Like paint, bodywork, engine tuning and interior work, custom stereo installations are a big part of the automotive enthusiast scene. And like those other areas of enthusiasm, custom audio work can go from mild to wild, with plenty of stops in between.
On the surface of things, there seem to be two types of audio enthusiasts: introverts and extroverts. An introvert will look to have his equipment installed in a more "stealth mode," where all of the components are hidden from casual view. This kind of installation requires a good bit of ingenuity. Speakers often are hidden behind factory-looking speaker grills or matching interior material. Head units often are mounted in gloveboxes or consoles. Power amplifiers often are hidden in trunks or under seats, with all of the wiring carefully run to conceal the presence of the components. In some instances, custom compartments or covers are built to conceal components both for aesthetics and for security.
Conversely, the extroverted audio enthusiast will have all of his or her components right out where you can see them, sometimes highlighted with neon lighting and tailored installation mounting boards. Massive subwoofers may be mounted on what can only be described as display racks, both in the interior and in the trunk of some vehicles. Amplifiers, crossovers, equalizers and other components are mounted so they can be seen. Their wiring is routed with fanatical neatness--to the point that you can barely see any wiring at all. Speakers of various sizes are mounted in a number of locations--including places in which you might not expect to find a speaker. Many of these super systems will include video or DVD players, or both, along with a video game system of one kind or another.
Because these extrovert kinds of systems often are used in stereo competitions, they typically have remote controls. Some systems will have the head unit, or control units, mounted to the outside of the vehicle, or at least have the capability of plugging in the head unit on the exterior. One good reason for this is self-preservation: With the ability to churn out in excess of 160 dB, it would be dangerous to be inside such a vehicle during a soundoff.
These custom systems require a large amount of power to run properly. Because of this, extra batteries, a larger alternator and some fortification of the electrical system are needed. Larger battery cables, a separate fuse block and a battery isolator for dual-battery setups are just a couple of the items you may need when your system starts to get really outrageous.
What the introvert and extrovert audio enthusiast systems have in common is the difficult, custom installation. There are shops from coast to coast, and around the world, that specialize in installations like these. While the components for a system like this can be expensive, it is the labor-intensive nature of such an installation that drives the price really high. The more you get, the more you pay.
Whether you're an introvert or an extrovert, there just may be a place for your vehicle on the soundoff circuit. Audio competitions provide the perfect opportunity to show off all that hard work and expense--and possibly convince your significant other that you've got a relatively mild case of car audio addiction.
