5 COMMON CAR AUDIO MISTAKES
Mistake #1 : Using “Gain Control” on the AMP as a volume knob.
Every aftermarket Amplifier will have a dial labeled as “Gain”. The actual function of the Gain Control is to match the maximum undistorted level of the Source Unit to the maximum undistorted level of the Amlifier. Basically, When you turn up the radio to the max volume, the AMP is going to be calibrated using this control so that it matches and is ALSO at the max volume at that level.
The problem here is most people will look at the gain control on the AMP and think that it’s like a volume knob, thinking if it is only at the 50% position, it will only use half the power. This is absolutely wrong!
Turning your gain dial up too high, Will cause the Subwoofer to start clipping. Clipping does not only sound bad, but over time it will definitely damage your speakers and your Amplifier.
I suggest using a multimeter to correctly calibrate your Gain Control.
Mistake #2 : Buying Subwoofers that are way too big for the install location.
Buying a smaller subwoofer that is in the proper air space can easily outperform a larger subwoofer that is starved for air space because the location it’s in is far too small. When it comes to selecting a subwoofer size you have to be realistic about the location that you’re installing into.
The way to determine what size to buy is to actually take some measurements and determine how much air space you have to work with and then use that value in order to choose a subwoofer and subwoofer size. If you are going to be using a sealed box this would be easy because you just take the length x the width x the height and you can get an approximate air volume. You of course have to account for the thickness of the wood material, but you will have a little bit of a guideline. Let’s say you did the math and find that you have about 1 and a half cubic feet, You can look for a 12 inch subwoofer that has a recommended volume of one and a half cubic feet.
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Mistake #3 : Using poor quality source music.
Using 128 kilobits per second audio files and online services such as Youtube, Spotify etc will always have “Missing Musical Information” This can drastically affect the sound quality coming from your speakers.
I would suggest when looking for the music you want to play on your sound system, Make sure that they are 320 kilobits per second. If your Head Unit or Radio has the ability to play “FLAC” that is even better. “FLAC” files will sound better than 320 kilobits per second but it’s only going to sound marginally better.
Mistake #4 : Using poor quality equipment.
We all know that there’s some really expensive equipment out here but we have to remember the law of diminishing returns. In general going from a product that is R2.000 to a product that is R3.000 we’re going to notice much more of a performance increase than if we go from a product that is R10.000 to a product that is R11.000
You don’t need to spend a ton of money to get decent sound. But if something seems a bit “Too good to be true” It probably is.
The main mistake to avoid here has to do with Amplifiers. People that are new to sound commonly focus on the max Wattage Output on the AMP, These companies that advertise the max Wattage Outputs mean nothing.
I suggest that you look at the Watts RMS Rating when buying your AMP
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Mistake #5 : Disregarding the electrical system.
You can buy an awesome super-powerful 20000 Watt Mono-Block, A nice beefy subwoofer, 4 Channel 10000 Watt amp, nice wiring, You will start playing songs and it will suck.
You will have to make some upgrades to the Power System within the vehicle. If you don’t upgrade your Power System you are going to have poor performance, You’ll have headlights dimming and potentially other electrical issues within the vehicle as well as permanently damage your equipment.
The first upgrade you can consider doing is the wiring under the hood of the vehicle, Next you should consider upgrading your alternator and then finally move onto upgrading the battery and or adding another battery.
