Rating: 
Summary: Car Stereo Cookbook
Review: I give due credit for my outstanding audio to the "Car Stereo Cookbook". I found far more audio system information than I will ever need, but scanning through the chapters(and actually reading some) gave me the information I needed to design and install a system in my vehicle. I thought subs were only for gangsta's, but this 44 year old avid hunter now has one in my 4x4 truck, and wouldn't trade for it. Although Rumreich does get rather technical in some areas, the average handyman possessing an average dose of common sense can navigate this sea of information quite easily. Thanks Mark for this great source of "do it yourself" info!
Rating:
Summary: Car Stereo Cookbook - A Must Have Reference Book
Review: I had a basic knowledge of car stereo before I purchased this book. The book helped me to design and install a multi speaker/multi amp system in my truck. It explained in great detail how to choose your components,especially speakers and speaker boxes. I found it well organized in that the author leaves no stone unturned. There are lots of details which help make your install more professional. The book gives you the tools to create a system that is right for your vehicle. To me this book is well worth the money and I would recommend it to anyone wanting to design/install their own system
Rating: 
Summary: This is the book
Review: I say a lot of unkind things about most audio books. But not this book. If you where going to just buy one or two books on car audio This would be the first one to buy. If you don't have a clue about car audio this book will get you past most of the smoke and lies. It will give you enough information about what system is best for you. Even if you never did anything like this before. The next would be CAR STEREO SPEAKER PROJECTS ILLUSTRATED by Dan Ferguson and for ideas his old book KILLER CAR STEREO ON A BUDGET. discontinued but still available.
Rating: 
Summary: Jack of all trades...master of none
Review: I took a pretty optimistic approach when reading this book, waiting for the meaty stuff to begin...i was still waiting when i got to the index!
It's a pretty good book if you've got a basic understanding of how to wire the stereo components, and what you want to achieve by modifying your stock car audio system. But if you're looking for specific information of how best to use T/S parameters for desigining the optimum enclosure for your new sub - or choosing one that best meets your desired application, then I dont think i'd worry too much about this book. There's some graphs and tables in there that will point you in the right direction in terms of enclosure design/size/style but dont expect much more than that.
In summary, if your the sort of person happy to accept what you're told with out additional inquiry then this book will suffice. Otherwise, you'll need something more basic to provide more definitions, and then once you've got the hang of that, you'll be needing something much more complex to test your new skills. Overall an ok read, but this book will never make it to 'workshop reference' status.
Rating:
Summary: Very informative, but confusing
Review: I'm the type that knows nothing of car audio. I bought this book and was able to install my CD deck. However, when reading about amplifiers, subwoofers, etc I got lost. There is too much unfamiliar terminology.
Rating:
Summary: good review
Review: Its a good book, you do need a little knowledge of car audio but not too much is required. I recommend it as more of a reference for experienced car audio fanatics or the amateur.
Rating:
Summary: Ian C. Purdie, VK2TIP's Review
Review: My review copy of "Car Stereo Cookbook", (How to Design, Choose, and Install Car Stereo Systems), is very well written by Mark Rumreich. It is published by Mc Graw-Hill who kindly provided me with my review copy. If you ever intend to spend serious money on a quality car stereo system then buy this book. The common pitfalls to avoid, as disclosed by "The Car Stereo Cookbook" will handsomely repay your modest investment.Car Stereo Systems usually require the expenditure of some really "serious" money to get the desired results, and unless your decisions are very informed ones, it is all too easy to get burned big time financially. I honestly recommend you definitely buy a copy of "Car Stereo Cookbook" to save yourself the financial pain.
Rating:
Summary: Ian C. Purdie, VK2TIP's Review
Review: My review copy of "Car Stereo Cookbook", (How to Design, Choose, and Install Car Stereo Systems), is very well written by Mark Rumreich. It is published by Mc Graw-Hill who kindly provided me with my review copy. If you ever intend to spend serious money on a quality car stereo system then buy this book. The common pitfalls to avoid, as disclosed by "The Car Stereo Cookbook" will handsomely repay your modest investment. Car Stereo Systems usually require the expenditure of some really "serious" money to get the desired results, and unless your decisions are very informed ones, it is all too easy to get burned big time financially. I honestly recommend you definitely buy a copy of "Car Stereo Cookbook" to save yourself the financial pain.
Rating: 
Summary: Build your own super sound system on wheels!
Review: Rap, reggae, rock, or Rachmaninoff-whether you crave a window-rattling rolling boom box or the most faithful auto music reproduction, there's only one good way to get the car stereo you want: Build it yourself. Here's the only guide you need to cook up your ultimate vehicular audio feast. Written by a master of audio electronics. The Car Stereo Cookbook shows you how to plan your design, choose your components, install them optimally-and save a lot of money! Unlike books that cover only specific systems, the Cookbook shows you how to customize. With the Cookbook, your system will fit your tastes, your budget, and your car or truck, whether it's a radical sport utility vehicle or your Dad's old Chevy. The book is clearly organized by project type-from speakers, subwoofers, and amps to equalizers, bi-amping, and accessories-so you can quickly find the information you need on all the ingredients your dream machine requires. Featuring guidance on using the right specialty tools and step-by-step instructions for more difficult procedures, The Car Stereo Cookbook puts you in the fast lane to the custom auto sound system that'll leave your friends' pathetic factory-made output choking in your dust. Achieve the Extreme in Car Audio: o Get more amp power for your money o Achieve good imaging o Upgrade premium factory sound systems such as Delco/Bose and Ford/JBL o Properly set amplifier gains o Install and set up an equalizer with or without a real-time analyzer o Interface a CD changer to any system o Pick the right power line capacitors, speaker wire, patch cables, and sound-deadening materials o Avoid common automotive noise problems o And a lot more!
Rating:
Summary: Undefined Terms
Review: Rumreich makes the undefinable assumption that the reader "is a beginner but has some knowledge of car stereos." So exactly how much knowledge is that? Much of the information takes you from beginner to intermediate, but many terms remain undefined. Who's to say that the reader should already know the difference between a 12dB/octave slope and an 18dB/octave slope in a crossover? I sure didn't, and I had to look at another book to find out, making me question the usefulness of this book. A safer bet for a beginner would be Auto Audio by Andrew Yoder. However, there is some original information, such as the sections on Factory Hi-Fi systems by Bose and Ford.
|
