Six Key Elements of a Car Audio System
A sound system earns the name "audio" by fulfilling the most basic condition – reproducing sound. To qualify as audio, a system must at least meet the following points. This applies universally, car audio included.
Car audio mainly comprises the head unit, speakers, and amplifier. The head unit is paramount, acting like the brain controlling sound output. Popular units include CD players, MP3+CD changers, CD/DVD/in-car MP5 players. MP5 units, with massive hard drive capacity, have largely replaced CD systems, becoming mainstream.
Software & Media
What do you want to hear? Traffic reports? Tune the radio to the right channel. Watch TV in the car? Simple – LCD screens are key players; DVDs work similarly. Listen to music? Play your favorite CD, MD, or tape. Preferences vary.
Source Unit
The device decoding software/media is the source unit. This term seems complex but is simple! Devices playing broadcasts are tuners (radios); playing tapes are cassette decks; playing CDs are CD Players (laser disc players). Simple!
Pre-amplification & Signal Control
Simply, pre-amplification occurs before the power amplifier ("power amp" = "rear stage"). Any device processing the signal between source and power amp is pre-amplification. E.g., volume control on a car head unit targets signal strength. Other common pre-amp controls: Treble/Bass adjustment, Left/Right Balance, Front/Rear Fader, Loudness control. More complex: Graphic Equalizer (EQ) adjusts tonal color across frequency bands; Digital Sound Processor (DSP) simulates spaces like stadiums, dance halls, concert halls. In short, any signal processing/adjustment is pre-amplification.
Power Amplification
Pre-amp signals are weak (volts), insufficient to drive speakers. Signals need amplification to wattage levels. This signal-boosting device is the Power Amplifier (amp). Total system output power (sum of all amp outputs) often classifies system size/level.
Speakers
Devices converting electricity to sound waves are speakers. You might guess speakers are "loudspeakers" – only half right. Besides common cone drivers, other types exist: Ribbon speakers (metal ribbon), Electrostatic speakers (statically driven flat diaphragm). However, dynamic cone drivers dominate car audio; only Infinity and EVIL offer ribbon tweeters.
Cabling
Cables are essential but often overlooked. Cable quality/material, twist structure, diameter, insulation, impedance affect signal/power transmission. Different devices require different cable designs: Power, Ground, Remote Turn-on, Signal, Speaker, Optical, Special System cables. High-quality speaker cables need high-purity material; impurities degrade sound. Connectors are vital: secure contact, contact area size, design/material, grounding impact sound significantly.
Car audio mainly comprises the head unit, speakers, and amplifier. The head unit is paramount, acting like the brain controlling sound output. Popular units include CD players, MP3+CD changers, CD/DVD/in-car MP5 players. MP5 units, with massive hard drive capacity, have largely replaced CD systems, becoming mainstream.
Software & Media
What do you want to hear? Traffic reports? Tune the radio to the right channel. Watch TV in the car? Simple – LCD screens are key players; DVDs work similarly. Listen to music? Play your favorite CD, MD, or tape. Preferences vary.
Source Unit
The device decoding software/media is the source unit. This term seems complex but is simple! Devices playing broadcasts are tuners (radios); playing tapes are cassette decks; playing CDs are CD Players (laser disc players). Simple!
Pre-amplification & Signal Control
Simply, pre-amplification occurs before the power amplifier ("power amp" = "rear stage"). Any device processing the signal between source and power amp is pre-amplification. E.g., volume control on a car head unit targets signal strength. Other common pre-amp controls: Treble/Bass adjustment, Left/Right Balance, Front/Rear Fader, Loudness control. More complex: Graphic Equalizer (EQ) adjusts tonal color across frequency bands; Digital Sound Processor (DSP) simulates spaces like stadiums, dance halls, concert halls. In short, any signal processing/adjustment is pre-amplification.
Power Amplification
Pre-amp signals are weak (volts), insufficient to drive speakers. Signals need amplification to wattage levels. This signal-boosting device is the Power Amplifier (amp). Total system output power (sum of all amp outputs) often classifies system size/level.
Speakers
Devices converting electricity to sound waves are speakers. You might guess speakers are "loudspeakers" – only half right. Besides common cone drivers, other types exist: Ribbon speakers (metal ribbon), Electrostatic speakers (statically driven flat diaphragm). However, dynamic cone drivers dominate car audio; only Infinity and EVIL offer ribbon tweeters.
Cabling
Cables are essential but often overlooked. Cable quality/material, twist structure, diameter, insulation, impedance affect signal/power transmission. Different devices require different cable designs: Power, Ground, Remote Turn-on, Signal, Speaker, Optical, Special System cables. High-quality speaker cables need high-purity material; impurities degrade sound. Connectors are vital: secure contact, contact area size, design/material, grounding impact sound significantly.