There's nothing more enjoyable than driving with your favorite music blasting through the speakers. That's why some folks like to invest in a good car audio system. Every vehicle comes with its own stock car audio system, but there's a large market industry where consumers can replace many or all the parts in the system. There are always new and more innovative models and devices with added features and stylish designs coming and going that keeps this industry alive. Consumers don't have to settle with their original car audio electronics, they can custom-make their own with better sound and quality.

If you feel that yours is insufficient or it simply does not suit your personality, you can always replace some components in your system or you could change the whole thing altogether for a more rockin' effect. But before you head to your local electronics store or check the online sites, here are some things that you need to know first.

Car audio electronics are usually composed of a head unit, which is the primary control device that sits on the center of the dash panel between the driver and the passenger. It's a multi-purpose device that usually houses multiple types of components such as a radio tuner with AM/FM bands, a CD player, DVD player, and a small amplifier for driving an audio signal to the speakers. Some may feature a USB flash memory and hard disk drive. Sometimes it comes with a DSP component and equalization component such as bass and treble controls.

A car audio electronic system is not complete without its speakers. Car speakers are basically identical in function to their larger counterparts with the exception of some key components specialized for mobile use. One difference is the multi-axial mounting of different types of speakers in the same footprint. The tweeter is mounted directly on top of the woofer. Another is the non-circular cone shapes, they could be square, oval or triangular. They are specifically designed to fit small spaces.

The construction of the speakers may also include more unique components more suitable for mobile use. They may contain some form of plating to prevent corrosion, they may be coated with a substance to help resist expansion and contraction under varying cabin temperatures.

Car audio electronics also need an amplifier, or most commonly known as car "amp". Although some head units contain an amplifier, some don't or they simply don't have enough power for the desired effect. In these cases, an external amplifier would do the trick. External amplifiers are usually mounted in different parts of the car. In most cases, they are installed in the trunk. Most external amps are commonly found in premium audio packages or in luxury cars.

Sub-woofers may also be included in some car audio electronic systems. They are a specific type of loudspeaker for low frequency reproduction. They are often used when the existing low frequency production is insufficient in frequency range and volume.

Modern and sophisticated mobile audio products are available for purchase online or in your nearest home electronics store. They vary in prices, designs and uses that would suit your preferences and needs. But be careful in choosing your car audio electronic system. There are some states and municipalities that have ordinances against extremely loud sound systems. Some places even outlawed those so called "boom cars" with loud stereo systems. They are said to disturb the peace and even cause some health problems. So choose wisely and make sure you don't end up disturbing any peace or causing any health problems.

Article Source: Ezine Articles