Remember the days before bass was invented? Ah, people back then didn’t know what they were missing. Audio systems in vehicles have become an important selling point for those looking to purchase a new car. For those people who travel long distances or who can’t stand silence in their vehicles, or who simply love music, audio systems are a key, if not essential, element in making their driving experience more enjoyable.
When you go to a dealership nowadays, you can usually get an upgraded sound system put into your vehicle prior to its purchase. Some of the most popular “upgraded audio packages” include sound systems by popular brands such as Audiovox, Pioneer and Bose sound systems. There are also neat radio deals (which will cost you extra outside of the sound system) such as Sirius radio, which is a radio featuring all sorts of different channels of music without the commercials. If you decide to purchase a vehicle with an upgraded “audio package,” some cool features you can expect to have include, but are certainly not limited to the following: channel controls mounted on the steering wheel, extra speakers mounted throughout the car (for more of a “surround sound” feel), as well as special audio features in SUVs which allow you to play music outside of your vehicle if you’re at the beach or tailgating.
When you purchase an upgraded sound system for your vehicle, expect to pay anywhere from $500 and upwards for the added features. Even though you may LOVE music, you need to keep other people in mind when you purchase it. Sure, the car is going to be yours and you may feel that whenever you are alone in your vehicle, you can blast the music as loud as you want. However, consider the area that you are driving in. Do you usually drive through a lot of quiet, residential areas? How much time do you end up sitting in rush hour traffic moving at like 2mph? Can you usually be found driving on country roads for hours on end, with no one else around? These are things to keep in mind when you purchase a sound system. For instance, it is against the law to have your music blasting past a certain level of loudness to the point where other people can hear your music even though your windows might be closed as well as theirs. Be aware of the noise ordinances that are in effect for the areas that you drive through. For example, if you live in Raleigh, if your music is audible past 50ft, you can be cited for it.