Good speakers fitted badly sound worse than average speakers fitted properly. Most of what you hear in a car comes down to how the system was installed: where the power comes from, how the doors were treated, and whether anyone took the time to tune it afterwards. That is the part we do at our Beeston workshop, and we have been doing it since 1998.
What we install
- Speakers — component and coaxial sets, front and rear, with the right adapters and sealing for your doors
- Subwoofers — under-seat, boot-mounted, custom enclosures and stealth builds that keep your load space usable
- Amplifiers — properly fused power runs, correct cable gauge, gains set by measurement rather than by ear
- DSP and sound processors — the piece that makes the biggest difference in a car, tuned to the vehicle rather than left on a preset
- Plug and play audio — vehicle-specific upgrades that use the factory wiring and keep the original look
What a proper installation involves
Most of the work happens where you cannot see it. Doors come apart so speakers can be mounted to solid adapters rather than flexing plastic, and treated where the panel resonates. Power for an amplifier is run from the battery on correctly rated cable with a fuse at the source, not spliced into the nearest convenient wire. Signal cables are routed away from power to keep engine noise out of the system. Factory looms are adapted rather than cut wherever possible, so the vehicle can be returned to standard later.
Then it gets tuned. Gains set with a meter, crossovers chosen for the drivers you actually have, and the DSP aligned for where you sit rather than left on a default. That last stage is what separates a system that measures well from one that sounds right.
Cars, vans, campers and EVs
We work on everyday cars, prestige vehicles, vans and campers, and electric vehicles. EVs bring their own considerations because there is no engine noise to mask a poor install, and the 12V system needs treating with care. Vans and campers are usually the biggest transformation, because the factory systems are often the weakest to begin with.
What will it cost?
There is no useful list price for car audio installation, because the work varies enormously by vehicle and by what you are fitting. A pair of speakers into a car with accessible doors is a very different job to a full active system with a DSP in a camper. Rather than quote a figure that turns out to be wrong, we would rather look at your vehicle and what you want from it.
Tell us the make, model and year, and what you are hoping to improve, and we will put a price together. Get in touch for a quotation or call 0115 924 0666.
Which parts do I need?
This is the question we are asked most, and it is the one you should not guess at. Speaker sizes, adapter rings, wiring harnesses and steering wheel control interfaces all vary by vehicle, trim level and year, and the wrong part is an expensive way to find out. We check compatibility for your specific vehicle before anything is ordered. Ask us and we will tell you exactly what it needs.
Where we are
Unit 25 Technology Drive, Beeston, Nottingham NG9 1LA, Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm. We work with customers from across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire, and further afield for larger builds. See our installation gallery for examples of work that has left the workshop, or browse car audio upgrades if you are still deciding what to change.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a car audio installation take?
A straightforward speaker upgrade is usually a few hours. Amplifiers, subwoofers and DSP work take longer, and full builds can take several days. We confirm timings when we quote.
Will it affect my warranty?
We adapt factory wiring rather than cutting it wherever possible, so the vehicle can be returned to standard. If you have a specific concern about your manufacturer warranty, raise it when you contact us and we will talk it through.
Can you fit equipment I bought elsewhere?
We prioritise fitting equipment supplied by CEN, because we can stand behind the whole job. Get in touch and we will advise.
Do I need a DSP?
Not always, but it is often the single biggest improvement in a car, because a cabin is an acoustically awkward space. We will tell you honestly whether your system would benefit.
Do you work on vans, campers and EVs?
Yes, all three, and they are some of our most requested work.
Ready to talk it through? Contact us for a quotation or call 0115 924 0666.
