Kelly RainierWhenever my kid hears Ms. Rachel’s songs, he would always yell “Turn it up, dad!”. But instead of hearing the songs clearly, we would end up hearing the bass more than the rhythm.
That’s when we knew our car stereo was due for an upgrade. Luckily, we have the best car stereo shops in Vancouver that we can reach out to anytime.
So the next time our little DJ feels like he’s in “car-aoke” session with Ms. Rachel, our speakers are ready! Make sure to keep this list handy, and we’re pretty sure your ears will thank you!
How much does a car stereo cost in Vancouver?
In Vancouver, a basic single head unit stereo may cost around $70 to $200, while an advanced unit may cost around $200 to $600. Meanwhile, a basic double head unit stereo starts at $150, while advanced double head units start at $300.
How we chose:
1. Performance Car Stereo
Consumer Rating: B+
| Google reviews score | 4.7/5 |
| Total reviews | 5/5 |
| Score consistency | 5/5 |
Our Rating: B+
| Quality of installation | 4.8/5 |
| Neat wiring & connections | 4.8/5 |
| Optimized sound system | 4.8/5 |
| Customization | 4/5 |
| Technology | 4.8/5 |
| Modern connectivity features | 4.8/5 |
| Audio enhancements | 4.8/5 |
| Troubleshooting assistance | 4.9/5 |
While Performance Car Stereo didn’t have the time to accommodate us on the same day, we still found their booking relatively easy. We even appreciate that they moved our appointment three days earlier when their schedules cleared up.
You can also expect them to install the car stereo quickly, regardless of the car model.
After the installation, we experienced a slight issue in connecting the stereo with our Android phones. We had to wait for a little over an hour, but good thing the guys managed to troubleshoot the problem before we head out.
We also loved that they disconnected our phones multiple times, just to ensure that we don’t have a hard time reconnecting them without their help.
But don’t worry, in case you still find it hard to navigate the system yourself, they’ll leave a hotline which you can call anytime you need help!
You’ll also love that they have great after-sales support. We even got a call during New Year’s Eve just to check if we’re happy with our car stereo.
Three years later, our car stereo’s still working fine, and it hasn’t been repaired since the purchase. So, if you’re looking for a durable one, then get one from Performance Car Stereo!
Quick response rate
“Highly recommend! I was looking for a place to do a major sound system upgrade in my truck. I’m pretty particular, and have had issues in the past with car audio places being unprofessional, not knowing their stuff, etc. Then I found Performance Car Stereo – I came across them on Google, and their rating was very high, so I thought I’ve give them a shot ]…I really appreciate their knowledge, enthusiasm, friendliness, and patience with someone who isn’t nearly as familiar with these products as they are. They’re worth the visit!”
Curtis Monks, Google Review
Upfront quotation
“Dealt with JP on the intake and was very upfront on the quote, the work they would be performing. Very professional and understanding of what needed to be done. 5/5 would recommend.”
Alex Anderson, Google Review
2. Ralph’s Radio Ltd.
Consumer Rating: B+
| Google reviews score | 4.6/5 |
| Total reviews | 5/5 |
| Score consistency | 5/5 |
Our Rating: B+
| Quality of installation | 4.9/5 |
| Neat wiring & connections | 4.9/5 |
| Optimized sound system | 4.9/5 |
| Customization | 4.9/5 |
| Technology | 5/5 |
| Modern connectivity features | 5/5 |
| Audio enhancements | 5/5 |
| Troubleshooting assistance | 4.9/5 |
When we played our favorite jams during our recent road trip, we noticed that it sounded like it was playing through a tin can. Sadly, we had to endure it the entire trip, but we decided to pass by Ralph’s Radio upon our return.
Make sure to tell them about your sound preference as soon as you ask for their car stereo lineup. For those who love some loud bass, you’ll appreciate checking out multiple options here too!
You can also ask them to integrate your newly installed car stereo into Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. We love that we don’t have to buy the latest car models to enjoy this feature!
This place is also a one-stop shop if you need other car upgrades, such as backup camera installation, collision avoidance systems, and even remote car starters.
It only took them less than thirty minutes to install and connect the system to our phones. We’re also quite impressed with how well they hid the wires–we didn’t even know where they were exactly.
You also don’t need to worry about resetting your dashboard settings. After installation, they will make sure to go through the settings with you to ensure everything stays the way you remember it.
Offers the best solutions to clients
“Brad and Jason did a great job helping me with a system upgrade as soon as I stepped in the store. They took the time to look at my vehicle and listened to my needs before discussing with me the options I had available. When we ran into some technical challenges they spent time researching and making sure they found the best solution possible to let me keep my stock head unit and functionality intact while still getting great sound and tight crisp bass. They also managed to fabricate an amazing sub enclosure to fit the unique space I had available due to my rpmable but did not pressure me as I chose my components and really went above and beyond my expectations. And the sound system they put together sounds amazing! You’ve made me one happy customer.”
Stephen S, Google Review
Appointments never feel rushed
“I have been a Ralph’s customer for many years and they have never let me down. William recently set me up with a new Kenwood system for my hotrod. It works like a dream. I really appreciate the time he spent with me explaining the operation of the unit. Ralph’s is certainly my go to place for car audio.”
Musty Ditch, Google Review
3. Visions Electronics
Consumer Rating: B
| Google reviews score | 4.2/5 |
| Total reviews | 4/5 |
| Score consistency | 5/5 |
Our Rating: B
| Quality of installation | 4.2/5 |
| Neat wiring & connections | 4.2/5 |
| Optimized sound system | 4.2/5 |
| Customization | 4.2/5 |
| Technology | 4/5 |
| Modern connectivity features | 4/5 |
| Audio enhancements | 4/5 |
| Troubleshooting assistance | 4/5 |
We weren’t really planning on upgrading our car stereo system, but our dear friend mentioned Visions Electronics offers same-day delivery, so here we are!
We checked all our options over their website, and it’s great that all specifications and details are provided, making it easier to choose from a wide variety of products. You can even drag products that you want to compare!
Additionally, we noticed that almost every product was on sale. So if you’re working on a budget, then this shop is the right one for you!
After confirming our orders, we were surprised to get a call in less than an hour, informing us that someone from their team will arrive to install our new car stereo system.
They also came in ready with all the tools, which made us realize that we were not ready to have a DIY installation.
You’ll also love that they’re quite careful in handling your old stereo unit. So, in case your old one’s working just fine, you can confidently sell it knowing that it wasn’t damaged during the switch.
It’s also great that Visions Electronics is open the entire week, so you can have your upgrade whenever you want.
Knowledgeable staff
“I had a great experience at Vision Electronics! The store has a fantastic selection of products, and the staff were both friendly and knowledgeable. They helped me find exactly what I needed, and I left feeling confident in my purchase. Highly recommend if you’re looking for quality electronics and excellent customer service!”
Ekta Sharma, Google Review
Highly responsive team
“We recently purchased a dishwasher from Visions and George was great to work with! He was responsive over phone and email, and in the end we were very happy with our purchase. Quick, easy and hassle-free!”
Paolo Macapagal, Google Review
4. Soundsgood Auto
Consumer Rating: B+
| Google reviews score | 4.9/5 |
| Total reviews | 5/5 |
| Score consistency | 5/5 |
Our Rating: B+
| Quality of installation | 4.7/5 |
| Neat wiring & connections | 4.7/5 |
| Optimized sound system | 4.7/5 |
| Customization | 4.7/5 |
| Technology | 4.6/5 |
| Modern connectivity features | 4.6/5 |
| Audio enhancements | 4.6/5 |
| Troubleshooting assistance | 4.5/5 |
We trust Soundsgood Auto for all our electrical upgrades in the past that’s why we didn’t hesitate to tap them when we needed to install new subwoofers in our old Subaru.
We knew what we wanted even before we walked inside their shop. But as soon as we saw the other options, we knew we needed their help.
And it’s great that they helped us narrow down our choices without pushing the more expensive car stereo setup. Don’t hesitate to ask them questions too, as their staff knows everything about car stereo.
We even had specific questions about upgrading our car’s stereo system, and they were able to answer them.
Here’s a quick tip for you: Try to look for Ruben while you’re there; he clearly explains all the stereo options. You’ll even be informed about the pros and cons of each product, which made us trust him even more.
And if you’re working on a budget, make sure to let them know, too!
When it comes to installation, you’ll love that they will walk you through the settings to ensure you get your preferred sound. They will also teach you how to connect the stereo to multiple mobile phones.
Quickly respond to emails
“I was initially skeptical when I saw the high Google rating of Sounds Good Auto (4.9 stars with over 282 reviews). Sometimes, ratings like that can seem too good to be true, but after my experience, I can confidently say they’ve earned every bit of it! From the very start, their team was incredibly responsive. I was exploring my options and had many questions about aftermarket car audios and Mike was fantastic with his quick replies to my emails—always thorough and professional. Jack also provided top-notch customer service, with his easy-to-approach attitude. Their level of customer service is truly exceptional. I highly recommend Sounds Good Auto to anyone looking for quality car audio solutions!”
Andy Lee, Google Review
High quality products
“These guys are PROFESSIONALS, and you get that as soon as you step in their store and talk to one of the guys. Ben was the one who helped me with my dash cam and subwoofer + amp installation on my 2025 Honda Civic, and boy oh boy, they did such a clean and high quality job as expected. Definitely recommended!”
Pouria Bahmani, Google Review
5. RPM Electronics
Consumer Rating: B+
| Google reviews score | 4.5/5 |
| Total reviews | 5/5 |
| Score consistency | 5/5 |
Our Rating: B+
| Quality of installation | 4.7/5 |
| Neat wiring & connections | 4.7/5 |
| Optimized sound system | 4.7/5 |
| Customization | 4.7/5 |
| Technology | 4.6/5 |
| Modern connectivity features | 4.6/5 |
| Audio enhancements | 4.6/5 |
| Troubleshooting assistance | 4.5/5 |
Luxury owners can trust RPM Electronics with their new car stereo system without breaking the bank! Here, you can trust their team to be knowledgeable enough in handling all car models, old or new.
What we like the most is that they apply the same labor fees for any car model!
At first, we weren’t really sure what we needed for our family van, but we’re glad that their staff was able to jump in quickly, ready to help us figure out what we can buy based on our car and budget.
While the installation went smoothly, we’re quite disappointed that the other dashboard settings had been reset. Moreover, we noticed that the backing camera’s parking guides were a bit off, too.
It’s great that they were able to visit us onsite to fix the issue, but it could have been avoided if their staff checked this before they turned it over. So don’t forget to check it yourself before you settle any payment!
On a lighter note, if you’re in a rush or you simply can’t wait to have a new car stereo installed, RPM Electronics offers same-day installations.
Provides sound advice
“Professional, courteous, and patient. These guys are awesome. The new renovated space is amazingly comfortable. I’ve been coming here for four years ever since I needed to get my dash cam installed. The techs are highly knowledgeable and has advised me to refrain wasting my money on multiple occasions because it wasn’t worthwhile. They’re good honest people that do a great job.”
Matthew Chan, Google Review
Reasonable rates
“They were able to help me almost right away to remove aftermarket alarm. They did a great job and did it efficiently. Honest pricing too. Was quoted twice as much at another place to do the same job. Highly recommend these guys”
I K, Google Review
