The most common and familiar piece of audio equipment is the radio/tape player/CD player/DVD Player which is generically described as a Head unit, which also can be called a head deck. It is also the most likely component to be upgraded with an aftermarket item. A recent development in head unit technology has been the addition of CD players with MP3, Ogg, WMA, AAC, and USB, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi support.
Not many people are aware of the fact that a good car audio system performs at its optimal best only when it is matched with the internal and external specifications of the car it is housed in. There is no point in getting a high PMPO, 500 watts car audio system and then housing it in the small (relatively small that is) confine of a Volkswagen beetle. At the same time, there is no use at all in getting a tinny, entry level car audio system and putting it in the spacious interiors of a hummer.
Car Audio amplifiers are used to give extra power to speakers in the system that need more power than what the stereo or head unit can produce. The most common amplifiers are used for subwoofers. Preferences for amplifiers greatly very. Today there are countless brands and prices to choose from. The most common amps are 1 channel (mono-block) or 2, and 4 channels. Some top brands in car audio amplification are: Pioneer, Kicker, MTX, Sundown Audio, RD Audio, Incriminator Audio, Digital Designs(DD), Resonant Engineering(RE Audio)(no longer makes amps), JL Audio, and Rockford Fosgate. Although there are thousands more to choose from.