A good car audio system can make a long drive much more enjoyable. But not all car stereos are created equal.
Up until 15-20 years ago buying new and used car audio equipment was primarily done through local small shops. These shops can offer a level of service that chain stores just can’t match.
Ask About the Warranty
It’s a great idea to ask if the used car audio equipment you are considering comes with any type of warranty. This will help you if something happens to the system and it needs to be repaired or replaced. This is especially important if the system you are looking at has a higher price tag.
Car audio systems have several different types of warranties available from the manufacturer and also some retailers. Some manufacturers have warranties for one or two years while others offer an extended warranty on their products. Generally, these warranties will cover repair costs for up to five years from the original date of purchase.
The type of warranty that a product has will be specified on the warranty card. The length of the warranty is typically stated as well as some guidelines for the use of the system. Most warranties will require the system to be serviced at appropriate times and usually by a named shop in order for the warranty to remain valid. These guidelines are intended to ensure the quality of the product and that it is treated properly.
Many people who buy a used car stereo are not familiar with how the different parts of a car audio system are connected and function together. For example, the speaker and amplifier must match correctly in order for the system to sound its best. The amplifier is responsible for powering the speakers, and without enough power, the speakers may sound muddy or even dead.
Another common issue is when the wiring harness is damaged. These wiring harnesses are used to connect the amplifier and the head unit with each other. These can be damaged by water or even just being left unprotected from the elements. This can cause a variety of issues such as blown fuses, short circuits and electrical failure.
When a customer is purchasing a new piece of car audio equipment, they can often choose to add protection with an electronics warranty. This will help to assure that the product is covered in case it experiences any issues after its installation. It is also important to remember that it is illegal for automotive manufacturers to deny coverage on their warranties because of aftermarket parts like speakers and subwoofers.
Audition in the Vehicle
In the same way you might test drive a used car to ensure that it has comfortable seats, appropriate pedal positions and a safe steering wheel and controls, you should take an audio system for a spin. While it might not make or break your purchase, hearing what it will sound like when you drive, at a normal volume level while parked and even louder while driving, is an important step in ensuring that the upgrade you’re making is going to fulfill your goals.
When auditioning speakers in a showroom, remember that the display board will be equalized to a target response curve and that’s not what you’ll experience when you get them installed. Also keep in mind that a speaker that seems to produce a lot of midbass on a display board may end up sounding boomy or muddy once it’s in your vehicle. The goal of auditioning speakers is to find one that produces a neutral frequency response with the least amount of distortion for your specific application.
The same holds true for source units, amplifiers and subwoofers. An experienced installer should know how to tweak these components in such a way that they match each other in frequency response, imaging and staging, and that their output blends seamlessly together. This is a process called tuning and requires an intimate knowledge of the physical limitations of speakers, the electrical properties of amplifiers and the physics of signal processing.
Other items to consider bringing along when testing out equipment include your cellphone to test Bluetooth hands-free features, your SiriusXM subscription to check satellite radio functions and any additional upgrades you might want, such as an AUX input for iPod integration or video output for the rearview camera or backup sensor. Providing your retailer with clear upgrade goals makes them much more likely to be able to recommend the right products for you.
Know the Brands
While there are many great brands that produce quality car audio equipment, few excel in every area. This is why specialty mobile enhancement retailers often stock a mix of products from different manufacturers. Some make excellent amplifiers, others provide outstanding source units and yet another group of companies makes fantastic speakers. By mixing the best components from several manufacturers you can get a system that delivers amazing performance in all areas.
The only way to know the exact equipment that was previously installed in a vehicle is to take it in for a full inspection and test drive. Ideally, the buyer should bring a CD that they are familiar with and play at normal volume levels to check head unit functions, CD player functionality and audio output. This is also the time to check whether or not a digital media receiver supports auxiliary input, iPod integration and satellite radio capabilities.
Depending on the age of the vehicle and how well the original equipment performed, it may be necessary to look for telltale signs that cheaper equipment was once installed. These include a damaged faceplate, speaker grills that are missing or loose and wires left behind from the installation of a more powerful system. It is important to know the difference between peak and RMS power ratings for an amplifier. A peak power rating indicates how much power it can put out at one moment whereas RMS indicates the amount of constant power it can deliver with regular use.
Many consumers are surprised to find that a digital signal processor (DSP) can improve the performance of their entire audio system. This is because they mistakenly believe that a DSP works in some sort of digital magic or voodoo and that they are afraid to touch it. In reality, a DSP is nothing more than a simple computer chip that performs basic functions like equalization and signal filtering.
As a result, it can greatly enhance the sound quality of a car audio system. It is a great investment and will provide you with years of enjoyment listening to your favorite music or radio broadcasts.
Find a Reputable Shop
As the popularity of do-it-yourself installations continues to grow, more people are turning to independent car audio retailers to help them upgrade their cars. These shops offer a variety of products, including high-performance amplifiers that can help create an immersive music listening experience. Buying from an established car audio retailer can ensure the quality of components and an expert system installation.
One of the most important things to consider when purchasing a used car audio component is its fitment in your vehicle. Many automotive electronics manufacturers and online retailers provide guides that can help you determine what size radio or speakers will work in your vehicle without major modification. Metra, for example, offers one of the most comprehensive vehicle-specific radio and speaker fitment charts.
When shopping for an amplifier, focus on RMS wattage rather than peak power ratings. The RMS rating indicates the maximum constant current an amp can deliver to a particular speaker without distortion, and it is a more accurate representation of its performance than a peak power wattage rating. A subwoofer will have an impedance rating that must match the amplifier’s, or else it will not have sufficient current to drive the speaker.
Shoppers should also visit a car audio specialty retailer to audition different amplifiers before making a purchase. They should bring along their favorite songs to listen to and compare the quality of sound in the car. It is important to note that the amplifier is only a small contributor to how a system sounds, with speakers having an even larger influence.
It is also a good idea for shoppers to ask a shop about its systems installation qualifications and the experience of its technicians. Some shops have a dedicated systems installation team, while others employ a general sales staff that may not be well-versed in the ins and outs of a car audio system. Choosing a shop with MECP (Mobile Electronics Certified Professional) installers can give buyers peace of mind that their system is being properly installed.
Another thing to consider when shopping for used car audio equipment is its resale value. It is important to find a shop that sells brands that have a reputation for excellent resale value, such as Sony, Pioneer and JBL. This can help make a used component more attractive to buyers who are planning on selling their system in the future.