Things To Keep In Mind When Installing A Car Stereo

Car stereo systems are a great way to add some enjoyment to your ride. There are, however, a number of issues that can make the car stereo experience suboptimal or just downright bad. Pay attention to these three tips, and you'll get more out of the setup you put in your vehicle.

Track Down Sources of Vibration First

If you've ever listened to a teenager drive by in a car that had more of a heavy metallic rattle than true bass pushing, you'd be forgiven for assuming that the entirety of the problem was the car stereo. Most of these cases of bad vibration in cars actually come from how the mounts in the car are holding up, especially as it ages. It's not an accident that the stereotypical awful stereo sound tends to come from a car that's more than 10 years old.

It's important to check out the mount points, particularly the ones between the body and the frame, before putting in a car stereo, especially if you intend to push a lot of bass through your speakers. Those who aren't sure what to look for can take their rides to a mechanic or to a stereo shop that specializes in doing work on cars in addition to just putting in systems.

Proper Grounding

Another source of ugly sounds in car stereos comes from bad wiring, particularly systems that are poorly grounded. Electrical noise from the engine can be picked up on a car stereo if the system is properly grounded, and this is especially the case if you're using an amplifier or an equalizer. Utilizing shielded wiring with your stereo components will help you to avoid this issue.

Generally speaking, grounding and electrical noise problems in stereos end up sounding like whines in the background of anything you're listening to. There may also be pops and crackles, depending on just how poorly tuned the motor is.

Future Proofing

An issue that many folks overlook is ensuring that the car stereo they select is future proofed. You'll likely want to find a setup with a USB slot to plug in your audio player or cell phone. With the dropping prices of MicroSD cards with high capacities, it's also a good idea to get a stereo that has a slot for one. Plenty of aftermarket car stereos also have GPS map systems and touchscreens built in for added convenience.

Get in touch with a company like Audio Shack for more information.