Car Audio System - Research

Research your options and needs before buying a Car Audio System

Whether you want to call a lot of attention to a tricked out vehicle, or just like to listen to the radio on the way to work, you may need to consider a car audio system.

However, when you are actually buying a car audio system the number of different options may be confusing and it can be difficult to decide which is your best buy. The Buyz123 three step guide - Research, Evaluation, Purchase - is designed to assist you in this buying process.

The Research step firstly involves investigating essential features of car audio systems available on the market, and secondly identifying your actual needs in a car audio system.

In the Evaluation step you focus on how well the different features of individual car audio systems meet your needs, and then how well the most suitable car audio systems compare in detail, one to another.

Finally, in the Purchase step, the issues considered are: what to look for when actually buying the car audio system, what questions to ask and what information you should seek on warranty, customer service, and after-sales support.

As you work though the Buyz123 purchase strategy you will clarify your thoughts about your intended purchase, confidently compare car audio systems one to another, and then purchase a car audio system that really does meet your needs.

Step 1: Research

In order to end up with the car audio system best suited to your needs, you have to clearly understand what you are looking for and what options are available to you. This is done by researching in two areas.

Firstly, you research the market to find out what kinds of car audio systems are available, familiarizing yourself with the different features, styles and price ranges etc. Secondly, you examine your own unique requirements in a car audio system.

Research the market: Car Audio System essentials

The first part of the research step is to investigate just what's available in the car audio system market. The range of options can seem daunting, but you can make a good start by understanding the following major features:

Main Components: The radio is no longer the only part to consider when looking at audio systems. Audio systems nowadays include not only the radio or 'head unit', but also the amplifier, which is broken down into two other components called the power amplifier and the preamplifier, and finally the output units or the speakers.

Extra Features: If you are looking for a certain feature, then you are bound to find it. Newer audio systems include a CD and cassette player all in one. Others have six or more CD changers that you load through the head unit. You can also choose if you want your audio system to pick up satellite radio frequencies (which you will have to pay for monthly), or if you want it to connect into your navigation and phone systems.

Regular Features: Other features include automatic volume control, which adjusts the volume in the car to account for wind noise and road noise. Some systems have different read-out displays while others have small, TV-like monitors or a regular LCD (Liquid Crystal Displays) screens. If you want to connect auxiliary units, such as an MP3 player into your system, you can find those as well.

Cost: The price of different audio systems will vary greatly. If you are looking for the best accessories, speakers and amplifiers, you can expect to easily spend 10 times as much or more than you would for a basic system that wouldn't include any of the high-end features.

Research your needs: Questions to ask yourself

Now it's time to determine what your requirements are in a car audio system. For example, will you use the new car audio system only because you are revamping an old system or are you installing one for the first time?

You can start this process by considering the following questions - as well as any others you think of yourself - and recording your answers.

Have I used a car audio system before?
	If you have used a car audio system, work out what you did or didn't like about the car audio system. You may be looking for one exactly like it, hoping to upgrade, or even trying to avoid any particular features that you found inconvenient.

What do I want an audio system for?
	Perhaps music is your passion or you finally have your own car and want to personalize it.

What do I want to get out of my music listening experience?
	You might like to blare your music when you drive or you may find that your current system cannot keep up with how much sound and power your require.

How often will I use my new system?
	You may want to listen to music on your way to work, or all day if you drive long distances frequently. Perhaps you only want to use it on the weekends when driving to relax.

What sort of music do I listen to?
	This might seem like a strange question, but someone who enjoys rap or hip-hop may want to have his or her music reach higher volumes. If, for example, you listen to symphony music, you might only want a system that will provide a clear and crisp sound without having strong bass and high volume.

What type of media do I want to play in the car?
	If most of your music is on CD, you will want a CD player. Alternately if your music is in audio file formats for your computer or MP3 player then you will either want a port to plug your MP3 into or be able to download it straight onto your audio system.

How much do I want to spend on an audio system?
	This might be one of the most important questions because it has to do with your budget. You might want to consider estimating what you are able to spend since quality audio systems and their components can be very expensive.

Understanding your needs is the key to a successful purchase and you can revisit your list of needs at any time during the buying process.

Once you complete this Research step, having informed yourself about the essentials of car audio systems and identified your needs, you are ready to move on to the next step: Evaluation.


Video Links

Delphi Roady XT for XM Satellite Radio - User Review Delphi Roady XT Plug and play XM satellite radio with car accessories and XM SureConnect cable, Car Audio, Cars, Trucks & Accessories.This unit is portable enough to move between cars, or even to use at home. This remote-controlled unit picks up several hundred digital radio stations. (2m 55s)

Car Audio Options - Info About.com looks at non-traditional car audio choices; using your Ipod in the car, and satellite radio options. (2m 29s)

Realm Audio Products - Promo Realm Audio introduces their new product line at CES 2007. Realm's products lie ast the upper end of the quality scale, employing unique technological innovation to create speakers and peripherals that generate top quality sound. (3m 4s)

Buyz123.com Research Links:

Buying Guide

Car audio buyers guide

Buy the audio system you want

General

Beginners guide to buying a car audio system

Car stereo fundamentals

Selecting your car audio system

How to put together a decent budget style car audio system

Car audio defined

Types

Large range of car stereos and components

Range of car audio systems and components