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If I had the money for a car, I'd probably have the money for a real car stereo... But I don't.
No question that most audiophiles who read <I>Stereophile</I> are concerned about the performance of their home systems, but what about their car systems?
Generally, whatever the auto manufacturer makes available is good enough for me. I would never even consider throwing away money to upgrade my car system. Instead, use the extra money to improve the home rig, purchase more music or attend a concert. I've yet to hear a car system that even begins to approach real music. Unfortunately, the environment of an automobile is simply inadequate. Tony Harrison Sr.
Other than adding a CD player so I don't have to make tapes for the car, I have not and will not do anything to improve the sound in my car. Once you consider the amount of noise in a car (road, wind, engine) and the fact that only one person will be sitting in the "sweet spot," it just is not worth the trouble.
Years ago I went all out on a nice Alpine car system, custom sub, MB QUART speakers, etc. The car sounded better than my home system. So I found a high end stereo shop and overhauled my home stereo. Now the home stereo is way, way better than the car stereo. So I listen to music at home, and listen to sports talk radio on AM in the car. So I have this killer auto system to listen to AM! What a joke. But I do burn some cd's from my Basis Debut TT to play in the car. That helps, but I still listen to AM most of the time.
When I bought my first used car, I set aside a portion of my budget specifically to upgrade to a good stereo system, which came to about 1/5 the cost of the car itself. And when I just leased my new car, one of the main clauses I needed, was to be able to upgrade the stereo further down the line.
Yes I have invested up to $10000.0 so far in last 5 years.First off, the Pioneer premier head unit with graphic eq(preamp),which has DSP modes(enhances ambience) and time alignment for driver position, which I think is most important in car sweet spot seating. Dedicated amps for Front/rear, subwoofer, midbass- All driven by Precision Power amps. Front speakers are the new JL audio 3 way component system, tweeters cast in the lower end of A-pillars,45 degrees 'tow-in',pair of midrange and bass and 8 inch midbass all in door firing towards driver(the innards of door has dynamat to avoid ringing).Rear speakers are Infinity coaxials.There are pair of MB quart tweeters in the read view mirror firing on windshiels (helps bring image even higher).The subwoofer section uses sealed box with 10" Accurate image woofers by Cerwin Vega. An additionl 10" woofer(a Bazzoka tube) firing rear reinforces low end further without deterioting the bass character.A multidic CD player in trunk, a single CD player built in the excellent head unit. The 88 Honda prelude alternator is upgraded to 130 amp output. The Battery is the Optima. And yes forgot about the 2, capacitors that reserves power for subwoofer and mids.And sound: damn good for what is possible in the car. Imaging still is not greatest. The sound system is another reason I still drive this car. It does take lot of effort to get the sound right.
At home, I give any music I listen to 100% of my attention. While driving, I tend to concentrate on where I am going. Therefore, I will pay more money for home audio than car audio. Also home audio components are less likely to be stolen!
I presently devote all my earnings towards food and home stereo equipment. My car cost practically nothing. My stereo is an upgrade along with the speakers but, it's typical Best Buy crap. Once I start making the big bucks like Stereophile reviewers I'll equip my new Audi w/ Dynaudio separates and McIntosh amps.
Here's a really good, really cheap tweak for any car audio system: insert a pair of those foam earplugs into your ears, and crank the volume to compensate. The road noise drops a whole lot, giving you a better signal to noise ratio - for pennies!!
I spend a lot of time in my car and probably listen to more music there than at home. Even with all the road noise, I can tell the difference between a good car system and a bad one, and quality matters. Sometimes I take drives just to listen to tunes. Scenery adds another dimension to the music.