system one piece at a time. Every component, regardless of quality, has its own sound characteristics. If you buy everything separately, you won't have a chance to preview the whole system before you own it.
[align=center][/align]Step5
Understand speaker options. Most speakers are two-way, with a low-range driver (woofer) and a high-range driver (tweeter). Three-way speakers include a midrange driver, which provides precise sound quality. Small car owners may opt to mount individual drivers, with the tweeters up front, and woofers and midrange drivers in back. Such systems require an external crossover device to synchronize the individual drivers. An audio shop will know the speaker limitations for your
[align=center][/align]Step6
Research head units, also called receivers, which typically include a radio, an amplifier, and a CD or tape player. Head units list a power output figure in watts. Find a knowledgeable salesperson willing to explain the true power output. Higher-quality units usually have more power. Expect to pay $200 and up.
[align=center][/align]Step7
Check the preouts, plugs that allow for additional components on the head unit. If you plan on installing an equalizer (for improved sound tuning) and an additional amplifier (for more volume), be sure enough preouts exist. If you're connecting the head unit to existing components, be sure the preouts are compatible.
[align=center][/align]Step8
Make sure the head unit is compatible with
satellite radio[b], MP3 and home-recorded CDs. Even if you don't use these now, you might in the future.
[align=center][/align]Step9
#3
05-16-2008, 03:31 PM
RE: How 2 Build Ideal Car Stereo System ?
[align=center][/align][align=center]Think'in of a new career or a change from what you are doing now ?[/align][align=center]One of the Beach Bum's was checking what schools that[/align][align=center]were for radio installer's. Below is a list of schools found.[/align][align=center][:-]
Installer Schools
[:-]
The Snake Pit
The Snake Pit is a professional installer training school located in San Diego County, CA. The comprehensive program in mobile electronics includes instruction in basic electronics (including MECP certification testing), security, remote start, audio, mobile video, navigation/GPS, subwoofer enclosure design, and advanced fabrication.
Metro Auto Electronics Training Institute
The training program is a combined effort of many of the leading educators in the mobile electronic field today. It incorporates a logical and systematic approach to our final goal, which is to instruct students in the after market installation techniques of auto electronics: auto sound, auto security and cellular phones. Also, in concert with the Electronic Industry Association, our home study course will prepare you, the student, to pass the MECP exam.
Acoustic Edge Institute
We are a new, very exiting and creative school that covers 4 weeks of in depth installation information. We are centrally located in Edmond, OK.
FishCamp - Installer Institute
From the dangerous waters of Fishman Audio comes the biggest challenge for mobile installers... Five days of intense installation training.
Installer Institute
Installer Institute has become the leading facility for professional installers in the mobile electronics industry.
Luzerne County Community College
Nanticoke, PA - Courses offered are Mobile Electonics I (MEI-121) and Fabrication for Mobile Electronics (MEI-132)
MECP
Mobile Electronics Certified Professional (MECP) Program
Mobile Dynamics Installation School
Car Audio, Mobile Security, Mobile Navigation, Mobile Theatre.
IIT Audio Mobile Electronics Training Center
4 weeks of in depth courses in AC/DC electronics, phase shift and time Alignment, alarm installation and fiberglass molding.
The Ritop School for Mobile Electronics
Dedicated to teaching the art of of car audio, security, navigation and cellular installation, design & fabrication. [/align][align=center][/align][align=center][/align][align=center]Member's, post any school links that you know.[/align][align=center]Thanks[/align]
[/align][align=center]Think'in of a new career or a change from what you are doing now ?[/align][align=center]One of the Beach Bum's was checking what schools that[/align][align=center]were for radio installer's. Below is a list of schools found.[/align][align=center][:-]Installer Schools
[:-]
The Snake Pit
The Snake Pit is a professional installer training school located in San Diego County, CA. The comprehensive program in mobile electronics includes instruction in basic electronics (including MECP certification testing), security, remote start, audio, mobile video, navigation/GPS, subwoofer enclosure design, and advanced fabrication.
Metro Auto Electronics Training Institute
The training program is a combined effort of many of the leading educators in the mobile electronic field today. It incorporates a logical and systematic approach to our final goal, which is to instruct students in the after market installation techniques of auto electronics: auto sound, auto security and cellular phones. Also, in concert with the Electronic Industry Association, our home study course will prepare you, the student, to pass the MECP exam.
Acoustic Edge Institute
We are a new, very exiting and creative school that covers 4 weeks of in depth installation information. We are centrally located in Edmond, OK.
FishCamp - Installer Institute
From the dangerous waters of Fishman Audio comes the biggest challenge for mobile installers... Five days of intense installation training.
Installer Institute
Installer Institute has become the leading facility for professional installers in the mobile electronics industry.
Luzerne County Community College
Nanticoke, PA - Courses offered are Mobile Electonics I (MEI-121) and Fabrication for Mobile Electronics (MEI-132)
MECP
Mobile Electronics Certified Professional (MECP) Program
Mobile Dynamics Installation School
Car Audio, Mobile Security, Mobile Navigation, Mobile Theatre.
IIT Audio Mobile Electronics Training Center
4 weeks of in depth courses in AC/DC electronics, phase shift and time Alignment, alarm installation and fiberglass molding.
The Ritop School for Mobile Electronics
Dedicated to teaching the art of of car audio, security, navigation and cellular installation, design & fabrication. [/align][align=center][/align][align=center]
[/align][align=center]Member's, post any school links that you know.[/align][align=center]Thanks[/align]
#6
06-01-2008, 12:35 PM
RE: How 2 Build Ideal Car Stereo System ?
So your saying there's more to going to Best Buy and getting what's on sale???? 
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sickofsoyo
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