By Mugs.
Car audio in 2026 like a Bob Dylan lyric “with no direction known”. There are so many options and different avenues to choose. Almost all (2019~ Present) have built in external multi channel amplifiers that power multiple speakers and those speakers are also crossed over at the factory amplifier. So much fun it is to try to tame these wild beasts, let me tell you? So, you believe that your sound sucks, and thinking maybe if you just add some aftermarket speakers it will sound better? Maybe it will, but most likely it won’t, in fact it might sound worse? WTF? Because the factory amplifier decides what frequencies each speaker will play and if your aftermarket speakers can handle frequencies below (bass) what is being fed or above (tweeters) you have just wasted whatever you paid for the speakers and got nothing in return. That blows.
What can someone do to get better sound in their vehicle?
So, what can someone do to get better sound in their vehicle? You can do it but depending on the vehicle and the existing system it ain’t cheap. Long gone are the days of just tossing new speakers in and expecting “improved and better” sound. So, what we normally run into is a vehicle that has a factory amplifier and so we can take the output and feed it into a “processor” (AudioControl LC7iPro) that will take those crossed over signals and sum them and spit out a very clean and nice full range signal that we then feed into a new amplifier and from there the new speakers that will be able to play all the frequencies they were meant to play and not just the narrow band the factory was sending.
Now, instead of a “marginal” gain we have a substantial gain in overall performance and sound. In this scenario we are talking about $1200.00 ~ $1400.00 plus speakers. This would also allow you to go ahead and bite the bullet and install another amplifier and subwoofer to round out the whole system.
So, the manufacturers love to make sure you don’t try to upgrade your system and install into their vehicles all kinds of different “features” like ANC (Automatic Noise Control), frequency dependent amplifier turn on and messing around with phase and left/right output on some speakers but not all. Yes, it happens and usually this happens on the top shelf models. Looking at you GMC, Mercedes and all the “premium” vehicles. These high dollar rides have owners that demand a better sound so what do a poor audio shop like us supposed to do?
DSP. Digital Sound Processing is the Answer
DSP. Digital Sound Processing Pilgrims, this is the answer. So as not to bore you to tears here is the short and skinny. The first thing we do is to check out the factory system and what amplifier is installed and if it’s a digital or analog system. Knowing that we have to choose a particular DSP interface that will interface with that particular OEM system. Most of these high dollar systems have anywhere from 8 to 16 separate channels being powered by the factory amplifier(s). We then figure out what amp(s) will be used and what aftermarket speakers will be installed. From there we install the DSP processor, amp(s) and speakers and start “tuning” the system. Tuning means using an RTA (Real Time Analyzer) to configure the different channels and assign what frequencies the speaker will receive (crossover) from the amplifier. With the DSP we can also set arrival time that can be used to delay the arrival of the output from said speakers. It ain’t rocket science, but it’s a bitch to get it “right”.
An upgrade like this can set you back $800.00 ~ $1500.00 depending on what products you choose and how much installation will be custom. Believe me there are people who have that kind of dough and want that level of sonic experience. It can be done, but done right ain’t cheap but damn does it sound good. A properly tuned high end system can rival some of the best home audio systems and when you compare the cost of both the vehicle’s cost isn’t much out of line when compared to the comparable home system. Just saying.
Sounds Good To Me is a car audio, video, and vehicle security installation specialist based in Tempe, AZ, just south of Arizona State University. We provide professional system design and installation for cars, trucks, SUVs, boats, and motorcycles throughout the Phoenix metro area.
Call (480) 968-8543, visit soundzgood2me.com, or email [email protected] to get started.
