music in cars?

Question

why do people feel the need to play music in thier cars at ear splitting levels? with bass turned up full so that you can hear them miles away? surely it sounds dreadful in the car?

Answer 1

Because they want to intimidate decent citizens. Have you ever seen the ads in the audio or car magazines for these sound systems? Most of them show a young punk-type or gangsta type flipping-off the camera or some other obnoxious gesture or facial expression, usually overscored by a slogan such as, "Too loud? F**k YOU!" I've actually seen this, and seen the salesmen who sell these systems to kids actually encouraging them to wake up sleeping neighborhoods at 3 AM. I suspect most of those kids don't have to get up early in the mornings to go to work.
They think it makes them "hard." I think it makes them stupid. It's also quite illegal in most places. Too bad the cops don't seem inclined to do anything about it. It really erodes the quality of life that most of us hard working people have tried to earn.

Answer 2

It all depends on the quality of the system that installed in a car. True some kids just want to be cool and have their car "boom." But some people take pride in working on their vehicles and installing a professional level audio experience in their cars.

For the second part of your question why do you hear it so far away? Have you ever notice that you only usually hear the really low bass pitches. That is because low frequency pitches have a much longer wave length and can travel farther and through things without losing as much amplitude as a high pitch (shorter wavelength) The cars music not might actually have an illegal decibel reading, but the bass is powerful enough that it will travel for blocks and rattle windows and such on the way.
Its all about how you use your car and your audio. Just like a car you need to be responsible with it as well.

I threw on a website that explains about sound and wavelengths in a fairly concise and straightforward manner. The second website gets more technical into phase shifts and wavelength interferences which goes along with the noise intensity depends on where you are in relation to the speaker. (I know its for Home Theater but the fundamental concepts are the same)

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Senior Mechanical Engineering Student
Car Audio Hobbyist

Answer 3

Clearly the experience of music in a confined space is enhanced by a high volume. The problem is that the loudness is not always obvious to the driver and can often appear louder to people outside the vehicle because of the boom effect of body panels etc. This was proven recently when I had a telephone conversation on a mobile phone while parked. My phone uses a handset cradle ( hands free kit ) and plays through the stereo system. While I was having a normal two way conversation using this, it appears that people walking past the car could hear the person speaking to me loud and clear because the speech was carried through the body panels. But yes, you are right, it can be annoying and a social nuisance to boot! I am sure that someone, somewhere will one day be slapped with an ASBO for loud music! Better driver education would help.

Answer 4

Why not? cuz it disturbs you?? ha! youre right. i should lower the volume when i see you huh? how would you like me to dress? how would you like me to comb my hair? what religion should i be? anything you say princess
and no it doesnt sound "dreadful" in the car. it sounds good. do you honestly think people would turn up the volume on a song that sounds terrible? dont ask such dumb *** questions.
just let people be. its not costing you anything or harming you when people have loud music.
sure, it may be annoying at times, but wheres the harm?
Sometimes people need to stop and realize what it is that they are bi t ching about.
jus let it go.
and if this is an honest question and not a complaint, i appologize.
in that case, people do this just for personal satisfaction. its kind of for the same reasons people choose to wear what they do. personal choice based on a variety of things.

Answer 5

I would tell any perspective rolling noise polluter, quality above volume. Get a good sounding system not a loud one.
Oh and pick some music, not some repetitive boom boom that a computer could have generated. If you have to get on every-ones t1ts, at least play some cool music.

Answer 6

it,s an anti social thing to do
if the music is audible outside the car to a certain level
the offender can be fined and the equipment confiscated
i know of several who have been fined
if you want to report this nuisance you can at your local police station, fill in the form ( with reg, no. ) and it,s done

Answer 7

People who knock boyracers obviously do not enjoy driving, they see it as a chore, whereas boyracers know how to make the most of motoring. Keep rolling boys, nice and low.

Answer 8

For the love of music. The system in your car is just as important as the car itself.

Answer 9

you don't notice the vibrations as much inside the car. As for why - they have extra brain cells to pop... I really like the kids that do this in the wee hours when most are asleep... they just "rock" with a shotgun up their tailpipe...

Answer 10

It is my opinion that they are just trying to fit in with the cool group