Unless you drive a lexus or something, you're never going to hear the kind of detail and accuracy that you could put into a car audio system. That's why most of them don't even try. If you can't go for accuracy, go for fun. Result? Bass by the ton. My car stereo and headphones have completely different goals. Classical music in my car? Ain't going to work. Way too much dynamic range. I either can't hear half of it over the wind, or half of it is completely deafening. I always have my windows down if its warmer than 50 or so. Detail? Sorry, couldn't hear you over the wind. Soundstage? Imaging? With speakers, that are crammed in wherever they happen to fit, you're kidding right?
That's why car audio is full of bloated, boomy bass. You can make it loud enough to get through without causing hearing loss.
I guess you have heard lots of bad car audio systems then. My buddy has an SUV with Focal seperates throughout..........with roughly 500watts to them, he also has 1100 watts to 3 10" Kicker L7s...........sounds amazing. The highs/mids come through with great detail and accuracy. The sub balances beautifully with everything. Not all systems are created by 15yr olds that run stock front end with 8 15's in the trunk.
Some cars are quieter moving than others stopped and idling. Lexus was getting into trouble because drivers couldn't hear sirens from emergency vehicles.
