Basics of Car Audio System

Long drive becomes boring and tiring without the in-car entertainment systems. Systems like audio and videos are the leading entertainment channels that are installed in cars. Most of the people fit audio systems to add pleasure and excitement to driving.

A car audio system is one of the most important entertainment systems installed in any car running on Indian roads. The working, operation and performance of a car audio system are completely different from the ones used in homes, restaurants, hotels and pubs. Some of the popular brands of car audio systems and audio accessories available in India are Alpine, Pioneer, Sony, Kicker, Kenwood and Rockford.

A regular car stereo comprises of a head unit, speaker and amplifier that is mostly installed by the car manufacturers. Driven by the increasing demand of style, elegance and class, many people especially youth upgrade the already installed stereo with innovative and advanced car accessories.

The latest innovation in car audio system includes MP3, Ogg, WMA, AAC, USB, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi support. These innovations are found in almost all luxury cars launched in India. In many cars the system is also loaded with features like LCD screens, DVD movies, back up cameras, MP3 players, and video touch screen that display output for navigation system, controlling and parking cameras.

Components of Car Audio System

The car audio system is a complete unit comprising of few basic components including head unit, preamp, amplifier, and speaker. If any of these are missing in the system, the driver is unable to enjoy the ecstasy of music.

Head Unit (Source): This is the most vital part that plays the music. The sources that support voice vary in accordance to choice and option. The standard sources are AM/FM tuner, CD player, MP3, WMA/AAC decoding, satellite radio, USB inputs, DVD player, LCD screen, I Pod connection, or even the traditional cassette.

Preamp: This is an electronic device fitted into the system to amplify weak audio signals and make sound adjustments. This section of the system comprises of various controls to adjust volume, balance, source selection, fader, and tone adjustments.

Amplifier: This section helps to boost the weak or low-voltage audio signals received from preamp to drive the speakers. Amplifiers are commonly available in two, four or six channels. These also ensure maximum power handling capacity of the speakers.

Speakers: Speakers emits the final output of the audio signals. Sound travels from the source to the speaker through preamp and amplifier. This is the main component from where the sound is emitted. Speakers are normally located on doors and rear shelves but the modern systems have speakers mounted in kick panels. Different speakers provide different frequencies based on its performance and efficiency.

Innovations in Car Audio Accessories

With the fast pace advancing technology for cars and automotives, the industry is also showcasing advancements and innovations in car audio accessories. Here are some of the common audio accessories that young drivers love to have installed in their cars.

Capacitors: Capacitors are not a compulsion but helps reduce voltage loss to various other car components. These are mainly used for power conditioning without affecting the sound quality. A capacitor transfers the stored power or energy when audio system demands more amps. In absence of a capacitor, the audio system pulls energy from the car’s electrical system or from the car battery.

Subwoofers: These are available in almost all high-end cars. These are used to provide high efficiency of low frequencies. The component used the bass to enhance sound efficiency and makes the car vibrate.

Tweeters: These are used to produce high frequencies of about 3000 Hz and above using very little power. The name ‘tweeter’ comes form the high pitched sounds generated by birds.

Equalizers/Crossovers: These are the latest advancements in car audio accessories. Equalizers help to balance sound and crossovers help to divide up the full range of sound frequencies. Crossovers are beneficial when the driver wishes to use different speakers at different range of frequencies.