We’ve come a long way since the AM radio and the 8-track cartridge first let us take our entertainment on the road. These days automotive audiophiles have almost unlimited choice in custom sound equipment, from sweet-sounding stereos to “doof-doof” boxes that’ll make your ears bleed. Here’s how to make some sound decisions about your in-car audio system.

There are essentially two main areas that need to be considered in upgrading your sound system. The first is getting the music into the car - via radio, tape, CD, MP3 player or mini-disc unit, etc. The second is getting the music out of the car - via speakers, amplifiers (amps), subwoofers and so on. You can upgrade either of these areas alone, to some extent, but best results will be obtained by planning a co-ordinated approach.

Getting the music in

Most modern cars come with a basic (or “stock”) sound system including an AM/FM stereo radio and single-disc in-dash CD player (these days CD players are pretty much standard, replacing the cassette players of the previous era). Some CD units now offer support for MP3, WMA and AAC. Most basic systems will have four speakers (two in front, two in back). Some mid-range (and many upper range) cars also come with a 6-12 disc CD changer (or “stacker”).

iPod adaptor

While CD stackers used to be the ultimate in audio one-upmanship over your neighbour, the popularity of the Apple iPod hard-disk based portable music player has lifted the bar dramatically, offering thousands of songs at your fingertips - far more than even MP3 CD-compatible stackers can offer.

Customising your in-car sound system can range from the modest to the magnificent. The simple addition of an amp can lift your car’s sound profile to a much more enjoyable level. But for some people the bigger and bolder the system, the better.

More upper range cars are now offering the option of iPod integration as an option, or even as standard equipment. These include BMW, Mini, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo with Honda, Volkswagen, Nissan, Audi and even Ferrari featuring the ubiquitous iPod in upcoming models.

The aftermarket is booming too. Several top car stereo accessory manufacturers now offer iPod integration for most cars, from iPod-ready head units to self-install options to professionally installed interfaces.

Alpine, Pioneer, Clarion, Kenwood and a growing list of others now offer integration accessories that make the iPod, Creative’s Zen, and other portable MP3 players work like part of your sound system. This lets you use your head unit (main system control interface) for navigating and choosing songs, displaying all the information on the main unit interface. It is easier to use and therefore less distracting while you are driving, so it is safer than having to fiddle with the MP3 player itself. And the bonus is that these systems also charge your iPod, and other MP3 players, while you drive, so when you stop you simply pop the portable player in your pocket and you’re charged up and ready to go.

iPodding on-the-cheap

Audio purists may blanch at the following, but if you want the convenience of instant iPod “integration” without the need for the modifications and expense of a factory-installed or sophisticated aftermarket unit, you can opt for one of the plug-in FM transmitter solutions which let you become your own personal “radio station”, sending your tunes directly to your sound system via a neutral FM band.

The best of this genre usually combines an iPod caddy with an FM transmitter and plugs into your auxiliary power (cigarette lighter) socket, so it also charges your iPod while you drive (eg, the Griffin RoadTrip and the DLO Transpod).

While generally quite effective, totally transportable from car to car and relatively cheap (around $150-$180) the drawback of this system is that in heavily built-up areas it can sometimes be hard to find a clear “blank” spot on the FM band to tune into, and your sound quality may suffer.

Head of the class

iPods aside, the part of your sound system that you will deal with most is the head unit. This is your main interface to whatever you have hooked up to the system. It is from here that you switch between modes (radio, cassette, CD, minidisc, MP3 player etc), control volume, balance, fading and the general sound geometry of your system.

Head units these days come in an amazing variety of looks and configurations, often with dazzling animated front display units, some in full colour. Go to any car audio retailer or electronics store and you will usually find an extensive array of them to compare and choose from.

Head Unit

Some of them are real showstoppers, with an array of lights, buttons and display options that would stump a jet pilot. Others have a slightly more understated look. Most will have similar basic functionality but with head units you need to find the look that suits your car (and personality) as well as the features you need.

Be prepared to spend some time playing with the display units and comparing look, feel and functions with others. Most importantly, if you are mixing and matching the components of your whole system to get the exact sound capacity and features you need, you will have to make sure that the head unit and other components are all fully compatible and will work happily together once you have assembled the system in your car.

Your in-car audio options

Strange as it may seem, inside your car can be a far better listening environment than in your home, if your system is designed correctly. A typical car’s defined space and fixed seating can provide a great listening environment that you can tune your system for. Space may be more limited than in the home, but you can still build your audio system to suit it.

A true audiophile who spends a lot of time commuting, for instance, will probably be drawn to the super high-quality DVD-Audio, the successor to the CD. DVD-Audio reproduces original studio or concert performances with bit-for-bit accuracy. It has multichannel capabilities for real surround sound, and also carries multimedia “extras” which can be accessed with the right equipment (eg, visual displays of lyrics, liner notes, artist photos and biographies).

Speakers

For “people movers” which often have a couple (or more) children in the rear, a split system that incorporates a DVD player and/or a game console in the back (with headphones) will let you listen to your favourite audio while driving, without getting driven around the bend by endless repeats of The Wiggles, Barney, Hi-5 or game music and special effects noises.

Or, for top quality audio the whole car can enjoy with the rich, full effect of surround sound, you might go with a system that incorporates Dolby Pro Logic II technology and a front center speaker.