There’s nothing quite like a good sounding audio system in your car as you cruise down the road with your favorite tunes. But when it comes to choosing car audio equipment it can be a bit overwhelming. With so many car stereo systems and components on the market it’s tough to figure out where you start.

The first thing you need to do is decide what it is you want to do. Yes I know you want to play your tunes but you need to build a system that works for the type of music you are going to be listening to and how you want to listen to it. If you are going to be competing in car audio sound contests you’ll need a much different system then if you are going to be listening to your music during your daily drives.

For daily use you can put together a great sounding car audio system for between $500 and $800. A good bass systems going to run your bill up a bit more.

Before buying your system do you’re planning. Decide where you want to put your speakers, how many you want, and what size you’ll need. Where are you going to put your amp, your subwoofer, are you looking for a 6 pack? Plan out what you want, what will fit, and you’ll have a lot easier time choosing your audio system.

The first piece you’ll need to choose is your CD Tuner. Start with a good quality head unit that has room for expandability in the future. Choose a screen that’s well lit and preferably with a remote. Sounds unnecessary but it makes using your system much easier and distracts you less while driving.

You should consider CD changer controls that have the Sirius controls in case you decide to add Satellite radio in the future. You might not want it now but it is the up and coming radio of the future. Look for dual RCA outputs as well. If you are going to be competing you’ll want a pause button. And a detachable face plate is a must have for insurance purpose and to detract thieves.

The higher the voltage line driver the higher the voltage to your amp which means better sound with less noise. It improves the sound quality dramatically!!

Once you’ve chosen your head unit you need to decide what type of amplifier and subwoofer you want. Remember if the price sounds too good, it is. You really do get what you pay for in stereo equipment. Two subwoofers same size, one sells for $50 the other for $400. Believe me they may look the same but they are not. The $400 sub is going to have far superior sound. Don’t be fooled by looks.

You also need to make sure the subwoofer you choose is compatible with your amp, and that it will fit in the space you have available. You can buy subwoofers anywhere from 8” to 18” so you’ve got good selection. Makes sure the ohms of the sub are compatible with your amp. You can build your own subwoofer enclosure or you can buy a prefab one which is far easier and usually lands up being cheaper.

Always run the highest quality RCA cables and speaker cables you can afford. The difference in sound is very noticeable. You might need an additional capacitor for your amp to provide more power for your subwoofer. You may also require an electronic crossover, an equalizer, and ground cables.

If your speakers are the stock car speakers you’ll want to replace them as well with a higher end speaker that will give you the quality sound your deck and amp are capable of producing. Generally factory car speakers are low to mid range.

Set your budget and then stick to it. Buy the best components you can for the money you have to spend. If your budget is smaller then buy the basics now and add on as you can afford to. This is better than buying all the components now but buying lower quality.

Remember the type of music you listen to will directly influence the type of car audio system you need. Strong bass music requires adequate subwoofers and a powerful amp. On the other hand if you listen to soft rock or classical you’ll need a speaker system that can pick up the entire audio spectrum of that style of music.

A quality car audio system can make your day to day commutes much more enjoyable, and it’s definitely a great investment for longer journeys as well. If you love your music then purchasing a quality car audio system only makes sense!