Actualización del sistema estéreo de su automóvil

En los años 80, 90 y principios de los 2000, actualizar el sistema estéreo de su vehículo era una tarea relativamente proceso sencillo Comenzaría eligiendo una nueva radio que ofreciera las funciones que deseaba y agregaría un conjunto de altavoces para mejorar el sonido del sistema. Prácticamente cualquier persona con un conocimiento básico de los sistemas eléctricos podría usar un adaptador de mazo de cables para instalar la radio, y la instalación de los altavoces solía ser una actualización directa, excepto por tener que engarzar algunos conectores de pala.

La realidad del audio moderno para automóviles

Avance rápido hasta 2010 y más allá, y el mundo del audio para automóviles ha cambiado drásticamente. Incluso los autos y camiones nuevos más básicos incluyen llamadas manos libres Bluetooth y tecnologías de transmisión de audio, y la mayoría reproducirá sus archivos de audio digital MP3 desde una memoria USB. Para muchas personas, la única razón para querer actualizar su vehículo es agregar una tecnología de integración de teléfonos inteligentes como Android Auto o Apple CarPlay.

Cuando se trata del sonido de los sistemas estéreo modernos, todavía hay margen de mejora. Los sistemas de audio básicos aún pueden beneficiarse de los altavoces mejorados, y la mayoría de los vehículos podrían usar una actualización de subwoofer de alta calidad. El problema con los sistemas de sonido modernos es que compañías como Bose y Harman (las personas detrás de JBL, Infinity, Mark Levinson y Lexicon) son bastante buenas en lo que hacen. Utilizan potentes procesadores de señales digitales para optimizar los amplificadores que alimentan estos sistemas para aprovechar al máximo los altavoces del automóvil. Si actualiza a nuevos altavoces, el procesamiento que hizo que los altavoces baratos suenen bien puede hacer que sus buenos altavoces suenen mediocres. En esencia, los días de ir a una tienda de estéreos para comprar un nuevo par de altavoces para mejorar el sonido de su automóvil se han ido.

Cómo manejan las tiendas de estéreo las actualizaciones de estéreo

Cuando lleva su auto nuevo a un taller para actualizar el sistema de sonido, se requieren algunos pasos para asegurarse de que obtenga el rendimiento que desea del sistema. La primera debe ser una serie de preguntas del vendedor sobre cómo disfrutas tu música. ¿Escuchas a niveles de volumen altos? ¿Te gustan muchos bajos? Algunos le preguntarán qué tipo de música escucha para ayudarlo a comprender sus objetivos para su sistema de audio. Para los verdaderamente dedicados, las preguntas deben incluir una consulta sobre lo que espera mejorar al actualizar el sistema. Una visita a su vehículo a menudo puede proporcionar información valiosa sobre lo que falta. Si tiene los graves subidos en la radio de fábrica, puede beneficiarse de un subwoofer. Si ha aumentado las frecuencias altas, es posible que necesite actualizar los altavoces.

Tu trabajo es hacerles saber lo que tienes y lo que quieres. Su trabajo es determinar cómo lograr ese objetivo.

Conocimiento de su sistema estéreo

Where the expertise of a mobile electronics specialist retailer shines is in knowing how your factory stereo works and, subsequently, how to upgrade it. Remember the signal processing we talked about at the beginning of the article? If a shop sells you a new set of speakers without addressing this tuning, you may not like the results. There are three options available to deal with this processing. If you can, a new radio and potentially a new amplifier will eliminate the tuning. Audio interfaces include the PAC AmpPRO, iDatalink AR, Axxess AX-DSP or one of the many ZEN-Audio solutions from Nav-TV. Finally, you can add an amplifier with a digital signal processor to correct the tuning for the new speakers. There’s no “best” answer to your upgrade needs, as each vehicle and client’s goals differ.

The Importance of Signal Processing

Before you balk at the cost of adding a DSP and amp to your factory stereo, keep in mind that the vehicle manufacturer and its audio system supplier used this very process for making the speakers in your car perform as well as they did.

System tuning is a critical part of any installation. It can be as basic as setting the crossovers and sensitivity controls on an amp to configuring crossovers, equalization settings and signal delay on a DSP. In either case, an acoustic analyzer can give the installation technician valuable insights to produce a predictable result.

Coping with Sticker Shock

Let’s go back to the late ’90s and work out the speaker upgrade costs. You might have a budget of $200 for a nice set of components for your doors. The shop would likely charge one to two hours to install the speakers, depending on the complexity of the vehicle. In ’90s labor rates, you’d likely be out the door for around $400, including shop supplies and whatever taxes applied in your state or province.

Dealing with a new car is a different story. You can maintain your $200 speaker budget if you want, and chances are, labor rates have increased a little. The basic speaker upgrade and speaker installation is now going to run around $450 to $500. Not too bad, right?

Let’s look at how we handle the tuning in the vehicle. You’ll need an amplifier with a built-in DSP. There are lots of compact solutions available from companies like JL Audio, Mosconi, Helix, Audison, AudioControl, Sony, Alpine and Kicker. A suitable amp will run anywhere from $600 to over $1,000, depending on the features, power capabilities and quality of the unit. Add in speaker wire and power wire for another hundred or so. Depending on how your factory audio system works, you may need one of those vehicle interfaces we talked about. They cost between $250 to almost $1,300 for some of the complex MOST150 interfaces for Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

Needless to say, attempting to upgrade one of these premium sound systems is, in fact, opening a moderately expensive can of worms. On the low side, you’ll be $1,500 and exceeding $4,000 wouldn’t take long.

Is the Upgrade Worth It?

Take a deep breath. Talking about spending thousands of dollars on a speaker upgrade might scare a lot of people. The question is, are the upgrades worthwhile? When executed by a properly trained technician, the answer is unquestionably yes! Not only will new speakers play louder, they produce less distortion to make your music clearer and more detailed. The signal processor can be used to fine-tune the system to provide the overall sound balance you want. Most people enjoy smooth and natural midrange with some accentuation in the midbass region and a little more in the bass region. Your technician can fine-tune the high-frequency response of the system to your preferences and the kind of music you enjoy.

Think of upgrading your stereo like buying a new suit or a dress. You can walk into a store and pick something off the rack. It will fit and do its job, but it might not be perfect in every area. The alternative is to commission someone to create a garment specifically for your needs and the occasion. They’ll measure you, discuss fabric options and consult on the overall design. You end up with something that is exactly what you want and is a joy to wear.

An upgraded audio system is the same. We’ve heard countless stories of clients who enjoy spending time in their vehicle so much, they find themselves looking for excuses to go for a drive. Hearing your music on a reference-quality sound system is indeed like hearing it for the first time. New sounds, new voices and amazing realism are just the starting point. To experience a taste of just how great a mobile audio system can sound, drop by your local car audio specialist retailer and ask to listen to one of their demo vehicles or displays.