As a 48 year old who not only loves audio equipment but music as well, I often find myself questioning other peoples' motives for having what could be termed "out of the ordinary" audio systems in their vehicles. For some it's about sound quality, for others, it's about db's. Some seem to be intent on impressing other people with what they can pound out. My question for debate is, "Is it about the love of the music for anyone anymore?" I'm not talking about "loving" a track because it hits 25hz, I'm talking about a love for the music that pleases you inside, like a lyric or a guitar riff, that brings out an emotion, not something that makes your friends go "WOW". Some of the best music I have has a SQ of zilch, but I love it. Not trying to slam anyone, just curious.

 

You definitely don't spend two or three days in a bassment building a speaker box to impress people. It has gotta be for the love of the music. At least that is why i do it. I could care less what others think. You can't beat all that hardwork and hearing it for the first time. It is truly worth every hour.

 

My thoughts on stereo gear be it home or auto are strictly for my listening pleasure. I could care less what others may think. I have only built systems for the music I listen to. When I listen to a lot of my music it instantly takes me back to another time, it could be two months or twenty years.
As I have said here, the best systems don't cost thousands don't consume the vehicle.

 

I've installed a fairly nice sound setup in my truck because I like to listen to music reproduced as well as possible within the constraints of my wallet and all the road noise that my truck kicks up.

I have nothing amazing...(certainly not the Mark Levinson setup that the new Lexus vehicles are now equiped with)...but it is a pretty solid sounding Nakamichi head unit and amp with Infinity speakers (should have gone with MB Quart). I don't even have (or want) a sub since I feel that I get quite good bass already without having my truck thumping to only one note in the bass.

There is no way I can compare my trucks sound system with the one in my home. My home setup was created and built up to increase the shear enjoyment of the sound that a group of musicians can create...it sounds as close to live and natural as I could get (once again, within the constraints of my wallet). If my system allows me to get past "hearing the system" and allow me to hear the music, then I've accomplished my goal. Hopefully, my trucks system allows me to hear a bit of that live, natural sound that my home system offers.

I cannot imagine that the majority of the people that are driving around these deafening one note bass-thumping pieces of crap (high priced and high tech they may be) can possibly be doing it for the love of the music...hell, there is no music in earth shaking rhythmic thumping unless you're an log pounding neandrathal.

I do also enjoy finding good gear and then spending time doing a nice clean installation...that's just the technical side of me coming out. So tweeking the system to make it sound even better is another part of the enjoyment that my system allows me.

 

I think its fairly safe to say that the younger crowd (high schoolers I would say) are the ones more interested in impressing people with their systems. Although, there are people of all ages who still go after that all out SPL system... most of them go for competition I would imagine. I dont say that to criticize anyone who goes after a SPL system.. that's fine and dandy if that's what you want.

Anyway, my system was built TOTALLY for me to fully hear every note that I possibly could. I drive A LOT.. over 40,000 miles a year on my truck.. so the truck stereo system is very important to me. Honestly, when I hear the music in a full, awesome sounding audio system.. it just gets to me more. To hear a great vocalist, an awesome drummer, a hard rocking guitar solo, or even a softer gentle piano led song.. there's nothing else like it. Without music.. there would be nothing to keep you company when you're on that road trip by yourself. Besides, there's no better travel companion than a good music collection.. it never asks to stop for a restroom break or to get something to drink.. and you can switch songs if you're getting tired of the one playing. LOL

I prefer the subwoofer in my system.. it doesn't over power the higher end range and definitely generates a lot more "emotion" (for lack of a better explanation) in the lower notes of a bass drum or bass guitar.

 

I DO WHAT I DO FOR ME!

For me, its not even so much the music. Its a hobby! I have been in love with car audio for many years now. I absolutely love it! I am in the process of putting together a stereo right now. I have been in the process for about a year now and I still dont have a piece of equipment in the truck just yet. But when I design a stereo for ME I try to make it sound the best I can! I am all about it sounding absolutely amazing! If I cared what others thought I wouldn't have sound deadened my truck and bought the equipment I did. When I listen to my stereo (when I had one in the truck) I found my self listening to music I would have never listened to before simply because it sounded absolutely amazing! It was just unreal of how good it would sound when you would sit int eh truck at night close your eyes and just listen to the way it sounds....THAT RIGHT THERE IS WHY I DO WHAT I DO!

I just love it when it sounds so good and 'hits' a note so well it gives you chills....

On a side note I am of the younger crowd, but I am way ahead of my time....

I just love doing it, its a hobby of mine and I take pride in what I work for (as far as buying the equpiment) and I take price in the install (which I do 100% of!).

What I run : http://www.sounddomain.com/member_pa...=287790&page=1 os what I will run I should say. Should begin installing later this month hopefuly!