Car Audio VS Home Audio

Dave Moritz · 01-11-2005, 10:06 AM

This question is for those of you that have solid backgrounds or allot of knowledge on car audio. Would you consider car audio to have the same quality as home audio? Would you rate a average car system to be as clean, crisp and detailed as a better than average home system? I may be completely off base here so please correct me if I am wrong. It just seems that with the size of the components that are used in you basic car audio compontents that car audio would not be as good as a home system. In regards to cd transports, d/a converters, video processing for car dvd players etc. It just seems like its all to packed in and that it would not be as good. I personally would not invest to much into a car audio system only because its allot more exposed because your car is typically drive to many locations. And during that time people hear it if you have it turned up or people might scope your car out if the suspect it might have a system in it. While it happens I feel its less unlikely that a peson will take the risk to try to steal an home theater system. Heck not to mention overall a home system is allot more flexible than a car audio system and has more format possibilities and highend components to improve the audio/theater exsperience.

Now back to my question, I only ask this because it was something I was thinking about lately. And we don't learn unless we ask questions. I am not into car audio like I am into home audio. So I am hoping that some knowlegedgable people will be able to answer my question.

Jean D · 01-11-2005, 10:32 AM

until its more available and affordable to have cars that can acctually handle hi-rez multichannel music, in my opinion, car audio has a lot to catch up on. I believe that Home Audio is generally better in terms of quality. But your comparing apples to oranges I think. Home theater is in more demand by audiophiles where as car audio is more in demand by a younger generation into music more so than the technological advances in music. So the home theater industry I would guess would make more money, product and be affordable. But Im not an expert. Just my opinion since I have both a nice home theater and a decent car audio setup.

Dave Moritz · 01-13-2005, 12:34 PM

Thanks for your input Jean. I guess I was looking more at compairing them straight across. As far as pure audio performance goes, not necisailly high resolution audio or surround sound. Can current car audio match home audio? Can it match it in regards to frequency responce, detail and clairity. Granted you dont need the large size drivers you would find in a larger room. Also can the video performance of car systems match that of current home video systems.

Jean D · 01-13-2005, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Can current car audio match home audio? Can it match it in regards to frequency responce, detail and clairity.

I would think it "could", but its costly for high end mobile audio. And am I to assume your talking about music and not movie soundtracks?

Scott L · 01-13-2005, 11:05 PM

The wide open soundstage and dynamic response you get from a real home audio setup will always be leaps and bounds over anything car audio can produce. I've heard it said before, "you can have good sound in a car, but never great sound."

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Dave Moritz · 01-17-2005, 11:56 AM

In general mostly talking about audio performance. It just seems that for the most part its very difficult to get a car system to sound as good or better than a great home system. Also a car by nature because of how it is constructed and the materials it is made of. You also have to deal with alot more than you would in a home system. In regards to outside noise and restrictions of the interior.

Jason Kirkpatri · 01-18-2005, 07:35 PM

Quote:

I may be completely off base here so please correct me if I am wrong

Yep, you are.

Not even close.

Karl_Luph · 01-19-2005, 07:20 PM

So has anyone tried to run a small home stereo receiver,say 20 watts RMS per channel using a power converter . I know it wouldn't be very practical looks wise ,but it seems the sound quality would be better than an in dash receiver. Or would it?

Dave Moritz · 01-20-2005, 12:11 AM

Hey Jason would you care to expand that thought?

Quote:

p, you are. Not even close.

Please tell me why it is you feel that car audio is just as good as home audio. You say I am not even close but you did not say what or why.