‘Car audio’ is a general term describing the sound system fitted inside an automobile. Similarly, the term ’stock car audio system’ refers to the sound system specified by the manufacturer when the car was built. A custom car audio installation, on the other hand, can involve anything from upgrading of the radio head-unit to a full-scale modification of the car based around its audio equipment - such as subwoofers, stereo CD changers, etc..
Most commonly used audio equipment is the radio/tape player/CD player/DVD Player which is generically described as a Head unit. Recent developments in head unit technology have been the addition of CD players with MP3, WMA, AAC, and USB, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi support.
A lot of modern cars have at least a CD player or CD recorder and some have the option of installing a car stereo CD changer, that keeps multiple disks either in the head unit or in a separate one usually placed in a trunk / console. The principal kinds of CD changers are External or Internal Cartridges, or Carousel CD changers.
Stereophonic sound, commonly called stereo, is the reproduction of sound using two or more independent audio channels in way to create a natural impression of sound heard from various directions, similar to that in natural hearing. In popular usage, car audio stereos usually mean 2-channel sound recording and sound reproduction using data for more than one speaker simultaneously.
During the time of mono radio, the most common speaker location was in the middle of the dashboard pointing through perforations towards the front windshield. With the advent of stereo system, car audio speakers are located in doors and rear parcel shelves in modern cars. High-end or competition stereo systems like car stereo CD changers have speakers mounted in kick panel enclosures, allowing for larger drivers and better driver placement.
Amplifiers are there to provide the power for the speakers, and they are rated in watts of power that they provide. Any good system of good car audio speakers requires high-quality amplifiers, and also needs speakers able to handle all of the power that the amplifiers are putting out, or else the amplifiers are largely being wasted.
Car audio stereos have become standard inclusions in most modern vehicles, with the option to choose from a variety of car stereo cd changers, which hold multiple CDs either in the main unit or in the trunk or console. Most common types are External Cartridge, Internal Cartridge and Carousel CD changers. They typically use two channels, each providing data for several speakers. As with natural hearing, sound appears to come from various directions. A good car audio speaker system must have an amplifier. Be sure that the total handling capacity of the car audio speakers connected to the amplifier is greater than the power amplifier.