The term “car audio” is an umbrella term describing the sound system fitted to an automobile. Somewhat different but quite similar is the “stock car audio system,” which refers to a system specified by the manufacturer when the car rolled off the assembly lines. At its extremes, the installation of custom car audio can involve anything from the upgrade of a radio to the radical full-blown customization of a vehicle around its audio equipment to include features such as car stereo CD changers.

Most commonly used audio equipment is the radio/tape player/CD player/DVD Player which is generically described as a Head unit. Recent developments in head unit technology have been the addition of CD players with MP3, WMA, AAC, and USB, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi support.

Most modern cars include at least a CD player/ CD recorder, and some have the option for car stereo CD changers, which hold multiple disks either in the head unit itself or in a separate unit usually located in a trunk or console. The main types of CD changers are External Cartridge, Internal Cartridge and Carousel CD changers.

Stereophonic sound is commonly referred to as stereo and it is the reproduction of sound wherein two or more independent audio channels are used to create the same effect as hearing natural sound heard from different directions, same as that heard in natural hearing. car audio stereos usually employ 2-channel sound recording and sound reproduction using data for more than one speaker at the same time.

Before stereo radio, speakers were often located in the middle of the dashboard through perforations pointed at the front windshield. When stereo systems became available, car audio speakers came to be located in doors and in the rear of the vehicle in parcel shelves. In modern cars, kick panel enclosures are used for high-end and competition stereo systems and allow for larger drivers and better driver placement.

To drive the speakers you got to have an amplifier. This gives power to the music you are listening. A good car audio speaker system must have an amplifier, which is its very important component. Be sure that the total handling capacity of the speaker which is connected to the amplifier is greater than the power amplifier.

The audio system in a car can be either term or stock. A term system would be one installed after purchase. Car audio stereos can now play a wide variety of formats, including MP3 and WMA. Audio systems may also include a car stereo cd changers to hold multiple cds. These changers may be an external cartridge, internal cartridge, or a carousel cd changer. Stereo, which is short for stereophonic sound, uses more than one audio channel to reproduce sound. The car audio speakers will be able to produce a stereo sound.