Do you care about car audio?


I like nice cars and I appreciate the fact that I've been fortunate enough to lease and drive some very nice ones.  I would never drive a luxury car out of warranty, but that's not my point.  My point is, as much as I love audio, I never really had any urge to upgrade my car audio system.  Whatever came with the car was totally satisfactory to me.  Right now, my car came with a somewhat upgraded Meridian stereo, but it is not the full-blown surround/subwoofer deal.  It sounds fine and I've never wanted more than a standard decent car radio had to offer.  
Do you people have any enthusiasm for upgraded car audio as opposed to stock?  Then again, truth be told, I've never listened to the fancy car setups and I might be tempted if I thought it was that much more enjoyable.  Who knows. 
chayro

Showing 5 responses by justgotohm

(I've said this in this forum before, so if you've heard it, bear with me.

Back in the 90s, Richard Clark had two cars that were simply incredible on the IASCA circuit. A Cadillac and a Buick Grand National. The GN was the later car for him. But you could be sure of one thing. If you were competing in his power class and you saw the Grand National roll off the trailer (yes, it was trailered to every show), you knew the best you could do on that day was 2nd place.

Those cars opened my eyes to what was possible with high end audio in a car cabin. Still some of the best sound I've heard anywhere, including many high end home systems.

Oz)

   As a car audio enthusiast I remember that car. Clark’s team had compression drivers in specially made horns under the dash, pro audio eq, crossovers, time alignment rack units wired to run off 12v in the trunk. 
The doors and voids in the body were filled with cement, I’m not sure if the car ever moved under its own power. 
I think that particular example was unrealistic in a (real) car. But it was a winner, on all the magazine covers, and the sponsors were happy.
The stock premium system in my GTI is plenty good enough. I have a set of separates running off a NOS A/D/S Power Plate 80, and an 8in woofer in my F150 that has a clean sound.
I have exhaustively sourced a close to period correct system for my 86 BMW 735. It consists of a pair of A/D/S 320i separates for the front, A/D/S 300i plates for the rear, and a pair of early Cadence 12’s. A couple A/D/S PS5 amps for the highs and a Precision Power Art series for the woofers. Also an Audio Control crossover, although I’m still on the fence regarding a head unit. 
To say an ungraded car audio system is useless when you are driving is a stretch. Music and fidelity is as important to me in my car as it is in my home, even if it can’t be perfect, it can be better. 
I just realized something reviewing this thread. At 49 I’ve had 42 cars total, I have never put any major stereo system in any sports car I have owned. In retrospect I subconsciously must have wanted to be in tune with the driving experience rather than separating from it. 


Comparing home and car audio is like comparing a 911 turbo and a Hellcat, they both do the same thing, just differently. 
I’ve never personally been so distracted by listening to music to loose situational awareness, gave me a chuckle, thanks for that. 
Up right bass about 33Hz, piano about 28Hz, jazz has got that bass, bass, bass.