Nadgradnja avtomobilskega stereo sistema

V 80-ih, 90-ih in zgodnjih delih 2000-ih je bila nadgradnja avtoradio sistema v vašem vozilu relativno preprost postopek. Začeli bi z izbiro novega radia, ki bi ponujal funkcije, ki ste jih želeli, in dodali komplet zvočnikov za izboljšanje zvoka sistema. Skoraj vsakdo z osnovnim razumevanjem električnih sistemov bi lahko za namestitev radia uporabil adapter za kabelski snop, namestitev zvočnikov pa je bila običajno nadgradnja, razen za stiskanje nekaterih konektorjev.

Realnost sodobnega avtomobilskega zvoka

Hitro naprej v leto 2010 in naprej in svet avtomobilskega zvoka se je močno spremenil. Tudi najosnovnejši novi avtomobili in tovornjaki vključujejo tehnologijo prostoročnega telefoniranja Bluetooth in pretakanja zvoka, večina pa bo predvajala vaše digitalne zvočne datoteke MP3 s ključka USB. Za mnoge ljudi je edini razlog, da želijo nadgraditi svoje vozilo, dodajanje tehnologije integracije pametnega telefona, kot sta Android Auto ali Apple CarPlay.

Ko gre za zvok sodobnih stereo sistemov, je še vedno prostor za izboljšave. Osnovnim zvočnim sistemom lahko še vedno koristijo nadgrajeni zvočniki, večina vozil pa bi lahko uporabljala nadgradnjo visokokakovostnega nizkotonca. Težava s sodobnimi zvočnimi sistemi je, da so podjetja, kot sta Bose in Harman (ljudje, ki stojijo za JBL, Infinity, Mark Levinson in Lexicon), precej dobra v tem, kar počnejo. Uporabljajo zmogljive procesorje digitalnih signalov za optimizacijo ojačevalnikov, ki napajajo te sisteme, da kar najbolje izkoristijo zvočnike v avtomobilu. Če nadgradite na nove zvočnike, lahko obdelava, zaradi katere so poceni zvočniki zveneli dobro, povzroči, da vaši dobri zvočniki zvenijo povprečno. V bistvu so dnevi, ko ste hodili v trgovino s stereo napravami in kupili nov komplet zvočnikov za nadgradnjo zvoka v vašem avtomobilu, minili.

Kako trgovine s stereo napravami obravnavajo nadgradnje stereo naprav

Ko odpeljete svoj novi avto v trgovino za nadgradnjo zvočnega sistema, je potrebnih nekaj korakov, da zagotovite pridobite zmogljivost, ki jo želite od sistema. Prvo naj bo vrsta vprašanj prodajalca o tem, kako uživate v glasbi. Ali poslušate pri visoki glasnosti? Imate radi veliko basov? Nekateri vas bodo vprašali, kakšno glasbo poslušate, da bi lažje razumeli vaše cilje glede vašega avdio sistema. Za resnično predane naj vprašanja vključujejo vprašanje o tem, kaj pričakujete, da boste izboljšali z nadgradnjo sistema. Obisk vašega vozila lahko pogosto zagotovi dragocen vpogled v to, kaj manjka. Če imate nizke tone na tovarniškem radiu, vam bo morda koristil globokotonec. Če ste povečali visoke frekvence, je morda primerna nadgradnja zvočnikov.

Vaša naloga je, da jim sporočite, kaj imate in kaj želite. Njihova naloga je določiti, kako doseči ta cilj.

Razumevanje vašega stereo sistema

Where the expertise of a mobile electronics specialist retailer shines is in knowing how your factory stereo works and, subsequently, how to upgrade it. Remember the signal processing we talked about at the beginning of the article? If a shop sells you a new set of speakers without addressing this tuning, you may not like the results. There are three options available to deal with this processing. If you can, a new radio and potentially a new amplifier will eliminate the tuning. Audio interfaces include the PAC AmpPRO, iDatalink AR, Axxess AX-DSP or one of the many ZEN-Audio solutions from Nav-TV. Finally, you can add an amplifier with a digital signal processor to correct the tuning for the new speakers. There’s no “best” answer to your upgrade needs, as each vehicle and client’s goals differ.

The Importance of Signal Processing

Before you balk at the cost of adding a DSP and amp to your factory stereo, keep in mind that the vehicle manufacturer and its audio system supplier used this very process for making the speakers in your car perform as well as they did.

System tuning is a critical part of any installation. It can be as basic as setting the crossovers and sensitivity controls on an amp to configuring crossovers, equalization settings and signal delay on a DSP. In either case, an acoustic analyzer can give the installation technician valuable insights to produce a predictable result.

Coping with Sticker Shock

Let’s go back to the late ’90s and work out the speaker upgrade costs. You might have a budget of $200 for a nice set of components for your doors. The shop would likely charge one to two hours to install the speakers, depending on the complexity of the vehicle. In ’90s labor rates, you’d likely be out the door for around $400, including shop supplies and whatever taxes applied in your state or province.

Dealing with a new car is a different story. You can maintain your $200 speaker budget if you want, and chances are, labor rates have increased a little. The basic speaker upgrade and speaker installation is now going to run around $450 to $500. Not too bad, right?

Let’s look at how we handle the tuning in the vehicle. You’ll need an amplifier with a built-in DSP. There are lots of compact solutions available from companies like JL Audio, Mosconi, Helix, Audison, AudioControl, Sony, Alpine and Kicker. A suitable amp will run anywhere from $600 to over $1,000, depending on the features, power capabilities and quality of the unit. Add in speaker wire and power wire for another hundred or so. Depending on how your factory audio system works, you may need one of those vehicle interfaces we talked about. They cost between $250 to almost $1,300 for some of the complex MOST150 interfaces for Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

Needless to say, attempting to upgrade one of these premium sound systems is, in fact, opening a moderately expensive can of worms. On the low side, you’ll be $1,500 and exceeding $4,000 wouldn’t take long.

Is the Upgrade Worth It?

Take a deep breath. Talking about spending thousands of dollars on a speaker upgrade might scare a lot of people. The question is, are the upgrades worthwhile? When executed by a properly trained technician, the answer is unquestionably yes! Not only will new speakers play louder, they produce less distortion to make your music clearer and more detailed. The signal processor can be used to fine-tune the system to provide the overall sound balance you want. Most people enjoy smooth and natural midrange with some accentuation in the midbass region and a little more in the bass region. Your technician can fine-tune the high-frequency response of the system to your preferences and the kind of music you enjoy.

Think of upgrading your stereo like buying a new suit or a dress. You can walk into a store and pick something off the rack. It will fit and do its job, but it might not be perfect in every area. The alternative is to commission someone to create a garment specifically for your needs and the occasion. They’ll measure you, discuss fabric options and consult on the overall design. You end up with something that is exactly what you want and is a joy to wear.

An upgraded audio system is the same. We’ve heard countless stories of clients who enjoy spending time in their vehicle so much, they find themselves looking for excuses to go for a drive. Hearing your music on a reference-quality sound system is indeed like hearing it for the first time. New sounds, new voices and amazing realism are just the starting point. To experience a taste of just how great a mobile audio system can sound, drop by your local car audio specialist retailer and ask to listen to one of their demo vehicles or displays.