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How To Upgrade Your Car Speakers For Less

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How To Upgrade Your Car Speakers For Less


Richard Goodwin

09/01/2017 – 12:21pm

JBL by Harmon has a pretty awesome sale on right now, so if you’re in the market for some new car speakers you’re very much in luck

If you’re running a used car with a few miles on the clock, which isn’t brand new nor worth $20,000, chances are the stereo inside it is a bit, well… naff.

Part of the beauty of buying used cars versus leasing, besides being able to pick up yesteryear’s flagships for 70% less, is that you can tinker and mod them until your heart’s content.

And one of the best and most useful areas to upgrade is your car’s stereo system and media centre. I’m getting a new car in January (a new, used car), so I’ve been looking around at things like speakers, parking sensors and other things for my new set of wheels.

Obviously, with speakers things can get pricy pretty quickly. Like headphones, there are speakers and then there are SPEAKERS. My budget for stuff like this is always modest, no more than $100 per speaker set, $150 at a push, because I prefer to live within my means than bankrupt myself on something that isn’t 100% essential.

I always look for sales, and this time of year, January, is just about the best time of the entire year to shop around for things like this. Consumer electronics are ALWAYS cheaper in January.

Why? Simple: all the new stuff is launched at CES and MWC and retailers want to get rid of the old inventory in order to shift the new stuff.

And this is great news for the savvy shopper because you can pick up excellent kit – car stereo speakers, in the context – for a lot less than normal.

Take JBL by Harmon, these guys are now working very closely with Samsung on some secretive car project, and a glance around its website tells you why – they have some awesome car tech. Most notably, though, they have a big sale on the go right now for car stereos and speakers.

You can shop individual car speakers, car subwoofers, total car systems and car amplifier systems as well as connected car solutions.

The first thing that caught my eye when looking through the sales section was the GT7-6, which is now just $79.95 for the pair.

The 6.5in GT7-6 speakers are designed to fit in most car speaker slots – if they don’t, you can use mounting hardware – with minimal fuss. You should be installed and up and running inside five minutes or so. But this isn’t the best bit.

No, these bad boys are supremely potent, packing in JBL by Harmon’s Plus OneTM woofer cones and a frequency response that goes all the way up to 21kHz.

And these are $79 right now. You also get lifetime support, free shipping and, if they don’t fit your model or you just don’t like them, free returns.

What about subwoofers? To be honest, these aren’t a massive deal for me; I don’t like dubstep or my seats rattling while I drive. But if you’re ALL ABOUT THE BASS, you have plenty of affordable (and powerful) options. And some of them are on sale.

Take the CS1214, a 12in subwoofer with 1000 watts of peak power handling, that features a progressive spider for better sound fidelity and control while moving – even on bumpy and lumpy roads.

The sound produced by the CS1214 is apparently very large. As I said, plenty of users love bass, so if you do this is a speaker you definitely need to be looking at. For the price, specs and power it is very hard to fault the CS1214 which can be picked up for just $69.95 each

Car Amplifiers & Processors

In order to run you new speaker system, you’ll need to invest in a decent car amplifier or processor. These systems will control and drive your speakers, giving you easy access to settings and the ability to configure them just to your liking.

Again, these range in price – quite considerably. But you can pick up a very decent setup for around $150. The GX-A604, for instance, which comes equipped with both low-level and high-level inputs, allowing the you to connect it to pretty much any factory or aftermarket head unit.

If budget is a factor, the GX-A604 is the one to go for. If not, you need to check out the GTR-7535 which is a more premium setup featuring the following specs and features:

  • Peak Power: 2300W
  • 2-Ohm Power Output100Wrms x 4, <0.1% THD+N
  • Signal-to-Noise Ratio>75dB (ref 1W output @ 4 )
  • 4-Ohm Power Output75Wrms x 4, <0.1% THD+N

Complete Car Systems

But if you’re after a complete system, one that comes with all the bits you need for a complete in-car stereo system, then you’re likely better off with one of JBL by Harmon’s full car component systems.

These are cheap as well. The GTO509C, for instance, is now retailing for $249.95 per system. What’s included? Quite a bit as it goes: you get speakers, a subwoofer, tweeters and an amplifier included in the kit.

This is the one I am most interested, if I’m honest. I’ve yet to find anything as good or as comprehensive for this price. There is cheaper systems out there but none are made by brands I recognise or respect, which is a big warning sign for me when buying something new.

Other Notable Options

If you’re after something that works with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto then there is the Legend CP100, which is a touchscreen system that fits into most dashboards and uses your phone’s connectivity to access a range of applications and content like Maps, music and the like.

It’s pretty pricy at $399.95, but if using your phone as a centre piece of your car’s entertainment system is important to you, the Legend CP100 is a very comprehensive solution.

The JBL Legend CP100 is Bluetooth enabled, has a rear camera input, is steering wheel interface ready and provides turn-by-turn navigation through Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. You also get traditional AM/FM and smart phone connectivity in one package with a simple, clean interface.

I really like these systems. But I just wish they were a little cheaper – $400 is a bit too much for my budget. Nevertheless, if you’re flush or don’t really need to think about budgets, this is definitely something you should be looking at.

I love that the CP100 can connect fully with the steering wheel as well.

CP100 Specs & Features

  • Display Screen Size: 6.75in
  • LCD Type: TFT active matrix
  • Pixels: 1,152,000 (800 x 480 x 3 (RGB))
  • Illumination: LED
  • Chassis Width178 mm (7”)
  • Chassis Height100 mm (3.94”)
  • Chassis Depth142 mm (5.6”)
  • Chassis Weight1.5 kg (3.3 lbs)
  • AM Tuner
  • Tuning: 530 – 1,170 kHz
  • Frequency Range: 87.7 – 107.9 MHz
  • Sensitivity: 11 dBf (0.8 uV/75 ohms)
  • Signal-To-Noise Ratio: 60 dB
  • USB StandardUSB 1.1/2.0
  • Max Current Supply: 1.0 A USB Class: MSC (Mass Storage Class)
  • File System: FAT 16/32, NTFS File
  • VersionBluetooth: 4.0
  • Output: Power+4 dBm Max. (Power class 2)

This is just some of the stuff I found over the weekend. I’m always looking for cool modifications for my upcoming car purchase, so will update this article with more stuff as I find it.

In the meantime, if you have any suggestions for stuff like this please do leave us a note in the comments.

Cheers!

Richard Goodwin 09/01/2017 - 12:21pm

JBL by way of Harmon has an attractive superior sale on presently, so in case you’re out there for some new vehicle audio system you’re very a lot in good fortune

In case you’re operating a used vehicle with a couple of miles at the clock, which isn’t logo new nor value $20,000, likelihood is that the stereo inside of this is a bit, smartly… naff.

A part of the wonderful thing about purchasing used automobiles as opposed to leasing, but even so with the ability to pick out up yesteryear’s flagships for 70% much less, is that you'll be able to tinker and mod them till your center’s content material.

And one of the most absolute best and most precious spaces to improve is your vehicle’s stereo gadget and media centre. I’m getting a brand new vehicle in January (a brand new, used vehicle), so I’ve been taking a look round at such things as audio system, parking sensors and different issues for my new set of wheels.

Clearly, with audio system issues can get pricy lovely temporarily. Like headphones, there are audio system after which there are SPEAKERS. My price range for stuff like that is all the time modest, not more than $100 in keeping with speaker set, $150 at a push, as a result of I like to are living inside of my way than bankrupt myself on one thing that isn’t 100% very important.

I all the time search for gross sales, and this time of yr, January, is on the subject of the most productive time of all of the yr to buy round for such things as this. Shopper electronics are ALWAYS less expensive in January.

Why? Easy: all of the new stuff is introduced at CES and MWC and shops need to eliminate the previous stock with a view to shift the brand new stuff.

And that is nice information for the savvy consumer as a result of you'll be able to pick out up very good package – vehicle stereo audio system, within the context – for lots not up to commonplace.

Take JBL by Harmon, those guys at the moment are running very intently with Samsung on some secretive vehicle venture, and a look round its web site tells you why – they have got some superior vehicle tech. Maximum particularly, although, they have a big sale on the go right now for car stereos and speakers.

You'll be able to store individual car speakers, car subwoofers, total car systems and car amplifier systems as well as connected car solutions.

The very first thing that stuck my eye when taking a look in the course of the gross sales segment used to be the GT7-6, which is now just $79.95 for the pair.

The 6.5in GT7-6 audio system are designed to slot in maximum vehicle speaker slots – in the event that they don’t, you'll be able to use mounting hardware – with minimum fuss. You will have to be put in and up and operating inside of 5 mins or so. However this isn’t the most productive bit.

No, those dangerous boys are supremely potent, packing in JBL by way of Harmon’s Plus OneTM woofer cones and a frequency reaction that is going all of the means as much as 21kHz.

And those are $79 presently. You additionally get lifetime reinforce, loose delivery and, in the event that they don’t suit your style otherwise you simply don’t like them, loose returns.

What about subwoofers? To be fair, those aren’t an enormous deal for me; I don’t like dubstep or my seats damn whilst I force. However when you’re ALL ABOUT THE BASS, you might have a number of reasonably priced (and strong) choices. And a few of them are on sale.

Take the CS1214, a 12in subwoofer with 1000 watts of height energy dealing with, that includes a innovative spider for higher sound constancy and regulate whilst shifting – even on bumpy and lumpy roads.

The sound produced via the CS1214 is it sounds as if very massive. As I stated, various customers love bass, so should you do this can be a speaker you unquestionably want to be taking a look at. For the cost, specifications and tool it is very hard to fault the CS1214 which can be picked up for just $69.95 each

Car Amplifiers & Processors

So as to run you new speaker device, you’ll want to spend money on a tight vehicle amplifier or processor. Those methods will regulate and pressure your audio system, giving you quick access to settings and the power to configure them simply for your liking.

Once more, those vary in worth – fairly significantly. But you can pick up a very decent setup for around $150. The GX-A604, as an example, which comes supplied with each low-level and high-level inputs, permitting the you to glue it to just about any manufacturing unit or aftermarket head unit.

If price range is an element, the GX-A604 is the only to head for. If now not, you need to check out the GTR-7535 which is a extra top class setup that includes the next specifications and lines:

  • Height Energy: 2300W
  • 2-Ohm Energy Output100Wrms x 4, <0.1% THD+N
  • Sign-to-Noise Ratio>75dB (ref 1W output @ 4 )
  • 4-Ohm Energy Output75Wrms x 4, <0.1% THD+N

Whole Car Techniques

However should you’re after a whole device, one that incorporates all of the bits you wish to have for an entire in-car stereo gadget, you then’re most probably at an advantage with one among JBL through Harmon’s complete vehicle element techniques.

Those are reasonable as smartly. The GTO509C, for instance, is now retailing for $249.95 per system. What’s incorporated? Somewhat somewhat because it is going: you get audio system, a subwoofer, tweeters and an amplifier incorporated within the package.

That is the only I'm maximum , if I’m fair. I’ve but to seek out anything else as just right or as complete for this worth. There's less expensive techniques in the market however none are made via manufacturers I recognise or recognize, which is a huge wake-up call for me when purchasing one thing new.

Different Notable Choices

If you’re after something that works with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto then there is the Legend CP100, which is a touchscreen device that matches into maximum dashboards and makes use of your phone’s connectivity to get entry to a variety of programs and content material like Maps, track and the like.

It’s pretty pricy at $399.95, but when the use of your phone as a centre piece of your vehicle’s leisure gadget is necessary to you, the Legend CP100 is an overly complete answer.

The JBL Legend CP100 is Bluetooth enabled, has a rear digital camera enter, is steerage wheel interface in a position and gives turn-by-turn navigation thru Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. You additionally get conventional AM/FM and sensible phone connectivity in a single package deal with a easy, blank interface.

I actually like those methods. However I simply want they have been slightly less expensive – $400 is slightly an excessive amount of for my price range. However, in case you’re flush or don’t in point of fact want to take into accounts budgets, that is surely one thing you will have to be taking a look at.

I really like that the CP100 can attach absolutely with the steerage wheel as smartly.

CP100 Specifications & Options

  • Show Display Measurement: 6.75in
  • LCD Sort: TFT lively matrix
  • Pixels: 1,152,000 (800 x 480 x 3 (RGB))
  • Illumination: LED
  • Chassis Width178 mm (7”)
  • Chassis Peak100 mm (3.94”)
  • Chassis Intensity142 mm (5.6”)
  • Chassis Weight1.5 kg (3.3 lbs)
  • AM Tuner
  • Tuning: 530 – 1,170 kHz
  • Frequency Vary: 87.7 – 107.9 MHz
  • Sensitivity: 11 dBf (0.8 uV/75 ohms)
  • Sign-To-Noise Ratio: 60 dB
  • USB StandardUSB 1.1/2.0
  • Max Present Provide: 1.0 A USB Elegance: MSC (Mass Garage Elegance)
  • Document Gadget: FAT 16/32, NTFS Document
  • VersionBluetooth: 4.0
  • Output: Energy+4 dBm Max. (Energy elegance 2)

That is simply one of the crucial stuff I discovered over the weekend. I’m all the time on the lookout for cool changes for my upcoming vehicle acquire, so will update this newsletter with extra stuff as I in finding it.

Within the interim, when you have any tips for stuff like this please do depart us a notice within the feedback.

Cheers!

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