Car Audio For Dummies

Thinking about a knockout audio system for your car? Not sure what you need, want, or can afford? Car Audio For Dummies is a great place to find some answers!

But wait — what if speakers that vibrate your floorboards don’t turn you on? What if you’re thinking more about hands-free phone access and a DVD player to entertain the kids? Surprise! Car Audio For Dummies can give you a hand there, too. Whether you want to feel as if your favorite band is performing right on top of your dashboard or you want to keep the soccer team entertained on the way to the tournament, this friendly guide can help.

From planning your system and buying components to getting them installed and protecting your investment, you’ll find plenty of wise advice. Get the scoop on:

• Figuring out what kind of equipment you need to do what you want
• Identifying good sound quality when you hear it
• Adding components to a factory system
• Choosing a video player, hands-free phone system, amplifiers, speakers, and more
• Finding a reliable installer (today’s automotive electronics systems are so complex that you probably won’t want to go it alone)
• Understanding warranties and returns
• Protecting and insuring your system

Car Audio For Dummies is sort of like that knowledgeable friend you want to take along when you tackle a project like this. Sounds like a good idea, doesn’t it?

Foreword xxi

Introduction 1

Part I: Starting with Sound Advice 5

Chapter 1: Exploring the World of Car Audio 7

Chapter 2: Considering Stock Systems 17

Chapter 3: Knowing What Sounds Good 23

Part II: Shopping for a Great System 33

Chapter 4: Finding the Right Retail Experience 35

Chapter 5: Installing Your System: Going Pro or Going Solo 45

Part III: Selecting the Best Components 55

Chapter 6: Starting with the Head 57

Chapter 7: Carrying All Your Tunes 63

Chapter 8: The Golden Age of Wireless 75

Chapter 9: Moving Pictures 83

Chapter 10: Considering Head Unit Features 97

Chapter 11: Pumping Up the Volume 111

Chapter 12: Choosing the Right Amplifier 121

Chapter 13: Installing an Amplifier 135

Chapter 14: Sounding Off with Speakers 145

Chapter 15: Installing Speakers 159

Chapter 16: Going Low with Subwoofers 173

Chapter 17: Equalizing, Processing, and Crossing Over 199

Part IV: Tying It All Together 211

Chapter 18: Wiring Your Car Audio System 213

Chapter 19: Gearing Up with Accessories 227

Chapter 20: Tuning Your System 241

Part V: Protecting Your System and Yourself 253

Chapter 21: Securing and Insuring Your System 255

Chapter 22: Keeping Safe and Legal 265

Part VI: The Part of Tens 269

Chapter 23: Ten Steps to Great Sound 271

Chapter 24: Ten Questions to Ask Your Salesperson or Installer 277

Chapter 25: Ten Steps to Maintaining Your System 281

Glossary 285

Index 293

Doug Newcomb has evaluated hundreds of car audio, video, and navigation systems for leading car stereo publications including Car Audio and Electronics, Car Stereo Review, and Mobile Entertainment. He is also a regular on Sound & Vision radio. Decide on the right system for you and your car

Face the music — and the phone and video — with this sound advice!

Want to feel as if your favorite band is performing right on top of your dashboard? Or are you more about hands-free phone access and a DVD player to entertain the kids? This book can help with either project and many others. From planning your system and buying components to getting them installed and protecting your investment, here's the scoop.

Discover how to:

• Add components to a factory system

• Identify good sound when you hear it

• Understand warranties and returns

• Find a reliable installer

• Protect and insure your system

• Choose a video player