| The basic components of a high-quality car stereo | | | | Overriding disadvantage: A thief can slip out the |
| system are an AM/FM tuner, a CD player, an | | | | under-dash gear as easily as an ashtray. Choose |
| amplifier (optional but recommended) and great | | | | in-dash tuner/CD players unless you want to |
| speakers. | | | | stow the components in the trunk each time you |
| Rule: No auto audio can equal the performance of | | | | leave the car. (If you still prefer an under-dash |
| fine home equipment. The car compartment is | | | | system, Sony components are top-notch ones.) |
| small, besieged with engine and traffic noises, and | | | | Amplifiers: Most auto-sound packages benefit |
| surrounded with competing electrical signals. And all | | | | from amplifiers that strengthen bass and |
| of this in a moving environment. A welter of | | | | high-treble tones. |
| technical and personal choices dictate the final | | | | Problems: Amplifiers are bulky and often must be |
| package. | | | | installed under a seat or in the trunk. Unless your |
| General guidelines: Shop around. Car audio | | | | tuner has a bypass circuit permitting you to plug |
| components are often discounted. Check | | | | into the preamplifier, your costly amplifier will only |
| mail-order houses and the Internet for the best | | | | boost the distorted output of the built-in amplifier. |
| buys. | | | | Smart buying: Look for amplifiers measuring |
| Essential: Deal with reputable businesses and buy | | | | power in watts (w) per channel in terms of |
| name brands. Make sure you can exchange or | | | | distortion (THD). Goal: About five watts per |
| return components in case they prove | | | | channel at 1 % distortion or less. To get this, the |
| incompatible or do not fit into the car. Remember | | | | amplifier may require 50 watts per channel |
| each unit must be installed and may require | | | | because few operate at better than 10% |
| custom mounting accessories. Keep personal | | | | efficiency in a car. |
| tastes in mind. Rock and country music fans | | | | Bi-amplifiers: They offer separate power boosts |
| usually prefer stronger bass ranges. Classical | | | | for bass and treble ranges. Bi-amplification may be |
| music requires good mid and treble. | | | | called for when separate bass and treble |
| How to allocate your spending: 40% to 50% for | | | | speakers are installed. |
| tuner/tape player, 25% to 30% for amplifier, | | | | Speakers: Speakers must be compatible with |
| 25% to 30% for speakers (unlike home gear, for | | | | amplifiers. Their power capacity should be slightly |
| which half the recommended expenditure may go | | | | higher than amplifier. Example: Get 60w speakers |
| for speakers alone). | | | | for a 50w /ch amplifier. One way to be sure of |
| General recommendations: Components are a | | | | speaker/amplifier compatibility is to purchase |
| better deal than manufacturer-installed original | | | | them as a package. |
| sound equipment. Good manufacturer-installed | | | | Stereo sound requires at least two speakers. |
| gear can cost $1,000, a price that will usually bring | | | | Many enthusiasts choose four. Non-directional bass |
| you far better sound if spent on components. Try | | | | speakers are best placed in the factory cutouts in |
| to find a dealer that has set up a sound room to | | | | the rear window shelf. Next best placement: In |
| hear and compare different systems. | | | | rear doors. Treble speakers can be mounted in |
| New-car buyer strategy: Buyers planning to | | | | front door panels or under dash. |
| purchase components should insist on a | | | | Installation: Unless you are highly skilled electronics |
| delete-option clause, eliminating the installed radio | | | | hobbyist, have the auto-sound system |
| cost. | | | | professionally installed. Allow $150 to $200 for |
| In-dash versus under-dash components. | | | | installation, and get a satisfaction guaranteed |
| Under-dash components are easily installed. | | | | agreement. |