Car Audio 101 is built to be an education-first, brand-neutral resource for the car audio industry. These editorial standards explain how we create content, how we choose sources, and what you can expect from every page on this site.
Our mission
Our goal is simple: help you understand car audio systems clearly, safely, and accurately. We prioritize principles that work across brands, budgets, and build styles, so the information stays useful for years.
- Education before equipment
- Systems thinking over part-by-part hype
- Installation quality and tuning matter as much as (or more than) gear choice.
- Tradeoffs explained honestly
What Car Audio 101 is and is not
CarAudio101 is:
- A structured learning resource
- A reference library for wiring, enclosures, electrical, and tuning concepts
- A site that links to high-quality external resources when they help explain a concept
CarAudio101 is not:
- A retailer storefront
- A brand fan page
- A forum replacement
- A “top 10 best” list site built for clicks
Accuracy and update policy
We aim to keep all pages accurate, practical, and current. Some topics (like wiring math, impedance, enclosure principles, and gain structure) change very slowly. Others (like product-specific features) can change quickly.
- Evergreen concepts are reviewed periodically for clarity and completeness.
- Product-adjacent topics are updated when major industry changes make older guidance confusing or incomplete.
- Corrections are welcomed. If you find an error, please contact us through Contact.
How we choose and use sources
CarAudio101 is designed to stand on its own as an educational resource. When we reference external material, it is to:
- Support a technical explanation
- Provide a visual demonstration (often via YouTube)
- Link to a reputable guide that adds value beyond what a single page can cover
We prefer sources that are:
- Technically accurate and consistent with known fundamentals
- Educational (not primarily promotional)
- Clear enough for beginners while still useful to experienced builders
Using SonicElectronix.com as a reference
We may reference SonicElectronix.com when it provides useful educational information, product documentation, specifications, manuals, or installation-related guidance. When Sonic Electronix is referenced, it is used as one source among others and does not override fundamentals or independent engineering principles.
If an external source conflicts with established fundamentals, we prioritize fundamentals and clearly explain the reasoning.
Neutrality and brand treatment
CarAudio101 does not promote brands as “the best” without explaining context and tradeoffs. We focus on:
- Use case (daily, SQ, SPL)
- System design constraints (space, electrical limits, vehicle environment)
- Safe setup practices (wiring, fusing, gain structure)
- Performance principles (efficiency, tuning, enclosure behavior)
When brands are mentioned, it is typically for:
- Examples that illustrate a concept
- Clarifying terminology used in the marketplace
- Referencing documentation, manuals, or published specifications
Affiliate links and monetization
Some pages may include affiliate links. If you purchase through those links, Car Audio 101 may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support the site and ongoing content development.
For full details, see Affiliate Disclosure.
Content structure standards
Most educational pages follow a consistent structure so you can scan quickly and learn in the right order:
- Plain-English explanation of the topic
- Why it matters in real systems
- Common mistakes that cause problems
- Next steps with internal links to related topics
- References & videos when helpful (typically 2–6 sources)
We also use internal linking heavily so you can move naturally from fundamentals into more advanced topics. If you want the recommended order, see Beginner > Advanced Learning Paths.
Corrections and feedback
If you believe something on Car Audio 101 is inaccurate, unclear, or missing important context, please reach out through Contact. We take corrections seriously and update pages when needed.