Car Audio in Minneapolis
A car stereo is a product category whose owners always seem to be in need of
upgrading. By the time you’ve selected and installed your new system, there
is already a better amplifier, a more efficient subwoofer, or a head unit
with more advanced features available. While some vehicle owners are quite
satisfied with the stock factory stereo that came installed at the point of
purchase, for others it’s a hobby in need of perpetual amendment and
improvement. And there is certainly no lack of upgrades, as new and exciting
products hit the store shelves with predictable regularity.
Basic Upgrades
While original-equipment car audio has advanced lightyears from
what our stereos in the ‘80s used to be, there is still much
improvement that is made possible with high-quality aftermarket
equipment. Even a new head unit, basic amplifier, and good
quality car speakers can redefine music reproduction. A simple
upgrade with a modest cost can deliver some fairly amazing
results.
Better Upgrades
For those who have already taken the plunge into aftermarket car
audio, one constant we are all aware of is that there’s always
room for better and more. Upgrading amplifiers, getting better
speakers, adding a subwoofer or two, experimenting with
parametric equalization—this is where the audio hobbyist can be
seen in his or her natural environment.
Ultimate Upgrades
Finally, there are those of us who dabble in our own little
niches—that of the audio purist. For us, the words “good enough”
don’t exist, and the word “custom” is an invitation to play.
When subwoofer enclosures are hand-crafted of fiberglass, a
dedicated deep-cycle battery is allocated just for your power
amps, and there is no longer a back seat in your vehicle, you
know you’ve graduated to this level.
Admittedly, this can become an expensive hobby. Great car audio gear can be
costly, and for those who dabble in the finer performance equipment, it can
consume a fair amount of finances. Owners will try to recoup some of their
initial investments by liquidating existing components and then purchasing
the newer ones. It may be as simple as replacing their head unit with one
that offers Bluetooth connectivity for their phone, or something more
elaborate such as getting a bigger subwoofer, amplifier, and specialized
crossover for their new SUV.
Whatever the case, those upgraded components provide great opportunities to
upgrade for others or for those who are starting out from scratch. At Metro
Pawn & Gun, our mobile electronics selection includes all of the components
you could ever need, whether you are building a custom system or just need
to update that factory stereo for a bit better performance:
Head Unit
The automotive head unit provides a unified control interface
for all the hardware components that comprise your mobile
entertainment system. These may be a simple as an in-dash AM/FM
CD player or sophisticated enough to include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth,
GPS, dash cams, high-definition video, security, and much more.
Amplifier
Ever since the invention of the triode vacuum tube in 1907,
amplification has evolved into solid state and digital
architectures, and taken many forms from home entertainment to
commercial venues to the car stereos of today. An automotive
amplifier performs the same function as any other amplifier, but
allows for much higher fidelity than what is typically offered
in OEM (original equipment manufacturer) vehicle audio systems.
These amplifiers may be tasked with operating full-range
speakers, range-specific separate drivers, or subwoofers.
Speakers
A loudspeaker translates electrical signals into music by
causing the speaker diaphragm and voice coil assembly to move
back and forth, pushing on air to generate sound waves.
Identical in function to other dynamic drivers, car speakers can
be tailored to the acoustic environment of the vehicle in which
they will operate by incorporating specific design properties
and installation techniques.
Subwoofer
Subs are loudspeakers designed to specifically reproduce low
frequencies, known as bass and sub-bass. They are particularly
useful in car audio as they augment the performance of other
low-frequency woofer elements, which are typically limited in
their bass output due to the inherently smaller size of the car
speakers they are a part of.
Enclosures
Unlike an infinite-baffle configuration in which loudspeakers
operate without a specific amount of back-pressure to the
driver, enclosures can be used to tune speakers to very precise
tolerances, improving the accuracy of their performance.
Enclosures range in style from a simple box to complex
computer-design cabinets that utilize composite materials,
internal baffles, horns, ports and acoustic insulation.
Accessories
Automotive entertainment accessories may include audio cables,
power distribution components, external video monitors,
equalizers, remotes, dedicated power capacitors, and other
custom apparatus.
Your Car Audio Headquarters
When people upgrade their systems to something newer, where does most of
this equipment end up? Perhaps it makes its way to their friends system,
eBay, or quite often, Metro Pawn & Gun. We see
car stereo equipment come into our shop that has barely even been broken in,
which is a great thing if you’re looking to upgrade your own system, as
well. So why pay full price when you can purchase great equipment at a
significant savings? You may not have the need for a Bluetooth connection in
your system, so that recently upgraded, perfectly functional deck might be
exactly what you need—and for a lot less than it would cost to buy brand
new,as well.
If car audio is your passion, we invite you to stop in and see what we have
to offer. We pawn, buy and sell quality
equipment, and our knowledgeable staff can help you with all of your
automotive entertainment needs. Give us a
call, stop on by or send us a
message to see what we have in
stock for car stereos today!