The differences between car and home audio components

[blamus]

Hi, lets get the background out of the way first. This is my first post on this forum. I'm a total noob. I've just had my first car for less than a year, and I know nothing about car audio. I spent the last 2 weeks researching for not much more reason than to have a deeper understanding.

So, I've been looking at all the different types of speakers and their configurations for home audio - and now I see all the different types of component systems and coaxile designs in car speakers. What are the main differences between home audio and car speaker designs? Especially from a listener point of view?

For example, lets look at the Infinity lines - they have home and car audio speakers on the market, and they're all pretty good, but what are their main differences? Are they simply marketed differently?

Another reason why I am interested in this particular question, is that eventually I'm toying with the idea of start making my own audio equipment - most of them inspired by this amazing forum. And it was not before long the question poped up in my head - what if I build my home powered sub with a car sub like this one:

http://denver.craigslist.org/ele/1053469535.html

Or the other way round, build my car speakers with home audio drivers?

What are the advantages or disadvantages? What main considerations do I have to be careful about?

I guess my questions for now mainly concern differences in speakers/drivers, rather than amps and crossovers, as I believe that amps and crossovers are pretty much the same (maybe with some power supply issues), but correct me if I am wrong.

Best regards,

Bern

[jol50]

There is not that much difference. One is the environment; most auto speakers are made to handle moisture and UV but some home kind of is. Auto speakers use coax to mount in less space, most tend to be more for IB use no box required (except many subs of course). Auto is 4 maybe 2 ohm while home is 8 though often better efficiency makes up for it. Used to be auto had better xmax on low frequency drivers but there is not that much difference now, only pro sound drivers have less xmax. Some car subs are impressive though, with xmax and power handling. Sure you can use a car sub for a HT sub, but like with any sub model it to see if it fits your needs and ensure the amp you use can handle the lower ohm load.

Many people use home drivers in cars, it is a big DIY thing. You can buy a lot of drivers used in expensive home speakers and do whatever with them, make your own crossovers, or use them with active crossovers. Take a look at madisound and partsexpress, they sell a lot of them and there are some other places like MCM.

The auto and home speakers tend to get used in different ways, for different frequency bands and enclosures, plus environment. That is why they have different cone materials, xmax, response curves, some need boxes and some have more suspension so they don't. I would recommend you get winISD and model some it will show the differences in how they work, even db output, and you get a better idea how to recognize what will fit your needs better. For example a sub that works in a band pass box and one that works well IB can be two very different subs.