When we hear the phrase car audio systems, we automatically assume that a person is talking about the sound system in their car or vehicle. If you are a real sound junkie you will also have a video player in your car to compliment your system.The most common piece of audio equipment used in cars in the radio/CD player which in generic terms is known as the head unit. This is the item that is most commonly upgraded and as technology changes and moves forward this is the part of the cars sound system that also changes.

Up to a number of years ago most car audio systems were fitted with a cassette player and then became a CD player. With technology, ever expanding CD players now also have the capability of playing MP3, WMA, AAC, and there are even car stereos that are now going to be equipped with USB slots. Today it is common to have your car equiped with a car video system straight from the factory.

The majority of cars have a CD player and there are others that also include the option for a CD changer which can hold multiple disks. These CD changers can be housed in the car stereos head unit itself or stored in a separate unit which is normally stored in the trunk. Some car stereos now even support DVD players and LCD screens which have been designed to entertain children on long journeys.

Speakers are also an integral part of the audio system in cars and these are generally located in the doors at the front of the car and over the trunk in the back of the car. There are a wide range of speakers available on the markets today and just like the head units, technological advances also impact on these. If you are looking to add a car video system you can use the same speaker setup provided the speakers outpu can handle the load placed on it by the new video components. Always check the spec before you start combing components so you don't get a nasty surprice when you turn the system on.

Another component of the audio system can also include amplifiers and these are vital if you wish to have a number of speakers in your car. The amp will boost the capability of your system but it is also important to get the right amp to compliment all of your components.

As you can see the audio system in your car does not have to just consist of a small unit that plays your CDs or plays the radio, and these systems do enable you to add a lot more components to them. Once again the key is in matching up your components for the best audio and visual experience.