While most modern cars have decent sound systems already built in, older models can have outdated or even damaged components. Whether you’re an audiophile or just want to improve your car’s sound quality, upgrading the sound system in used cars is a great side project. Additionally, it won’t break the bank and provides the perfect environment to enjoy your music at the highest quality.
So if you want to give your old car a new lease of life, check out our upgrade checklist below:
Upgrade your speakers
When factories install car speakers, they rarely fit the best option. This means your speakers will degrade over time, causing distortion or scratching and damaging the sound quality. That’s why the first change our team recommends is to upgrade your speakers.
When choosing your replacement option, it’s important to balance performance with cost. You’ll also want to note which type of system (coaxial or component) your car uses and stick to the same type. To make your choice easier, we’ve also included a great starting point for new car speakers.
Add an amplifier
Another component that can improve the quality of your music is an amplifier, but if you don’t have one you might wonder what exactly they are and what they do. Since speakers require a strong electrical signal to produce sound, the amplifier takes a weak signal and boosts it, ensuring your speakers can produce crisp, clear music.
Considering an amp provides such an important role in playing high-quality music, ensuring that you have one in your car is a must.
To really make the most of your car’s sound system, you should also include a subwoofer. These additional components create additional bass, which your speakers typically can’t create by themselves. In short, they allow your system to easily recreate a much wider sound range, ensuring you get the best experience possible.
Use soundproofing material
Of course, improving your listening experience doesn’t just rely on the sound system itself. You’ll also need to think about reducing other noises from interfering with your music, whether they’re internal or external.
When travelling at high speeds, you can usually hear the wind, road surface, and engine, among other sounds that all interfere with your listening experience. Installing high-quality soundproof material around your car can have multiple benefits, like preventing additional noise from affecting your music, and ensuring that your music remains clear.
Upgrade the head unit
Of course, if you’re upgrading the speakers, you might also want to look into improving the speaker head unit too. This additional investment can help you fully unlock the full power of the speakers, providing you with the best possible audio quality. In our experience, it’s best to pair your speakers with their matching unit, as this creates the best experience.
Ready to upgrade your car’s sound system? You might also want to consider if your chosen components add Bluetooth capabilities or any other types of media playback.
