“Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen became the most popular song to play while driving in the UK. It was followed by “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond in second place and “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers in third. Over 2,000 Britons took part in the survey.
For many years, the car has remained the most popular place for listening to music. This is why creating a high-quality audio system in the car is so important for many. True music enthusiasts love the combination of great sound and high volume. International car audio expert Oleksandr Korchynskyi — record holder of Ukraine, judge of professional car audio competitions, engineer, and founder of his own custom car audio equipment brand — knows all about this.
He became one of the first in the country to implement advanced Sound Pressure Level technologies and developed enhanced subwoofer designs that achieved high power and sound clarity. His approach to designing acoustic systems combines innovative materials, precise calculations, and original engineering solutions, taking car audio to a new level.
How to get the most enjoyment from music in your car, why people listen at high volumes, and where the industry is headed — expert Oleksandr Korchynskyi shares his insights.
Why Loud Music is More Than Just Sound
For many drivers, music while driving is not just a way to pass the time — it becomes a part of their lifestyle, a way to experience new sensations, and even a subject of competition. Loud, high-quality sound allows not only to enjoy favorite tracks but also to literally feel them on a physical level. This is why car audio has long since gone beyond a simple hobby, transforming into a separate industry with fierce competition, technical innovations, and its own legends.
“People love music for different reasons. It adds drive, helps relax, and provides an opportunity to forget about problems. Anyone who has ever been to a live concert and felt that adrenaline will never forget it. Loud music is not just sound; it’s a true physical and emotional experience. It evokes powerful emotions, gives a sense of energy, and allows you to feel the music not only with your ears but with your whole body,” shares Oleksandr Korchynskyi.
Since 2015, Oleksandr has repeatedly taken first place at prestigious car audio competitions in Ukraine, and this year he became the winner of the dB Drag contest and set a national record. He has participated in these events himself and knows how SPL (Sound Pressure Level) competitions attract thousands of enthusiasts. Here, it’s not only about volume and sound quality but also about engineering skill, the spirit of competition, and the show. It’s about pushing the sound to its limits and achieving extreme results.
From First Experiments to Records
Oleksandr has loved music and been interested in audio technology since childhood. This passion led him to his first experiments, and eventually to creating homemade amplifiers and audio systems. In high school, he installed his first subwoofer in a friend’s father’s car, and since then, car audio has become an inseparable part of his life.
“The hardest part in the beginning was the lack of budget. High-quality components were expensive, and there was never enough money during my school and university years. I would run to the local car audio shop just to check out the new products, and I spent hours reading articles about installing audio components in cars,” recalls Oleksandr.
But over time, his knowledge and skills started to bring in the first orders — initially from friends, then from their acquaintances. What began as a hobby eventually turned into a profession.
“Win at Any Cost”
Six years of victories in various national sound pressure competitions led Oleksandr to a Ukrainian record at the dB Drag finals in the Pro Stock Wall 5k class. This is one of the most prestigious and well-known international competitions, held under the aegis of the dB Drag Racing Association. The Pro Stock Wall 5k class is considered one of the most challenging disciplines, as it combines high requirements for engineering, subwoofer box design, and the proper use of power. Achieving such results was made possible by a carefully designed audio system and attention to every detail.
“The main decision was obvious: win at any cost. I used a powerful amplifier, lithium batteries, a specially designed enclosure made from high-quality materials, and custom subwoofers with ultra-light carbon diaphragms. But in the end, the result depends not only on the components but on years of experience, perseverance, and the drive to win,” he explains.
Alongside participating in competitions, Oleksandr Korchynskyi also served as a judge at various events. In 2019, he judged Caremotion — one of the most popular events in Ukraine, where car audio enthusiasts from all over the country participated.
Oleksandr Korchynskyi not only recorded results but also helped participants improve their systems. He checked compliance with regulations, the safety of installations, and the correctness of connections. By conducting briefings, explaining mistakes, and giving recommendations, Oleksandr helped competitors take their systems to the next level and achieve better results.
“It was a valuable experience that gave me even more insight into how to make a system truly competitive,” says Oleksandr.
Founding His Own Brand and Innovations in Custom Audio Systems
After creating his own brand, KorchAudio, Oleksandr began developing custom subwoofer enclosures and speakers. His meticulous approach to design, thoughtful constructions, and the use of modern technologies allowed his audio systems to gain recognition among car audio enthusiasts. A distinctive feature of Oleksandr’s equipment was its compact size, which still produced high-quality results.
“Special attention was given to the rigidity of the construction, the accuracy of the calculations, and the shape of the port. For example, radial or exponential ports made from bent plywood allowed us to achieve excellent results while maintaining the system’s compact size,” he shares.
Knowledge Tested by Practice
Oleksandr built his experience and professionalism, in part, by working with the international Bosch Service network of car service centers. Here, he learned how to understand complex wiring diagrams, properly tune systems, and solve connection issues.
“This experience helps me integrate audio systems into modern cars with their complex electronics. I know how multimedia units work, how to avoid problems with the onboard network, and how to ensure the safety of the system,” says the car audio expert.
Oleksandr Korchynskyi actively shares the knowledge he has gained. He has written articles on audio system design for popular forums, runs a blog on Instagram, and also contributes to channels such as Drive2, a popular car portal for enthusiasts, and cxem.net, one of the largest Russian-language forums for electronics.
For beginners, Oleksandr recommends primarily focusing on safety rules and not skimping on components.
“It’s important to choose high-quality components, properly calculate the wiring, and correctly set up amplifiers and equalizers. And, of course, never forget about safety — power fuses, reliable connections, and correct load distribution on the battery,” advises the expert.
How Will the Car Audio Market Develop?
The car audio market has changed significantly over the past decade, according to Oleksandr. In the field of sound pressure level (SPL), the focus has shifted toward increasing the power and efficiency of systems, which has become possible due to new lightweight and powerful components, digital sound processing, and improved cooling systems. In the field of sound quality (SQ), digital processors have played a key role, allowing for more precise sound tuning for various conditions.
“Hybrid systems are now popular, combining high sound pressure with excellent sound quality. There’s also growing attention to integrating car audio with the vehicle’s multimedia systems, which makes it more convenient to use,” notes Oleksandr.
Furthermore, thanks to online stores and consultations, car enthusiasts have become more informed about new products and technologies, which stimulates the development of custom solutions and energy-efficient systems, concludes the expert.