Car Audio Buying Concerns Help! Where? How much? Who? 

Do you need some pointers buying car audio? Are you a parent with a 16 year old?  I want sound what do I do?

Help Me!
The most important thing is to define you. Where am I on the Car audio enthusiast scale? This scale is varies from novice to idiot. If you're a novice or beginner it is almost mandatory to buy a starter system to define your interest. By a 4-channel amp a single sub and a single set of components or quality speaker. This accomplishes several things, it allows you a complete system to enjoy and gives the installer (the buyer in many cases) an idea of how well reproduction can be in the particular vehicle. In addition this also allows for expansion if you are closer to the Idiot side of the scale.     

Who do I buy from?
The most logical step is to buy from someone who knows stereo. This will backfire on you if you do not know a few simple rules. People who are successful in this business keep their pearls of wisdom and use it to collect wealth. Depending on where you have put yourself on the scale and your own experience it may be worth the additional costs to have someone handling it, especially if you're a parent. On the other hand if you are frugal almost anything is available online with limited support and warranty. To go this route you want to get educated. Read! If you use salesman to get educated and don't buy they have a tendency to get worn out and are offended when you buy elsewhere, especially online. Many manufacturers ban the sale of their products online. Be careful not to waste a resource in your local shop.  

How much to spend?
This is the million-dollar question. Many other decisions hinge on this question. Intuitively you should know where you are on the scale but the simple financial consideration may move you from a beginner to an idiot and you know nothing! This is a bad thing except for the salesman you are friends with. I have a few tips to help here.

1. Don't let the salesman define your position on the scale. 
   
2. Buy a small expandable system. A 4-channel amp (50X4 RMS is ideal), components, head unit, and a single sub are useful in any system. 
   
3. Your position on the scale is largely dependent on your familial status. Your two year old has no use for 12 in. subs, however she loves the  DVD system.
   
4. Car audio equipment is never more than it claims however almost always less than it claims. The commonly used phrase "underrated" is foolish. Why would a successful company underrate itself?
   
5. A Budget is a budget! Buying one part at a time is ok but usually you end up with extra item you will never be able to part with without a loss. Buy complete in your budget.
   
6. What works does actually work. The equipment often dictates your status. Be cautious not to overspend when a comparable is available at half the price.
   

An upper end beginner system will cost less than $1000. The same system with 15% better performance could run $2500

What brands do I buy?
This section can establish or repute validity of this article and even anger among some higher on the car audio scale. Car audio among young people is personal, especially for the car audio enthusiast. Whether buying for yourself or your kids' brand recognition can be critical much like the clothes they wear.

International companies are a mainstay in car audio. They manufacture head units and a variety of other electronics from microwaves to telephones. These are definitely the best alternative for DVD head units and other source oriented components of car audio. These companies have the ability to produce complex units that are durable and price competitive. Some smaller US companies produce in this market and have had some success.  

 Small US based manufacturing companies are prevalent in car audio. These companies typically sell to the higher up on the car audio scale and sometimes reserved for special objectives as competitive circuits. Many build most of their own equipment from local and imported materials and rightly stamp "made in USA on their products. These companies can be financially unstable, as much of the manufacturing has been sent overseas. Some are simply wealthy hobbyists. These are the most expensive products in car audio and probably the best. Some of these companies build for many of the next group.

The marketing companies are by far the biggest. These companies manufacture very little, staff competent engineering advisors to support a very qualified marketing team to resell outsourced products. Some are outsourced in America. These items are sold under the respective companies trademark and overwhelmingly the most successful in the car audio market. Many of these companies import product and suggest they manufacture however they perform minor assembly. Nevertheless these are the best products for the beginner as they offer good support, information and variety.

Import specialty companies sell product anywhere and everywhere. These are the flea market specials. Some of these companies represent products at much higher values at discounted prices. Many of these items have false or embellished descriptions and should be avoided. Upstart companies get wrongly associated with this group and never recover. Some of these companies are solely for the sale of imported goods and while quality may be questionable many of the upper group started here. Buy these items from well-established dealers; they will help you weed through the misnomers printed on the cartons.
 
Are refurbished units ok?
 Yes as long as it is factory sealed. A refurbished unit with missing packaging or broken seal is just a repaired unit. Make sure the unit is in good cosmetic shape before purchase, however few companies send out "dogs". "B-stock" units can be a good alternative also. B stock units are new with a blemish and manufactures will not intentionally sell a defective item. 

Dealing with your local shop.
The odds are your area has multiple shops and generally there are ones that have a better reputation for installation expertise. Some shops display credentials for their installers and have had training however not all qualified installers participate in such programs. Once any shop touches your car he has certain unspoken ethical liability to the install. Your warranty and relationship is better with the shop owner when buying the product thru your installing dealer. You are much more likely to get good service and better install prices, especially if new to the car audio market. When buying products on line installing dealers offer no warranty and typically higher prices are charged for install. Sometimes the break in price on equipment is worth it however he won't take care of any problems. It's a good idea to talk to your local shop about installation before buying anything.