Audio Shops

I've read posts in here and see things... Things such as my stupid friend or the shop i went to that recently closed down. Also @ best buy,circuit city and tweeter. I am not bashing the big box stores but if you want your audio experience to go smoothly. Here are some things to check out and do.
One. Check the place out ask questions. If they say uumm or ahhh alot think about about checkin out somewhere else. Things to ask are varied but if inquiring about: Head Units ask what the sales person thinks of it, ask why it's better or worse than another, Ask about x-overs and eq's and what not.
When buying speakers ask if it's a 2 or 3-way speaker/component setup. Listen to all the speakers that apply to your car there is no "best" speaker. It is only a matter of opinion.
If Aquiring subs check out how they sound (no they all don't sound alike). How many watts do the handle rms, What size box do they take,if you like rap/hip hop. 12's and 15's are what you need. But if you listen to rock/country/dance get either 10's or 12's.If you are unsure which you like better, going with 12's in a sealed box is always a safe bet for decent clean bass.
Should you purchase an amp. Ask what ohm it's stable to,How many channels it has,if it will work nicely with the subs you have.
Picking up a screen well ask how many pixels per sq inch. Is it cd/dvd just cd or just am fm.If it is a touchscreen ask if there has been any problems w/ the burn in rate. This is simply places on the screen that get touched frequently and get a dull spot.
Thinking about a dvd player. Ask if it has multiple outputs or any inputs,ask if they use it alot. From experience once a shop finds a dvd player that is like flawless it uses nothing but.
Getting an Alarm/Remote Start as what the range is ask if it comes with one remote or two,does your car require a module of some sort, how all does it protect your car by way of zones,radar/shock/tilt sensors. How long is the warranty on the product, how is one better than the other.
Installation if you don't DIY. Look around if at a big box store BB/CC/Tw ask who is installing and if you can watch since these companies will have ppl that are not experienced. If at a privately owned shop look at the shelves see if the place has product. Do you see alot of names that you recognize? Ask what the sweetest thing they've ever done is. Ask around. When you pay for labor or any car audio you get what you pay for. Please do not act like an asshole if it's too much don't get it done.Think about it. If you are nice to someone they are nice back, same goes here. IF you don't feel comfortable about doing something or letting someone do it go to a pro it may cost a little money but it's better than buying new equipment.ask if there is a warranty on the labor...
Audio is a science of sorts just cuz it handles/pushes 1200w and is only $xxx amount doesn't mean it's gonna slam research is the key.


ps a 35hz burp @ 141.6db will knock your earwax loose...

great guide, i completely agree :smokin:


and what are you running to just burp it at 141.6 dB? :ylsuper:

I've read posts in here and see things... Things such as my stupid friend or the shop i went to that recently closed down. Also @ best buy,
circuit city and tweeter. I am not bashing the big box stores but if you want your audio experience to go smoothly. Here are some things to check out and do.
One. Check the place out ask questions. If they say uumm or ahhh alot think about about checkin out somewhere else. Things to ask are varied but if inquiring about: Head Units ask what the sales person thinks of it, ask why it's better or worse than another, Ask about x-overs and eq's and what not.
When buying speakers ask if it's a 2 or 3-way speaker/component setup. Listen to all the speakers that apply to your car there is no "best" speaker. It is only a matter of opinion.
If Aquiring subs check out how they sound (no they all don't sound alike). How many watts do the handle rms, What size box do they take,if you like rap/hip hop 12's and 15's are what you need. BUt if you listen to rock/country/dance get either 10's or 12's.If you are unsure which you like better going with 2 12's in a sealed box is always a safe bet for decent clean bass.
Should you purchase an amp. Ask what ohm it's stable to,How many channels it has,if it will work nicely with the subs you have.
Picking up a screen well ask how many pixels per sq inch is it cd/dvd just cd or just am fm.If it is a touchscreen ask if there has been any problems w/ the burn in rate. This is simply places on the screen that get touched frequently and get a dull spot.
Thinking about a dvd player. Ask if it has multiple outputs or any inputs,ask if they use it alot. From experience once a shop finds a dvd player that is like flawless it uses nothing but.
Getting an Alarm/Remote Start as what the range is ask if it comes with one remote or two,does your car require a module of some sort, how all does it protect your car zones,radar/shock/tilt sensors.
How long is the warranty on the product how is one better than the other.
Installation if you don't DIY. Look around if at a big box store BB/CC/Tw ask who is installing and if you can watch since these companies will have ppl that are not experienced. If at a privately owned shop look at the shelves see if the place has product. Do you see alot of names that you recognize? Ask what the sweetest thing they every done. Ask around. When you pay for labor or any car audio you get what you pay for. Please do not act like an asshole if it's too much don't get it done.
Think about it. If you are nice to someone they are nice back same goes here. IF you don't feel comfortable about doing something or letting someone do it go to a pro it may cost a little money but it's better than buying new equipment.ask if there is a warranty on the labor...
Audio is a science of sorts just cuz it handles/pushes 1200w and is only $xxx amount doesn't mean it's gonna slam research is the key.


ps a 35hz burp @ 141.6db will knock your earwax loose...

Yep, I totally agree too. Sometimes the big chains are fine and sometimes the private shops aren't. I myself running a small shop HAVE to be very carefull of what I say and do. Fortunately I have a name of doing things right the first time and staying behind my work. Plus, using all DEI products helps since they have the best warranties. The only problem is that I have to sway people into DEI most of the time because they are brainwashed from the big chains on Fosgate and the like.

BTW, I hit a 140.9db with one DEI CompX and 1100d amp!

i sell and install systems for my friends, and you are right about having to watch EVERYTHING you do, people are so damn picky.

i can't wait to build an SPL setup one of these days....im thinkin 2 or 3 Brahma or Diamond Audio 12s in the hatch should be potent :smokin:

I had an aboslute horror story happen ,,,, at one of the better shops in town. Even thorough checking can slip up - it's why I normally do everything that I can myself.

That's not that high of an spl i qouted but at 35hz it is it was with 3 12" Eclipse Titaniums w/ a us amps de3000 in a ha ha geo metro a project we named The Lamb...

That's not that high of an spl i qouted but at 35hz it is it was with 3 12" Eclipse Titaniums w/ a us amps de3000 in a ha ha geo metro a project we named The Lamb...

YEah. That number is respectable but not too hard to reach. That's why I posted mine with using only one subwoofer. Heck, take a look at some of the pro's numbers on SPL :screwy:

I personally really do not care for SPL. I love great sound quality instead.

HHmm i'm with ya. I quit doin spl a while ago. I don't do Sq either really. I've thought about it but it's too expenisive. A nice set comps up front. One time we put an MB qaurt 3-way with an 8" as the midbass a 4" and the mid range and a 2" dome tweet. It was in a 97 caddie Seville it also had 3 10" jl w6's. I just sorta like really loud clean cars i don't care what it sez on the meter or what judges think.

yea, those are the two resons I stopped competing too .... money and judges. I started to realize that all too many of the judges knew a lot less than I do about what a car stereo should sound like. It was often like a high school algebra student grading a calculus test.

yea, those are the two resons I stopped competing too .... money and judges. I started to realize that all too many of the judges knew a lot less than I do about what a car stereo should sound like. It was often like a high school algebra student grading a calculus test.

Yeah, I am with you guys on this too. I hate the competion thing anymore. I just build to suit my tastes and what ever the customer wants.