Difference between Car Audio and Home Audio

Key difference: Car audios describe sound systems fitted to an automobile or other vehicle. They are most commonly the 'stock' system, or OEM system, as well as the equipment to replace, upgrade, or expand the stock system. Home audio, on the other hand, refers to audio electronics used in home such as shelf stereos and surround sound receivers.

Car Audio Everyone listens to music. Everyone has a select list of songs that they love to blare on the speakers. These songs are blared in one of two places, either at the home or in the car. Even though the song blaring through the speakers is probably the same, the speakers themselves will be quite different.

Car audios, as the name suggests, is audio equipment that is used in cars. These sound systems are generally provided by the car makers as part of the cars. However, there are various other sound systems available on the market that aim to replace, upgrade, or expand the car's stock sound system. Standard car audio systems generally include various equipment such as a head unit, speakers, amplifiers, subwoofers, capacitors, and damping.

Home Audio

Home audio, on the other hand, generally refers to audio electronics used in home. These may be as small as a pair of standard speakers, to shelf stereos and surround sound home audio systems. While home audio does include a set of speakers, amplifiers, subwoofers, capacitors, etc., they are generally encased in cabinets or boxes and are usually bigger and more powerful than car audio systems.

Comparison between Car Audio and Home Audio:

	Car Audio	Home Audio
Description	Is used to describe sound systems fitted to an automobile or other vehicle. Most commonly the 'stock' system, or OEM system, as well as the equipment to replace, upgrade, or expand the stock system.	Refers to audio electronics used in home such as shelf stereos and surround sound receivers.
Size	Smaller equipment that fits into doors and trunks.	Larger equipment requiring floor or storage space.
Design	Car speakers are typically sold as raw drivers with a separate woofer and tweeter.	Home speakers encase these components in cabinets or boxes.
Cabinets/Boxes	Car speakers require their own box. May or may not come with their own box.	Home speakers come with a custom tested box.
Magnetically Shielded	Car speakers may or may not be magnetically shielded.	Home speakers may already be magnetically shielded.
Environment Protection	Some type of weatherproofing from sun and moisture.	Usually do not come with environmental protection as they are designed for the indoors.
Impedance	4 ohm speakers are ideal as car amplifiers are typically low-voltage, high-amperage designs.	8 ohm speakers are typical, however High end, esoteric, larger home speakers can be as low as 4 ohms.