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JC Installs are proud stockists of New Zealand's leading brands of car audio, car stereos, headunits, amplifiers, speakers and subwoofers. JC Installs is also one of New Zealands leading installers of all of the best car audio products and we can provide the technical expertise to help you get the most value when it comes to installing a car audio system into your vehicle.
CAR STEREOS AND HEAD UNITS
Apple CarPlay Car Stereo Head Units
Android Auto Car Stereo Head Units
Car Stereo or Head Unit, What is it?
All car stereos feature a head unit. If you are going to improve your car audio system then the first thing you should do is install a a quality head unit.
When the head unit is attached to some speakers and an amplifier and maybe a subwoofer, the head unit becomes a car stereo. The head unit itself has a number of common names such as:
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Car Radio.
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Car Stereo.
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Vehicle Stereo.
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Vehicle Entertainment System.
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The Automotive Head Unit.
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Vehicle Control Centre.
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Car Receiver.
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Deck.
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In Dash Stereo.
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and Dash Stereo.
For all intents and purposes, the head unit itself is the nerve-centre of the cars entertainment system and now-a-days it is also the control centre for other car electronics such as the reversing cameras, heater controls.
For safety the head unit also connects to your cellphone so you can take and receive calls or stream music from your cellphone.
A good head unit comes from a reputable brand and should provide a responsive and unified hardware interface for your entire auto sound and security system.
There are at least six (6) reasons to get an upgrade in your factory or existing head unit:
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Upgrade and expand your entertainment options: Radio, USB, Bluetooth, WIF, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.
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Upgrade and have a safe link to your smart phone via Bluetooth, Android Auto or Apple Carplay for safe, hands-free calls while driving.
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Upgrade and have a safe link to your smart phone for navigation and destination information via map applications like Google maps, Waze or Apple Maps.
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Upgrade and increase the overall sound quality and performance of your in car entertainment experience by providing the driver and passengers with precise control over volume, band, frequency, speaker balance, speaker fade, bass, treble, EQ and more.
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Upgrade and obtain easy integration with amplifiers, speakers, and security systems, in-car entertainment and more.
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Upgrade for a better functioning better looking unit that the factory or existing unit.
JC Installs has a an outstanding range of expertly sourced, quality brand, car stereo head units. These head units are sourced from the quality car audio manufacturers including Kenwood, JVC, Alpine, Sony, Pioneer.
In all shapes and sizes including single din, double din, and media control with floating screens are available.
Talk to us about what’s important to you and we can match the perfect head unit. Ask about our car head unit installation.
Size standards, Which car headunit is the right fit for my vehicle or car?
When you're searching for a headunit there are generally foru (4) things you should consider out the gate:
1.) Size.
2.) Usability.
3.) Features.
Size standards are therefore important to know about when you are considering a new head unit.
An original standard head unit size is ISO 7736, developed by the Deutsches Institut für Normung hence the name DIN:
If it is a in dash head unit then it will come in Double DIN or Single DIN.
Single DIN (180 mm × 50 mm or 7.09 in × 1.97 in) headunits are available as standard in cars made in Europe, South America, and Australasia these are a compact size that easily fits into a dashboard, but the unit is not tall enough to accommodate a video display.
Double DIN (180 mm × 100 mm or 7.09 in × 3.94 in) head units are avaliable as standard in cars manufactured in Japan, the UK, and North America. They are double the height of the single DIN, a video display or touchscreen can be fitted to support manufacturer GUIs, Android Auto, and/or Apple CarPlay.
Double DIN is also written as 2 DIN and double din.
For both single and double DIN units, ISO 10487 is the connectors standard for connecting the head unit to the car's electrical system.
There are benefits to each type of headunits.
Single Din Car Stereo Head Units:
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Can be fitted into half the space of a double din providing a extra pocket space below or above depending on your needs.
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Are more cost effective because they do not have a larger display.
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They have external buttons which are sometimes easier to operate.
Double Din Car Stereo Head Units:
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A big ol' display that can be configured to your needs in most instances.
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The touch screen makes it easy to operate your Android Auto or Apple CarPlay device in most instances.
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Streaming music can be controlled with the touch screen.
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EQ can be adjusted from the internal options on the touch screen.
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Audio timing can also be adjusted from the internal options on the touch screen.
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Phone book and custom message options are easily available.
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There is a option to play video on many double din units that feature a screen.
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If the double din unit has buttons instead of a screen, these buttons are usually bigger and make mode navigation and options selection very easy.
When replacing these standard units JC Installs can supply and install either a double din replacement or a single din replacement into your vehicle. So regardless of what vehicle make and model you have now, JC Installs has a unit that will fit your vehicle.
CAR STEREO AND HEAD UNIT SIZE STANDARDS
Single Din Car Stereo Head Units
Double Din Car Stereo Head Units
AMPLIFIED DIGITAL SOUND PROCESSORS AND DIGITAL SOUND PROCESSORS
Amplified Digital Sound Processors
Digital Sound Processors
Amplified Digital Sound Processors and Digital Signal Processors
In many modern vehicles the in car entertainment system cannot be easily replaced if you want to improve upon the sound.
In addition, some classic cars may want to keep their classic vehicle stereo with a eight (8) track player, a cassette player, a mini disc player, or a compact disc player to keep the original look whilst significantly improving the quality of sound in the vehicle.
This is where a Amplified Digital Sound Processor or a Digital Sound Process or or Digital Signal Processor comes in to play. They are both commonly referred to as DSP's
You probably already own a DSP on one of your other devices (such as your headphones or smart phone). The DSP will often process the sound before it reaches your ear.
A DSP is a dedicated processor for sound, a processor dedicated to number-crunching digital signals like audio. A DSP performs mathematical functions like addition and subtraction at high speed with minimal energy consumption and this allows a audio technician to customize the output and input sound to each speaker. This has several uses:
Generally speaking, there are two (2) types of of digital signal processors:
DSP with physical controllers.
DSP's with physical controllers are a more old school style of DSP. The physical controller allows the user to change the settings of the DSP manually at any time. For example, if you are travelling in your car and notice that an output to a certain speaker needs to be adjusted to suit the music being played or audio being played, then, this can be done quickly by adjusting the manual control. The DSP will need to be accessible, and it's not the kind of item you want to mount under your seat. (Unless you have a Amplified DSP with a Bluetooth dongle attached like the one available on the ZAPCO DSP III Series of Amplified DSP's).
DSPs with remote electronic control.
DSP's controlled by an separate electronic device (Computer, Laptop, Tablet, Smartphone) are the modern solution to DSP control. Your device will most likely connects to the DSP by way of a USB cable or through a wireless Bluetooth dongle. The software these DSP's come with are truly outstanding and give the user, or the technician a significant amount of control.
DSP software is always packing some serious versatility in the tool department such as:
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A wide array of frequency bands to adjust.
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Multiple and intricate setups.
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Specific wave function control.
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Specific band selection.
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Output voltage moderation.
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Input voltage moderation.
These features lead to some outstanding systems being installed in any vehicle and are such a joy to work with for audio technicians in the car audio field.
JC Installs recommends DSP's to many customers. Feel free to contact us about our recommendations on DSP's.
Speakers
There is a smorgasbord of speakers on the market with something to suit every music style, and how hard you listen.
There are two systems: full-range speakers, containing all speaker elements, and a component system that includes separate woofers, tweeters, and external crossovers designed to work in concert with one other.
A simpler way to look at speakers would be to divide car audio speakers into two (2) categories:
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Component Speakers.
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Rull Range Speakers.
Given the aforementioned, it could be argued that the best possible sound for your car audio experience comes from audio systems built with component speakers.
Component speakers generally have superior design elements that utilize (utilise) high end materials.
Component speakers also use multiple drivers for optimal sound production and configurable sound quality.
Individual component speaker drivers are designed to operate within their own ideal range of frequencies, these frequencies are based on testing and refining the materials and structure of the speakers components (such as the cradle and the speaker material).
Components are often made of better materials than full range speakers, allowing them to produce detailed and dynamic sounds.
Quality component car audio systems typically consist of separate woofers, tweeters, and external crossovers.
Each of the components is configured using a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), Amplifiers, and Crossovers and are designed to produce high quality sound by working together.
With a component speaker system, the JC Installs technicians can mount drivers in different locations around the car so the sound will have greater depth and clarity.
A JC Installs technician will combine component speakers with a crossover network, external from the tweeter and woofer, so internal components can be of higher quality, ensuring a sharp delineation between the frequencies sent to different drivers.
Components and JC Installs are a winning combination.
Full Range or Coaxial speakers have their uses as well. They are typically used to replace your vehicles factory speakers.
Full Range speakers:
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Replace existing car audio speakers without too much effort.
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Are more cost effective in certain circumstances.
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May have midrange or supertweeter drivers.
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Consist of all the speaker elements in one, with a woofer for low bass sounds and a tweeter for high notes.
Other Types of Speakers
There are other types of speakers in a car audio system.
Subwoofers
Subwoofers are the best type of speaker for reproducing the lowest of low frequency sounds. (To quote the mighty Nicki Manaj, that Super Bass.)
Subwoofers do require an enclosure and a power amplifier to operate, and they range in size from six (6) inches to twenty (20) inches.
Some subwoofers are specialized (specialised) and come in special packages which are desigend with amps and boxes specific to the type fo subwoofer and the type fo sound the subwoofer produces such as those available in the JC Installs sub and amp combo packages.
Midbass
Midbass speakers are the generalist of the car audio world. Midbass speakers are versatile speakers that reproduce deep sound in the mid-to low-bass frequencies. Sounds like bass drums and lower octave vocals sound solid on this type of speaker. check out our 6.5 inch to 8 inch speaker pages for more information as mid bass speakers play different roles in component and full range systems.
Midrange
Midrange speakers reproduce frequencies in the middle of the audio spectrum that midbass and tweeters can’t reproduce with as much detail and accuracy. Midrange drivers range in size from 3.5 inches to 6.5 inches.
Tweeters
Tweeters produce the highest sound frequencies. Tweeters also provide clarity and detail to voices and instruments. Tweeters are also excellent at reproducing Cymbal and Hi Hat sound. The smallest speakers in a car audio system (0.5 to 1.5 inches in size), tweeters are typically placed higher in the car than sub woofers when installed in a component car audio system.
In a full range coaxial system, tweeters are mounted in the middle of a midrange speaker or a woofer.
You should consider these important features to find the right speakers for your car audio system.
Sensitivity
When correctly powered, speakers produce optimal sound quality. Sensitivity refers to the amount of sound speakers reproduce based on the power supplied from the car stereo headunit, DSP, or source. A low-powered, factory-installed car stereo with a power rating of 15 watts RMS per channel or less, can pair well with speakers if the speakers have a high sensitivity rating (usually sensitivity over ninety decibels (90 dB).
If you have a high-powered aftermarket stereo system or an external amplifier with a power rating of sixteen watts (16W) RMS (or more) then your best option is to choose speakers with low-sensitivity ratings.
The general rule of thumb is to match low-powered car stereos head units or DSP's with high-sensitivity speakers, and high-powered car stereo head units or DSP's with low-sensitivity speakers to get the best sound.
Power Handling
Like the classic hypnotic street soul jam written and produced by Michael Münzing and Luca Anzilotti (under the pseudonyms Benito Benites and John "Virgo" Garrett III) "The Power" provides, power (in watts) is what you have to have to handle the sound coming out of a speaker. A low-powered car audio system won’t need to handle a lot of power and can have a low power handling system (typically, a maximum RMS power handling of 2 to 50 watts RMS).
But if your system has powerful external amplifiers, the power handling of the speakers must be near the same power output of the amplifiers.
Pivoting or Swivelling Tweeters
Tweeters produce sound with directional high frequencies. Full-range speakers with pivoting or swivelling tweeters can be aimed toward the listener for greater depth and more realistic sound. These are ideal if you are replacing the speakers low in the door of the vehicle.
External Crossovers
Component systems typically utilise passive external crossovers. Passive external crossovers produce clean separation between the frequencies sent to the woofer and tweeter. This separation allows for a cleaner sound that is more efficient.
External crossovers assist the tweeter and woofer by preventing them from wasting energy while trying to reproduce frequencies they’re not supposed to reproduce.
Many crossovers also have extra input terminals for bi-amping—connecting two (2) sets of cables, with each set carrying a signal from a separate amplifier or amp channel.
Bi-amping allows dedicated amplification for both high-frequency drivers (tweeters) and low-frequency drivers (woofers).
Matching Your Speakers to Your Vehicle
A JC Installs technician can assist you to find speakers that will match your vehicle’s make and model, as well as match the stereo system. The technician can check the size of the speakers you already have so you can choose a new set of speakers that are the same size. Alternately, you can install new speakers in a different size with the help of the car audio professionals at JC Installs. JC Installs will customize the space to fit the speakers you want.
JC Installs can also help you choose a subwoofer and box enclosure based on the available space in your trunk or car if you want to add more depth to your sound system.
For more tips on finding the right speakers for your vehicle, visit JC Installs, your local car audio experts.
With the right speakers, you will improve your listening experience and make your music sound the way it’s meant to be heard.
SPEAKERS
Speakers
4 Inch Speakers
6.5 Inch Speakers
8 Inch Speakers
SOUND DEADENING
Sound Deadening
Sound Deadening
Sound deadening is all about noise control.
There are two (2) types of noise control for your vehicle:
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Active.
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Passive.
Passive Sound Deadening/Noise Control.
As the name suggests, passive sound deadening is a form of noise control that absorbs sound.
Inside a vehicle, the calm in the cabin enhances the quality of the sound experience in the vehicle buy insulating the cabin and therefore eliminating or dampening other noise sources such as:
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Road Noise.
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Street Noise.
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Refracted Audio from Other Vehicles.
If you want to improve the driving experience and sound experience in any vehicle, sound deadening, installed correctly, is definitely the way to go.
Active Sound Deadening/Noise Control/Active Sound Design (ASD).
As the name suggests, Active Sound Control is a speaker system developed to specifically cancel out noises in the cabin of your vehicle using speakers. It has a interesting history.
The first instance of in-vehicle active noise canceling (ANC) was developed by Lotus and featured in the 1992 Nissan Bluebird. In 2009, Lotus partnered with Harman International for an improved ANC system that eliminated noise from the road, tires, and vehicle chassis. With recent demand for economical and cleaner combustion engine vehicles, engine systems have become more efficient but less audibly appealing to consumers. Electric and fuel cell vehicles operate with high-pitched tones, lacking the recognizable sound of a typical combustion engine. With ASD, both combustion and electric vehicle manufacturers aim to improve the reception of these vehicles by increasing the quality of interior and exterior vehicle sound.
JC Installs can audio profile some vehicles during tuning to assist already existing Active Sound Design. However, the best way to do this still remains passive sound control. This is particularly true for older vehicles or modified vehicles.
JC Installs has the right expertise and experience to fit sound deadening into your car. It is a bit of a artform and to achieve the best results it definitely requires a consultation.
For more tips on finding the right speakers for your vehicle, visit JC Installs, your local car audio experts.
With the right speakers, you will improve your listening experience and make your music sound the way it’s meant to be heard.