2. misc-audio
  3. 166417-1635

Do you care about car audio?

I like nice cars and I appreciate the fact that I've been fortunate enough to lease and drive some very nice ones.  I would never drive a luxury car out of warranty, but that's not my point.  My point is, as much as I love audio, I never really had any urge to upgrade my car audio system.  Whatever came with the car was totally satisfactory to me.  Right now, my car came with a somewhat upgraded Meridian stereo, but it is not the full-blown surround/subwoofer deal.  It sounds fine and I've never wanted more than a standard decent car radio had to offer.  
Do you people have any enthusiasm for upgraded car audio as opposed to stock?  Then again, truth be told, I've never listened to the fancy car setups and I might be tempted if I thought it was that much more enjoyable.  Who knows. 
chayro
77jovian
422 posts
 
Audio matters to me wherever I am.  I’m surprised to read comments here, where many spend a lot for small improvements in a great home system but aren’t interested in large improvements that can be achieved for less money in a car.  It’s a challenge, though.  It is rare to find auto experts who are critical listeners.  And it’s tough to have any idea how a product or system will sound in a car.  Still, I wouldn’t mind spending a reasonable amount to quiet the car and improve the sound.  I spend too much time in the car not to care about the audio.
jr19
49 posts
 
4 Lexus v8 coupes since 1998. 3 were Nakamichi (sp?) which were all Wonderful. the latest has 15 speaker Mark Levinson, which is pretty good. car audio was very important to me as i spent 1hr to and from work every day. 24 hour trips to Fla every year to visit parents. twice a year as their health failed. picked up a Infinity fx-35 awd winter vehicle. neglected to check out the audio system. 11 speaker Bose system. the most Gosh awful car audio I've ever heard. only good for talk radio. less as Rush has passed. retired 12/31/20. planning to pick up a lightly used LC500 to travel the country. the ability to connect a hi rez music player is a must have. 
tcutter's avatar
tcutter
113 posts
 
Even the finest car stereo does not compete with a good home system. 
Playing loudly enough to appreciate a high end car stereo is at the least distracting if not isolating.  Both are dangerous.
Drove over 6000 miles in 16 days and did not listen to the Porsche/Bose stereo at all. Glad I did not spring for the Burmester.
wspohn's avatar
wspohn
608 posts
 
Car audio is something that you improve only if it really bothers you - it is something that has to be just good enough that you can listen to it without wincing while driving to where you have your real system at home.

There is a valid argument for upgrading speaker drivers as the stock ones are almost invariably cheap and easily improved, but beyond that, why bother. (and I say that as a guy that drove his late 1960s Lamborghini with the original 8 track stereo still installed - every time I went for fifth gear, it would push the tape in and start playing).
justgotohm
23 posts
 
Comparing home and car audio is like comparing a 911 turbo and a Hellcat, they both do the same thing, just differently. 
I’ve never personally been so distracted by listening to music to loose situational awareness, gave me a chuckle, thanks for that. 
More to discover