You spent lots on your home stereo system, but you actually spend more time listening to music in your car. Maybe it's time for a good car audio system.

Lots of people go through life happy with their car stereo — they never give it a second thought. But you have doubts about the stereo system in your vehicle. Did they spring to life after you heard the new stereo that your neighbor installed in his truck? Or maybe they started when that new CD that sounded so great on your home system sounded so totally flat in your car? Whatever the reason, your ears are trying to tell you something — there is a better world out there.

Turn up your car's stereo to a healthy level and listen. Do you find yourself turning the treble control way up to make the music sound clear? Do the bass notes sound hollow and exaggerated? When you drive, do you turn up the volume for a song you like, but then turn it down immediately because the sound is a little irritating?

If you're nodding your head, you are a prime candidate for an aftermarket sound system, with components made by companies whose primary focus is sound quality. But, if you're new to car audio, the road to better sound can be a long and winding one. Here are a few things to keep in mind.

Replacing your factory system

Your vehicle's factory system consists of a stereo and some speakers. In the vast majority of cases, if you replace these, your music will sound better. Sounds pretty simple. So what's involved?

In most vehicles, it's a relatively easy job to remove the factory stereo from your dash and replace it with an aftermarket stereo (aka "receiver" or "head unit"). In many cars, the stereo pops right out with the aid of simple tools; in other cars, you might have to remove a section of the dash.

The great majority of vehicles have a 2" tall (or "DIN-size") stereo; some Chrysler and GM stereos are 3" tall (DIN-and-a-half), and a growing number of newer vehicles have 4" tall stereos (also known as double-DIN). Many vendors make 3" and 4" tall aftermarket stereos, or you can purchase mounting kits that allow you to mount a standard (DIN-size) stereo in these larger dash openings. (Click here to find out which stereos fit your car.)

This mounting kit and wiring harness simplify the installation of your new stereo, and make it easy to replace the factory stereo when you sell your car.

Will I ruin my car?

No, you won't hurt your vehicle if you install a new stereo. But it's important to install an aftermarket receiver properly. Vehicle-specific harnesses are available which allow you to connect the new stereo to your factory wiring. Since you don't have to cut any wires, it's easy to re-install the original stereo when you sell or return the car. If the prospect of dismantling the car is a little intimidating, get a knowledgeable friend to help you through the installation. You might be surprised how easy it is to do it yourself.

So what do you get for your trouble? The average aftermarket stereo will have the following advantages over a factory stereo:

• more power — for cleaner sound and better bass response, something you'll notice even at lower volume levels;
• better AM/FM reception — more stations, less drift, better FM stereo;
• more effective tone controls — unlike the typical bass and treble adjustment on a factory stereo, more sophisticated controls allow you to get the sound exactly the way you like it;
• more entertainment options — most stereos can control an iPod or a satellite radio tuner with an optional adapter cable; many stereos offer auxiliary inputs so you can plug in a portable music player, iPod, or video game; and most stereos will control an outboard CD changer that holds anywhere from 6 to 12 CDs.

If you're unfamiliar with the industry lingo, it can be confusing to encounter all the different specifications and features spewed forth by car audio dealers and manufacturers. If you want to do the research, check out our Learning Center articles on car stereos. If you don't want to deal with facts and figures, it's important to get advice from a knowledgeable friend or a salesperson you can trust.

The performance of this factory speaker is limited by its construction; an inexpensive paper woofer and paper "whizzer cone" tweeter will not produce accurate, high-fidelity sound.

"Oh, my speakers sound just fine."

Your car's speakers are not a high-priority item for the auto manufacturer. In most vehicles, you'll find simple paper cone speakers that produce minimum acceptable sound quality, and little more. Even the separate speakers for low and high frequencies (woofers and tweeters) that you'll find in many so-called "premium" factory sound systems are typically of low quality. For many people, "minimum acceptable sound quality" is good enough; but you must be wondering if there's something better out there or you wouldn't be reading this article.

If music is important to you, you probably have a decent set of speakers in your living room. Listen to a familiar track from a favorite CD on your home speakers, and then repeat the experience in your car. Factory speakers will often sound dull and a little fuzzy in comparison. Individual bass notes turn to mush, while the high-frequency sounds that add sizzle to your music (cymbals, tambourines, etc.) are buried. In short, your music loses detail and impact.

By comparison, aftermarket speakers will offer:

• brighter sound and more overall clarity, thanks to higher-quality tweeters
• more accurate bass (from woofers cones made from superior materials)
• better construction for longer speaker life

You'll find a wide range of speaker prices. It's important to buy the right speaker for the job. If you plan on using your car stereo to power the speakers, you'll want to choose speakers with a high efficiency rating (also known as "sensitivity" or "SPL" rating) because they won't require a ton of power. Speakers can sound just as distorted if they're underpowered as they can when overpowered. If you're using an amplifier, choose high-quality speakers that are designed to handle high power. If you're installing separate component speakers (woofer and tweeter sets), you'll get top performance if you power them with a separate amplifier.

You might have to do a little work (remove your door panels, or unscrew a section of your dash, or crawl into your trunk), but it's not difficult to remove the factory speakers from most vehicles. Speaker wiring harnesses are available for most vehicles that allow you to hook up your new speakers without cutting off the factory speaker plugs. That means you can pop the factory speakers back in at a later date — good news if you lease your car. (Again, if you get nervous holding a screwdriver, talk to an experienced local installer.)

A sophisticated, compact powered sub like Infinity's Basslink can make a world of difference in the sound of any car's audio system, factory or aftermarket.

Where do I start?

If you've visited a car electronics website or a local retailer, you know there are a staggering number of choices out there. So where do you start?

First, narrow down your choices by asking yourself some questions:

• What's your budget? There's no law that says you have to replace all this equipment at one time. Many people test the waters by replacing their front speakers first — you can buy a good set of front speakers for as little as $30-$50, depending on the size. It's fun to build your system step-by-step, since you get to hear the sonic improvement made by each new piece of equipment. If you want to do it all at once, plan on spending roughly 60% of your hard-earned cash on the stereo, 40% for front and rear speakers.
• Do you love your factory stereo? If you like the way your stereo looks and operates, but its sound is unimpressive, replace your speakers with efficient aftermarket speakers first. You'll notice a big improvement in the sound quality, and odds are you won't have to turn up the radio as loud to hear the music. In many newer vehicles, you can't remove the factory stereo because it houses climate controls and other essentials. No worries. You'll find plenty of factory stereo solutions that can improve the sound and functionality of your system.
• Do you hate your factory stereo? If so, make a list of the little things that irritate you. You'll be surprised how handy that list will be when you start shopping for a new stereo. If it's tough to make adjustments on your factory stereo, look for an aftermarket stereo with a simple layout (a rotary control is a beautiful thing). If you can't ever get the sound right, look for a stereo that offers more extensive tone control — a built-in equalizer, preset EQ curves, or (at the bare minimum) a midrange control. Can't see the factory display? Buy a stereo with a bright, multi-color display for maximum visibility.
• Just need more bass? Some premium factory systems sound very good, but don't cut the mustard in the bass department. A subwoofer system consists of an amplifier, a subwoofer (a low-frequency speaker generally between 6-1/2" and 15" in diameter), and some type of enclosure — you can buy the components separately or purchase an all-in-one unit (called a "powered sub"). You can add a subwoofer to a factory system without making any modifications, so it's easy to remove it when you sell your car.
• Want more volume? Like to crank it up? Buy a separate amplifier to power your new speakers — you won't regret it.

Next, go shopping. If you know someone with a nice car stereo system, ask for his or her advice. A stereo's appearance might be important, so check out the different brands to see which look appeals to you. You might think you're saving money on an unknown brand name, but inferior construction and mediocre sound may cause you to regret that decision. Be a smart shopper. Buy a reputable brand from a vendor who offers a trial period and/or a guarantee of satisfaction.

Yes, the number of choices can be mind-bending — but there are plenty of people out there who are ready to help you. And there are few things in life as fun as rockin' out to a great-sounding sound system that you designed for your car. Have fun.