How to Determine Which Car Speakers are Best for Your Vehicle
While many modern cars are designed with quite reasonable sound systems in place, there are a number of situations in which it might be preferable to install an aftermarket speaker system instead. Volume, quality, and tonal spectrum are all common issues in factory-installed speakers.. Fitting the vehicle with a better speaker array can improve the overall performance of the sound system and immerse the driver in a pleasurable atmosphere.
Because of their power demands, some larger speakers need an amp as well, so this will need to be kept in mind as the new speaker types are determined. Depending on the number and type of speakers in the setup, a new head unit, otherwise known as an audio receiver, may have to be incorporated. Optional capacitors can be installed to cover short power lapses, which sometimes occur in more powerful audio systems.
There are several ways to buy car speakers; physical outlets include mainstream electronics stores, specialist audio retailers and, increasingly, big box grocery store chains. Going online is another option, and can be particularly convenient if the buyer chooses a site like eBay to find and compare different products before buying.
This guide will reveal the benefits of a new audio array, and will also explain the components of a sound system, so that consumers understand how pieces of equipment work with one another. Buyers will also be able to determine the right speaker setup for their vehicle, as well as ways to purchase and install the equipment.
Reasons to Choose Aftermarket Car Speakers
Standard car audio systems can be good enough to fulfill the needs of many consumers, particularly if the vehicle is a newer, high end model. Sometimes however, the sound generated by a stock system can leave a little to be desired. The following issues can be quite common in factory audio systems:- Flat, boring sound, often because of a weak standard audio receiver, or head unit
- A lack of dynamic, variable sound output at every frequency level, which can be due to low quality equipment, inadequate magnets in the speaker driver, or the absence of an amplifier
- Broken or unresponsive speakers or components
- General sound equipment quality issues
Car Audio System Components
To buy the right speakers and install the ideal audio system, an individual first has to know how the components of a sound system work with one another. A definition and a purpose for each typical element can be found in the table below.Component Type |
Frequency Range |
Types |
Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tweeter | 2000 to 20,000 Hz; some specialty micro tweeters can deliver up to 100,000 Hz | Cone; Piezo; Electrostatic; Ribbon; Dome; Horn; Plasma or Ion | Creates high-pitched sound; smallest speaker in standard audio setup; even smaller micro-tweeter styles reproduce very high frequencies |
| Mid Range Speaker | 500 to 5000 Hz | Cone; Dome; Compression Horn | Second smallest in audio system; responsible for middle frequency sounds |
| Full - Spectrum Speaker | 60 - 20,000 Hz | Two-way speakers incorporate a woofer and a tweeter; three-way systems, incorporate a woofer, a mid-range speaker and a tweeter | Can be used without any other speaker components because of full frequency range; cons include weaker bass and potential sound distortion created by close proximity of speaker drivers |
| Woofers and Subwoofers | Woofers: 40 - 1000 Hz; Subwoofers: 20 - 200 Hz; specialist Subwoofers can go as low as 1Hz. | Bass reflex; horn-loaded; infinite baffle; bandpass | Size determines frequency output; larger woofers produce lower frequencies than smaller woofers; for best acoustics need dedicated amplifier |
| Amplifier | Not applicable | Mono; two channel; five and six channel; multichannel | Supplement head unit’s inbuilt amplification capabilities; can bypass head unit for subwoofer and other audio components |
| Capacitor | Not applicable | Many sizes, from 0.5 farads to over 100 farads, depending on system requirements. | Used in powerful car audio systems to supply energy to amp on a short term basis in the event of main power capacity overload |
| Head Unit or Receiver | Not applicable | Options include radio receiver; CD player; DVD player; tape player;; inbuilt amplifier; HD and satellite radio; hard disc drive; satellite navigation; Bluetooth; movie watching; vehicle alerts | Also called receiver; control station for all system elements; usually installed in vehicle dashboard |
Shopping for Car Speakers
If a buyer is content with the stock receiver in the car, he or she may not need to replace it when adding or replacing speakers. However, in situations where the factory system is not powerful enough or not equipped with the right inputs, installing an aftermarket head unit is usually the best solution.After choosing the head unit, the buyer will need to decide on the ideal speakers for the system, as well as whether or not an amp will be needed.
Determine Your Needs
Different types of car interior layouts and designs will determine audio requirements, because the internal acoustics reflect or absorb sound waves differently. Speakers can be angled to create the most dynamic array, or placed in various spots to enhance the listening experience.Identifying Issues
First of all, buyers can create a list
of the elements they currently do not enjoy about their systems. Sitting
in the vehicle and concentrating on the sounds they hear can be the
best way to achieve this goal. This brainstorming session will make it
much easier to create an audio component shopping list, as well as an
installation action plan. Issues might include:
- Too little bass
- Too much or too little mid range output
- Too much or too little high frequency output
- Inability to hear the more subtle elements of music clearly
- Broken or partially broken speakers
Sound System Wishlist
Once the stereo has been analyzed, another list of desirable features in a new speaker system
can be created. The type of system will depend on what kind of
components the buyer considers essential, and what type of sound he or
she finds pleasant to listen to. While some people enjoy very heavy
bass, others prefer a more balanced array, with a more noticeable mid
and high frequency response.
Musical Genre |
EQ Range Description |
Suggested Speaker Combination |
|---|---|---|
| Rock | Fairly balanced frequency curve overall; semi-prominent bass; slightly accented mid range; marginally muted high range | Smaller subwoofer in the trunk of the vehicle; a set of mid range speakers and a set of tweeters in the back of the car; a set of mid range speakers in the front door panels; a pair of tweeters in the dashboard |
| Dance and Techno | Heavily accented low frequency range; a prominent high frequency range; rest of frequency spectrum is quite flat | Two smaller woofers set into the front kick panels; a set of three-way full spectrum speakers in the front doors; a matching set of full spectrum speakers in the rear of the car |
| Pop | Uniform EQ range overall; slightly punctuated bass frequencies; somewhat accentuated treble region | Two high quality three-way full - spectrum speakers in the front kick panels; two additional two-way full-spectrum speakers in the rear of the vehicle |
| Rap and R&B | Impressive bass spectrum; a fair amount of midrange activity; slightly lower amount of high treble frequency | Two or more medium or large subwoofers in the trunk; two small woofers in the front kick panels; a mid range speaker and a tweeter in the middle part of the front door panels; a two-way full-spectrum set of speakers in the rear of the vehicle |
| Jazz | Mid and high overall frequency output; bass frequencies are not as prominent; bass used for percussion purposes | Two two-way full-spectrum speakers placed in the front kick panels; a set of micro tweeters, a set of larger tweeters and a set of mid range speakers placed in groups at the rear of the car; a small woofer in the trunk, which can be vented to the inside of the car |
| Folk | Mid range EQ; very low frequency sound is often absent; more emphasis on mid and high range, with subtle bass compliment | A set of smaller woofers in the kick panels; a mid range speaker and a tweeter in each of the front door panels; a set of three-way full-spectrum speakers in the rear of the car |
| Classical | Rich low frequency sound; double-bass and orchestral bass drums contribute to depth; dynamic, extended mid range; quieter but expansive high frequencies | Two smaller subwoofers in the kick panels; a mid range speaker and a tweeter mounted in the front door panels; a set of three-way full-spectrum speakers in the rear of the vehicle; a set of micro tweeters, also in the rear |
Allocate a Budget
Allocating a budget before beginning
the buying process is pretty important. Rather than sticking to one
solid figure, buyers should consider the lowest and highest amount that
they are willing to spend. This provides some flexibility without going
overboard and upsetting the essential monthly budget.
With their budget in mind, individuals can stick to a certain brand or type of audio equipment,, rather than constantly being tempted by components they are truly unable to afford.
Shop Around
Another critical element of
speaker-buying is shopping around. By comparing prices on particular
system elements and considering their various specifications, consumers
can save a lot of money. It can be best to visit an outlet, either
online or offline, at which these comparisons can easily be made.
How to Buy Car Speakers on eBay
Finding aftermarket car speakers on eBay is a very easy and convenient process. To locate your ideal speakers, you begin on the eBay homepage and choose the Electronics section, followed by the Car Audio, Video & GPS subsection. After that, you can narrow the search by choosing Car Speakers & Speaker Systems;; at that point, you will be able to view all of the current speaker auctions on the site.To hone your speaker choices even more, you can select from a number of filter options, including Type, Brand, Condition, Speaker Size and RMS Power. So, if you are looking for a set of tweeters, you simply choose to filter by type. For an 8 inch subwoofer, you can narrow by type and size.
If you prefer to shop by store, rather than individual auction, eBay Stores is a much more mall-like experience. If you cannot find the type of speaker you are looking for right away, you can search directly for the style, the size, or the brand. You can also save a search in your "My eBay" section for later reference.
When you find your ideal speakers, you can use the message system to communicate with the seller and ask any pertinent questions before purchasing. For example, shipping costs are usually very easy to calculate on the auction page itself, but if there are ambiguities, sending a message will clarify the situation.
The eBay feedback system is one of the many reasons that buyers return to the site again and again. You can view important historical information about the sellers you interact with before committing to buy, and then add your own review once the transaction is complete.
Conclusion
The reasons for replacing a standard car speaker system vary from person to person, but often, the stock sound setups simply do not deliver the same performance and frequency range as a custom-built array. To improve the audio experience, the unimpressive speakers can be removed and replaced with more appropriate tweeters, mid range units, full - spectrum speakers,, woofers, and subwoofers.Different speaker types can be set up to work very well with one another in a car. Larger subwoofers almost always need a dedicated amp, however, because if you connect them up directly with the head unit, they are unlikely to receive enough power. The lack of appropriate power will dampen subwoofer performance, reducing sensitivity and volume.
The right car speaker choices for you will depend on your vehicle type, the acoustics inside the vehicle, your budget, and your personal preferences. Your favorite musical genre can also play a big part in the system choice you ultimately make. The frequency signatures of a particular musical style can be expressed more meaningfully by a sound system designed to bring out those particular musical signatures.
You can buy car speakers from electronics stores, department stores, big box retailers, and even some larger grocery store chains. There is also an array of online choices, including the eBay auction site, on which you can easily compare styles and prices before settling on a system.
