The Sound Of Music…Inside Your Car
Not all that glitters is gold. Not all expensive stuffs are worth it. So don’t be lured into buying the auto system that costs more with the hope that it is always better. The finest in-car sound system is whatever delights your eardrums best. Simply, price isn’t the measure.
So how’s the sound of music inside your car? Is it so powerful that it rattles the heartbeat of your passengers? Or perhaps – simply said – the sound stinks? It could annoyingly sound as your ageing Mazda muffler.
How do you choose the system that fits you? An expert’s advice might surprise you…
Don Lindich, an audio/video expert with 18 years of experience, has this to say: “The regular person often feels intimidated about wanting the basic system,” he says. “Don’t think because they charge more, it’s necessarily better. Premium sound systems aren’t always better than basic systems. A lot depends on personal preference.”
“I thought the basic system sounded better than the Bose system and I saved money, too,” added Don, author of the advice column Multimedia Answers. His advice: Pick the system that sounds best to you. Pick the system that sounds best to your ear and suits your needs. If you like CDs, get a CD player. If you have a lot of cassettes or enjoy audio books, choose one with a cassette player. If you think the upgrade sounds better and the price is affordable, get it. Otherwise get the basic. But buy what your ear likes. This isn’t brain surgery.
Don also advises the regular buyer not to get caught up in most of the specifications of a system except for the amplifier “distortion” level. Distortion is the harsh breakup of the sound as the volume is increased. If you hear the sound warping at the normal volume level you listen to, try a different system. The lower the distortion figure, the better. Outstanding sound systems produce as little as .1 percent distortion and anything less than 1% is generally acceptable.
Don recommends American brands such as Boston Acoustics, Polk Audio, JBL and Infinity as replacements. “American companies make the finest speakers in the world,” he says.
Bankrate.com has some simple tips for finding the in-factory sound system that suits you best:
1. Bring several of your favorite CDs from home and try them out in the basic system of the vehicle you intend to buy. Try them in the upgrades, too.
2. Make sure the controls all are at the midpoints.
3. Play the CD at the same volume you normally would. Listen to the basic system and premium system at the same volume.
4. Close the doors and windows and listen. If you can, take the car on the road to see how it sounds with road and wind noise. If it’s a convertible, play the sound with the top down. If possible, listen for at least 20 minutes to see if listener fatigue sets in.
