In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some basics on important questions to ask your car audio installation experts during the process. Clarifying basic details and ensuring you understand the work being done on your vehicle is always important, and especially when it relates to long-term audio needs.

At Laketown Speed and Sound, we’re happy to answer any and all questions our clients have for us regarding their car audio upgrades, whether we’re performing some minor tweaks or overhauling your entire setup. Here are a few other major areas we recommend you inquire about, especially if this is your first time working with us or ordering audio upgrades to your vehicle.

Do Audio Upgrades Void My Car Warranty?

If your vehicle is under a warranty of any kind, whether from a manufacturer or dealership, it’s important to check into whether certain audio upgrades might risk voiding this warranty. Luckily, this is not a particularly common issue, but it does happen.

There are several common areas in which an audio manufacturer or installer will be required to make modifications to your vehicle in order to install the speakers and/or amplifiers that come with an upgraded system. The most common of these include drilling into your dashboard (to run cabin wires like bass signal lines), mounting tweeters in place of your stock speakers (which can sometimes be replaced, but needs to be confirmed at time of purchase), and routing various wires throughout the vehicle.

If you’re under any kind of warranty with your car’s manufacturer (be it a powertrain warranty or basic factory warranty) make sure to ask us if we’ll need to make any modifications to ensure there’s no voiding risk.

Which Other Upgrades Are Still Possible?

You may have come to us with a specific upgrade type in mind, but what if there are others we can help you with? If your vehicle is already equipped with a premium sound system, upgraded speakers and an amp, we’ve still got some great news: There’s plenty more we can do for you.

Just as you’re able to upgrade your car audio from the original factory stereo, our experts are able to upgrade just about every part of your vehicle’s sound system, including the radio itself! If you’re looking to upgrade your factory radio with a high-powered aftermarket option, be sure to ask us if this is something we’re able to do for your particular make and model. The answer will typically be yes, but this also allows us to detail the precise changes we’ll be making and how they’ll benefit you.

For more on important questions to ask your professional car audio installers during an upgrade, or to learn about any of our car audio, window tinting or other services, speak to the staff at Laketown Speed and Sound today.

Your vehicle and its accessories matter to you for several reasons, and you want to ensure money you spend on upgrading it is worthwhile. It’s common, then, for those having car audio upgrades installed in their vehicle — especially those who have never had this done before — to have plenty of questions for their installers through the process.

At Laketown Speed and Sound, we’re happy to help inform our clients in numerous ways, including answering any and all questions they may have during any of our car audio installation services. If you’re entering this world for the first time, what are some of the most important themes or areas you should be asking your car stereo experts about during the process? This two-part blog will go over several concepts we recommend inquiring about.

Parts Being Added or Upgraded

Perhaps the simplest and most important set of questions to ask here will be regarding the specific audio components that are being added or upgraded to your vehicle. There are several common components in a modern car audio system, including head units, amplifiers, speakers and subwoofers.

In most cases, there is a single head unit in your dashboard or front area of your vehicle. The head unit typically handles the CD player and AM/FM radio functions in a traditional setup inside a car — even though it’s also capable of taking more complex forms through upgrades.

Once you have a head unit in place, your car audio experts will likely install an amplifier. This device creates electrical signals to power speakers of all kinds. Even subwoofers are powered by this type of amp. If you are having subwoofers installed for the first time, make sure your car stereo professionals know.

How Will My Sound Change?

Next up, it’s important to inquire about how the planned upgrades to your stereo system will change your vehicle’s sound. Your technician can easily describe the new looks and sounds of your car audio system, but it’s also helpful to get a sense of where this will be most noticeable.

In most cases, you’ll have the greatest change in sound quality at high volume levels, which is why we advise our customers not to play anything too loud until their installation is complete. Keep in mind, too, that you may notice some sound changes during lower volume levels; this is not typically a concern.

How Can I Prevent Damage or Problems?

Because car audio technology is relatively sensitive, it also pays to ask about how you can maintain your car audio system in tip-top shape. Here, we recommend inquiring about the importance of keeping certain components dry and free from contaminants such as dust and dirt when possible. We also advise customers to refrain from touching speaker cone materials when installing speakers or when using them in everyday situations.

It’s important to ask these questions to ensure you’re getting the very best from your car audio upgrades. To learn more about this or any of our other automotive upgrade services, speak to the team at Laketown Speed and Sound today.

In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some basics on why car window tint should be left to professionals. While there are DIY options sometimes available in this realm, these tend to be of much lower quality — plus aren’t backed by the same kinds of guarantees that you’ll find from the pros.

At Laketown Speed and Sound, we’re here to help with a variety of window tinting services, ensuring your vehicle is tinted by the best professionals in town. What are some of the other reasons we strongly recommend avoiding those DIY tint offers and working with our pros instead, both for long-term value and practical purposes? Here are a few more tips.

Longer-Lasting Tint

One of the primary qualities of DIY window tinting kits, and a big reason they’re often so cheap: The materials they use are low-quality and ineffective, and therefore will not last as long as a professional window tint. The materials don’t hold up well in the UV rays of the sun, and they can even peel or fade with regular use.

At Laketown Speed and Sound, our window tint is professionally designed to last for as long as you own your car.

Clean Installation Environment

As anyone who knows tint well is already aware, a clean environment is vital for its installation. If any little bit of dust or debris happens to make its way into the tint area while it’s being sealed, this material will remain in the window permanently and will detract from its appearance.

And when your tint is being done in a DIY fashion, this sort of thing is a much greater risk. We’ve seen numerous DIY tint jobs that had to be completely re-done due to various debris getting blown into the windows, creating bubbles, air pockets or even buildups of bacteria that are dangerous to your health.

With professional tint installation, on the other hand, the installation area is cleaned, and the material applied to the windows has a positive charge so that any dust or debris will simply stick to it once it’s done being installed.

Long-Term Savings

Some DIY tint services claim they’ll save you money, but the opposite tends to be true in the long run. It’s easy to see why when you think about some of the most common reasons their services are less expensive than ours. Materials are worse and will need to be replaced sooner, and that’s before you consider potential installation defects that will require a complete repurposing of the tint in many cases. While you’ll spend more up-front for professional tint, you’ll actually be making the prudent long-term financial move.

For more on why DIY window tint isn’t a great idea, or to learn about any of our professional window tint, car audio or other automotive performance services, speak to the staff at Laketown Speed and Sound today.

While there are certain themes in our lives where some of us will be able to perform a do-it-yourself (DIY) job without spending money on professional service, there are also other areas where these attempts are not a great idea. And you can take it directly from longtime professionals in the industry: Vehicle window tinting is a service that falls into the latter category. 

At Laketown Speed and Sound, we’re happy to offer a wide range of window tinting services for any Draper vehicle — and we’re also here to advise strongly against attempting this sort of project on your own, or with the assistance of any non-professional entity. While that friend of yours who knows a bit about cars may claim to have expertise in window tinting, there are likely several areas he or she will not be aware of. This two-part blog series will go over all the reasons why sticking with licensed professionals for vehicle window tint is the way to go.

Local Tint Laws

Did you know that most states and even many cities have specific laws on window tint? It’s true, and this is one major area where amateur window tinting often falls short. You can be pulled over and given a ticket if your window tint is too dark, but this is one area professionals help you avoid entirely. We know all the local limits in terms of window tint for any window on your vehicle, and we’ll bring you the darkest tint allowable without risking legal issues.

Higher Quality

Another simple reason to stick with professionals for window tint installation: The quality is simply superior. While a lot of people out there do install window tinting, it’s likely not something they do regularly. They may only be working to get a little extra cash on the side, or even doing it for their own vehicle and selling their services to others for quick money.

As opposed to professionals who make this an area of specialization, these amateurs may not have the same level of training they need to make sure all your windows are tinted perfectly. This can lead to windows that look uneven, and even some areas which are faint and don’t offer the requisite level of protection.

Warranty Backing

Same goes for the warranty. While it may sound like a small thing, vehicle window tinting is something that should come with some sort of guaranteed backing, especially when you’re spending your hard-earned money and time on such a project.

When you work with our Draper experts to complete your car window tint installation — or if you plan to work with any specialists for this sort of service — look for a company that will have you covered in the event your tint fades, scratches or begins to peel away at any point. With a DIY installation, you get no such insurance.

For more on why it pays to work with professionals for your car’s window tinting needs, or to learn about any of our Draper car audio, window tinting or other services, speak to the staff at Laketown Speed and Sound today.

In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some of the earliest steps to consider if you’re looking to tune your car’s stereo system for optimal audio performance. Particularly if you’ve had aftermarket audio components like speakers, amplifiers and subwoofers installed, these generally come with a wide range of settings and tuning options – and getting them right will make a big difference between high-quality sound and lesser options.

At Laketown Speed and Sound, we’re happy to offer a wide range of car stereo and audio upgrades, plus comprehensive expertise on how best to utilize our equipment to attain high-quality sound. While most of part one went over the equalizer in your stereo and how to tune it, today’s part two will look at some more specific tips on stereo tuning, including fade control, tone and others – but we’ll begin by going over an important note on your manual.

Importance of Manual

First and foremost, stereo units that have advanced features like digital sound processing, automatic equalization or several others may require some specific care or steps while tuning – if these are not taken, you risk improper alignment or other concerns. For these areas, it’s important to refer to the operating manual for any such components; the manual will give you specific recommendations or requirements for tuning various elements, plus will warn you about tuning approaches that will not work.

Assessing Audio

When you’re ready to tune your car’s stereo, the first step is to turn it on with the car parked – this should never be done while driving. From here, pick a song you listen to often, and which you won’t mind listening to several times as you reference your sound levels during tuning.

If possible, choose a song that has variety in sound. You want it to include high notes like brass or cymbals, but also low notes like bass and medium notes like guitar or vocals.

Tuning Fade Control

Once your song is playing, tune the stereo’s fade control all the way to the point where music is only coming from the front-most speakers. Now adjust the left-right balance to your preference. Before moving forward from here, make a note of the settings you’ve landed on here.

Next, do the opposite: Turn fade control so sound only comes from rear speakers, then adjust the left-right balance to your preferred level. If you find that the balance settings you’ve achieved here are identical to those you saw with the front fade, you’re in good shape. If not, however, you will have to “compromise” between two settings, finding the right balance. This will involve re-testing both the front and back using the same methods we’ve gone over, usually ending with a situation where rear volume is slightly lower than front volume.

Setting Tone

Next up, listen to your music for balance – that is, are you hearing high, medium and low notes all at the same time? If not, your first step will be to check your EQ presets, such as sound booster, bass booster and others; you can test these to make music sound better using bass, treble and mid-range controls. Try different combinations until your music sounds perfect, with high notes that are clear but not invasive, mid-range notes that are smooth, and bass notes that are full – but not booming or shaking your vehicle.

For more on how to tune your car’s audio system, or to learn about any of our car audio, window tinting or other automotive services, speak to the staff at Laketown Speed and Sound today.

While you may have heard of musicians tuning their instruments prior to performing, did you know that this important sound-related area is not confined only to professionals? Tuning can be done on a variety of audio formats, including your car stereo and speaker system – and, in fact, may have a bigger impact on sound quality than you could have ever predicted.

At Laketown Speed and Sound, we’re here to not only offer high-quality car audio installation and stereo services, but also to assist our clients with long-term care and methods to ensure they get the best sound possible for years to come. We’ve helped numerous clients with tuning and related needs for their audio system, whether or not we were the ones who installed it. Whether on your own or with the assistance of our professionals, this two-part blog series will go over a number of basic elements to consider when looking to tune your audio system for optimal sound quality.

Why Tuning Matters

You might be wondering: Why does tuning matter for my stereo and sound system? Simply put, it can have an enormous impact on your sound. Especially when you have aftermarket car audio features like specialty speakers, amplifiers and subwoofers, these offer you the ability for numerous different sound settings and templates – and tuning is the process that allows you to take advantage of this.

Our next several sections will go over the important areas to look at when tuning an audio setup.

Equalizer Basics

The stereo’s equalizer, abbreviated EQ in audio circles, is likely the single most important component involved in tuning your setup. The EQ can be tuned to improve sound reproduction, which it does through themes like removing audio peaks and dips between frequencies – these interruptions cause harsher sound than what you want.

For simpler stereo systems, EQs will come with just three “bands,” or settings. However, there are more complex options that include over a dozen different bands, allowing for incredibly fine division of frequency groups that mean you can control your audio to a distinct degree.

Setting up EQ

So how do you tune an EQ properly? This begins with the use of a real-time analyzer, or RTA, which measures the sound in your car. Before you worry, an RTA isn’t tough or expensive to procure: You can even download an RTA app on your smartphone. In addition, you’ll need a pink noise generator to help with sound pickup, though most RTA apps contain this already.

While running the RTA app, play pink noise through your car stereo. The app will display a graph of your frequencies – and because it’s pink noise that’s playing, which is precisely even, there should be no major gaps between any of the frequencies, with a max gap of around 3-dB.

If this is not the case, you can make adjustments using your EQ bands. You may have to perform a few different tweaks and tests using the RTA until you eventually find the ideal range that gives you an even reading on your RTA graph. If you’re unsure about any part of this process, our audio professionals will be happy to help.

For more on tuning a car stereo, or to learn about any of our car audio, window tint or other vehicle services, speak to the staff at Laketown Speed and Sound today.

In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some of the specific summer-focused benefits of window tint on vehicle windows. While tinted windows benefit you in several ways throughout the year, the hot summer offers a few particular instances where having this feature installed in your car makes for a much safer and more comfortable – and even sometimes more affordable – driving experience.

At Laketown Speed and Sound, we’re here to provide high-quality window tinting services to numerous clients, including those looking to install them this summer to receive all their hot-weather benefits. What are some of the other top plusses that come with window tinting during the hottest parts of the Utah summer? Here are a few more to consider.

Child and Pet Comfort

One situation that becomes much more common for those with children during the summer: The kids’ presence in the car. Kids aren’t in school every day anymore, and while there are certainly other programs they may take part in, such as summer camps, the reality is that many parents spend far more time with their children during the summer – including often having to lug them around for various errands or other trips in the car.

And in these situations, along with those where pets are present in the car, window tint holds particular summer benefits. It keeps the car much more comfortable for kids, first of all, which makes them less likely to begin climbing the walls during a long drive or a set of errands. For dogs, especially those with heavy fur, tinted windows and the cooler temperatures they offer can make a huge difference.

Privacy

Speaking of kids, pets or anything else you might be lugging around on your daily errands during the summer: Window tint helps keep them private and protected. It’s far harder to see into your vehicle when your windows are tinted, and this sort of protection may benefit you in several ways, including keeping your kids safe.

Summer Security Themes

Down similar lines, it’s important to talk about window tint and vehicle security. To be clear, there’s no specific difference between a vehicle break-in or theft attempt in the summer versus winter; both will happen in similar ways. However, it’s a simple reality that during the warmer parts of summer, more people are out and about – including, unfortunately, the kinds of dishonest people who would attempt to steal or burglarize your vehicle.

If you have tinted windows, however, your car becomes far less of a target. Prospective criminals can’t see in to determine if there are valuable items to steal, plus might not be able to get a read for how easy it will be to attempt to hotwire the car if they can’t see inside easily enough.

For more on the benefits of window tint during the summer months, or to learn about any of our other car audio or automotive performance services, speak to the staff at Laketown Speed and Sound today.

As those who have had tinted vehicle windows for some time are already well aware, they carry numerous benefits throughout the year. However, especially in a hot state like Utah, there are certain parts of the calendar where window tint might be even more beneficial, and the hot summer is typically the best example here.

At Laketown Speed and Sound, we’re here to offer window tinting services for a huge range of vehicles, in addition to our car audio and other automotive performance solutions we offer throughout Utah. What are some of the specific benefits that car owners see from window tint during the summer part of the year? This two-part blog series will go over several areas to keep in mind.

Staying Cool

One of the most well-known positives of window tint in any area where the temperatures get high is the way they help the vehicle stay cool. The first method here is by reducing how much heat is in the air within your vehicle, which happens through the massive reduction of UV rays that make it through a properly tinted window.

However, that’s not even the full extent of it. When your car’s windows are tinted, the sun’s rays are not able to make the same kind of impact on your surfaces, particularly leather seats for those who have them. Instead of sitting down on scorching hot seats that might even burn your bare skin in the hottest parts of summer, tint will allow you to sit down on seats that are at a normal temperature. And of course, all of this reduces how much gas you burn while running your car’s AC unit through the hot Utah summer.

Glare and Damage Reduction

Glare is often an issue for drivers, and particularly so during the longer days we find during summer. However, tinted windows remove glare from several angles, making your driving experience safer – especially if you’re driving during the late part of the evening while the sun is setting, often the most dangerous time for glare.

In addition, tint reduces glare-related damage. UV rays can damage interior car materials, from leather to upholstery and many others, but these are blocked by proper tint.

Secondary Aesthetic Considerations

For many, the primary draw of window tint is the way it improves their car’s style. Most are only thinking about the darker shades here, though, and aren’t even considering a secondary benefit: These darker hues help conceal dirt, smudges, spots and other cleaning concerns. Even if you haven’t had time to wash the car in weeks, it will still look great in tinted areas.

For more on the benefits of summer window tint in Utah, or to learn about any of our car audio or other automotive services, speak to the staff at Laketown Speed and Sound today.