Turn Up the Volume on These Tracks After Getting Car Audio Installation Performed
Getting a new car audio system is a solid investment that will enhance the quality of your drives for years to come. Whereas factory systems tend to be underpowered and prone to distorted playback at high volumes, aftermarket car audio features premium-grade materials that are engineered to deliver a truly immersive experience.
After getting professional car audio installation, the next step is to test the system’s capabilities and ensure everything is working perfectly. Testing the different facets of your car audio setup not only verifies the quality of the installation but also allows you to experience the full potential of your aftermarket products.
The best way to go about this is by playing a variety of songs, each chosen to highlight specific aspects of your system’s performance. Let’s dive into our playlist of tracks to queue up that will test every aspect of your new car audio system.
Evaluating Midrange Clarity
Midrange speakers are considered the peak of the car audio bell curve because it’s where the lion’s share of vocals, guitars, and many other instruments live. A great car stereo and midrange speakers can shoulder the brunt of the responsibility in terms of quality playback, so it’s highly recommended to start with these two components as your car audio system’s foundation.
When testing midrange speakers, focus on the nuances of the tracks. The instruments and vocals should sound rich and distinct.
Queue up these tracks to test midrange speakers:
- “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen
- “Teardrop” by Massive Attack
- “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson
- “Making Love to the Dead” by Beginners
- “Loving You” by Cannons
Testing Bass Response
A car audio system’s bass response can make or break the listening experience. Ported subwoofers produce booming, throbbing bass lines that can quite literally rattle parts of the car. Sealed subwoofers, on the other hand, provide sharper, cleaner playback.
When testing subwoofers, pay attention to the quality of the low-end frequencies and if the bass is punching as intended.
Evaluate your subwoofers using these bass-heavy tracks.
- “Humble” by Kendrick Lamar
- “Direct” by Parallax
- “Jumpman” by Drake & Future
- “Bass Down Low” by Dev (featuring The Cataracs)
- “Lose Control – Missy Elliot (featuring Ciara and Fat Man Scoop)
Assessing High-Frequency Detail
High frequencies are crucial for capturing the details in music, such as the shimmer of cymbals and guitar riffs that hit the upper echelons of the sound spectrum. Rock, EDM, and electropop showcase high frequencies in their best light.
Use these tracks to test if the treble is clear and detailed without being harsh or sibilant:
- “Clubbed to Death” by Rob Dougan
- “The National Anthem” by Radiohead
- “Hotel California” by The Eagles
- “I Heard Her Call My Name” by The Velvet Underground
- “You Don’t Have a Clue” by Röyksopp
Verifying Dynamic Range
Dynamic range refers to the system’s ability to reproduce the quietest and loudest parts of a song with equal fidelity. Car audio systems with great dynamic range can handle huge swings in power and intensity without the listener feeling the need to adjust the volume.
The following tracks feature the soft buildups and bombastic peaks that will put your system’s dynamic range to the test.
- “The Chain” by Fleetwood Mac
- “Sit Down, Stand Up” by Radiohead
- “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin
- “November Rain” by Guns N’ Roses
- “Time” by Hans Zimmer
Where to Get Luxury Car Audio Installation
Testing your car audio system is an essential step to take after your car audio installation is complete. It confirms the components are working as intended and the playback is aligned with your preferences. By using tracks that showcase the contribution of specific components, you will get a comprehensive overview of your system’s performance across different musical elements and genres.
Remember, the ultimate goal is to achieve a sound that’s pleasing to you, so you may need to fine tune your settings and equalizer to perfect it. Investing in a car audio system with plenty of customization options is the best route to go. Also, the value of professional car audio installation cannot be overstated, as it reduces the risk of improper wiring and bad connections and helps to ensure proper performance.
Contact an aftermarket car audio retailer and installer near you to get started on your new system buildout. These professionals can walk you through the selection of each individual component of your system, ensuring they all work together in concert when they’re installed.
