Many music lovers first look to upgrade the audio system in their car when it comes to upgrading it, as these systems sound great and are custom designed for your car’s body.
But can a car audio system be used in the home? Absolutely; however, this will require some technical know-how and tools.
Power
Car stereos typically comprise three components, which work together closely: the head unit supplies audio signals; an amplifier amplifies those signals; and speakers deliver sound. Their interactions determine the quality of your system overall.
Many people believe that upgrading their car stereo involves purchasing a new receiver. Indeed, most factory systems include receivers as part of their package. But if you wish to replace the factory head unit with something newer there are certain things you should keep in mind when looking for a suitable unit.
Prior to purchasing any audio components for use with the car head unit, you will require a power source rated to handle high voltage. A home power supply that converts 12-volt DC vehicle electrical system power to lower-voltage AC home electrical usage will be necessary.
Most in-dash receivers feature multiple input options, including USB slots for connecting music players and thumb drives, an auxiliary input, Bluetooth(r) streaming capability and built-in satellite radio or Internet radio capability.
Many advanced receivers offer more than the basic input options; they also feature tuning and equalization settings that enable users to tailor the sound according to seating arrangement and passenger needs. Although we typically advise leaving treble and bass controls alone, when used in a car environment with limited air space for sound to travel through, changing these parameters may actually enhance performance.
Car audio systems often don’t feature permanent memory for settings, meaning when you disconnect the battery they lose all their audio preferences and stored radio stations – which makes using them in your home difficult.
Speakers
Car stereo systems must accommodate limited space and budget constraints, often leading to compromised sound quality. But upgrading factory speakers is only part of an overall upgrade plan;
Speakers should be the starting point when considering music’s dynamics. Speakers convert an amplified electrical signal into mechanical energy that moves a speaker cone back and forth, creating vibrations we hear as sound waves.
Many car audio systems use “full range” speakers that attempt to cover every frequency range, often leading to weak bass response and muted mids; it can also be difficult to achieve high frequency clarity. By replacing full-range speakers with separate woofers, tweeters, and midranges you can enhance the overall sound quality of your system.
Higher-quality speakers not only improve sound quality, they are also visually more appealing and made from more weatherproof materials. Most have external crossovers with adjustable settings so you can customize their sound to your preference; coaxial speakers are another popular option for car stereos as they combine both woofer and tweeter into one unit to save space.
Car speakers present one main drawback when used for home theater use, due to their lower impedance that most hi-fi speakers. This can reduce volume output while creating buzzing noise at certain frequencies; additionally, car speakers were designed for smaller, confined environments which may hinder their performance in such an environment.
If you’re searching for an easy way to improve the sound quality in your car, a powered amplifier with speaker-level inputs could be just what’s needed. These amplifiers typically work with most factory head units, and you can connect it directly to speakers without the need for preamping – making this the cheapest and simplest solution to adding extra flair and depth to its soundscape.
Amplifiers
Car audio amplifiers increase the signal from your head unit and increase its power, so it can power speakers and subwoofers. They typically feature speaker-level inputs so you can connect any type of factory or aftermarket head unit – with some premium models even including built-in amplifiers!
If you’re new to installing car stereos in your home, professional installation should be your top choice. Hiring an expert will save both time and money as well as ensure an audio system that sounds better than standard home stereo systems. But if DIY installation is your goal here are some helpful tips on getting started.
Before buying equipment, identify which components you wish to include in your car audio system. Car audio systems are intended to play music; however, they also offer navigation, information, and integration with smartphones. Many modern automakers have partnered with boutique audiophile brands like Burmester for Mercedes-Benz cars and Meridian for Jaguar-Land Rover cars in order to ensure that their infotainment systems sound fantastic.
An easy way to assess an audio system is listening to it using high-resolution source material such as streaming services like Tidal or FLAC files supported by certain automakers via USB in their premium factory audio systems.
Consider how you will power your new audio system at home as well. Car amplifiers require 12 volts of DC power while home stereos typically use AC electricity; therefore a converter will likely be necessary to convert home’s AC electricity to DC for your car amp to function effectively.
When selecting a converter, look for one capable of providing at least 10 amps of DC power. For larger electronics, more powerful converters in the 20+ amp range may be required. Some manufacturers offer complete conversion sets while others sell power supplies separately so you can choose your wiring kit. It should also be noted that automotive amps produce heat quickly so they should be mounted somewhere that allows ventilation.
Subwoofers
An affordable car audio system is an effective way to make long drives more pleasant, providing music or podcasts to keep the time flying by and keep you entertained while making the journey less daunting. A quality sound system also enhances listening experiences at home or while out and about by offering fuller sound with deeper bass response.
Subwoofers can increase the low-end frequency range, giving your music more bass and punch. Installing one easily and affordably into your vehicle can significantly enhance its sound quality.
A popular method of adding subwoofers to your car is purchasing an all-in-one bass package that consists of both an enclosure designed to fit with your vehicle and an amplifier power matched to its speaker. This method saves both time and money because you no longer need to make separate selections of amp and enclosure separately.
Aftermarket and universal subwoofers are also designed to fit into many vehicles and come with amplifiers specifically tailored to their speakers’ power requirements. Such subwoofers will require more power than their factory or aftermarket head units in order to achieve adequate volume levels.
Car and truck subwoofers are typically constructed to fit within small sealed or ported enclosures that demand high power output, as well as handle bumps and vibrations experienced while driving – necessitating more durable construction than what might be found at home.
Although it’s technically possible to install a home subwoofer into a car, doing so usually is not advised due to home stereo and home theater receivers not being designed to handle the 4 or 2 ohm loads common among most car speakers.
Lower impedance ratings are tailored to match the acoustics of vehicles, where voltage can often be the limiting factor and car speakers require current to function optimally. There may be exceptions; finding a subwoofer that works well with your system could make an excellent enhancement in sound quality.