Hi-Fi 2.0

How do you experience music?

Do you relish the sounds of music like you savor the flavors of a gourmet meal? Is your music a wellspring of inspiration rather than a mere backdrop for your everyday activities? Would you like it to thrill you, at least some of the time?

Are you old enough to remember the Hi-Fi 1.0 era, when vinyl records were king? There wasn't much on TV, and multitasking wasn't even in the dictionary. Music lovers were much more likely to relax and just listen, devoting their undivided attention to the art within the grooves.

Then along came cassettes, MTV, PCs, MP3 players, earbuds, and other gadgets that multiplied our listening options but diluted the experience by degrading sound quality and pushing music further and further into the background.

For decades, people who were serious about sound quality had little choice but to buy a stack of components and a pair of boxy speakers. Fast-forward to Hi-Fi 2.0. Now some of the same devices that devalued the experience of listening to music can be used to enrich it. Computers can sound as good as high-end CD players. Smartphones and tablets can be powerful tools for music discovery.

Portability is no longer the enemy of sound quality. Today's "lossless" digital music files sound terrific. Pair your iPod® with a good set of headphones or a digital-media-friendly car stereo, and you can enjoy hi-fi sound wherever you roam.

Crutchfield can help you discover the thrill great sound can bring

Whether it's a high-end home music system, a car stereo makeover, or a simple upgrade of your TV sound, we'll show you how to improve your audio. Wherever you see our Hi-Fi 2.0 logo, you'll find information that steers you toward better sound. For a sample of our hi-fi guidance, try the links below.

Upgrade your computer sound
See the steps you need to take to create a killer desktop audio system.

See an AirPlay demonstration
How to send music from your computer, iPhone®, or iPad® to a Denon networkable receiver.

The advantages of an outboard DAC
Learn how an outboard digital-to-analog converter gives you better sound from the music stored on your computer.

Install in-wall and ceiling speakers
See how you can save money by doing it yourself.

Automatic speaker calibration
See how easy it is to fine-tune your surround sound.

Upgrading your factory stereo
For a dramatic improvement in sound quality, replace your speakers.

How to install a car stereo
See a step-by-step overview of a basic car stereo installation.