Shopping CartQ: Ive just bought a car and want to install a new audio system where should I start?
A: Keep your end goal in mind. If your ultimate aim is to have a great system, it is false economy to start off by buying a cheap head unit. Buy right the first time a good head unit doesnt have to cost the earth it depends on your musical taste whether you want to add subs and amps or speakers, so come in and have a chat with one of our experts.
Q: Can I run my sub off my head unit (CD player/radio)?
A: No.
Q: Can I run speakers and subs off one amp?
A: Generally speaking, no. There are exceptions to this, but they are few and far between.
Q: Can I fit 6 x 9s to the back of my car by cutting the metal?
A: Not without spacing see us for custom rear tray options. In addition, it is illegal to cut structural metal of a vehicle, and you wont get a warrant of fitness if you do so.
Q: Can I put 6 x 9s in the front of my car?
A: Oval speakers put out a different sound to circular ones, which would sound better.
Q: Do I need to buy a big head unit, as the hole in my car seems large?
A: We have fit-kits and pockets available, so you dont need to worry about something seeming over-sized.
Q: What size amp do I need to run 1300W sub?
A: 1300W is the peak value. RMS is the important value to be aware of and it needs to be matched to the amplifier, ideally with the amp being a little more powerful than the sub.
Q: What is the difference between 10, 12 and 15-inch subs?
A: The larger the cone area, the deeper the bass output, but the slower it moves. So, 15 goes low and is good for R & B and music with low bass; 12 is a good compromise sub that suits everything and 10 is good for rock and music that is not so deep on bass.
Q: Are the new head units with all the bells and whistles easy to use?
A: Yes we can set them up for you and then all you need to worry about is the volume control.
Q: Quality of sound reproduction is important to me. How can I achieve that in my car?
A: Good speakers and amps and a head unit with enough control to allow us to adjust it, will give you fantastic sound quality.
Q: How can I hear any decent music over road noise?
A: Talk to us about sound-deadening your doors, which will reduce road noise and improve the efficiency of your door speakers.
Car Audio 101 Glossary
Head unit: CD/radio/DVD/MP3/I-Pod player - how the whole audio/video system is controlled. This can be factory-fitted or custom.
Woofer: A mid-range speaker designed to reproduce mid-range sound and bass only.
Tweeter: Very small speaker to reproduce treble only.
Crossover: A device to split frequencies, so the woofer only receives mid-range and bass and the tweeter only receives treble.
Components/splits: This is a woofer with a separate tweeter and separate crossover that can be installed to maximize sound reproduction.
Subs: Not always designed for boom-boom, but intended to put low end in the bass.
Amps: Amplifiers Gives you an increase in quality and volume through speakers necessary to provide the wattage to run subs.
RCA: A cable for sending a musical signal, as in RCA lead
SPL: Sound pressure level a way of measuring air pressure to indicate bass volume, measured in decibels (DB).
RMS: Root means squared a mathematical equation for working out true speaker value - not speaker output, but input what a speaker needs to achieve peak sound quality.