Car customization in Oman

T-Mag Saturday 07/May/2016 13:47 PM
By: Times News Service
Car customization in Oman

Our car is not just a car. For most of us it is a second home. And in the moving house, the biggest, and perhaps the only entertainment (apart from the thrills of the road) is the music system. In most cases the stock, factory-fitted speakers, are not quite up to the mark as the audio system is the last thing manufacturers consider when designing and building an average car. Though factory installations have improved over the last few years, there is still a massive room for improvement through sound system upgrades. Replacing the factory audio setup with a custom aftermarket system makes a big difference in sound quality with better overall clarity, a greater range of sound, and tighter bass. When it comes to aftermarket audio, it is all about compatibility and a perfect sync of all the components. These upgrades start from as low as OMR100 and can reach upwards of OMR500 for a fully loaded, ready to blow-the-room-off audio system. So where to begin? When it comes to sound, how you pump matters more than how much you pump, so you need to focus on two aspects: the speaker units (audio systems) and the main receiver unit (stereo receivers). Read About The Bike Whisperer In Muscat Audio Systems There two types of aftermarket car speakers, coaxial and component. Sold in pairs, the coaxial speakers pack multiple components, such as tweeters and woofers, into each unit, and they are the cheaper option. Component speakers separate individual units for each component, like the tweeter, speaker, and woofer, enabling the installer to give each one the most suitable and convenient positioning, resulting in a better listening experience. Additional dedicated subwoofers and amplifiers (which provide additional power to drive your speakers) should be considered for even richer sound, if your pocket allows for it. Subwoofers deliver deep, richer lows, and a much tighter bass (those punchy throbbing beats that you no doubt have heard pulsating from a car next to you). However, to deliver to the increased power demand for enhanced sound at greater volumes, you will also have to install amplifiers. Stereo Receivers Receivers are the governing units or feeders of information to the audio setup. The main receiver units vary by the number of added functions you look for, starting from Aux In to Bluetooth and WiFi compatibility, with other upgrades like touch screen available as well. Some premium stereo receivers also feature in-dash GPS capabilities, Smartphone Audio Integration, satellite radio, and HD radio. Popular after-market brands include: Pioneer Kenwood Kicker JVC Sony Alpine JBL Polk Audio Where to go for it Many in-car audio shops are scattered around Muscat. Theses shops are known to cut into dashboards to fit the aftermarket stereos they have available, which is fine for older cars, but not ideal for newer models or resale value. To have all the models and makes at your fingertips, go to the car music market in Ruwi, one street back from Ruwi High Street, near KM Trading shopping centre. There you will find blocks of car music outlets where you can peruse a wide range of branded speaker systems and customised main receiver units specific to the make and model of your car. [email protected]