Every car nowadays comes along with a radio and stereo system for auditory entertainment. It is not uncommon to relax and enjoy a drive, listening to music and songs. This relaxation and entertainment can be taken higher, several notches by simply installing a good and apt amplifier in the car which magnifies the sounds and gives you control over it. Here, we guide you towards selecting a good amplifier for your car stereo.
Difficulty level:
“Moderately easy” is how this project will be graded.
Time required:
This depends on your knowledge levels and expertise on amplifiers. But even a complete ignoramus can take an informed decision in about an hour after this tutorial.
Resources required:
1. Reviews and specifics of different amplifiers
2. Pen, pencil and paper
3. Measuring tape.
Estimated cost:
This is something that you have to decide. The cost of amplifier purchased depends on your budget.
Instructions:
1. Get the required wattage specifications for the amplifier based on the background research work that you have done. This will get you equipped with all the technical information that you will require.
2. Get your budget prepared and ready. This is important, for the amplifiers come in a broad price range. Be ready with the amount you are ready to spend.
3. Select that area in your car where you wish to install the amplifier. Get the rough dimensions of the place, in your head.
4. With the price specifications and the power specifications, approach the salesperson or installer about the available options of amplifiers.
5. Select about three or four amplifiers that satisfy your conditions, to compare and contrast.
6. First do the theoretical test. This means, compare the specifications of each amplifier with the other. Rank the amplifiers in order of their technical superiority.
7. Ask for a demo. Tell the salesperson or the installer to hook in a radio or stereo similar to the one in your car and play music.
8. Listen to the audio quality from each of the amplifier and select one based on which sound is best for you.
9. Before making a selection and purchase, see if the amplifier is of a size that fits into the place you have determined to house it.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: What is this background work ?
Ans: The background work will help you recognize your expectations of the speaker. The main part of this lies in determining what sort of power your speakers require. Know the RMS rating (average power) of your speakers and also the Peak rating (maximum power handling) of your speakers. These are measured in watts and so you can purchase comparable rating amplifier. Also note that if you are planning on connecting sub woofers also, you will need more power output from your amplifier. Typically, a sub woofer handles about 200-1000 watts. A few can even need more than this. This is the background work that has to be done.
Q: What are the other details or features to look for in the amplifier?
Ans: Amplifiers come with channels to distribute power to the speakers. For instance, if you have a single sub woofer, it would be ideal to have an amplifier that is bridgeable to a single channel. Then, all the power can be channeled into this. But, if you have four speakers on the other hand, it would be necessary to have a four channeled amplifier. The crossover is another useful option available on amplifiers. This helps you decide what sounds come out of the speakers. For instance, you can limit the lower bass being exuded by the speakers or limit the high frequency sounds that emanate from the sub woofers.
Quick Tips:
1. It would make sense to play audio that you listen to frequently when you do the demo test. For instance, if you are going to be listening to classical music always, the extra low bass response that rock or jazz requires may not be of importance for you.
2. If you would be adding a sub woofer later on, choose an amplifier that is stable even at 2 ohms.
3. If the amplifier and the stereo can both accept two pairs of RCA cables, then the stereo’s fader control can also come into use.
4. Choose an amplifier that has low-pass and high-pass crossovers built in.
Things to look out for:
1. Place the amplifier in an airy, well ventilated area for easy heat dissipation and cooling.
2. It would be preferable to select an amplifier with separate volume control for front and back channels.
