Custom Car Enclosures

Custom Car Enclosures

Planning Your Car Audio System

This part of the game can be interesting or disappointing depending on what you can do. I will demonstrate an example system that builds a decent system. After that I will show you how to make trade offs and leave out parts that may not be as vital to you to keep your system within your budget. I am describing a basic system, to go beyond that is past the scope of this book. Also, you do not have to get everything at once. I put my system together over a few years. With a little planning you can upgrade your system in installments and that way its like getting a brand new system every time you upgrade something instead of getting everything at once!

Basic System:
This is my opinion only but I feel that a good system should start off with a good head unit that either has a CD player and/or is connected to a CD changer. A excellent system sounds best when playing CDs, tapes just do not cut it. Next I think component sets are made with fewer compromises than coaxial speakers. I suggest getting a quality midrange/tweeter set for the front. Head units usually do not put out enough clean power so you will want an amp to drive the component set. In the rear where you only need some "fill" for ambiance you can get away with less expensive coaxials and set their level lower than the fronts to keep the sound stage in front. A modest (50x4) 4 channel amp is a good choice here for powering the component set up front and the rear speakers. You could use a good 2 channel amp and run the front and back in parallel on the amp but it would harder to adjust the level between them. Midranges sound best when they do not play bass so you will want a 2 way electronic crossover and use the high pass output to drive your 4 channel amp. I did not forget the bass! Most people are happy with a single 10" woofer or a pair of 12"s. Use an appropriate enclosure and a big amp (at least 75x2, preferably even more). Throw in installation and wiring accessories (like fuses and distribution blocks). Here is a price breakdown of costs in my area. Prices in your area may vary.

Head unit: $350-$550
4 channel amp for highs: $250-$400
2 channel amp for lows: $250-$650
sub(s) (1-10" to 2-12"): $150-$450
enclosure for sub(s): $0 (free air) - $250 (custom)
component set: $200-$500
coaxials for rear fill: $100-$400
crossover/equalizer: $100-$500
wiring and accessories: $50-$250
installation: $0 (do it yourself) - $100 (basic)

This comes out to $1500-$4000! This does seem steep to spend on a car audio but the things listed are key to have a top notch system. Try to find bargains and cut on things, for example if bass is not important to you, don't buy the bass related items.

Please do not email me asking for advice about specific brands. I have not used all the equipment that is out there. I am happy with the components that I have but that is as far as I can go with recommendations. When buying equipment try to spend time listening to it before you buy, especially with speakers. Also try to use equipment that is similar to yours when listening in a store. Try not to be be sold by incredible bargains. Usually these deals are too good to be true. Stick with good names with amps.

Finally, if you are on a tight budget (aren't we all?) it works better to upgrade in steps. The most important thing is to have a car audio system that sounds good to you not someone else. Do not let a salesperson talk you into something you do not need! Good luck!

Before you purchase any component, plan your car audio system very carefully.

About the Author

Professor Apex is an Expert In Car Audio and Mobile Video. He has more than 13 years of experience. You can find him here: Wholesale Car Audio

Very Specific Question About 1995 Acura Integra LS trunk (read details)?

If only the plastic interior paneling is removed, about what is the width(from inside of wheel well to wheel well), depth(from back seat to rear), and height(from top of spare tire to bottom of trunk lid near the latch) of the trunk of a 1995 Acura Integra LS?

And if anyone knows the width from passenger to drivers side behind the wheel wells that would be greatly appreciated.

I am trying to find out so i can build by buddy a custom sub enclosure/amp rack for his car but its his daily driver...

http://www.team-integra.net/sections/articles/showArticle.asp?ArticleID=149

Car Subwoofer Boxes and Custom Enclosures-What is Best?