Keeping It Simple: 3 Straightforward Options For Your First Car Audio Upgrades

15 November 2022
 Categories: Automotive, Blog

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Are you ready to spend a small fortune upgrading every aspect of your car's audio system? While this approach can yield phenomenal results if you have the time and money, it's certainly not a path everyone wants to take. Even if you have some big plans for your car's audio system, there are still plenty of reasons to consider starting a little smaller.

While there may be a more defined path to take if you already know your final audio goals, there's also nothing wrong with simply looking for ways to get the most value for your money. If you're dipping your toes into the waters of automotive audio, these three options make excellent starting points depending on your specific budget and goals.

1. Install a New Head Unit

Your factory head unit is the central control center for your car's audio system. The head unit, which on modern vehicles may include a full infotainment system, acts as an audio source, provides control functionality, and usually provides various input options to connect external devices. The vast majority of modern factory head units also support Bluetooth.

However, many cars still come with relatively basic systems and may be missing critical functionality, such as Android Auto or CarPlay. Alternatively, you may want to upgrade these functions by adding wireless Android Auto or more advanced audio control or equalizer functions. Whatever the case, a new head unit is a great choice if you want to add more features as your first upgrade.

2. Add a Subwoofer

You might think that you can only add a subwoofer to your vehicle if you're already using an aftermarket system, but that's rarely the case. You can often install a subwoofer as a standalone upgrade, and doing so is often a great way to add a little more "oomph" to your system while also improving your overall sound quality.

In many cases, the bass is the primary area where factory audio systems fall short, partly because manufacturers don't usually want to devote space to a full-size subwoofer. While the process may vary depending on your factory system, you can usually make up for this deficiency by adding a dedicated subwoofer and amplifier, even if your system is otherwise stock.

3. Replace Your Amplifier

While older vehicles typically use small, integrated amplifiers in the factory head units, modern systems often include separate amplifiers. The good news is that replacing these amplifiers is often possible, improving your factory system's power and sound quality. Line output converters may also be an effective way to add an amplifier, even if your factory system doesn't have one.

Installing an amplifier in a stock system can be a little more complex than replacing a head unit or adding a subwoofer, so it's important to work with an experienced audio shop to choose the right equipment. A car audio professional can help you select the perfect amplifier to complement your existing system and give your car's audio a cheap and effective upgrade.