Using a car audio system for a home?

[NeighborGuy]

I'm doing some research as a favor for a friend; he has aspirations of installing a multiple room sound system, and he wants to use a car audio system for it. I'm afraid I don't know much about these things, and my Google-fu is failing me. Can anyone perhaps hook me up with some general guides about using a car audio system in a home?

PS: Honestly, I'm trying to use the search function on this site and it isn't working for whatever reason.

 

[TLS Guy]

I'm doing some research as a favor for a friend; he has aspirations of installing a multiple room sound system, and he wants to use a car audio system for it. I'm afraid I don't know much about these things, and my Google-fu is failing me. Can anyone perhaps hook me up with some general guides about using a car audio system in a home?

PS: Honestly, I'm trying to use the search function on this site and it isn't working for whatever reason.

Car audio systems are totally unsuitable for home use. Forget the idea, it is absurd. Car audio is for a totally different near field enclosed space application. Also car systems are not 120 Volt AC, so you will end up with a costly power supply nightmare.

 

[j_garcia]

If the idea is to purchase and use car audio gear in the home, it isn't a great idea becasue comparable home gear is already about the same price. If the reasoning is becasue he already has the car gear, then it still isn't a good idea. Car gear is designed to work well in cars, which are smaller spaces than a typical room. Car gear is also generally lower impedance than home gear which can create issues with distributed systems.

 

[highfigh]

Car audio systems are totally unsuitable for home use. Forget the idea, it is absurd. Car audio is for a totally different near field enclosed space application. Also car systems are not 120 Volt AC, so you will end up with a costly power supply nightmare.

I agree about the costly power supply nightmare unless the house is powered by PV cells and has storage batteries, which would be a no-brainer if they're 12V. Car speakers are for near-field but the amps and head unit should work fine if their frequency response is as flat as the better makes and models are.

 

[highfigh]

If the idea is to purchase and use car audio gear in the home, it isn't a great idea becasue comparable home gear is already about the same price. If the reasoning is becasue he already has the car gear, then it still isn't a good idea. Car gear is designed to work well in cars, which are smaller spaces than a typical room. Car gear is also generally lower impedance than home gear which can create issues with distributed systems.

Car audio systems are made for smaller spaces but 200W is 200W and plenty of home speakers are rated at 4 Ohms. Why else would we see all of those threads about speakers and receivers having compatibility issues? A car stereo amp rated for use with 4 Ohm or lower will work fine when it's connected to 8 Ohm speakers but aside from less power output, it's not going to run hotter, distort more or fail early. All he has to do it find speaker that will allow the amp to develop its full power output. That's not hard.

Why would an amp that's rated for 4 Ohms be a problem with distributed audio systems? It's not a tube amp and even tube amps can see a +/- 100% impedance mismatch and not have any problems.

It doesn't make sense to buy a whole system of car audio for a house but it will work if he just wants to use what he has.

 

[NeighborGuy]

Thanks everyone, for the advice so far. I've relayed the info to my friend. If anyone has anything else to add, please do; I'll keep checking back.

 

[highfigh]

Thanks everyone, for the advice so far. I've relayed the info to my friend. If anyone has anything else to add, please do; I'll keep checking back.

Regarding the power supply- good car stereo amplifiers can draw a lot of current and if the power supply can't deliver it, the voltage will drop. This not only makes it impossible for the amplifier's output to be what is needed before clipping, it also means the amp will run hot and that can mean early failure. Using a regular lead/acid battery may seem like a good idea but if it's connected to a charger, the hydrogen released can build up and cause problems. Along with this, hydrogen sulfide will be released and that's going to eat anything it contacts. Only a sealed battery should be used inside a building.

High current DC power supplies are available but they're very expensive.