Part 3: Installing the Best Car Subs and Amps

Perfecting Your Car Audio Sound

In our previous two installments of this three-part series, we covered the best way to go about purchasing your car stereo (aka the receiver unit) and a breakdown of what to consider when buying speakers – both coaxial and component speakers. By this point, you should have a fairly solid grasp on what you’re looking for in a system and the type of sound that you’re going to get with the tweeters, mid-ranges, and subwoofers that come with your speakers. So, now it’s time to fully round things out with the final two components, which are your amplifier and subwoofers.

Choosing an Amplifier

If you really want to crank up the sound of your speakers, then you need an external amplifier. Amplifiers are how you reach the ceiling when it comes to sound. However, not all amplifiers are created equal. And if your stereo/receiver unit has a pre-amplifier, then this piece of equipment might not be as critical to achieve the sound quality that you want.

So, how do you choose one? The first factor that you want to consider is the amplifier’s power rating. The higher the power rating, the more sound you’re going to get out of your amp. Ideally, you want your amp’s power level to be in line with your speakers. For instance, if your amp puts out 100 watts RMS per channel, you want to make sure that your speakers can handle that. If your amp’s power level exceeds that of your speakers, then you want to avoid cranking up your amp to full power. The result of exceeding your speaker’s threshold can result in blown speakers or distorted sound that is buzzy or rattled.

The second thing you want to consider when choosing an amp is the number of channels that it has. An amp is going to have anywhere from two to eight channels. Each speaker is going to take up a channel, so it’s a good idea to go with more channels if you feel like you’re going to install component speakers or subs. The more channels you have, the more options you have to grow out your system in the future.

Subwoofer

The subwoofer is the proverbial cherry on top for any car audio enthusiast. Great subs can truly elevate your system to a level that can capture all those deep basslines in a way that factory audio simply can’t. For the uninitiated, subwoofers are specifically designed to reproduce low sound frequencies (deep notes).

You have one of two options when it comes to subs. You can go with a component subwoofer, which you’ll need to connect to your amplifier just as you would component speakers. Be mindful of your amp channel count if you go this route. 

The second option is a powered subwoofer, which will come with its own amp and will connect directly to your stereo/receiver. The powered sub option means that you wouldn’t necessarily have to invest in an amp. It also means you can go far larger in size. For really big subs, they can be installed in the trunk of your car and will come with their own secure crate so that it resists scratches and wear.

Upgrade Your Car Audio Today at Car Stereo City San Diego

If you’re looking to upgrade your car audio with a new amplifier, subwoofers, speakers, or stereo unit, then the best thing to do is to stop by our shop at Car Stereo City San Diego. We carry all the top-of-the-line brands in aftermarket car audio equipment, and have most of our inventory in stock and ready to install.

Come sample what your new car audio system could be by having one of our sales associates show you the very best from brands like Rockford Fosgate, JL Audio, Pioneer, and more. Once we know your price range and type of vehicle that you drive, we should be able to narrow things down to a few options that will be a great fit for you.   

Visit our shop at 8252 Clairemont Mesa Blvd in San Diego!