If you have ever had a car audio shop fit a hi-end sound system in your car, you already know how much they charge and you can save a considerable sum of money if you install the system yourself. Many car owners are terrified that they might damage the upholstery when fitting car speakers, but with a little help from the Internet, self-installation is within your capabilities.
Sourcing the Best Car Audio Components
The online supplier, such as Bankstown Sound, would have the very best brands at the lowest prices, plus they give you full fitting instructions, which makes the installation that much easier. The components that you will need include the following:
- Media Player – Kenwood and JVC have an impressive range of media players that use Bluetooth technology to enable seamless digital integration, and the online supplier has the lowest prices. Touch-screen controls make for easy operation and whether or not you have DVD is a personal choice, as many drivers don’t like the idea of having video in the car, which can distract the driver and also cause motion sickness.
- Power Amp – This is an optional piece of kit, as all media players have a built-in amplifier, but if you want throbbing bass, a power amp is recommended. The best location for a power amp is under the front passenger seat, where the unit can be bolted to the chassis, where it is out of sight. Click here for winter driving tips, which is always a risky time to be out and about.
- Coaxial Speakers – These are generally recognised as offering the best sound and with a 4-channel amp, you have ideal surround sound in your car. The best location for the rear speakers is normally the rear window shelf and when you order the speakers online, make sure you add a fitting kit for each unit, which includes washers and screws. The front speakers fit nicely into the doors and this can be a fiddly job, especially if it’s your first time. The wiring runs inside the door and through the cable that runs near the door hinge, then it must be fed inside the dashboard and connected to the rear of the media player.
When searching the Internet for in-car entertainment components, it is very easy to make price comparisons and that will help you source the best deals for players, power amps and speakers.
YouTube “How to’ Videos
Thankfully, there are literally hundreds of short videos on YouTube that show each step of the installation process and you might even find one that uses the make and model of your car, making it even easier. Watch a couple of times, noting the tools you will need and if you get stuck at any point, watch the video one more time.
When all the components are securely in place and everything is connected, you can connect the power cable to the ignition switch, but before you do, review all the other connections to be sure they are correct.
