How to Determine Which Car Speakers are Best for Your Vehicle - eBay

How to Determine Which Car Speakers are Best for Your Vehicle

Published by eBay

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

Any of the problems mentioned above can render a car audio system aurally useless, or at best, an aggravating nuisance. Speaker substitution, along with the replacement of appropriate additional audio equipment can end the frustration of an uncomfortable in-car listening experience and replace it with an oasis of appealing sound.

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

With the above components in mind, it is possible to start creating a mental layout of which speakers to include in a particular vehicle audio setup.

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

With the above characteristics of genre in mind, buyers should now be ready to begin the final stages of planning their perfect vehicle speaker array. If in doubt, it can be a good idea to consult with a local auto audio store. More powerful speakers like woofers and subwoofers will need their own dedicated amps to produce the most accurate and powerful noise.

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.