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.

Some technology upgrades you just have to have. But don’t worry – you don’t need to buy a new car to make your ride look and feel new.

Invest in the nine technology upgrades below, and your aging vehicle will be back in the present (and maybe even the future). Car brands are always upgrading their technology, making them more desired and enhanced. Whilst some older vehicles can benefit from these technological upgrades, not all cars will be able to. The oldest cars might not be able to have these upgrades. If that’s the case, it might be worth upgrading your car to ensure you can have some of these features. You can choose to purchase a brand new vehicle or you could consider purchasing a second-hand car from somewhere like Conklin cars and trucks, for example. This choice is completely up to the individual and their budget. Either way, you can upgrade your vehicle and begin enjoying these features. Hopefully though, your older vehicle will be able to be updated.

1. Backup Camera

A backup cam helps keep small children safe, and it makes your life more convenient. When you don’t have to crane your neck to try to see what’s behind you, driving is more pleasurable.

2. Bluetooth Capability

Let’s face it – it’s a pain to have to hook up your aux cable to your phone every time you get in the car. You’ll do it for the sake of listening to playlists of your choosing, but you wish it was easier – you wish you could take advantage of Bluetooth technology.

Stop fussing with your phone case and replace the head unit in your car’s audio system. All you will have to do is remember to turn on your phone’s Bluetooth – your car will do the rest.

3. Parking Sensors

Parking sensors are cheaper than a backup camera. They will alert you when you’re getting too close to an object while driving in reverse.

4. Diagnostic Sensor

Ever wished you could track trip details, including average fuel economy? You can, with a diagnostic port adaptor. Plug it in and the information displays on a smartphone app, scoring your driving techniques for safety and fuel efficiency.

5. Driver Alert System

Lane departure alerts and collision warning systems might not come standard in your vehicle, but you can add them via an aftermarket product. While this is one of the pricier technology upgrades for your car, it will help keep you safe.

6. Smartphone Integration

You can find head units that fully integrate with your smartphone, such as Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. You get built-in navigation that easily directs you where you need to go. Hands-free calling and voice-activated texting is another bonus.

7. Heads-Up Display

Thanks to modern technology, you don’t have to look away from the road for an instant. A heads-up display projects navigational information onto the windshield, making it easy for you to see your next turn. It’s one of the technology upgrades that will make you feel like you’re driving a spaceship, not a car!

8. Seat Heaters

Aftermarket seat heating and massage chairs enhance comfort and help you love your old car again. Who wouldn’t love a car that keeps them warm and relaxed, especially in the middle of Utah’s cold winters?

9. Remote Start

Install a remote start system, and you’ll be able to conveniently start your engine with the tap of a button or the click of a smartphone. It’s an easy way to quickly upgrade one of the features most desired in new vehicles.

Laketown Speed and Sound helps install all these technology upgrades and more! Call us today or bring your vehicle in. We will give you a free quote so you can see how affordable it is to make driving fun again.

Both your ATV and UTV audio systems are important — they drastically enhance your trail-riding experience. You might love hearing the roar of the engine as you scale hills and get muddy, but there’s something truly energizing about hearing your favorite tunes blasting through the speakers while you do it.

You can’t get a perfect ATV or UTV audio system by accident — you have to want it. Stock systems don’t provide the rich tones or the balanced sound you want. You need to invest in superior products and a professional’s expertise. That’s how you overcome four common UTV audio issues to get the sound you’re looking for.

Too Much Exterior Noise

Road noise is a problem in every vehicle you drive, but especially your ATV or UTV. The engine is powerful, which is great for rough terrain, but that means it’s loud. When you have your audio system cranked all the way up, you still can’t really enjoy your playlist. How can you, when you can barely hear it?

You can resolve this issue by boosting the amplification and giving your UTV audio system more power — that’s what it needs to project over the engine noise.

Outdated Connectivity

One of the smallest details that’s one of the biggest inconveniences is extremely outdated connectivity options for your ATV audio system. Maybe it only has a CD player. Maybe it requires a certain corded connection and you don’t have the right cable. Wouldn’t it be easier to just turn on your smartphone’s Bluetooth and select your favorite playlist?

All the best, modern aftermarket UTV audio upgrades allow this convenient function — outdated connectivity is no longer a problem.

Aftermarket Upgrades … That Don’t Fit Your Needs

If you already spent money to upgrade your ATV audio and you don’t notice a difference, you have a problem. Maybe the supposed “sound specialist” wasn’t also a “speed specialist.” Maybe they outfitted your UTV with heavy speakers — needless weight that just makes your ride sluggish. Whatever the case, if you invested in an aftermarket upgrade that hasn’t paid off, you need a remedy.

There is no point in making changes to your UTV audio system if you won’t enjoy the finished product. Maybe your system just needs tweaking, or maybe you need a complete overhaul. Either way, you need a pro’s help.

Imbalanced Audio

It’s not easy to create a balanced, perfectly level ATV stereo sound, so if you notice an imbalance in the audio levels, you wouldn’t be the first ATV or UTV owner with the same problem.

This problem, like the others, is resolved with an expert’s care. You don’t have to settle for subpar just because it’s UTV stereo sound — you can and should still expect the best.

Laketown Speed and Sound crafts high-quality, unmatched ATV and UTV audio systems. Call us today for a free quote before your next trail-riding trip.

It’s the perfect time of year for window tinting, and Laketown Speed and Sound offers custom tint services for your car, truck or SUV.

It’s common for vehicle owners to look at this upgrade as a visual enhancement only — until they find out about the great benefits that come along with the cosmetic improvement.

What are they?

1. Improve Privacy

It’s not that you’re not friendly, it’s just that you’d rather that strangers couldn’t see who’s in your car. Keep your passengers, like your kids, away from prying eyes. It’s relaxing to feel a sense of privacy when you climb into a car, and when you add tint, you add comfort for your passengers.

2. Enhance Security

When you lock your car doors and walk away, window tinting maintains that privacy even while your vehicle is empty. If thieves can’t see valuables in your back seat or trunk, they are less likely to break in.

3. Reduce Exposure to Harmful UV Rays

Too much UV-ray exposure can harm your skin and potentially cause cancer. Plus, you’ll get quite an uneven tan on a long car trip. Tinting reduces the amount of UV rays that enter the car by up to 99 percent, protecting your health.

4. Protect Your Car’s Upholstery

UV rays can damage a vehicle’s interior as well as your skin. Keep your fabric or leather seats looking as good as new. Reduce fading, warping and cracking and preserve the value of your car.

5. Stay Cool in Summer Heat

With fewer UV rays heating up the cabin, you’ll feel cooler and you will hear fewer complaints from passengers. No more hot, stuffy road trips.

6. Improve Gas Mileage

When your car’s cooling system doesn’t have to work as hard, you won’t have to pay as much at the pump. It can give your gas mileage a boost and help extend the miles between fill-ups.

What You Should Know About Utah’s Window Tint Laws

Just so you know — in Utah only a slight tint is allowed on front driver and passenger side doors. They must let in at least 43% of the light. But any shade of tint can be used on back side windows and rear windows.

Window tinting is an investment, and there’s no better team to trust than Laketown Speed and Sound. We deliver all these benefits when we expertly handle installation, giving you results and improving the value of your vehicle. Call us today to get a free quote and set up your service appointment.