How to Make Your Car Speakers Louder for Better Sound

EHNoCord
7 min readNov 1, 2023

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How to Make Your Car Speakers Louder for Better Sound

The sound of clear, loud music inside your car can make your driving more enjoyable. The majority of the time, factory speakers do not have enough volume or audio quality. The standard audio system of the manufacturer is designed to only provide basic functionality, and not the highest quality of sound.

There are many simple ways to make your car speakers sound better and increase the sound quality overall, without the need of an amplifier. This guide will provide easy wiring adjustments and audio source upgrade options as well as speaker placement and materials for sound damping to make your car’s audio system live up to its potential.

Discussed Topics

Check Speaker Wiring Polarity and Connections

One of the most basic things to look for is the polarity of speaker wires. Each speaker wire is equipped with an negative ((+)) and negative (-) terminal that must be connected correctly in order for the speaker to remain “in phase” and output audio correctly.

  • If the negative and positive wires are crossed this can result in the speaker to appear “out of phase”, leading to low bass response, a lack of stereo image, as well as a general weak sound..
  • Make use of the multimeter to check the direction of the wires that are coming through your head unit or amplifier to ensure that the wires are in the correct phase.
  • When you’ve got the wires disconnected, you should examine the wires’ ends for damage and clean, if required. Corrosion can increase resistance which decreases transmission of power to the speakers.
  • Verify that the connections are secure as well as secure. Wire connections that are loose could cause distortion and noise.
  • Make sure that you are using the highest quality audio wire made of copper with and suitable gauge. Wires that are thinner and have greater resistance can affect performance.
  • To ensure maximum power transfer, you should use speakers wires that have the longest distance through the amplifier directly to the speaker.

Achieving proper polarity and solid wiring that has solid connections are the two most basic steps to enhance the sound quality that comes from your speakers. This ensures that you’re getting maximum power from your speakers to ensure maximum volume.

Additional Speaker Wiring Tips

  • Use a heavier 14 or 16 gauge wire for speakers with more than 50 watts.
  • Connections to Solder to get the best results, However, high quality connectors with crimp are fine.
  • Think about the idea of routing signal and power wires in a separate manner to avoid interference.
  • Make use of grommets for wires that are running through metal barriers.
  • Divide wires connecting 2 speakers in order to keep the load on the amplifier.

The right speaker wire installation provides the base for your car’s audio system to sound loud and have great sound. The purchase of high-quality connection and wiring is advised.

Upgrade Audio Source Quality

The audio source that goes to your speakers can play a significant role in the audio quality. Audio streams with low bitrates or head units that aren’t of the highest quality will degrade the audio signal before it reaches your speakers.

  • Make use of high bitrate FLAC, MP3, as well as lossless files instead of less high streamers of lower quality. This will provide a fuller audio to your speakers.
  • Take into consideration upgrading your car’s head unit If it’s of poor quality. Find a head unit that has high-quality audio, custom EQ options, as well as strong amp output.
  • A bad quality head unit that is factory-made is usually one of the most vulnerable links. The replacement of it with an aftermarket stereo could be a huge improvement.
  • If you are keeping the factory head unit, you can connect an external digital input such as SPDIF coaxial with an outboard DAC in the event that it is there is one. This will bypass the internal DAC to provide better quality.

A clear high-resolution stereo signal permits them to perform at their maximum potential, and increases the volume and the sound.

Add a Powered Subwoofer

The addition of a powered subwoofer is a well-known upgrade that will give you powerful, loud bass without the need for an external amplifier. You should look for subwoofers with an integrated amplifier that can provide more than 100 watts of power handling.

  • Find the size of the subwoofer to the automobile’s size. 10'’ to 12 Subwoofers are suitable for the majority of sedans as well as small SUVs.
  • A proper enclosure for subwoofers with the right layout is vital. Sealed enclosures provide precise, tight bass while ports can provide powerful bass. Consult an expert on enclosure construction.
  • Make sure to set your crossover to between 80 and 120 Hz so that it only sends deep bass tones through the subwoofer. This reduces the strain on the main speakers.
  • Change the subwoofer’s phase to match your main speakers to ensure an unison sounding bass. This will prevent a thin or boomy bass.

The addition of a powered sub can be an easy way to increase volume, enhance the bass, and make your car’s music really shine. Subs of high quality start at around $200 but can provide significant advantages.

Use Sound Damping Materials

One problem with car audio is all the echoes, rattles and outside noises which interfere with clear audio. The use of the sound damping material inside your car could assist in absorbing these noises.

The most popular options are:

  • closed cell foam Sheets of dense foam which block the transmission of sound when placed on the floor, trunk, or doors.
  • MLV (mass loaded vinyl) — Heavier vinyl layer that reflect the sound and also adds mass damping.
  • Deadeners for sprays Liquid-applied coatings that are able to penetrate tiny crevices. However, they are messy and effective.

When putting in the installation, pay attention to the doors first since they are the ones that cause the most leaks and rattles. Cover all gaps and holes by using butyl glue to create an airtight seal. The addition of damping materials can “tighten” and improve the clarity of your car’s sound system.

Adjust Car Audio Settings

Be aware of the fundamental car audio adjustments that can improve the output of your speaker. The car stereo or head unit will likely have:

  • Volume — Increase it! Lower volume settings can affect the sound quality. It isn’t likely to damage speakers when pressing the volume up to 80% or higher.
  • Equalizer — The boosting of mid-range (500hz to 2000hz) along with highs(5khzand above)) can bring the clarity as well as “presence” to music.
  • Fader Fadering more sound forward can help make vocals clearer for the driver.
  • Speed-adjusted volume This security feature reduces volume based on speed. Switch it off to get maximum volume.

Make sure to adjust these settings until you find the ideal mix for your car and personal preference. It can make a huge difference.

Upgrade Your Car Speakers

A simple way to achieve greater volume is to upgrade your car’s speakers. The typical OEM speakers are cone drivers that are rated at less than 10–30 Watts.

Switching to a second-hand speaker with 50 watts or greater power handling will give the speaker a higher volume while improving the sound quality. When you upgrade your speakers:

  • Find reliable brands such as Alpine, JBL, Infinity, Rockford Fosgate. Read reviews.
  • Make sure you spend at minimum fifty dollars for each speaker for a significantly higher quality audio. 100-$100 per speaker is the ideal price when your budget permits.
  • Set up two brand new tweeters as well as full-range speakers to create an even sound.
  • Take into consideration your amplifier power requires. High-power handling speakers require amp power.

In particular, upgrading your front speakers to more powerful models can make a noticeable change in the volume of sound and quality while driving.

Position Car Speakers Strategically

Achieving the right placement and aim of the car speaker also enhances the performance of car speakers. Use these suggestions:

  • The tweeters and woofers can be angled toward the back to concentrate on the driver’s location.
  • Make sure to avoid obstruction of the speaker by objects which block the output.
  • Set tweeters near the ear to get better high-frequency response.
  • Separate the tweeters and woofers to the extent possible to have better stereo images.

By ensuring you place your speakers in a proper way ensures that sound is directed towards you instead of being getting lost in the cabin. The angle they are angled toward your ears can make huge difference.

Summary of Ways to Make Car Speakers Louder

In summary the key points, here are a few effective ways to boost your car’s speaker volume and improve the quality of your sound:

  • Check the polarity of speaker wires
  • Upgrade source audio quality
  • You can also add a subwoofer that is powered.
  • Make use of sound-dissipating materials
  • Change the settings of your car stereo.
  • Install better quality speakers from the aftermarket
  • Place speakers strategically

Many of these methods are easy, low-cost DIY projects that create an incredibly noticeable improvement in the volume and quality. Combining several methods provides maximum benefit.

When you add an amplifier to your system, it gives an additional volume boost This guide demonstrates that how you can use to make your car’s speakers substantially louder, without the need for additional amp power. Only a few changes will result in more pleasant audio.

Now you can turn up the volume during your road trips! Tell us in the comments section if you have any other suggestions for making your car’s speakers louder.

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