Install Guide |
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You will need a full wiring kit to install your
stereo system. |
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| Head Unit |
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The head unit is the source for the musical
signal, whether it goes straight into the
speakers, into an equalizer, or into an
amplifier. If the signal is distorted or noisy,
that is what you are going to hear. Installing
an aftermarket head unit is almost always going
to give you a cleaner signal (and more output)
than a factory radio...not to mention tons of
more features. It is important to make sure that
the install is done correctly, though. It
doesn't matter whether you drive an old work
truck or a nice new vehicle, installing a deck
doesn't have to be a big pain or a big expense.
A lot of shops charge a flat rate to install a
deck, no matter whether it takes 10 minutes or
it takes an hour. (I know that doesn't sound
fair, but it happens. I've done installs in less
than fifteen minutes that the customer got
charged full price on.) By learning the basic
principles of wiring and sound system design you
can choose and install your own unit and save
money at the same time! Plus, the aftermarket
decks will give you a lot of options, like the
ability to easily add amps, CD changers,
satellite radio, and more. |
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Amplifiers |
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If you are like most car audio enthusiasts,
you probably assume that there is not a much
to doing an amp install. Unfortunately, most
of the time when an amateur installs an amp,
it doesn't always get done right. I know
...I've charged good money to fix botched
installs done by well-meaning, but untrained
people. Doing an install wrong will cost you
more in the long run: you'll either pay to
have it installed correctly, or your amp gets
damaged by a bad install, or your car gets
damaged...
There is a lot to know about a proper
amplifier install: the proper size wire to
use, the proper way to ground an amp, running
cables, and more. Plus if you want to wire an
amplifier up to a factory radio, you want to
make sure you're doing it right, or you could
damage the amp and the radio...and if
you're in the market for a new amplifier, you
can't afford not to learn all you can from a
professional like myself -it will save you a
LOT of money. There are so many features and
specs to look for on an amp, it can be pretty
confusing, especially if you're new to car
audio.
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Speakers |
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As you probably already know, the basic design
of a speaker includes only two wires. While
you might assume that you've got a 50/50
chance of getting the wiring right, you're
only partially correct. There are so many
other variables, (like speaker mounting,
speaker placement and speaker selection), that
the odds of you guessing your way through a
complete install are pretty slim. Replacing
the speakers in an audio system is probably
one of the most noticable improvements you
could make to your sound system, because most
factory installed speakers are pretty bad.
Some newer vehicles use large or non-standard
sized radios which require a more involved
install, but even these systems can benefit
from upgraded speakers. Unfortunately, a lot
of car stereo shops will charge a flat rate to
install speakers, even when it is a simple,
twenty minute job. You don't have to spend a
fortune on speakers; a decent set of two-way
speakers is a huge improvement over the cheap
factory speakers...but you've got to install
them right. |
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Subwoofers |
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That's because those companies want to sell
you a woofer, or a box (or both) but don't
really care if you understand subs or
enclosure design. That way, if you don't get
it right the first time, they will gladly
sell you a different one!
There is a lot to know about enclosure
design and speaker selection, particularly
when it comes to system design and
set-up. How many of your friends try to tell
you they know about sub boxes, but don't
even know how to calculate the volume of an
enclosure? Can they explain the difference
between sealed, ported, or band-pass
enclosures? There is also a specification on
speakers that confuses a lot of people, and
that is impedance, which is measured in
OHMs. Want to learn how to wire up four
dual-voice coil, 2 ohm subwoofers so that it
won't overload your 4ohm amplifer? Want to
build a box for those four subs?
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