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The cars have a long and coloured history when it comes to the modifications of "do-it-yourself" kind, and car-audio is not any different. The tilted amateurs built systems with variable complexity, of four audio component loudspeakers forf car of any type to the whole vans completion.

Installing a car stereo car audio system starts with the car stereo. Car stereos come with different features such as CD changers, fancy displays... or just a radio. Systems having a high power output rating have a limited frequency range and are designed to be loud. For getting clearer and crisper sound one should purchase higher fidelity systems, which offer a wider frequency range with a smoother response. Persons who like to hear classical music would be interested in systems of high fidelity rather than volume. However, classic rock needs to be played loud.

Selecting the right car audio speakers is not rocket science. Most stereo systems have four component speaker outputs, whose output has two measurements, impedance and power. Impedance is measured in ohms, and the power is measured in watts. These specifications can be quite technically complicated, but for the normal user, it is a simple matter to match exactly the impedance of the speakers with the stereo output channel, and that the wattage of the speaker is equal to or greater than the stereo channel. If you do at least that, then you can enjoy your music !

A large number of consumers are satisfied with driving the speakers from the internal amplifier of the car stereo. However in case you desire a louder, higher-fidelity system, you should purchase a separate amplifier. This amplifier will be connected between your stereo, and amplifies the signal. This signal is then output to your speakers. By following this method, one should use the output specifications of the amplifier, instead of his stereo.

Lay out of the car needs to be examined after outlining the specifications of the system that one wants. If one doesn't want do do some big modifications then one needs to order speakers of the proper dimensions suitable to the audio car component which are available in many standad sizes - six inch diameter for example. Amplifiers can be placed at a convenient place anywhere so that it can be connected with wires to all the speakers as well as the stereo.

Once you've worked all this out, you're pretty much ready to install your system. This varies greatly between cars, but one point is the same across the board: make sure your car is off, and the battery disconnected, when you work on it! The car and the stereo should both come with manuals outlining how to install them, and beyond that it's up to your determination and sweat. A final piece of advice - don't run amplifier wires inside the car cab. It makes people nervous.