BestCarAudio.com

Showcasing the Best in the Mobile Enhancement Industry

Showcasing the Best in the Mobile Enhancement Industry
  • Articles
    • Bluetooth
    • Car Audio
    • Motorcycle Audio
    • Navigation
    • Remote Starter
    • Satellite Radio
    • Smartphone Integration
    • Test Drive Product Reviews
    • Vehicle Insights
  • Industry Profiles
    • Installation Profiles
    • Installer Profiles
    • Retailer Profiles
    • Vendor Profiles
  • Products
  • Dealer Locator
  • Contact
  • Shop
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • 0 items
Arc Audio

The Benefits of Buying in Person: Audio Solutions vs. Products

September 20, 2019 By Dave MacKinnon

Audio Solutions

A few weeks ago, I was talking to the owner of a car stereo store near Jackson, Mississippi, about the process he uses to make sure that his clients are provided with the right solution. He noted that often  what they ask for when they come in isn’t the most financially beneficial course of action for improving their audio system. This conversation got me thinking about the many benefits of shopping in person with an expert as opposed to simply buying products from a big box store or online.

My Car Stereo Doesn’t Sound Good

The phrase “my car stereo doesn’t sound good” means something different to every person who has uttered those six simple words. Perhaps it doesn’t play loudly enough? Maybe it doesn’t have enough bass? Maybe the balance of midrange to highs isn’t smooth? Identifying what you don’t like about your stereo is the first step to ensuring you get the right upgrade.

Audio Solutions
A competent mobile enhancement specialist will analyze the frequency response of your audio system to identify any significant peaks or dips that need to be addressed.

When you walk into a specialist mobile enhancement retailer, it should be their goal to understand why you’re there. The initial interaction is all about research for the product specialist you are talking to. He or she should be asking you questions about your existing equipment (even if it’s a factory-installed stereo), what you like about it and what you want to improve on. Once they have a clear understanding of where you are now, they can use their training and experience to create a solution for you.

It’s Not About Buying Products

Audio SolutionsWhere many retailers, both online and with storefronts, fail is in trying to figure out how to sell a client a new audio component. They will look at the vehicle, size up the listening style, then suggest a set of speakers, an amplifier or perhaps a new radio. For those of us who have been in the industry for a few decades (or more) and are truly focused on delivering the best mobile listening experience possible, the answer to meeting our clients’ needs could have nothing to do with selling a new audio product. The best retailers will want to make certain that any products you already own are integrated in a way that will optimize the system’s performance.

Getting Better Sound in Your Vehicle

If you have read any of our articles here on BestCarAudio.com about getting the best sound in your vehicle, then you know the importance of using high-quality speakers. As such, many consumers automatically assume that they need to buy speakers to get better sound. But what if you have already upgraded the speakers and you still aren’t happy?

Audio Solutions
The Thesis TH K2 II A Coro speaker set from Audison delivers amazing sound and is designed to be used as a DSP and in a multi-channel amplifier configuration.

Because car audio systems are so heavily dependent on installation and system configuration, a competent product specialist may ask to listen to your car stereo with music they know well. If you already have upgrades, perhaps they need to be installed or tuned differently. A set of tweeters mounted in a door will deliver a very different listening experience than a set mounted in the sail panels or A-pillars.

Audio Solutions

Because our cars, trucks and SUVs have a relatively small cabin (compared to the space in, say, a living room), you will likely need some form of an equalizer to get the most out of your car stereo upgrades. This could be a stand-alone analog unit or a digital signal processor (DSP) that installs in the signal chain or is integrated into an amplifier. Taming acoustic resonances and reflections is crucial to delivering realistic and natural sound. Any significant audio upgrade should include a plan to compensate for the acoustics of the vehicle.

Proper Audio Component Installation is Crucial

Another topic that has come up many times is the importance of proper installation practices. How your new speakers are installed in the vehicle is as important as the quality of the speakers themselves. The proper use of sound deadening to eliminate back-wave cancellation is crucial in door speaker applications. High-quality plastic mounting adapters ensure that your speakers will mount securely to the door. The use of wooden adapters is begging for trouble – they will get wet, then swell up and deform. Wooden adapters can also become moldy.

Audio Solutions
This 2.5-inch midrange speaker installed in the door of 2014 Porsche Cayenne by Adrenaline Autosound features a custom-cut HDPE adapter plate and proper wiring management to prevent buzzes or rattles.

Upgrade What You Have

Before you buy anything to upgrade your stereo, visit a local specialist mobile enhancement retailer. Let them listen to your vehicle. The best solution to upgrading your audio system might be system tuning, an upgraded installation, sound deadening or adjustments to the way your system is wired. Don’t automatically assume that your next upgrade requires the purchase of a new audio component.

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Email

Related

Filed Under: ARTICLES, Car Audio Tagged With: Digital Signal Processors, Professional Installation, Sound Deadening, Speaker Adapters, Speakers

About Dave MacKinnon

Dave has worked in the mobile electronics industry since 1988 in almost every capacity, including roles as a Retail Salesperson, Installer, Sales Representative, Technical Trainer, and Product Development Manager for some of the largest car audio companies in the world. Dave started his writing career in 2000 as the Technical Editor of a Toronto-based car audio magazine and has reviewed more than 450 products. Formally trained as an Electronics Technician, Dave is considered an industry expert when it comes to explaining how mobile audio components work and has crafted thousands of articles to share that knowledge. He’s currently the Head Writer for 1sixty8 media and the Editor-in-Chief at BestCarAudio.com

Audison Forza

Save Time and Money!

Our buying guides will help you make educated decisions when upgrading your vehicle. Click the image above to shop our affordable and informative buying guides.

Industry Profiles

ENORMIS Mobile Specialties

Mobile Enhancement Retailer Spotlight: ENORMIS Mobile Specialties

June 3, 2022 By Dave MacKinnon 

When it comes to mobile enhancement retailers, ENORMIS Mobile Specialties in Erie, Pennsylvania, is unlike any other … [Read More...]

Alpine Tesla

Mobile Enhancement Industry Profile: 2018 Tesla Model S

March 21, 2022 By Dave MacKinnon 

A Honda Civic Si, Acura RSX, Mini Speedster, BMW X5, the Sinister 6 and the Imprint RLS – if you recognize the pattern … [Read More...]

Press Releases

Firstech Launches Momento M7 Three-Channel Car Dash Camera
iBeam
iBEAM® Ships New Tailgate Handle Cameras, Micro Camera, and Window Mount
Firstech, ADS Announce Remote Start Partnership
iBEAM Commercial Wireless Systems
iBEAM Ships New Commercial Wireless Rearview System and Monitor
Firstech KP2
Firstech Unveils New “KP2” Keyless Touchpad Accessory for Remote Start

Vehicle Insights

2023 Cadillac CT5

2023 Cadillac CT5 Premium Luxury. Super Cruisin’!

2022 BMW i4 eDrive40. Electrifying the 4 Series

Find Facility Near You

Subscribe to BestCarAudio via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to BestCarAudio.com and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Popular Categories

  • Car Audio
  • Window Tint
  • Remote Car Starters
  • Vehicle Insights
  • Radar Detectors

Supporting Manufacturers

  • Arc Audio
  • Compustar
  • Hertz
  • Momento
  • Rockford Fosgate
  • Sony

Contact

  • Editorial
  • General
  • Advertise
  • Dealer Locator Guidelines

Forms

  • Profile Request

Sign up for our newsletter today. Opt out at any time with 1 click.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

BestCarAudio.com is a product of 1sixty8 media, inc. · Copyright © 2023 1sixty8 media, inc. · Privacy Policy · Website by 1sixty8 media, inc. · Log in

 

Loading Comments...