Becker Audio: The Very Best for the Very Best

What do Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Porsche, and Ferrari all have in common? Other than being top-of-the-line luxury vehicles they all use Becker audio equipment as their audio equipment of choice. The reason for this should be obvious: Becker has a long tradition of manufacturing the finest in audio components, and the very best should have the very best.

Max Becker started his company in 1945 in Pforzheim, Germany, producing radio receivers for aircraft. In 1948 he produced his first car radio. Over the years the name Becker became synonymous with quality so that by the 1990s Becker was making aftermarket car audio systems and also custom in-dash systems for the most influential car manufacturers in Europe. In 1995 Becker GmbH was purchased by Harman International for $60 million and Harman Becker Automotive Systems was born.

Harman International was founded by Dr. Sidney Harman, an engineer by profession, who produced the first true hi-fi receiver and four years later the first stereo receiver. The joining of these two engineering geniuses has insured that Becker audio systems are and will remain the world’s best.

So, what to do if your car audio system needs replacing? Well, you could buy a new system and in the process pay top dollar. Or you could get a bit creative and go in search of a used Becker system and install it yourself.

This truly is such a simple process almost anyone could do it. Grab your tools and head on down to the nearest Pick n Pull salvage yard for a discount bargain on a quality audio system. Salvage yards (aka junkyards) are the last great American shopping bargain. Used car parts of every type and description are waiting in these yards for your arrival and savings often approach up to 60% for those willing to pick a part themselves. It really is that simple. Go to the salvage yard, find a Mercedes or BMW, pull the Becker system out of it, and install it in your own car.

And the best news for those of you with a nervous disposition is that reputable salvage yards have warranties and satisfaction guarantees. In other words, you can shop with confidence and know that you are saving a boatload of money by doing it all yourself. As the Ninja Turtles were fond of saying, “Totally Awesome, Dude!”

What could be more satisfying than taking a used Becker car stereo out of a Porsche and putting it in your Toyota hybrid? It just doesn’t get any better than that, combining the fuel economy of a hybrid with the sound system of one of the great road masterpieces of our tim