The experience of listening to songs in car is even more different now. In the past, you had to use a CD with a wood-paneled player to listen to music. In addition to CDs, people used to use cassettes and FM in the past.
Advances In-Car Sound System Technology Are Increasingly Rapid
When driving a car, it feels incomplete if you don’t listen to your favorite songs. The sound system is an important component that can make you enjoy the song. Now, everything is completely digital, including the use of a sound system.
We can easily set songs via wireless access. But audio technology in the past still has a place in our hearts. Especially for those of you who were born in the 1980s or early 1990s.
Car Audio Evolution
To know more about audio technology, you can see evolution of the car audio system below.
· 1930s, the earliest audio and radio systems for cars
After a decade of mass-producing cars, driving is no longer just the sound of engine. 1930 saw the introduction of first commercially available car radios.
There is a Motorola 5T71 that can meet the needs of motorists. These vacuum tubes were battery-powered and very expensive to sell at the time. Driving while listening to music was a controversial concept at the time.
Listening to music is considered a distraction while driving. However, the car radio still managed to sell well.
· 1950s, FM
The monophonic system was expanded for years to come. AM radio mode was the most dominant at that time. However, in 1952, a company released its first FM radio. The following year, some radios expanded the versatility of functions with both FM and AM capabilities. Can also be used to search for channels through the station.
· 1960s -1970s, use of cassettes
There was an entrepreneur and engineer who pioneered advanced technology, the 4-lane or Stereo-Pak cartridge. He saw the potential of this Stereo Pak for automotive sector and introduced a stereo player that uses cassettes.
This device is produced at a low cost and then successfully marketed. This Autostereo device can play all albums. The driver has control for a better listening experience. Subsequently, this technology was developed into 8 lines and commercially available in 1965.
Apart from compact cassettes, 8-tracks are gaining popularity due to their low cost.
· 1970-1980s, further tuning
The 1970s were a year when the automotive industry got involved with audio accessories. Car owners can customize their car preferences. Circuit technology has become more sophisticated, with more sensitive adjustments.
Cars have started using a multi-speaker system with individual speakers mounted on several sides. On the passenger side, driver’s side, and on the rear deck. This sound system is capable of providing surround sound.
· 1980-1990s, use of CDs
CD technology is increasingly developing and can improve quality drastically. Because CDs can skip tracks, many people prefer to fast forward or rewind.
· 2000s, the use of MP3 players
With the growing popularity of MP3s, CDs are becoming obsolete. CD sales gradually declined, and even cassettes began to disappear. It will take a while for car audio capabilities to catch up with digital technology. At first, access was limited to connecting MP3 players to car stereos until the mid-2000s.
· 2000-2010s, use of satellite radio
Launched satellites can effectively change the way drivers experience radio. This service can offer many music stations, ranging from news, talk, sports, and so on.
· 2010s, streaming
One of the main competitors of satellite radio is streaming over the Internet. Streaming services like Spotify are very popular and growing fast. In this era, there are quite a few cars that use the Pandora service (similar to Spotify) built into the dashboard.
This trend was started in 2010 by Pioneer, which was the first head unit equipped with Pandora. That’s the discussion about the evolution of car sound systems from Tubidy.org.za.