Ordering & Shipping
My order contains both in-stock and special order items. Will they ship separately?
No — to keep shipping efficient (and free, Australia wide), Integrated Audio combines all items into one single shipment. If you order a mix of ready-to-ship inventory and special order items, your entire package dispatches together as soon as the special order item arrives at our warehouse (typically within 3-5 business days).
Warranty & Fitment
Will upgrading my audio system void my warranty?
No. Our plug-and-play upgrades connect through your vehicle's existing wiring and don't require permanent modification to factory components. Genuine ATF products carry their own manufacturer warranty.
Can I reverse the installation and put everything back to standard?
Yes — our plug-and-play packages are designed to be fully reversible. Factory components are unplugged, not cut or discarded, so you can return to standard at any time.
Do I need to cut any wires to upgrade my sound?
No. Our packages use vehicle-specific plug-and-play harnesses that connect directly to your factory wiring — no cutting or soldering required for a standard install.
Can I take my system with me if I change cars?
The DSP amplifier itself can usually be reused, but the plug-and-play harness is vehicle-specific, so you'd need a new harness for your next car.
Installation
Is it difficult to DIY a car audio upgrade?
Not with our plug-and-play packages — most Stage 1 installs take 1-2 hours with basic hand tools and no prior experience. We include trim removal tools and clear install guides.
How long does it take to upgrade myself?
Stage 1 (amplifier only) typically takes 1-2 hours. Stage 2 (adding a subwoofer) is usually 2-3 hours. Stage 3 (full speaker replacement) can take 3-5 hours depending on the vehicle.
How do I find my factory amplifier?
Location varies by vehicle — commonly under a seat, behind a kick panel, or in the boot/cargo area. Your package instructions will show you exactly where to look for your specific model.
Do I need to soundproof my car?
Not for most upgrades. Sound deadening is optional and mainly benefits very high-volume systems or particularly noisy cabins — we'll let you know if it's worth considering for your setup.
Do you offer custom installation?
Yes — we offer professional installation in the Sydney Metro area, and can point you to trusted installer partners elsewhere in Australia. Get in touch and we'll help arrange it.
What is MOST?
MOST (Media Oriented Systems Transport) is a fibre-optic networking standard some manufacturers use to link factory audio components. It affects how certain premium OEM systems (like some BMW/Mercedes setups) need to be integrated — our packages are engineered per vehicle to handle this correctly.
DSP Amplifiers & Tuning
What's the difference between a DSP amplifier and a regular amplifier?
A regular amplifier just makes your existing signal louder, flaws included. A DSP amplifier adds a digital sound processor in the same chassis, giving you time alignment, per-channel EQ and active crossovers tuned to your exact car. See our full DSP Amplifier Buying Guide and What Is a DSP Amplifier? guide for the full breakdown.
What's the difference between HELIX and MATCH amplifiers?
Both are Audiotec Fischer brands built on the same core DSP technology — the difference is application, not sound quality. MATCH is purpose-built for plug-and-play factory integration in a compact chassis; HELIX offers more channels and power for larger or fully custom systems. Full comparison tables are on our DSP Amplifier Buying Guide.
What's the difference between a DSP amplifier and a standalone DSP processor?
A DSP amplifier tunes and powers your speakers in one chassis. A standalone DSP processor only tunes — you pair it with separate amplifiers you choose, which suits larger active builds and EMMA competition setups. See our DSP Processor Buying Guide for a full comparison of every HELIX and BRAX processor we carry, including the HELIX NEXT DSP ULTRA XT preorder.
Does my upgrade package come with a custom tune?
Not currently — no Integrated Audio package ships with a pre-loaded custom acoustic tune today. Every DSP amp and processor we sell is tunable in the official Audiotec Fischer PC Tool, and we're developing a way for customers to get a genuine car-specific calibration without needing to be tuned in person — see our DSP Tuning Guide for how to get started with your own measurements.
How do I get my DSP amplifier properly calibrated to my car?
Follow our DSP Tuning Guide, which walks through taking your own in-car acoustic measurements with an AMI Audio Measurement Interface and building a tune in the ATF PC Tool. If you bought your DSP amp from us, ask about borrowing our AMI kit to take your own measurements.
EMMA Competition
How do I get my car competition ready for EMMA?
Pete, a Certified International EMMA Head Judge, walks through exactly what's required — from install quality to safety compliance — in our full guide.
How is EMMA competition day run?
Our guide walks through the running order and judging process from the judging side of the table.
How much does it cost to enter an EMMA competition?
Entry fees vary by class and event — our guide breaks down what to expect.
EMMA SQ vs SPL: what's the difference?
Sound Quality and Sound Pressure Level are judged completely differently — our guide explains how each class is scored.
Master vs Entry €3,000: what do the EMMA classes mean?
EMMA Sound Quality classes are split by system value, not skill level — our guide explains how the tiers work and where most first-time competitors sit.
How do I calculate the value of my car audio system for EMMA?
EMMA classes are determined by your system's calculated value, not its cost — our guide walks through using the official EMMA Value Database correctly.
Where do I buy official EMMA competition tracks?
Only official EMMA-licensed tracks are permitted for scoring — our guide links to the legitimate source.
Can I use a mate's EMMA tracks instead of buying my own?
There's a clear rule on this that catches out a lot of first-time competitors — our guide explains it.
What EMMA rules do competitors get wrong most often?
As a Head Judge, Pete sees the same handful of avoidable mistakes at almost every event — our guide runs through the most common ones.
What are the key EMMA install rules I need to know?
Install quality is scored as its own category — our guide covers the rules that most directly affect your score.
Who judges EMMA events in Australia?
Meet the EMMA Australia judging panel, including Pete's own background as a Certified International EMMA Head Judge, in our guide.
Can't find your answer? Get in touch and we'll help directly.