Many professionals in the car audio industry started their careers as novices installing equipment for themselves or friends in their driveways and garages. That hands-on experience typically led to a job at a local shop and allowed them to learn more about electrical theory, acoustics, physics, and fabrication. Those who have invested time in understanding these advanced concepts offer impressive value to consumers. That said, this experience and efficiency come at a cost. Let’s look at the benefits and drawbacks of professional versus DIY car audio upgrades.
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Let’s say you want to install a new radio in your car or truck. You’ll need to go to the store, audition several radio options, then purchase the radio and all the necessary installation accessories. These days, you likely need a data interface, wire harness adapter, antenna adapter, USB adapter, and a mounting kit.
When you get home, you’ll connect the harness from the radio to the wire harness adapter. Then, you have to take the dash apart. If you have an older vehicle, this could be as simple as removing a few screws. Some older vehicles required special keys or tools to remove the radio. In some vehicles, you might have to remove the glove box or center console trim and parts of the dash before the radio becomes accessible. You’ll also need to remove trim pieces around the windshield to run the hands-free mic. Speaking of the Bluetooth mic, you’ll need to know where to install it and how to secure the wire so that it doesn’t drop down in front of the windshield.
Connecting the wiring is usually pretty simple. However, finding a location for the new modules and connectors can be a pain. We know people who have spent more than an hour trying to get a new radio to fit into the dash because of all the extra wiring and magic interface boxes.
Speaking of modules, you’ll want to include a steering wheel button interface. Depending on the unit you purchase, getting this programmed and working can take another 30 to 60 minutes. You may also need access to a computer to program the interface, so downloads and drivers on a Windows PC are in your future.
If the project goes well, between making the purchase, wiring, installation, and clean-up, you’ll likely need at least four to five hours. If there are issues and you have to go back to the store, the time could easily increase by 50%.
On the other hand, if you have a professional do the installation, they will most likely have already worked on your vehicle’s make and model. Buying a radio and then having it installed typically takes less than two hours.
Winner: Professional Installation
We aren’t saying that your time doesn’t have value. From the standpoint of the raw out-of-pocket cost to upgrade a radio or install an amplifier, your time is free. On the other hand, paying a professional to work on your vehicle will cost well over $100 an hour.
If you have an entire day available and want to try an installation yourself, that’s your decision. If you have a busy schedule with family, work, sports, and time with friends, then spending an entire day guessing how to take your car apart, where to connect wires, how to configure modules, and put the whole thing back together without buzzes or rattles might be less appealing.
Nevertheless, installing it yourself is effectively free.
Winner: DIY
Now, you might think we were stacking the cards in favor of the professionals with the list of challenges associated with upgrading a radio or adding an amplifier. While this is true, there is a long list of potential issues in terms of DIY automotive work.
First, there is liability. What if something goes wrong? What if a wire or tool slips and you short the accessory output of the body control module to ground? A new BCM will cost hundreds of dollars and might need to be programmed into the vehicle, which is likely another $150. One slip could cost you $500, plus the time and cost of getting and installing the part. If the damage is severe, you might not be able to drive the vehicle until the component is replaced.
If you damage a trim piece, that will also be expensive. The trim pieces for either side of an older Ford F-150 radio are about $100 each, and an A-pillar for a Hyundai Sonata is about the same.
Taking cars apart is a skill. Knowing where clips and fasteners are located combines talent and technology. Professional shops often subscribe to services like ProDemand from Mitchell1. ProDemand offers detailed instructions on how to take different parts of the vehicle apart and reassemble them. Shops can pay up to a few hundred dollars a month for this information. They work on vehicles all day, every day. As such, the investment is worthwhile in ensuring your vehicle is put back together perfectly.
Most importantly, if a shop working on your car or truck breaks something, they will repair or replace it. If it’s significant, their insurance company will make it right. If you are working with a reputable mobile enhancement retailer, the odds of something going wrong are slim. However, knowing they will make it right in the long run is paramount.
Winner: Professional Installation
Working on a modern vehicle audio system is stunningly complicated, even when it seems quite simple. A base-model radio with four or six speakers likely includes equalization, all-pass filters, and signal delays. Yes, even systems without amplifiers include these technologies.
For example, many Chrysler and Dodge vehicles use a woofer in the front door and a small midrange speaker in the dash or sail panel. If you upgrade that speaker without considering the equalization in the signal from the amp, the system will sound bright and harsh.
Professional shops have the tools and training needed to measure the performance of the factory-installed audio system. Using that information, they can suggest upgrade solutions that will make new speakers sound better.
What are the consequences of not having this information? As mentioned above, new, better speakers might sound worse than the originals. If you integrate with a line-output converter, you might overdrive the device. This condition would result in significant distortion and potentially damage the speakers. Knowing how the factory-installed system functions is crucial to designing an upgrade that will sound excellent.
Winner: Professional Installation
You will need some supplies to perform a high-quality installation. Good-quality wire cutters and crimpers are essential. For crimpers, those multi-tool crimpers and strippers don’t work well. A set of dedicated wire crimping pliers is the bare minimum standard. As Panduit and 3M outline, the proper tool is a ratcheting crimper.
If you are installing a radio, you will also need zip ties and heat-shrink or maybe electrical tape. You can spend anywhere from pennies to dollars on electrical tape. Don’t skimp on what you buy if you want it to remain adhered in temperatures from -40 to almost 140.
Say you need to build a set of speaker mounting adapters. Professional shops no longer use wood for adapters. Materials like expanded PVC, acrylic, ABS, Corian, or even aluminum are impervious to water damage. Further, they can be shaped to mimic the original mounting and are effective against water damage. You will need a router, a router lift, and a selection of cutting bits to make these adapters look like they belong. So, tack on another $1,000 for that.
You can certainly purchase any of these items or materials. However, you likely have to buy significantly more material than you’ll ever need. You’ll also have to invest in the tools to make the parts.
Winner: Professional Installation
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One installation aspect that is continually overlooked is system configuration and calibration. Let’s say you’ve purchased a new radio. If it’s a mid-level or higher model, it likely has a 10-band equalizer, at the very least. Leaving this unconfigured is like ordering chicken wings without sauce at Duffs in Niagara Falls, NY. You’re going to miss out on something important.
Suppose your audio system includes adding a subwoofer and amplifier; testing to ensure the acoustic polarity between the sub and the rest of the speakers is crucial. If the system has a digital signal processor, adjusting the relative phase around this crossover point may be possible. Getting this right is crucial to making the system sound amazing.
Once again, it’s possible to purchase all this hardware and invest time in learning how to use it, but that will cost at least a few hundred dollars and require days of research and experimentation.
Winner: Professional Installation
Searching for a shop to upgrade your vehicle starts with visiting the shops in your area. Ask the Product Specialist the same questions and consider their responses carefully. Are they working to help you find a solution that matches your goals, or are they more focused on maximizing their profits? Look at the shop’s website and social media. Do they have examples of their work, or are they just focused on selling as many boxes as possible to anyone who comes through their doors?
Speaking of work, ask to see examples of what they’ve done. Look at the wiring. Is it tidy? Is it safe? Do they waste time making wiring look fancy, or is it hidden and properly protected? Look at how equipment is secured to the vehicle. Will a subwoofer enclosure stay in place, or will it become a lethal projectile in the event of an accident? Attention to detail is the name of the game here.
Ask about warranty coverage. What warranty do they offer on their workmanship? What are their policies on product warranty? Do you have to pay for removal and reinstallation? What about paying for shipping? Do they offer an over-the-counter exchange program on products they have installed? Do any of these policies apply to cash-and-carry items?
We do not doubt that we’ll get a LOT of feedback on this topic. There are excellent examples of DIY car audio upgrades. Sadly, there are hundreds of times as many examples of poor or dangerous work. As much fun as it is to tinker, your car is a complex machine. Vehicle manufacturers put a stunning amount of emphasis on reliability and safety when they design it.
If you want your car audio system to sound better, start researching which shop in your area does the best work and offers the highest-performing products for the money. Look for retailers with MECP Certified Product Specialists and Installation Technicians. Work with them to design an upgrade that fits your budget, meets your performance goals, and provides the best reliability. We know you’ll be happy with the investment if you choose wisely.
Lead-in image: On the left is a custom subwoofer enclosure created by Musicar Northwest in Portland, OR. It houses a single 10-inch driver and, most crucially, looks like it belongs in the vehicle. On the right is an amateur installation brought to Broken Silence Car Audio in Greenwich, CT, to be fixed—the ‘after’ photo is shown above.
Stock car audio just won't cut it for most audiophiles. Upgrading your car audio system brings the boom with better speakers, more amp power, and finer sound control. Quality materials and modular design ensure a system is built to last and adapt to your evolving audio desires. Building a car audio sound system involves considering your needs, lifestyle, and budget. Here's a breakdown of the key factors to help you make an informed decision.
Vehicle Type & Usage: Knowing your vehicle type (Ford F-150, Jeep Wrangler, etc.) and how you use it (daily driving, off-roading, car shows, etc.) is crucial. Different vehicle models have varying sound system layouts and space constraints. Off-roading might require weather-resistant components, while daily driving might prioritize features like Bluetooth connectivity.
Sound Preferences: What kind of sound are you looking for? Do you crave booming bass, crisp highs, or a balanced soundscape? This will guide your component selection, especially speakers and subwoofers.
Budget: Aftermarket car audio components can vary significantly in price. Determine a realistic budget for your sound system parts: radio head unit, speakers, amplifier, subwoofer, signal processor, wiring, and installation (if not DIY).
Radio Head Unit (Stereo): The heart of your system. The head unit takes the audio signal from the source and amplifies it to a level powerful enough to drive your car speakers. It also applies basic signal processing like equalization (EQ) to adjust the sound profile (bass, treble, etc.) based on your preferences.
Here's an analogy: Think of the radio head unit as the conductor of an orchestra. It receives the sheet music (audio signal), interprets it (processes the signal), and instructs the musicians (amplifier and speakers) how to play it (controls volume and sound characteristics). When choosing your radio head unit, consider features like:
Speakers: Stock car speakers are often underwhelming. Most aftermarket speakers offer much better sound. There are a few things you should consider when looking at speakers: What kind of sound are you aiming for - crystal clear highs, deep bass, or a balanced soundscape? How comfortable are you with installing audio components? How much are you willing to spend? This will influence your speaker choice, especially between component speakers and coaxial speakers. Let’s examine the differences and understand how they can be used together:
Amplifier: An amplifier is needed if you want significant power improvement or plan to use a subwoofer. An amp boosts the signal coming from your head unit, allowing your speakers to play louder and with less distortion, especially at higher volumes. Subwoofers require a lot of power to reproduce deep bass frequencies and no vehicle radio head unit alone has enough power to drive subwoofers. If you are an avid off-roader, consider an amplifier that is weather-resistant. There are 3 important factors that you should consider when choosing an amp.
Subwoofer: A subwoofer makes music richer and more impactful, especially for bass-heavy genres. By offloading low frequencies, your speakers can focus on mids and highs, creating a more balanced soundscape. Here are a few factors you should be aware of:
Wiring: Using high quality car audio wiring isn't just about connecting components. It ensures top-notch sound by minimizing signal loss for crisp audio, uses robust materials for long-lasting performance, and delivers power efficiently to avoid distortion.
Equalizers & Digital Signal Processors (DSP): Equalizers and DSPs allow you to fine-tune the timing and output of each speaker to create a more cohesive and balanced soundstage, virtually placing the speakers in optimal locations for your ears. An equalizer is a good choice for audio enthusiasts who want basic sound personalization. DSPs are ideal for audiophiles who crave ultimate sound control and precise tuning.
Sound Damping: Larger vehicle such as Jeeps and trucks are known for road noise. Compared to sedans, they often have less soundproofing built into the cabin due to their focus on off-road capability and weight reduction. Adding sound deadening material to doors, floors, and the roof can significantly reduce noise and enhance the sound quality of your system. Stinger has just released its own line of Silencer sound damping materials, engineered to reduce unwanted noise and vibrations so that you can enjoy every beat and note of your audio experience to the fullest.
Building a complete car audio sound system can range from $500 - $5,000. Spending more on high quality components may make more sense if you are an experienced car enthusiast, but if you are a beginner looking to make moderate improvements, entry-level options will probably make more sense for you.
Stinger Audio products are great for beginners with little experience to upgrade their audio system.
AudioControl offers a wide selection of audio products that make sense for users looking for an uncompromising, high-fidelity sound system. Integrating these audio components will result in a significant upgrade over stock audio systems.
DIY Installation: If you're comfortable with car wiring and modifications, you can tackle the installation yourself. We do have installation guides for a variety of our products.
Professional Installation: For complex setups or if you lack experience, consider a reputable car audio shop for proper wiring, component integration, and system optimization. Check out the installer locator here to find one near you.
By prioritizing your needs, considering these factors, and carefully choosing the components, you can build a car audio sound system that elevates your off-road adventures or daily commutes.
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