How much does car stereo installation cost?

Based on 496 real quotes from businesses in United States.

$140

TYPICAL

$227

$349

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Yelp calculates estimated costs by gathering and analyzing real quotes provided to consumers by businesses on Yelp. Actual costs may vary.

Key takeaways

Car stereo installation costs are usually incurred for repair or upgrade
More in-depth installations may require a per-hour fee
Always consider required wiring harnesses, adapters, and installation kits

A great car stereo makes for a great ride. But if your entertainment system isn’t up to par, you may want to have it replaced and reinstalled.

There are two main reasons to consider a new car stereo installation:

Repair. Like any other electronics, car stereos can fail due to heat, moisture, manufacturing defects, and age. You may experience short-circuiting, loss of signal, malfunctioning controls, buzzing speakers, or completely non-operational car audio.

Upgrading. Some car owners prefer a specific sound from their car audio system. To get it, they’ll replace the factory audio system with an aftermarket one. They may also upgrade the head unit (also called the infotainment system), amplifier, subwoofers, speakers, and other components.

In some cases, a car audio upgrade means adding new features. For example, you can install an aftermarket head unit with touchscreen, Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, or other hands-free features in an older car built without these modern amenities.

Signs your car stereo needs replacing

With so many moving parts in a car stereo system—including the head unit, amp, speakers, subwoofer, and wiring harnesses—there can be a wide range of possible signs that you need a new car stereo. Common ones include:

Low or no volume
Head unit won’t power on
Head unit won’t play certain media, such as a compact disc
Other head unit features don’t work
Controls don’t operate as expected
Buzzing from the speakers
Dramatic loss of audio quality

Car stereo inspection costs

Car sound systems are so complex, it’s best to leave inspections to an expert. A car stereo shop can diagnose the entire audio system, including the wiring and fuses, for root causes, and make precise recommendations to fix the issues.

Total cost of diagnosis will depend on how long it takes to find the problem multiplied by the shop’s hourly rate, which typically ranges from $45–135 per hour. You can expect to pay for at least one hour of diagnostics.

Car stereo installation costs

Just looking to upgrade your car audio system, so you don’t need an inspection? Here are some common labor costs, not including the price of parts:

Head Unit Install

The car stereo installation cost for installing a new head unit—the main component of any car audio system—will range from $25–100. If your vehicle requires significant modifications to install the head unit, you may incur additional hourly charges.

A simple, single-DIN car radio—the smallest of the head units fitting a 2×8-inch opening—can cost as little as $50. High-quality units from JVC, Kenwood, Pioneer, or Sony can cost $150–200. Some single-DIN units with pop-out screens can cost more than $1,000.

Double-DIN units are double the size of a single-DIN unit—they’re also more complex, and generally have more high-end features. You can get basic double-DIN units from inexpensive manufacturers for well under $100. Adding touchscreens, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, backup cameras, and other features can boost the price to $150–2,000.

With parts and labor, you’re looking at $75 for a simple single-DIN unit to well over $2,000 for a high-end double-DIN unit and custom installation.

Amplifier Install

For a simple aftermarket amplifier installation, you’re looking at $10–30. As with the head unit, the price will increase if the installation is more complex.

As for parts, a small, one-channel, sub-200-watt amplifier can run as low as $80 for a reputable brand like Alpine. If you’re powering a big audio system that requires thousands of watts, you’ll pay a lot more—upward of $1,900 for a one-channel amp with 2,500 watts.

For parts and labor, you’re looking at $90 for a relatively simple system to well over $2,000 for a high-end amplifier and custom installation.

Car speaker install

A speaker installation generally costs about $50. However, if you change speaker sizes or add new speakers in places where the factory didn’t install them, you could spend much more.

A budget set of common-size speakers can run $20–50, while premium speakers from high-end manufacturers average $50–1,800. Cream-of-the-crop component speaker setups could cost more than $5,000.

If you want that deep, mirror-rattling bass, you’ll pay $50–$250 for a simple 8-inch subwoofer from a good brand. Large, 15-inch subwoofers will shake you up, but so will the $140–800 price tag. The speaker box that the subwoofer goes in can cost another $125–300 or more.

Parts and labor, basic speaker installation can set you back $70 for basic speakers and a simple install to well over $5,000 for top-notch speakers.

Other car stereo equipment costs

When calculating the total cost of car stereo installation, don’t forget the equipment and parts. The above-mentioned prices don’t include the components and some of the parts required to install them. Here are the most common equipment costs (not including installation):

Wiring harnesses: These connect speakers and the head unit to the vehicle’s factory wiring. They typically cost about $10–25, but some complex setups can run hundreds of dollars. There is typically no installation cost for wiring harnesses, unless they are custom. In that case, the shop will simply charge its hourly rate.

Dash installation kits: If you’re lucky, a head unit will slide right into the factory slot in your car, and there’s no need for a kit. In most cases, though, you’ll need a dash kit, which the installer can provide or you can buy yourself. Some kits are straightforward and cost less than $5, but others are very complex and can cost upward of $500. There is typically no installation cost for dash installation kits, unless they are custom. If that’s the case, prepare to pay the shop’s hourly rate.

Cost factors

Several factors that can affect your car stereo installation cost include:

Local labor rates
Complexity of the audio system
Audio system features
Age of the vehicle
Condition of existing wiring and connectors

How to save money

You can trim your car stereo installation cost in several ways:

Buy equipment from a retailer that also performs installations. These companies sometimes run specials that include free or discounted installation on select equipment.

Hire a private car stereo installer. While they tend to work on high-end equipment, professionals offering installation services have low overhead and charge lower rates.

Some installations are also simple enough for you to do yourself. But if you lack confidence or skills, always err on the side of caution and opt for professional installation.

Hiring a good car stereo installer

The best way to find a great car stereo installer is through word-of-mouth referrals from friends and family. Once you’ve gotten recommendations, check the installer’s online reviews to narrow down your search.

When deciding on an installer, always ask about their insurance and bonding, which is legally required in some states. If they aren’t insured and bonded, and they damage your vehicle, you may have no recourse.

Questions to ask a car stereo installer before work starts:

What certifications and training do you have? For an inexpensive project, the installer should have at least 6-12 months of experience as an apprentice. For more in-depth installations, you’ll want someone with at least a few years of experience.
Is the cost fixed or could it vary? For a simple single-DIN installation, the cost should be fixed, barring any unforeseen issues. For more complex installations, there will be a base price and a range for labor.
What is the warranty on the labor? You should always get at least a 12-month warranty on all labor and workmanship.

FAQs

What extra costs could I incur during the installation? Many things can unexpectedly crop up. It could be anything from a $2 connector to a $1,000 replacement dashboard, or brittle plastics breaking, shorted-out wires, broken wiring harnesses, and more.These are all items you’d need to pay more to fix.

How long does it take to install a car stereo? Generally, a car stereo installation should take 1-4 hours, depending on the installer’s experience and skill. More in-depth and custom installations may take longer.

Find a car stereo installation pro near you.

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