Why is the car audio industry so far behind?

[Bennyblanco14]

I've been involved in car audio for over 20 years. It seems like the car audio industry hasn't advanced much over the years, as the same amplifiers that were used in my first build in 96 can still be used today. One new trend I've noticed is the use of DSPs, which was originally prominent in SQ setups but has now transitioned to SPL setups as well. Although EQ has always been used, it's not common for SPL enthusiasts to use DSPs for time alignment.

I wonder why the car audio industry is slow to advance compared to industries like home audio or cell phones. It's amazing to see the significant progress made in these other industries. For example, I can use my phone to access Google Earth and virtually explore the streets of Japan.

Most of my car audio journey was focused on bass, but when I switched over to SQ, my every waking moment was focused on how to get my car to sound better. Now, many people give chinese android HU shit because, most of them are shit. Lol. But, a few of them were actually bringing something different to the table. One of them was Atoto, and what them and few other offered was optical output. When I first seen this, I was so excited that I purchased an atoto S8 pro, that I still use today, because it had optical output. When I told my friends, you wouldn't believe the hate I got for it. I tried explaining that although the rca voltage was very low, the optical output was a game changer. This was because it sent a clean signal to my Helix dsp and there was no gains to adjust on the dsp, and it was one skinny wire compared to 2-6 rcas I would of had to navigate. Fast forward to today, many SQ guys are using Android HU because of what it can do. Not to mention a youtube channel called raw-cat had measured the optical output of a Joying HU and it was the cleanest signal.

So, back to my question, why isnt the car industry adapting to better? If some Chinese HU can make HU with a full DSP (TIME ALIGNMENT, 31 BAND EQ, PHASE), OPTICAL AND COAX, WITH A TON OF USB INPUTS for half the price, why can't pioneer come out with something similar? It can't be price because chinese buildhouses are doing it for real cheap. One year, clarion came out with a full digital system that took a fraction of the vehicles power but for some reason again, it didn't catch on.

But, if you have gotten this far, thanks and what's your thoughts?

 

[Jim Taylor]

But, if you have gotten this far, thanks and what's your thoughts?

I think that if the auto sound industry doesn't find a way to create a noise floor in a car that is the rough equal of a room in a house, then there's' no point in putting too much time, energy and money into designing high quality (SQ) auto sound gear. Even the quietest of cars are actually noisy as heck.

Of course, I could be wrong about that .......

Jim

 

[Chrispy]

My impression is that the audio in new cars is somewhat tied into other systems in the car and isn't easily modified, but there are some decent packages available depending on vehicle. Probably cuts into the aftermarket stuff. One of the reasons Samsung bought Harman was because of the OEM car market. I have an older vehicle (07) with a basic Kenwood head unit that replaced stock setup, with some amps and speakers of my choice and its fairly decent overall, don't spend much time driving it these days though.

 

[Grumpish]

I think that if the auto sound industry doesn't find a way to create a noise floor in a car that is the rough equal of a room in a house, then there's' no point in putting too much time, energy and money into designing high quality (SQ) auto sound gear. Even the quietest of cars are actually noisy as heck.

Of course, I could be wrong about that .......

Jim

Spot on - only a minute number of people can afford cars that are quiet enough (such as a Rolls Royce, and even the best of those are nowhere near) that sound quality is anything beyond marketing blurb.

 

[jayapple]

I used to consider upgrading my car's audio system, but I decided to give up in the end.

One reason is that car audio equipment is far behind desktop equipment in terms of technology, but it is priced exorbitantly.

Another reason is that car audio systems are not just about listening to music; they need to be integrated with many functions of the car, and the original car audio is the best. Modifying it may result in the loss of many functions of the car.

The third reason is that branded car audio systems offer a much better experience than after-market modifications, as they are designed specifically for the car's interior. Modification requires a top-notch audio engineer, and these people won't work at a modification shop for a small amount of money...

It's worth mentioning that if your car is a cheap Japanese car or an old one, you can modify it. Because the speakers in that car can only receive radio signals and have no other functions. Modifying it will still be much better.

Finally, I plan to buy an electric car, as you know, electric cars are extremely quiet, and the power supply is more than enough to meet the power demand of desktop-level amplifiers. Of course, I also value the power output of the original car amplifier, and it's best not to modify it.

The competition in electric cars in China is extremely fierce, which benefits consumers a lot.

 

[Palladium]

I just EQ to my liking on my stock Pioneer deck with a Firefly LDAC USB to the 3.5mm aux in...No point doing more when the background noise is a lost cause anyway at >70dB. Sounds decent enough TBH.

 

[Waxx]

It depends on what system, modern OEM Meredian, Harman and Focal car systems are very high quality. And even the basic system (not even the optionl upgrade to a Harman Kardon system) of my BMW company car is quiet good. But on a lot of cheaper cars they just don't do much effort, maybe because of the high noisefloor that those cars often have (not so well insulated).

A lot of custom car kits or systems are indeed mainly based on the chase for bass and spl, not fidelity. It's probally because that is where the money is. Most people won't fiddle with their car system, because they don't care. It's only in car tuning or the boomcar scene (the very loud car systems) that people modify their car today in Europe. The rest keeps it largely stock. Also because it's not so easy anymore to mod like before car became computers on wheels...

 

[DavidMcRoy]

There is widespread availability of systems like CarPlay in new cars and in aftermarket equipment. Pretty advanced user interface, it seems to me. As for sound quality, the act of driving itself must be the primary concern for motorists for obvious reasons. The "distraction" which arises from the driver's necessary preoccupation with the primary task at hand, along with the aforementioned noise issues, kind of explains why audio quality takes a back seat in cars. I for one have always prefered to concentrate outlay on a home system where improvements can be readily appreciated. Whatever the carmaker makes available stock is more than adequate for me in that environment.

 

[StigErik]

It depends on what system, modern OEM Meredian, Harman and Focal car systems are very high quality. ...

Are they? I have Meridian in my own car, and to my ears it sounds awful. No proper way to tune the sound with EQ either, just three simple tone controls and some basic EQ presets.

 

[GXAlan]

Shrug. I use my 2018 BMW iDrive NBT with Apple wireless Carplay, HD Radio and a the drop-in DSP amplifier from Audiotec Fischer

MATCH UP 7BMW

7-channel Plug & Play upgrade amplifier with integrated 8-channel 64 Bit DSP for BMW HiFi sound systems

www.audiotec-fischer.de

Measurements

https://www.audiotec-fischer.de/media/pdf/c0/d8/aa/2018-03-Car-Hifi-Einzeltest-MATCH-UP-7BMW_EN.pdf

The market for premium electronics in cars is somewhat small in the present day. If you have the budget for premium sound, you probably have the budget for a car with a lot of integration and so the market for head-units with single or double DIN layouts are smaller. You'd use technology like Audiotec Fischer's all-in-one DSP amps or use standalone boxes like:

FiX Car Processor Overview - Car Audio - JL Audio

www.jlaudio.com

 

[Soniclife]

Are they? I have Meridian in my own car, and to my ears it sounds awful. No proper way to tune the sound with EQ either, just three simple tone controls and some basic EQ presets.

The meridian system in my jaguar is really good, it doesn't need further tuning from me, the default DSP assisted setup works really well.

 

[Doodski]

@Bennyblanco14. I specialized in high end car audio component level repair for ~8 years in Vancouver. I was the guy repairing and calibrating stuff like monster class AB and A amps, CD, MD and DAT head units and CD changers for car audio installers and customers of the retail stores. Offering factory service for several manufacturers. I can say that you are right. Car audio other than class D amps has stagnated. It's upsetting because it was such a awesome industry and it had such a wide following of enthusiasts that really where gearheads that where harder-core.

 

[Mnyb]

No one wants to bodge thier new car . The audio is so integrated into he infotainment that it's untouchable .

So this reduces the market to owners of 30 yo old cars with the classical "car stereo" setup with a slot in the dash for a standard unit with a bunch of wires sticking out .

..And the premium versions of for example Volvos sounds system are good enough for casual driving experience my current KIA EV6 is not as good as Volvo , but good luck modding that car .

And also leased cars , my is company car and many people privately leases cars so ripping out the interior is kinda of no go there

 

[StigErik]

I have a KIA EV6 GT-line as well (great car by the way) with the Meridian Surround sound system. It's actually worse than the standard sound system I had in my 2008 Citroën C5 ..

 

[solderdude]

Difficulties in car audio:

• Acoustics
• Temperature range the speakers have to endure
• Speaker 'boxes' (doors etc.)
• Low impedances + high power = thick wiring.
• Background noises
• Usual budget constraints
• Electronics does not have to be an important factor.

 

[StigErik]

The woofers in my car is, like in most other cars mounted directly in the plastic door covers, and fairly close to the floor. You can feel the entire door vibrate when playing music. I'm pretty sure that's not a good thing.

 

[Doodski]

Difficulties in car audio:

• Acoustics
• Temperature range the speakers have to endure
• Speaker 'boxes' (doors etc.)
• Low impedances + high power = thick wiring.
• Background noises
• Usual budget constraints
• Electronics does not have to be an important factor.

Sigh* The pluses of driving down the freeway or a lakeside with the tunes cranked with hundreds of watts is a surefire bonus... gg* The gals like it too.

 

[Doodski]

The woofers in my car is, like in most other cars mounted directly in the plastic door covers, and fairly close to the floor. You can feel the entire door vibrate when playing music. I'm pretty sure that's not a good thing.

Toss in a few more car amps and that'll solve that issue... hehe.

 

[goat76]

What about noise cancellation, aren't there any car manufacturers who have explored the idea of canceling out the wind and road noises, or is it a hard thing to achieve?

 

[Doodski]

What about noise cancellation, aren't there any car manufacturers who have explored the idea of canceling out the wind and road noises, or is it a hard thing to achieve?

Theoretically introducing a equal and opposite force to the extraneous noises is possible and does not appear too difficult on first thought. The reality apparently is that with acoustics it becomes difficult but can be done to some degree.