Planning to upgrade a stock car music system? Want something to replace that cheap AM/FM radio cluttered in the dash, with those little speakers in the dash and door panels? Installing a new sound system doesn’t have to be the electrical equivalent of brain surgery. The process can actually be quite simple, if you follow a few basic steps. In order, these are Input, Amperage, Output, and Wiring. If you have IAOW firmly in mind, sound system success will be yours.
Input: This is where the sound comes from. The input can be a radio, a CD player or, if you’re feeling retro, an old-school tape player.
Amperage: Amperage is power, the power to make big speakers work. Amplifiers are designed to take input and boost its power so you can really hear it.
Output: Output means speakers; in most cases, large subwoofers that deliver maximum curb-shaking bass response. We’ll come back to this all-important area in a few sentences, but now, let’s look at the last bit of wiring the IAOW equation.
Wiring: Wiring is the glue that holds the sound system together. You need cables to get the input to the amp. You need cables to get the amplified input to the speakers.
Back to Results: Settled for cheap speakers tucked into your car’s door panels? It’s time to rethink the program, friend! The speakers that normally reside in the stock stereo system are the so-called mid-range speakers. They’re good at handling everyday music, but they’re not really designed to reproduce solid deep tones or the bright tones of higher frequencies. For those, you need subwoofer speakers to give the best bass notes, or little “tweeters” that are designed to hit the higher frequencies that even dolphins and bats like.
Let’s talk about tweeters: Tweeters are usually smaller than midrange speakers. They are constructed of lighter materials that carry shorter wavelength vibrations faster and with higher fidelity. Tweeters made from soft materials, such as polypropylene, textiles, or silk, produce refined and somewhat softened highs, while tweeters made from hard materials (such as metal, ceramic, or graphite) produce bright, snappy highs. Softer materials work best when your music needs a natural sound: strings, jazz, and classical, for example. But if you’re after rock or metal, or especially techno, set your sights on harder materials to get that sharp edge.
In addition to materials, there are many types of tweeter designs. Dome tweeters are the most similar to midrange designs found in stock automotive systems. They look and function like typical speakers, but their smaller, lighter construction allows them to hit the highs better. Cone tweeters use a small cone-shaped emitter to shape the highs; they are powerful and best when highs are important. Horn tweeters add a compression driver around the throat of a horn-like cone, boosting the output to a louder level. Ribbon tweeters use a combination of thin pieces of metal between the positive and negative poles of a magnet. High current transformers vibrate the tape to create the sound. Again, each type of tweeter produces a different sound quality, which means you need to consider the type of music you plan to play when selecting a set. Most good car audio specialists will be able to point you in the right direction on this, so don’t be afraid to ask questions, they want to help.
Remember: As long as you keep the IAOW in mind, upgrading your sound system with new tweeters can be as easy as putting on new seat covers. Enjoy!