Car Audio Buyers Guide

Before purchasing a car audio system, carefully consider your goals. Do you just want to listen to the radio? Are you more concerned about cost or functionality? Are you trying to impress your friends? There's a wide variety of stereo options for most vehicles, so making a wish list before shopping around may help you to narrow down the choices.

Main Unit

The main stereo unit is where you insert CDs and control volume and radio tuning. This unit plugs into the speakers via a wiring harness or may be wired directly to the speakers.

Speaker Types

Car stereos feature the same types of speaker as a home stereo--Tweeters, midrange or woofers and subwoofers. 13011033705

Wattage

The power output of car speakers is measured in watts. Speaker power output typically ranges from 250 to 2,000 watts.

Coaxial Versus Component

Car stereo speakers come in two main configurations: Coaxial, where several different speaker types are combined into one unit; or component, where individual speakers produce a limited range of tones.

Cost

A main stereo unit may cost anywhere from $50 into the hundreds of dollars at retail. Speakers occupy a similar range of costs, from $50 in the low end to hundreds or thousands of dollars for the highest quality units.

Installation

Installing stock speakers is usually as simple as loosening a few screws, disconnecting a wire harness, and plugging the new wiring in. Installing a custom system may require extensive modifications to the interior of the vehicle.

Prestige

For some, having a high-end stereo system in their vehicle is more a question of prestige than functionality.