By: Susan Perk

“Be the First, Be Loud” is the slogan of Pride Car Audio—a well-known brand specializing in subwoofers, speakers, and car amplifiers. At the foundation of its creation in 2013 stood the hero of our story, Aleksei Grigorenko, who holds a Master’s degree in Management.

Aleksei Grigorenko is a recipient of numerous awards for achievements in the field of car audio, an honorary member of the Bass Wars organization, and a globally recognized expert in designing and installing car audio systems. He is also the author of unique developments in audio customization for vehicles. With 14 years of experience and over 500 high-profile projects to his credit—including one of the most expensive and award-winning car audio systems in Europe—Aleksei has established himself as a leader in the industry.

Thanks to his professionalism, Aleksei Grigorenko is often invited as a participant and judge at car audio competitions in Europe, Eurasia, and the United States. In 2023, three cars he worked on were honored with special diplomas and trophies at events such as Slamology in Indiana and the “Heat Wave Show” in Texas. Today, Aleksei kindly offered to share insights with our readers on creating a high-quality car audio system and maintaining good standards, even on a budget. Let’s get started.

Car Audio: A Science of Its Own

Car audio is a complex and crucial aspect of car tuning. “It’s a mistake to think it’s just about blasting sound into the streets. Rather, it’s about precision and clarity of sound, which directly depend on selecting the right components, proper installation, and subsequent tuning,” says Aleksei Grigorenko.

“The true history of car audio begins in the 1960s when Illinois businessman Earl Muntz invented the first car tape player. For nearly 50 years, car audio systems were limited to a radio and two standard speakers. Today, car audio systems have evolved into a science with their demands and rules,” explains the expert.

According to Aleksei, modern car audio resembles a modular system with two essential components: a car stereo (or another audio source) and speakers, which deliver the sound to the cabin. Without these, it is impossible to play music from various devices.

“Today, the industry has shifted to digital sources like smartphones and tablets, which connect via Bluetooth. This method is quick and convenient. Additionally, car owners can customize their systems with subwoofers, sound processors, and amplifiers—optional elements essential for achieving clean, rich, and powerful sound,” says Aleksei Grigorenko.

How to Choose the Right Speakers

Currently, the market offers two car audio systems: component systems, where low-, mid- and high-frequency speakers are installed separately, and coaxial systems, which combine these speakers into a single unit. Which is better?

“With coaxial systems, you can’t place the tweeter (high-frequency speaker) separately from the main speaker, limiting your ability to create a finely tuned soundstage for the listener. It’s a cheap, quick solution suitable for beginners. A component system delivers higher-quality sound in a 4.1 configuration. Here, speakers are installed in both the front and rear doors, with components strategically positioned, often including a subwoofer in the trunk. However, this setup is more expensive due to the variety of elements, such as speakers, tweeters, power amplifiers, subwoofers, and a DSP processor for overall tuning,” explains Aleksei.

Why Do You Need Car Audio?

When considering upgrading your car’s audio system, first determine your goals. Ask yourself: why do I need this? Aleksei Grigorenko advises anyone dreaming of equipping their vehicle with powerful sound to begin with this question.

“If you don’t like the factory-installed speakers or they’ve started to crackle, replacing them with new ones and connecting them to the stock audio system should suffice. However, suppose you’re looking for true hi-fi audio or a loud system that announces your arrival from a block away. In that case, you’ll need to design a comprehensive audio system. This could involve building fiberglass mounts for speakers and tweeters, metal frames for amplifiers, or wooden enclosures for subwoofers. It’s a deep and demanding field,” the expert points out.

Additionally, Aleksei notes that components can vary in form, factor, and size. These characteristics affect the volume, quality, and frequency range of the sound, allowing for different final results—even enabling you to feel the music with your ears and your entire body.

“Undoubtedly, a car is a challenging acoustic environment with multiple sound reflections and absorptions, making it difficult to achieve optimal results. Choosing good car audio is often harder than choosing a new bumper,” jokes Aleksei Grigorenko. He adds, “That’s why there’s a profession called a car audio installer. These specialists design the system, select components, install them, and fine-tune the setup. In a way, cars can reflect their owners’ personalities. Attempting this process without the right experience and knowledge may lead to unnecessary expenses, frustration, and wasted time.

A Word of Thanks

We’re grateful to Aleksei Grigorenko for an engaging conversation and hope this information will be valuable to those planning to upgrade their “metal companion.” For additional inquiries, contact the expert via Instagram, Facebook, or his official website: www.alexgrigorenko.com.

Published by Iris S.