From time to time we receive emails from readers who like to think. One recent expert asked, "Is there a way to make car speakers louder without an amplifier?"
Obviously, not all cars have speaker quality or volume levels that will make your setup jealous. These two problems—along with poor speaker placement—can prevent you from enjoying your favorite tunes.
Making your speakers louder without an amplifier sounds counterintuitive, but believe it or not, there are some simple ways to improve the sound of your car audio system and increase the volume of your speakers a little without using an amplifier.
These tips don't require a significant investment, and you don't have to spend money on every aspect to get a great-sounding car audio system. However, follow a few of these and hopefully your time in the car will improve significantly.
Myths and truth about the car audio system
All expensive vehicles have exceptionally good “sound” - such a judgment would be erroneous, because the manufacturer does not expect to meet a music lover on a test drive; there are quite a few such people. The following phrase also belongs to the myths: a high-quality audio system is extremely important only for professional musicians.
Car audio system
A modern person, even if he is the owner of an UAZ, wants to enjoy all the delights of innovation, so he will definitely notice errors in the sound. But there are also truthful judgments:
- Without decent noise insulation, it is difficult to achieve good reproduction.
- If you do not improve the quality of the speakers in your car, the comfort and safety of the driver will be at risk.
- Only a specialist can install and configure correctly.
When studying the technical characteristics of a new audio system, the driver only imagines it in action, so it is better to draw conclusions after direct listening.
OPTION 3 - processor-based audio system with a built-in amplifier
In principle, in my opinion, only with this option does truly high-quality sound begin. And it is important to understand that this option is also basic, far from maximum, but sufficient to compete with basic standard sound, factory systems JBL, Bose,
So, in this option, the most important thing is the ability to combine a compact and quick installation with maximum capabilities:
- full per-channel amplification (usually we use a processor with a built-in eight-channel amplifier, which allows us to connect 8 speakers per channel, and this is often enough for front + rear + sub or three-way front + sub, or other combinations)
- development of the audio signal of a standard unit (almost never seen a correct, even frequency response in factory radios - somewhere the tops are raised, somewhere the low frequencies are cut off, somewhere it jumps like a roller coaster - imagine how good the sound will be with such a signal?)
- savings on connections - high-quality installation of an amplifier costs a lot, so when an audio system is built on one amplifier, it saves both time and money
There are many examples of work with this audio system configuration in our practice:
Replacing the standard sound of a 2022 Mercedes A-Class V177 with a processor audio system
Replacing the stock sound of a Ford Edge with a new processor audio system
Replacing the standard sound of a Lexus RX 200t with an Audison Prima processor audio system
How much does it cost? The cost of developing and installing a processor-based audio system varies from $2,500 to $3,500, including audio preparation for four doors, speakers (there can be many variations depending on each specific case), spacer rings, processor with amplifier, wires and accessories for connecting the amplifier, subwoofer (may not always be part of the system - for example, if we are talking about replacing sound in a BMW), installation and connection of all equipment, setting up the processor.
Advantages of option 3:
- Controllable sound with a beautiful live stage, the ability to customize exactly for you
- Easy to install (only need to find room for one amplifier)
- Fast - can be implemented in 2-4 days
Causes of bad sound and how to improve it
The fault for interference or excess noise, as well as quiet playback, lies with one of the components of the entire speaker system. To understand the problem and take effective measures, you should start from the first point of the overall chain and carefully examine even the smallest details. Often, drivers are forced to install additional devices, such as amplifiers or a new radio, in order to improve the sound of the speakers in the car; the final result of the work also depends on the equalizer settings.
Power supply for the radio
The power supply to the radio must be stable, that is, it should not sag under heavy loads. You can see such drawdowns without a measuring tool. To do this, with the engine off, turn on the music and turn up the volume. You will certainly see how the brightness of the radio display begins to dim during bass playback. At these moments, the device just does not have enough power.
If a similar effect is observed when the engine is running, then the power supply to the radio is unstable. The reason for such drawdowns must be sought in the wires, generator and voltage regulator. The first thing you need to pay attention to is the wires. They should be as large a cross-section as possible, and at the joints they should not be oxidized, broken, and so on.
Voltage sags can be more accurately measured using a multimeter. To do this, it is enough to measure the voltage at the battery terminals while the speakers are operating at high volume. If, when playing bass, it drops by more than half a volt, then the radio is “choking” from lack of power. Naturally, she will not play well in such conditions.
Implementation of amplifiers
If you take drastic measures and are serious about the task at hand, then every person can improve the sound of the speakers in the car doors with their own hands.
Without confidence in your personal abilities, you should turn to specialists, as in the case of installing an amplifier, because the addition requires certain knowledge of radio engineering.
The circuit component can have a beneficial effect on the sound signal that comes from the radio and goes to the speaker; to strengthen the front and rear doors, you should choose a 4-channel model.
Turning off Demo mode
Immediately after purchasing and connecting the radio, you should figure out how to disable the demo mode, intended for displaying the device in the store. It is possible to use the radio in this mode, but it is inconvenient, since when you turn it off, the backlight does not go out, and inscriptions with various information run across the display.
Disabling demo mode is very simple:
- We go to the hidden menu by turning off the radio and holding down the SRC button.
- In the menu, turn the wheel to reach the DEMO item.
- Switch demo mode from ON to OFF.
- Exit the menu using the BAND button.
You can also set the date and time in the hidden menu by going to the System section. The time display is switched here (12/24 hour mode). Then open the “Clock Settings” item and turn the wheel to set the time. In the System section there is also a language setting (English/Russian).
If your settings are reset when you turn off the ignition, the article “how to connect a radio” has the answer to this question
