Are we Loosing Interest in Car Audio?
03-30-2009, 06:10 PM
#13
I guess it has to do with muliple reasons:
Better factory audio systems on newer cars that people don't want to change.
Also I think alot of people are done with that "heavy Bass" and are looking for more sound quality.
Plus I think people are now scared to have a huge system as it only attracts car thief's.
Better factory audio systems on newer cars that people don't want to change.
Also I think alot of people are done with that "heavy Bass" and are looking for more sound quality.
Plus I think people are now scared to have a huge system as it only attracts car thief's.
03-30-2009, 10:11 PM
#14
Rims and Body kits have killed car audio.
All the gen "WHY" kids are out to make the car look good and sound fast, before anything else.
Also they dont have any money left over to do a system.
I can't tell you how many times in a week I hear "I want a banging system, but I want it for like $200"
It just doesnt happen. Well at least not with new equipment
All the gen "WHY" kids are out to make the car look good and sound fast, before anything else.
Also they dont have any money left over to do a system.
I can't tell you how many times in a week I hear "I want a banging system, but I want it for like $200"
It just doesnt happen. Well at least not with new equipment
Last edited by stephenfleming; 03-30-2009 at 10:19 PM.
03-31-2009, 08:28 AM
#15
You guys are so on the mark on this one.
I too hear I want a great system for 500 bucks.
I"m thinking what the heck will you get for that.
Maybe a deck and a ok amp (older one) yet that is only a part of the system.
Heck I have spent more on power cable. !!!!
Give me a car with a single din opening for the deck any day.
No more of this crap new stereos in new cars that are part of the dash and there's no way other than cutting and fiberglassing.
They just don't make it easy for people any more.
Old school Rocks.
Cutra.
I too hear I want a great system for 500 bucks.
I"m thinking what the heck will you get for that.
Maybe a deck and a ok amp (older one) yet that is only a part of the system.
Heck I have spent more on power cable. !!!!
Give me a car with a single din opening for the deck any day.
No more of this crap new stereos in new cars that are part of the dash and there's no way other than cutting and fiberglassing.
They just don't make it easy for people any more.
Old school Rocks.
Cutra.
03-31-2009, 12:09 PM
#16
0 Watt CAFz'r
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 5
As for the new ipod generation, when they come into my shop they want Fast and Cheap not concerned about the quality
I have put a few of them in one of the SQ cars, they seem to get impatient, it’s not interactive enough for them, they don’t want to sit still and quite long enough to feel and see the music with their ears
The ones that seem to be interested in what I call “Car Show Stereo” (Not Car Audio)
They bring in a magazine; with a trunk (boot) full of air brushed fiberglass “I want this!” (I try to explain it will not sound good) their response “I just want it to look good”
I believe a lot of this lack or disrespect of quality; started with the FM-Modulator
Sacrifice all the Sound Quality for the convenience
I have always considered the Fm modulated Cd changer one of the most ridicules ideas to come along (Cd sound pipe threw the Radio tuner) after years and years of Radio Sound
Why not pipe in 5,000 badly recorded songs once again threw an Fm tuner
We have allowed the Consumer to Dumb Down Sound Quality for the sake of Convenience
Now after six to ten years of this poor sound quality practice, this is where we are at.
We have Dumb down the consumers with these crazy Watt Ratings for years and years (I tell my customer to ignore and forget the Watts; the watts rating mean nothing because they ALL Lie)
The manufactures and uneducated, lazy Car Audio Dealears have allowed and promoted the over rating of Watts, has caused nothing but confusions and credibility issues
I see the same thing happening with unrealistic Subwoofer enclosure designs (no air space boxes, subs mounted two feet from your ears)
Then the SPL, Db thing was a short term Thrill Ride. Seemed like a kool idea at the time
However now I believe it has taken us in the wrong direction, by eliminating or taking out all types of Quality (Installation, Safety and Sound) has left us with a bad image, lack of interest and enthusiasm to open public. I’m not saying their is no place for the spl vehicles only has taken us down a narrow road in the wrong direction
Public awareness, education and positive exposure to the industry is greatly needed
The Car Audio Manufactures have completely failed at this; the manufactures have allowed the uninformed public to lead us down the road of poor or no quality for the sake of convenience
I have put a few of them in one of the SQ cars, they seem to get impatient, it’s not interactive enough for them, they don’t want to sit still and quite long enough to feel and see the music with their ears
The ones that seem to be interested in what I call “Car Show Stereo” (Not Car Audio)
They bring in a magazine; with a trunk (boot) full of air brushed fiberglass “I want this!” (I try to explain it will not sound good) their response “I just want it to look good”
I believe a lot of this lack or disrespect of quality; started with the FM-Modulator
Sacrifice all the Sound Quality for the convenience
I have always considered the Fm modulated Cd changer one of the most ridicules ideas to come along (Cd sound pipe threw the Radio tuner) after years and years of Radio Sound
Why not pipe in 5,000 badly recorded songs once again threw an Fm tuner
We have allowed the Consumer to Dumb Down Sound Quality for the sake of Convenience
Now after six to ten years of this poor sound quality practice, this is where we are at.
We have Dumb down the consumers with these crazy Watt Ratings for years and years (I tell my customer to ignore and forget the Watts; the watts rating mean nothing because they ALL Lie)
The manufactures and uneducated, lazy Car Audio Dealears have allowed and promoted the over rating of Watts, has caused nothing but confusions and credibility issues
I see the same thing happening with unrealistic Subwoofer enclosure designs (no air space boxes, subs mounted two feet from your ears)
Then the SPL, Db thing was a short term Thrill Ride. Seemed like a kool idea at the time
However now I believe it has taken us in the wrong direction, by eliminating or taking out all types of Quality (Installation, Safety and Sound) has left us with a bad image, lack of interest and enthusiasm to open public. I’m not saying their is no place for the spl vehicles only has taken us down a narrow road in the wrong direction
Public awareness, education and positive exposure to the industry is greatly needed
The Car Audio Manufactures have completely failed at this; the manufactures have allowed the uninformed public to lead us down the road of poor or no quality for the sake of convenience
03-31-2009, 01:15 PM
#17
Convenience is king in a busy world...consumers will always go with what's easy, relatively inexpensive and for the most part decent quality. Audiophiles and audio nuts like us, like to revel in how "bad" mp3's sound and what not, but the truth is, most consumers find the sq quite acceptable and certainly good enough to enjoy for hours and hours with ear buds stuffed in their ears. Whether that's because they are desensitized to good sound or that most people just aren't that interested is not clear. To think that compressed music has created all the bad listening habits is a little silly, considering that just prior to cd's we were listening to cassettes, vinyl, and 8 tracks. I can tell you that my mp3's sound hella better than any cassette or 8 track i have, and vinyl might be good for dj's but not for me! Truth is, most people can't tell the difference between a decently recorded mp3 and the cd anyway. I've done my own listening tests, and unless you're a golden ear, you'll have a tough time telling which one is which.
03-31-2009, 01:22 PM
#18
Well put!!, and I agree on the mp3 Vs. cd thing, I once laughed at the thought that I wouldn't be able to tell the difference between mp3's (320) and cd.....12 of us took the test, and 12 of us failed....I still have the paperwork and the disc if someone nearby has "golden ears"....but at 192, we could ALL tell the difference.
As for the new ipod generation, when they come into my shop they want Fast and Cheap not concerned about the quality
I have put a few of them in one of the SQ cars, they seem to get impatient, it’s not interactive enough for them, they don’t want to sit still and quite long enough to feel and see the music with their ears
The ones that seem to be interested in what I call “Car Show Stereo” (Not Car Audio)
They bring in a magazine; with a trunk (boot) full of air brushed fiberglass “I want this!” (I try to explain it will not sound good) their response “I just want it to look good”
I believe a lot of this lack or disrespect of quality; started with the FM-Modulator
Sacrifice all the Sound Quality for the convenience
I have always considered the Fm modulated Cd changer one of the most ridicules ideas to come along (Cd sound pipe threw the Radio tuner) after years and years of Radio Sound
Why not pipe in 5,000 badly recorded songs once again threw an Fm tuner
We have allowed the Consumer to Dumb Down Sound Quality for the sake of Convenience
Now after six to ten years of this poor sound quality practice, this is where we are at.
We have Dumb down the consumers with these crazy Watt Ratings for years and years (I tell my customer to ignore and forget the Watts; the watts rating mean nothing because they ALL Lie)
The manufactures and uneducated, lazy Car Audio Dealears have allowed and promoted the over rating of Watts, has caused nothing but confusions and credibility issues
I see the same thing happening with unrealistic Subwoofer enclosure designs (no air space boxes, subs mounted two feet from your ears)
Then the SPL, Db thing was a short term Thrill Ride. Seemed like a kool idea at the time
However now I believe it has taken us in the wrong direction, by eliminating or taking out all types of Quality (Installation, Safety and Sound) has left us with a bad image, lack of interest and enthusiasm to open public. I’m not saying their is no place for the spl vehicles only has taken us down a narrow road in the wrong direction
Public awareness, education and positive exposure to the industry is greatly needed
The Car Audio Manufactures have completely failed at this; the manufactures have allowed the uninformed public to lead us down the road of poor or no quality for the sake of convenience
I have put a few of them in one of the SQ cars, they seem to get impatient, it’s not interactive enough for them, they don’t want to sit still and quite long enough to feel and see the music with their ears
The ones that seem to be interested in what I call “Car Show Stereo” (Not Car Audio)
They bring in a magazine; with a trunk (boot) full of air brushed fiberglass “I want this!” (I try to explain it will not sound good) their response “I just want it to look good”
I believe a lot of this lack or disrespect of quality; started with the FM-Modulator
Sacrifice all the Sound Quality for the convenience
I have always considered the Fm modulated Cd changer one of the most ridicules ideas to come along (Cd sound pipe threw the Radio tuner) after years and years of Radio Sound
Why not pipe in 5,000 badly recorded songs once again threw an Fm tuner
We have allowed the Consumer to Dumb Down Sound Quality for the sake of Convenience
Now after six to ten years of this poor sound quality practice, this is where we are at.
We have Dumb down the consumers with these crazy Watt Ratings for years and years (I tell my customer to ignore and forget the Watts; the watts rating mean nothing because they ALL Lie)
The manufactures and uneducated, lazy Car Audio Dealears have allowed and promoted the over rating of Watts, has caused nothing but confusions and credibility issues
I see the same thing happening with unrealistic Subwoofer enclosure designs (no air space boxes, subs mounted two feet from your ears)
Then the SPL, Db thing was a short term Thrill Ride. Seemed like a kool idea at the time
However now I believe it has taken us in the wrong direction, by eliminating or taking out all types of Quality (Installation, Safety and Sound) has left us with a bad image, lack of interest and enthusiasm to open public. I’m not saying their is no place for the spl vehicles only has taken us down a narrow road in the wrong direction
Public awareness, education and positive exposure to the industry is greatly needed
The Car Audio Manufactures have completely failed at this; the manufactures have allowed the uninformed public to lead us down the road of poor or no quality for the sake of convenience
Convenience is king in a busy world...consumers will always go with what's easy, relatively inexpensive and for the most part decent quality. Audiophiles and audio nuts like us, like to revel in how "bad" mp3's sound and what not, but the truth is, most consumers find the sq quite acceptable and certainly good enough to enjoy for hours and hours with ear buds stuffed in their ears. Whether that's because they are desensitized to good sound or that most people just aren't that interested is not clear. To think that compressed music has created all the bad listening habits is a little silly, considering that just prior to cd's we were listening to cassettes, vinyl, and 8 tracks. I can tell you that my mp3's sound hella better than any cassette or 8 track i have, and vinyl might be good for dj's but not for me! Truth is, most people can't tell the difference between a decently recorded mp3 and the cd anyway. I've done my own listening tests, and unless you're a golden ear, you'll have a tough time telling which one is which.
03-31-2009, 09:40 PM
#19
I got a whole bunch of theories, some of which have already been spoken for in this thread ...
The one thing that's strange is you'll come across young guys like me. Completely in love with all of this and although I love cars and an exhaust system like anyone else, I'm jumping for car audio first before I'm jumping on a new intake.
If you meet my cousin, he's the complete opposite and could give a rats about the sound within ... he wants a top notch vehicle speed demon, back to front.
As a kid I would attend car shows of all types with my Dad ...
Today I'm a fan of Hip-Hop culture and have lived in a metropolitan city (Toronto) for my entire life ... city living is all I know ...
My "memories" are from ancient car shows with audio components or simply put, many Caribana weekends with booming systems ...
The quality of sound has always been important to me ... I cancelled my XM Radio subscription because it sounded like 128 as opposed to 192 or 320 ...
So really, I don't know what to think ...
I think we're definitely experiencing the generation that's grown up with everything accessible to them. Very fast, very to the point. Even THIS reply is way too long for them. With car audio, it probably takes a little bit more time than most would like.
It's too bad retailers (or schools) can't have programs to get the public interested in this hobby / sport (whatever you want to call it) all over again. To me, it kind of reminds me of the ups and downs DJing has gone through. It loses strength, then it's re-invented by someone, something to make it hot and interesting again.
Now they've even developed school programs to learn how to DJ and the art of the turntable.
I don't know, just something to think about
The one thing that's strange is you'll come across young guys like me. Completely in love with all of this and although I love cars and an exhaust system like anyone else, I'm jumping for car audio first before I'm jumping on a new intake.
If you meet my cousin, he's the complete opposite and could give a rats about the sound within ... he wants a top notch vehicle speed demon, back to front.
As a kid I would attend car shows of all types with my Dad ...
Today I'm a fan of Hip-Hop culture and have lived in a metropolitan city (Toronto) for my entire life ... city living is all I know ...
My "memories" are from ancient car shows with audio components or simply put, many Caribana weekends with booming systems ...
The quality of sound has always been important to me ... I cancelled my XM Radio subscription because it sounded like 128 as opposed to 192 or 320 ...
So really, I don't know what to think ...
I think we're definitely experiencing the generation that's grown up with everything accessible to them. Very fast, very to the point. Even THIS reply is way too long for them. With car audio, it probably takes a little bit more time than most would like.
It's too bad retailers (or schools) can't have programs to get the public interested in this hobby / sport (whatever you want to call it) all over again. To me, it kind of reminds me of the ups and downs DJing has gone through. It loses strength, then it's re-invented by someone, something to make it hot and interesting again.
Now they've even developed school programs to learn how to DJ and the art of the turntable.
I don't know, just something to think about
03-31-2009, 11:10 PM
#20
I just love this forum and the members on it.
It definitely takes a special person to enjoy and appreciate real car audio.
Not all the flashyness of today's industry.
Last year was a great time for me and my little brother.
I finally put together a system in his little rocket (golf).
It has all the basic components :
Great Pioneer head unit.
Top of the line JBL speakers for the doors.
Old school 4 inch earthquakes in the dash,
2 12 '' old school JBL subwoofers.
2 ESX amps , 175.2 for the front end and a 275.2 for the rear.
1- Pheonix Gold bass cube (which I think was not needed).
1-Old school HiFonics Plato 10 band parametric eq.
That's it.
I assured him not to look at the numbers on the amps.
Just lets do the install and listen.
He was floored to say the least.
To top it off we have yet to properly tune it.....
It was removed for the winter and for security reasons yet it's hopefully going
back into the car in a month or two.
In any event, I'm sure i'm not the only one that tries to educate the young and noobies out there with just what car audio is and what it should be.
It's truly a shame when I hear about the car audio shows of today.
I show up for about 10 minutes and they all just suck.
SPL, Bass Race...I cringe!!!
Don't get me wrong I love the bass yet come on.
Some of these guys and the installs are just brutal.
Anyway enough from me.
I just wanted to put in my two more cents into this great thread.
As well I would like to say that I'm proud to be on this forum with the members that care about car audio....
Cutra.
Not all the flashyness of today's industry.
Last year was a great time for me and my little brother.
I finally put together a system in his little rocket (golf).
It has all the basic components :
Great Pioneer head unit.
Top of the line JBL speakers for the doors.
Old school 4 inch earthquakes in the dash,
2 12 '' old school JBL subwoofers.
2 ESX amps , 175.2 for the front end and a 275.2 for the rear.
1- Pheonix Gold bass cube (which I think was not needed).
1-Old school HiFonics Plato 10 band parametric eq.
That's it.
I assured him not to look at the numbers on the amps.
Just lets do the install and listen.
He was floored to say the least.
To top it off we have yet to properly tune it.....
It was removed for the winter and for security reasons yet it's hopefully going
back into the car in a month or two.
In any event, I'm sure i'm not the only one that tries to educate the young and noobies out there with just what car audio is and what it should be.
It's truly a shame when I hear about the car audio shows of today.
I show up for about 10 minutes and they all just suck.
SPL, Bass Race...I cringe!!!
Don't get me wrong I love the bass yet come on.
Some of these guys and the installs are just brutal.
Anyway enough from me.
I just wanted to put in my two more cents into this great thread.
As well I would like to say that I'm proud to be on this forum with the members that care about car audio....
Cutra.
