Are we Loosing Interest in Car Audio?
 

I keep hearing the Car Audio scene is “DOWN” way down in the UK, US and Other
However the traffic and interest on this forum seem to be steady
The Economy here in the States has effected everything, all thou I think people are fixing up their older cars instead of buying new ones

Today’s Younger crowd dose not seem as interested in Cars or Audio
A lot of local authorities have cracked down on all types of Cruz zones or car hang-outs areas for Performance, Speed and/or Audio

I feel Car Audio has a real image and public awareness problem, the common public is just so unaware or educated in regards to the Industry
The public has disregarded or neglected the Quality and Experience of Sound for convenience; just cram 5,000 songs on a device make it play anywhere on anything regardless what it sounds like (on some 5.00 ear buds) most have tone deafed their hearing with constant bad quality sound (not necessary loud volume just really bad sound)

When I sit some one down in one of my SQ vehicles and Explain the Sound, Imaging and Staging Quality; have them close their eyes and See and Feel with their Ears (Experience the Music) they cant believe Music could be Experienced in this way especially in a vehicle


Todd Zier

zierbox.com

car audio is nothing new anymore. all cars these days come with a cd player/mp3 player/hard driver/navigation/touch screens, etc, etc bla bla bla.

remember when cars first came with clocks in the dash, that was the to have. but some years after no one really cared any more. same with "car audio".

I always thought the next phase would be complete integration of an in-car pc, but that hasnt really grown to be anything popular just yet. maybe in the next 10 years.

This forum is only busy because so many people come here to talk smack. Some don't even have cars or stereos LOL

lol true that

Car audio's virginity has been taken!

well put, but how many of those people ran out and started buying up SQ equipment and tearing their car apart??
it's a niche hobby and always will be, the bar has been raised and unless you're willing to put in the research time or a gazilllion of dollars to have it built for you, it's wont just magically happen.

I go an art gallery and really enjoy a lot of the work I see on display, doesn't mean I will ever own any of it.

Just today someone asked if they could hear my car, I gave them a listen, they were like "fecking wow!!"....two seconds later asked if I could install two 18's in their car so they could off alarms on their way by. :stroke:

The manufactures trying to popularize it is whats bringing it "down" IMO.

the hobby per say has dropped drastically, since i got into it in 85. but that is due to the automakers, the cars today come equipped with stereos that cost up to 5200 bucks and are a complete package, tuned and amplified to the acqustics of the car.. who the hell wants to start ripping that out!! i do like the fact that they are trying to give my mom and dad a nice sounding system in the new vehicle that they want to buy, what i dont like is the cost that they charge! ex the new infinityfx stereo system with gps is 5750 usd. ouch!! but my dad dont know the difference and at only 100 bucks extra per month sounds like a great deal. if only he knew i could offer all that for about 3500 bucks and give him equal if not better performance..
i would love it if the dealerships and the local (respectable) stereo shops could unite and have an onsite stereo tech at the showroom to offer there wares to the new car buyer...

^^yeah...that'll happen...i wonder how much mark up there is on the factory super system? Even in the good old days when the factory had really crappy systems i remember the salesman trying to tell me it was hi-fi and 20 watts...why would you want more than that?

it kinda sounds like its popularity phase has come and gone and now its at its just a plain hobby like many other things. Think of home train sets and you'll see what i mean. thats my opinion anyways.

When punk bitches steal my car for the system it's easy not to give two shits. Someone tried to steal my new car last night but I caught them.