Consider what type of music you will listen to on your car's system. Classical, jazz, rap and rock all require vastly different audio setups at concerts. If you want near concert quality in your car then you should understand something about the music you are going to play. Classical music will require sound clarity over bass. You will likely want to invest in more mid-range speakers than subwoofers if classical music is your preference. In contrast, much of the style of rap depends on powerful bass. Most rap systems focus primarily on subwoofers (often having as many as four speakers designated for bass) rather than mid-range.
With an MP3 player it is unnecessary to cart around an entire case of CDs. CD cases also tend to be targeted by thieves. When buying a new sound system in your car, make sure the stereo can support MP3 players. This way you can easily carry your music with you instead of worrying about replacing car windows and your CD collection. By simply removing your MP3 player and CD player faceplate and taking them with you when you leave the car, you can make it look as if there is no valuable system in your car at all. Also, some systems have flashy displays designed for appearance rather than sound. Though these may not be inferior systems, there are cheaper alternatives that create just as realistic sound.
The speakers are the most important part of a sound system. Subwoofers are important for drum and bass beats. These are large and sometimes difficult to install. Because of this, subwoofers are often put in the trunk of the car. Tweeters and other smaller speakers are usually installed in the dash of a car. They can also be installed in the side doors of a car with some know-how. These speakers help play a wider variety of frequencies and will help reduce distortion at higher volumes. Horns are great for reproducing vocal frequencies. These are essential unless you strictly listen to instrumental music.
When deciding on installation, consider the layout of your car. With SUVs, the speakers will be in the car with you. If this is the case, you will not need nearly as much power in your subwoofers as with regular cars when the subwoofers are placed in the trunk. One of the most effective layouts in an SUV is to have the subwoofer box facing the back of the SUV with a mid-range bow placed on top facing the front. This provides great sound clarity and blend. The mid-range box can be placed in the back seat of regular cars. If you choose to place it in the rear window platform, make sure it does not obscure your vision when you look in the rear-view mirror.