Everything You Need to Know About the Car Audio Installation Process

Is your car audio on the fritz? If you need to replace your car audio, you should know about the car audio installation process.

Your car is an important part of your life, and you likely spend a lot of time in it. A recent survey found that Americans are behind the wheel for almost 11 hours per week.

Most drivers turn to music to help pass the time. A quality car audio system is the difference between enjoying your time out on the road or dreading yet another long commute.

If your stereo system isn't up to par, an upgrade is in order. Read on to learn all about car audio installation. 

Choosing a Head Unit

The head unit is your car's main stereo component. It's where you choose your audio format and adjust the volume. 

Head units come in plenty of different shapes and sizes. Some are straightforward and only have the essentials while others are large and flashy. Higher-end units tend to be larger to fit more features, but you can still get excellent performance out of a more simplistic option. 

The most important thing to look for in a head unit is quality wiring. Improved circuit design ensures your system works more efficiently.

You should also consider sound controls. Most head units allow you to modulate things like bass and treble levels, but high-end stereos offer more in-depth audio customization.

Many new stereos offer enhanced connectivity. They can easily pair with a smartphone thanks to tech like Apple Car Play, Android Auto, or Bluetooth. If you prefer to use a music streaming service instead of your car radio, you'll need these features.

Before making your decision, measure your dash to make sure your preferred head unit will fit.

Installing a Head Unit

Now that you've selected a head unit, it's time to install it. Depending on your car's wiring setup, it could take you quite a bit of time. This can be difficult, so many car owners prefer to leave the car audio installation process to a professional.

Remove Old Unit

Before you get to work removing your old head unit, make sure to set your parking brake and disconnect the negative terminal cable on your battery.

Stereos can either be connected with spring mounting clips, bolted in place, or attached to a rail system.

To remove a spring-mounted stereo, you'll need DIN tools. They slide into slots on the stereo and unhook the clips.

If you have a bolted stereo, you'll have to remove a piece of trim from your dashboard. This trim is either fastened with a bolt or held in place by a mounting clip. Once you remove the trim, you should see the bolts that hold the stereo in place.

You'll also need to remove some trim to access a rail-mounted stereo. The head unit should simply slide out, but you might need to remove the rail to install your new unit.

Once you have access to your old unit, you need to unplug it. Fortunately, most stereo systems make use of a wiring harness that connects all your cables. 

Installing the New Unit

Installing your new stereo unit starts by connecting your wiring to your harness.

Follow the connection guide that came with your new stereo. Wires are typically color-coded. If your system doesn't have a harness, you'll need to crimp or solder wires together.

With the wiring out of the way, it's time to put the new head unit in the dash. You'll start this process by connecting the wires and checking the connection.

If everything is working as it should, you can install the mounting brackets and slide the stereo into the opening in the dash. You might need to cut a bit of trim to make it fit. Make sure to hide the wiring behind the stereo unit.

Choosing Car Speakers

Speakers are the heart of your car's audio system. You'll have to make a few key choices when you decide to upgrade them.

The first thing to consider is whether you want full-range speakers or component speakers.

Full-range speakers contain a woofer, midrange, tweeter, and super tweeters in one package. They're the perfect choice for someone looking to replace their stock speakers.

Component systems break all of these types of speakers up. You'll install each one individually, which gives you more choices when it comes to placement and allows you to optimize your sound system.

You'll also need to make sure that your stereo can handle the electrical requirement of your new speakers. Look for speakers with a higher peak power rating than your stereo provides. This means you'll be able to crank the volume all the way up without blowing them out.

Pick new speakers that are roughly the same size as your old speakers. This will make the installation process much easier.

Installing New Speakers

Speakers are surprisingly simple to install. This is especially true if you opted for full-range speakers.

With the negative cable on your battery disconnected, you'll start the speaker installation by removing the old speakers' covering. You might need to remove trim, remove seats, and crawl into the trunk to access all of them.

Once the old speakers are accessible, you can take them out. Remove any screws or adhesive that might be holding your old speaker in place. Make sure to leave the wiring harness intact. 

Now that the old speakers are removed, it's time to connect the new speakers. This is usually as simple as connecting them to the wiring harness. Once they're connected, be sure to test them.

If the speakers are working properly, slide them into place. You might need to use a mounting bracket or adhesive to secure them.

Car Audio Installation From Boca Tint & Auto

Installing a new car audio system can make driving a blast.

Look for a new head unit that features quality wiring components and can interface with your smartphone. When shopping for speakers, decide on a full-range or component setup and make sure they don't demand too much power from your stereo unit.

Car audio installation can be challenging, and Boca Tint & Audio can help. We'll work with you to design your ideal sound system and handle the installation so you can be sure it works as it should. Reach out to meet with the team and get a free estimate.