You might think repairing car speakers is pointless, but you can potentially salvage them. However, it’s important to know when it’s worth it to make the repairs and when it’s time to simply replace them. It comes down to cost versus benefit, and that’s a decision our team can help you with.

How to Tell Your Speakers Are Damaged

Fuzzing, hissing, static … these are all signs your speakers aren’t what they used to be. Rattling, popping or lack of vibration are also evidence your speakers have blown or become disconnected. If you’re having difficulty diagnosing which speaker or speakers are causing problems, bring your car to our shop and we can help.

How it Happens

Maybe the speaker received more power than it was capable of handling and wires or internal components burned or melted. Maybe the cone has moved out of position. Maybe speaker failed simply due to age.

When to Re-cone

Repairing is also known as re-coning. This process involves removing the voice coil, surround and cone and replacing them.

It’s possible to buy a kit and do the work yourself, but in many cases, it requires in-depth knowledge of a car’s electrical system. Most professionals recommend against DIY work for this type of job, especially if the speakers are vintage or expensive.

Replacing Speakers: Upgrade Your System

If your speakers are blown, you may want to upgrade the whole system. We can add subwoofers and boost amplifier power for a much-improved audio experience. If you’re concerned about the lack of sound quality in your car, why not get a quote and see if it’s an investment worth making?

You Deserve Nothing but the Best

From repairing car speakers to installing a new set, our Laketown Speed and Sound audio engineering staff is ready to create the sound you deserve in your vehicle. Car audio systems add value to your vehicle and enjoyment to your life. We can help balance and boost your system to reach its potential. Contact us today to get a free quote for repairs or upgrades for your vehicle!

Car audio amplifiers are a key piece of a sound system, but many vehicle owners aren’t fully aware of their power or how they work.

Don’t blame your speakers if you have subpar sound in your vehicle — it’s more likely that the built-in, stock amplifier isn’t providing the boost your sound needs to deliver the quality you want.

What Do Car Audio Amplifiers Do?

Since you don’t see car audio amplifiers, maybe you don’t realize how integral they are to your sound system. In the simplest terms, amplifiers do exactly what their name suggests — they make small sounds bigger and louder. Amplifiers transfer electrical signals to a specific wattage that allows other components of a car audio system, like a subwoofer and speakers, to perform better.

What to Know

Before you decide on an amplifier, consider the number of speakers you have in your car. More speakers mean you’ll need an amplifier with more channels.

You’ll also need to think about the system as a whole before you choose an amplifier based on its specs. Many experts recommend choosing speakers first, as this will determine the amount of wattage you’ll be looking for from an amplifier. You want to at least meet or even exceed wattage demand.

Preparing for an Amplifier Installation

One of the most important parts of this project is deciding where to place the car audio amplifier. An expert will tell you it’s best to put it at least 3 feet from the receiver to avoid interference. It also needs plenty of ventilation to avoid overheating.

The installation process is highly technical, and an in-depth knowledge of wiring is required to complete it successfully. From setting up power and signal cables to grounding the amplifier properly, make sure you are fully aware of the extent of the process before you begin.

Why a Pro Is Best for the Job

At Laketown Speed and Sound, we don’t frown on car owners who make the effort to upgrade their car audio on their own! In fact, we love to offer tips to help make your projects successful.

At the same time, we can certainly help ensure the final result is the best it can be. After all, we have the years of training and experience needed to comprehensively and efficiently assess your system’s weaknesses, install the right components for an amazing upgrade and tune it to perfection.

Car audio amplifiers can seem like a puzzle to be solved, but that’s a skill we excel at! Get a free quote for your system from Laketown Speed and Sound today. Good sound doesn’t have to be outside of your price range. We make it possible!

A subwoofer can optimize your car’s audio. It’s a valuable piece of stereo equipment, and when installed correctly, it can transform your listening experience!

While you likely already know you need a subwoofer, wouldn’t you like to know how it will change your listening experience?

Achieve a More Balanced Sound

If you have a manufacturer’s stock stereo, the sound you’re getting isn’t that great (in the case of most models). Subwoofers are speakers dedicated to reproducing the low-frequency sounds needed for bass tones. When your sound doesn’t include the augmentation of all the bass notes, you only hear higher-pitched tones and miss out on a quality listening experience.

Not only are subwoofers able to offer a more realistic representation of music, they also allow car owners to customize the frequency range. You’re able to take the pressure off other speakers that are attempting to filter sounds in the bass range, ensuring proper enhancement of all tones, instead of overloading one speaker with all frequencies.

Every aspect of your car’s audio system can then perform at a higher level.

In addition, subwoofers can offer the listener a better audio experience in the context of their car’s interiors. Stock speaker placement can be less than optimal, further taking away from the system’s performance. By adding subwoofers in the right position, you can balance out the sound and achieve a better result.

Resist Speaker Damage

Here’s another benefit of adding a subwoofer: Your speakers won’t be subjected to as much wear and tear. It doesn’t make sense to upgrade the rest of your speakers if you still aren’t going to provide them the support of the subwoofer — they’ll be taxed by trying to do the job of the subwoofer and could sustain damage as a result.

Don’t Be Fooled: It’s About More Than the Woofer

Any speakers, including subwoofers, are only as effective as the power they’re supplied with. That’s why a comprehensive car audio update includes the installation of an amplifier as well. How much power does your system need?

It’s a question our experts can answer. We can also offer plenty of recommendations for individual components that work together to achieve the result you envision.

Why You Should Depend on an Expert

Updating car audio involves a complete design and tuning process, not just the purchase of individual components. That’s why Laketown Speed and Sound is your best resource in your effort to upgrade vehicle sound. We do more than put parts in your car — we create the ideal listening experience. Call today for a free quote!

Tweeters are a key component in a stereo system, and if you’ve explored your vehicle audio options at all, you’ve heard of them. But you may wonder what exactly tweeters are. How can you mount them for ideal performance? Where should you put them for the best sound?

Installing tweeters correctly can give you a broad depth of sound and a full stereo image, but it has to be done the right way.

What Are Tweeters?

Tweeters are speakers specifically designed to transmit high frequencies. Average speakers aren’t able to reach the same heights. Tweeters are combined with woofers (which cover the low sounds) to create a well-rounded sound that a straightforward stock speaker system will fall far short of producing.

Three Standard Mounting Options

Tweeter speaker mounts come in three different types.

The first option is the surface mount. In this scenario, tweeters are placed on top of a mount that is attached to the surface of the car’s interiors. This is the best option if your car cannot accommodate any other type of mount, or you’d like to change the interior as little as possible.

The second option is flush mounting. This is when tweeters are embedded within the dashboard or another part of the car and lay flush with the interior. You can find tweeters that are angled so you can adjust the direction of the speaker after it’s installed.

The third option is the bottom mount. The tweeter is installed beneath a grille that is already in place so you don’t have to make new holes in the car’s interior.

Four Different Placement Locations

There are four main locations within your car’s interior where it makes sense to place tweeters.

First, they can be installed on the “sail” panel. This is the area in the corner of your door between the body of the car and the window.

Second, you can install tweeters on the outer edges of your dashboard.

Third, the “A” pillar, the section of the car between your windshield and the door, is a good spot for a surface-mounted tweeter.

Finally, the upper door can often accommodate a flush-mounted tweeter.

Find Your Sound

Which type of mount is right for your car and which location is best? If you aren’t an audio professional, making the right decision may be difficult. Designing a car audio system is time-consuming and difficult if you don’t have experience on your side. At Laketown Speed and Sound, we create amazing vehicle audio systems that will blow you out of the water without blowing out your speakers. Contact us today to get a quote for your car.

If a remote start feature didn’t come with your vehicle when you bought it, you might soon wish you’d asked the salesman about car models that did include this helpful gadget.

No worries — Laketown Speed and Sound has the answer for you. We can install a remote start feature that cures your winter blues quickly, and winter is the perfect time to make this update.

Make Winter Your Favorite Season

If you live in Utah, you must like winter in some respect. Or maybe you just like looking at the snow-capped peaks — you aren’t a fan of your winter commute. It’s OK — it’s not the season for everyone. But it’s highly likely that the reasons you don’t like winter come down to a few of these inconveniences:

• If you forget your gloves on your way to work, your hands are ice blocks from holding the steering wheel.
• Your kids complain how cold it is the entire drive to school.
• Your nose freezes as soon as you get in the car and it takes half a day to thaw out.

Sound like we’re reading your mind? It’s because many of our customers voice the same displeasure with winter. Thankfully, a device that heats your car up before you brave the icy outdoors resolves all these complaints!

Safety Is a Major Factor

Think about how a remote start can help you from a safety standpoint. It’s so much easier to clean a thawed windshield than a frozen one. Your windows and mirrors get cleaner faster, and your visibility increases.

Add to Your Car’s Value

Everyone loves a remote start! Your car’s value will increase instantly. It’s a great feature that’s a huge selling point. So even if you plan on trading your car in next year, it’s still worth it to enjoy the benefits now.

You Can Pair it with a Security System

A remote start can be integrated into a car-wide technology update, complete with security features as well. You can link it to your smartphone and track where your car is, monitor door locks and start your car, all with the touch of a button.

It Makes a Great Holiday Gift

While you’re getting your remote start installed, why not ask our Laketown Speed and Sound team about gifting the installation to a loved one this holiday season? You know your parent, spouse or sibling would love it too, especially because they’re already envious that you’re getting the update before them. Talk to us today about why winter is ideal for your remote start install.

Enhanced car performance is on everyone’s wish-list this winter, but you don’t have to wait until the holidays. You can boost your engine’s output now, by making small changes that bring major results.

Winter presents problems for car owners. While the season is great for skiing, it’s not so great for driving, especially if you don’t have four-wheel drive. But you can shore up your engine against the worst winter weather and ensure your car retains its power, even when the temperatures drop below freezing.

What Should You Do?

A Basic Tuneup Goes a Long Way

When you feel like your vehicle doesn’t have as much power as it used to, don’t automatically run to the parts store. Sometimes, all your car needs is a tuneup, especially when cold weather hits.

First things first: Check your coolant levels. It’s important that the proportions are correct, with a 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and water. If there is too much water in the coolant system, it can freeze, block the flow of cold air to the engine and cause it to overheat. As you may have guessed, this is a dangerous engine problem that a simple check can help you avoid.

You should also get an oil change. When oil is dirty, it can become thick, and the cold weather only makes it more difficult for the oil to flow cleanly through the engine. Any buildup or oil sludge can affect the engine’s power output in the wintertime.

It’s Time for Snow Tires

If your tires just don’t grip the ground in the winter like they did in the summer, you won’t be able to test your engine’s limits — it’s too dangerous. To get the speed (and the confidence) you’re looking for, consider adding snow tires to make it safer and easier to maximize your engine’s power in the colder months.

Beware of an Aging Battery

Finally, before making any aftermarket updates or adding features, check your car’s battery. If it’s older than four years, consider replacing it, especially if you will need more power for a new stereo system. The cold weather can drain old batteries quickly, especially if you’re about to make updates that will increase power demand.

Talk to Our Team

When you’re looking for the best way to optimize your vehicle, Laketown Speed and Sound is your local resource. We love making an engine purr, improving car performance and appearance. Discuss your options with our technicians and we will deliver impressive results. Call Laketown Speed and Sound today to make an appointment.

Enhancing your car audio may be your dream, but the details can bog you down.

YouTube videos can make it seem like an easy weekend project to simply re-wire and upgrade your car audio system. And if you hear some of the common myths, you may worry the project isn’t even worth it. Or maybe some clerks at a car parts store gave you some misinformation that discouraged you.

We’re here to debunk popular misconceptions about car audio and encourage you to make the upgrades you want! And remember, with our help, you can keep your weekend for yourself while we handle the car audio installation and tuning.

Myth #1: There’s No Point in Enhancing My Audio System Because of Road Noise

Why bother enhancing car audio if I’m just going to take the top off my Jeep or roll the roof back on my convertible? Won’t this ruin the effect of audio updates?

No, not if you have an experienced technician handling your install.

The three essential components — a subwoofer, tweeters and an amplifier — give you a full, rounded sound that’s complete and powerful, without any distortion. When you depend on us to masterfully design and balance your system, you’ll hear your favorite tunes at crystal-clear levels, even while you’re driving at highway speeds with the wind in your hair.

Myth #2: You Have to Break in Subwoofers Before They Sound Good

Your friend just installed their own subwoofer and you cringe every time you get into their car. But they tell you not to worry — it’s just because their subwoofer needs to be broken in.

Don’t believe it! While it’s true that subwoofers have to mechanically “break in,” this doesn’t take weeks — it takes minutes! If the subwoofer doesn’t add to car audio quality immediately, something is off with the design and tuning. It’s human error, and it won’t magically get better with time.

Myth #3: Adding Another Battery Will Help My System

You may worry about how the increase in car audio power will affect your alternator. Should you install an extra battery to take the pressure off? It seems sensible, right?

Wrong. An extra battery will only drain your alternator more, because the second battery will need to be charged while the first is being used.

Myth #4: There Is No Room in My Car for a Subwoofer

Don’t give up so easily! Even the most compact vehicles can have enhanced audio. We can help you find products that fit your make and model and function efficiently with your car’s power capabilities.

We Get It

Car audio is our specialty. We’ve helped hundreds of car owners enhance their audio, and we’ll do the same for you. Contact Laketown Speed and Sound today and get a free quote for your car.

Car security is a technological industry that’s constantly evolving. Car alarms operate much differently than they did 10 and even five years ago. If you’ve been making updates to your car but you haven’t touched your alarm system, your vehicle may not be adequately protected.

Is Vehicle Theft Still a Problem?

In 2015, almost three-quarters of a million vehicles were stolen in the U.S. and 42 percent of those were never recovered. The good news? Utah isn’t in the top 10 states most affected by this type of crime. Still, since a vehicle is stolen every 45 seconds, it’s a good idea to take this threat seriously.

While vehicle theft has been on the decline over the past few decades, it’s partly due to upgraded vehicle security systems. If you don’t have one, your car could be at risk, especially if it’s a Honda Accord or Civic, Chevrolet Silverado, Toyota Camry or Ford F-150, the top five stolen vehicles (as of 2015.)

A Modern System Does the Obvious, And Then Some

Car security systems don’t just blare loudly when someone overrides the door lock. Modern car security involves sending you a text when someone breaks a window, tries to steal a tire or even starts jacking up the car.

A variety of sensors throughout the vehicle help determine the extent of the threat and whether the alarm system should contact law enforcement. Some systems even have a starter-kill option that allows you to shut off the engine remotely.

From pressure and tilt sensors to shock and motion sensors, your car alarm does a lot more than make noise. It’s a 24/7 monitoring system that keeps you apprised of the security of your vehicle, one of your biggest investments.

Get a Break on Your Insurance

Beyond the obvious — protecting your car from break-ins and theft — a car alarm is a major plus for financial reasons. You can get a significant discount on insurance when you upgrade your car’s defenses. Talk to your agent and see how it will pay off for your policy.

With a Vehicle Security System, You’re as Protected as Possible

You can never fully prepare for the unexpected or completely protect your vehicle from harm, but a car security system is a good place to start. Don’t let a lack of preparation lead to a major loss or serious damage. Keep your car, SUV or truck safe — call Laketown Speed and Sound today to get your free quote for a modern vehicle security system.

Upgrading your headlights to LEDs is popular because you can change the look of your car fast, for an affordable price. LED technology has advanced quickly in recent years, and consumers are opting for this type of headlight more often.

Why upgrade your headlights?

1. They’re More Durable

LEDs are solid-state lighting options. Unlike traditional headlights, there are no bulbs or filaments to worry about. Where pot holes and bumps could be disastrous for your old headlights, your LEDs will remain intact.

They’re a sturdier, longer-lasting, more dependable headlight option.

2. They’re More Fuel-Efficient

Vehicles have a growing number of electronic components, all of which place a strain on the alternator and battery. LED headlights operate at more than 80 percent efficiency, requiring much less energy from your car. Ultimately, this leads to better overall engine performance when it comes to fuel efficiency.

3. No Maintenance — No Problem

It’s inconvenient to replace headlight bulbs all the time. Visiting the auto repair shop, looking for the right bulb and successfully installing it can take hours. This is extremely rare when you have LED headlights. One LED headlight lasts longer than 300 incandescent headlights.

4. Less Driving Fatigue

Do you have a lot of ground to cover late at night? Reduce your risk of fatigue and avoid falling asleep at the wheel with LED headlights.

Upgrading your headlights to LEDs helps you stay alert because the color temperature of LEDs matches the color temperature of daylight. Your brain interprets color temperature and tells your body whether it’s time to rest or not.

If you depend on LEDs, you’re less likely to experience driving fatigue because your body won’t be getting signals to sleep.

5. It’s the Environmentally Friendly Option

Unlike halogen, incandescent and HID headlights, LEDs don’t contain any mercury or lead. And they’re recyclable. By opting for LED, you’re doing your part to reduce hazardous chemical pollution, protecting the environment and the people who live in it.

We’ve Got You Covered

Upgrading your headlights is easy when Laketown Speed and Sound handles the job. You could try to do it yourself, but wiring projects can quickly become more complicated than you’d expect. Save your day off for relaxation, and bring your vehicle in to our team for a fast LED headlight upgrade. Call us today for a free quote. We’ve got you covered!

Deciding between OEM or aftermarket parts isn’t the easiest decision. But with a qualified installer on your side like Laketown Speed and Sound, you don’t have to worry that you’re compromising value or performance if you go the aftermarket route.

First, it’s important to understand the difference between OEM and aftermarket parts.

When OEM Makes Sense

OEM means “original equipment manufacturer.” It’s the type of part that your vehicle manufacturer originally put in your car. OEM parts are the better decision when you’re making repairs after an accident and your car is still under warranty.

If you bring it to a dealership for repairs, you can expect OEM parts to be installed.

Aftermarket Means You Save Money

Aftermarket parts are produced by a company other than your vehicle’s manufacturer. Normally, you’d think it’s better for you and your vehicle to use OEM parts only, but you’d be surprised – aftermarket parts often perform better than OEM parts. Why?

Since car manufacturers are usually solely interested in keeping the cost of their vehicles low, they may not invest in the best materials for essential parts. Aftermarket companies often analyze why OEM parts fail, and they design parts after the fact that will work better and last longer. Best of all, they usually cost less but that obviously depends on what you’re looking for out of your car, some drivers like to browse sites such as Czok and others to find performance aftermarket parts to heavily increase the power their car can manage and output.

Not only do you get a part that functions better, you’ll have to repair it less frequently, and that saves you money.

Sometimes, Aftermarket Is the Only Way to Go

Choosing between OEM or aftermarket parts can be challenging in some cases when the value and performance are similar. But in other cases, such as with a car’s sound system, aftermarket outperforms. High-end car manufacturers’ stock sound systems are slowly closing the gap, but with aftermarket parts, you can pick and choose the features you most desire. Aftermarket gives you control!

Trust Laketown Speed and Sound for Your Vehicle Upgrades

No matter what, Laketown Speed and Sound considers quality the most important factor when deciding between OEM or aftermarket parts. We guarantee that every vehicle upgrade our team handles is built with high-performance components.

Whether you’re upgrading your vehicle’s sound system or tuning your engine for speed, we provide the best aftermarket options. Call or visit us today to learn more about what we do and most importantly, what we can do for you.