Visit Auto Image For the Widest Selection Of Luxury Car Audio Products In New Jersey
In the world of car audio, quality and performance are paramount. A superior sound system can transform your dull daily commute into an immersive experience, making every drive more enjoyable. If you’re considering upgrading your car’s audio system, you may be wondering where to start and how far your budget will take you.
In this blog, we’ll explore the best aftermarket car audio accessories, including head units, speakers, and subwoofers, and how each component contributes to the overall stereo arrangement. We’ll also discuss the value of professional car audio installation and how it ensures your products perform as intended.
Aftermarket Head Units: The Brains Of the Operation
You can spend all you want on high-end luxury car audio speakers and subs, but it won’t amount to much if you don’t have a strong signal coming through. An aftermarket head unit is the source of your car audio’s signal that’s sent to connected components. Head units also serve as the main interface that allows you to control the volume, media sources, features, and other settings.
Because head units play such a significant role in audio quality, power, and user experience, we always recommend prioritizing it ahead of other upgrades you may be considering.
Our car audio product pick: Alpine iLX-W670 digital multimedia receiver
When compared to other receivers, this Alpine head unit falls in the meatiest part of the bell curve in terms of price, performance, and features. It delivers everything a listener wants out of a car stereo while leaving the door open for subsequent upgrades in the future.
Alpine iLX-W670 head unit key features include:
- 6.75″ capacitive touchscreen
- Built-in amplifier (16 watts RMS/50 peak x 4 channels)
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Satellite radio ready
- 13-band graphic equalizer
Take Your Car Audio Up a Notch With Aftermarket Speakers
If you’re tested the limits of your factory car speakers, you may have noticed they struggle at high volumes, are prone to distortion, and lack nuance. Truth be told, car manufacturers are more concerned with the engine and features that affect performance and handling. Car audio is low on their list of priorities, which is why most factory speakers tend to be underpowered.
Fortunately, there’s no shortage of aftermarket alternatives for drivers to consider. After swapping out your factory speakers for an upgrade, the quality of playback significantly improves. Not only will you be able to hit higher volumes that were previously unachievable, but you’ll also notice your music is rich with detail and nuance, especially if you invested in a high-quality head unit.
Our car audio product pick: Focal ES 165K
The Focal ES 165K Elite K2 Power Series 6-1/2″ component speaker system includes two woofers and two inverted dome tweeters that represent the very best in French car audio engineering.
Constructed from Kevlar, glass-fiber, and Focal’s new Tuned Mass Damper® rubber surround, these speakers can handle bass-heavy tracks without flinching. Plus, having dedicated dome tweeters in the arrangement means high-frequency tracks will sound magnifique.
Focal ES 165K component speaker system key specs and features include:
- 6 -100 watts RMS power range (200 watts peak power)
- 60 – 22,000 Hz frequency response
- 90.8 dB at 2.83 V sensitivity
- 4-ohm impedance
- 2-way external crossover with 3 tweeter level settings
How Low Can Your Car Audio System Go? Exploring Aftermarket Subwoofers
A subwoofer is a speaker designed to reproduce low-frequency sounds, adding depth and booming qualities to your music. Powerful subwoofers are a must-have for any bass enthusiast; however, there are three main pitfalls to be mindful of.
- Don’t invest in powered subwoofers until you have a quality head unit in place.
- Don’t forget to factor in how much physical space subwoofers will take up in your vehicle, especially if you go with vented speakers, which tend to run much larger.
- Don’t forget about soundproofing. Powered bass speakers can rattle the metal in your vehicle, causing unwanted noise and decreasing the quality of playback. You can address this problem by investing in sound deadening materials.
Our car audio product pick: JL Audio CS112LG-TW3
JL Audio’s Sealed PowerWedge™ enclosure with 12″ TW3 subwoofer delivers high-quality boom without taking up a lot of room. Capable of handling up to 400 watts RMS, the JL Audio sub delivers clean yet powerful basslines, thanks to its sealed, airtight design. This car subwoofer is perfect for listeners who want to achieve powerful low frequencies without overpowering other elements of the music.
JL Audio’s Sealed PowerWedge™ key specs and features include:
- 22-200 Hz frequency response
- 100-400 watts RMS power handling
- 82 dB sensitivity
- 2-ohm total impedance
- 5/8″ medium density fiberboard construction with black carpet covering
- Steel-mesh grille
Create and Customize Your Car Audio System At Auto Image
Aftermarket car audio products will enhance your cabin experience, so take the next step toward building an arrangement that’s compatible with your vehicle and suits your listening preferences. Achieving a well-balanced and powerful sound system means correctly pairing individual car audio components.
The best way to receive professional guidance on creating a car audio system is by visiting Auto Image at our Brick or East Brunswick location. Not only do we carry a large selection of aftermarket car subwoofers, speakers, and head units, but we also perform professional car audio installation. Entrusting your installation to our experienced technicians ensures that your car audio products work as intended without compromising the look and feel of your interior.
Set up a personalized car audio shopping appointment by sending us an email using our contact form. One of our resident audiophiles will be happy to walk you through your options so that you can build the perfect sound system for your needs, preferences, and budget.
