Little did 18-year-old Antoine Place know that when he choose to install a stereo system in his car himself years ago, it would lead him to becoming a successful businessman.

“It started out as a hobby. When I first got my car, all we had in terms of radio was FM 89, so I purchased a stereo for $100 secondhand,” the now 40-something-year-old owner of Custom Acoustics recently told The Royal Gazette.

“I installed it myself and people liked how my car sounded. Friends heard it and spread the word.”

Mr. Place eventually began working at Sound Advice and said the three years’ experience there allowed him to hone his skills.

Fifteen years ago, he and two partners opened Custom Acoustics, which was initially located in the Ingham Building on Addendum Lane.

Twelve years ago, Mr. Place began operating the installation business on his own and it eventually moved to its current Trott Road location.

Within the next few weeks, Custom Acoustics is about to mark another milestone in its history books when it moves to its new location in the former Wilson Cycles building on the corner of Union and Dundonald streets.

Although he said preparing for the move has been “a lot of work”, Mr. Place said he is definitely excited about the new locale.

“The building is totally customised and there is going to be plenty of parking in the rear of the building along with Union Square.

“The accessibility to us is going to be a whole lot better.”

As he reflected on the longevity of his business, Mr. Place commented on why customising cars is so popular with locals.

“Bermudians have always liked customising their cars, it’s like a tradition. A good sound system is just a part of that process as everything else.

“The biggest draw these days is having a full entertainment system in the car.”

And by his account, that no longer means just a CD player, amplifiers and good speakers.

Along with a DVD player, it is no longer unusual to find game systems, digital satellite radio and TV monitors in their vehicles.

The newest rage to hit the market is 10” split-screen monitors that allows for backseat passengers to enjoy two different sources at the same time.

With headphones, sounds can be enjoyed individually as well.

“Technology today is basically catering to the soccer mom,” Mr. Place said. “This is a means of keeping the peace.

When questioned whether critics may see this as excess, he responded: “Try to convince a mother with children of that. With the monitors, the children will keep quiet.

“You cannot put a price on peace and quiet.”

And in keeping with his belief that “safety is paramount”, Mr. Place added that all cars that he fits with TV monitors in the front are wired so they cannot be operated unless the handbrake is pulled up and the car is stationary.

For music lovers who never leave home without their iPod, manufacturer Clarion has now made head units for car which are compatible with the popular portable system.

All the driver has to do is plug their device into the head units and they can listen to hundreds of their favourite tunes at the touch of a button.

As he revealed that the most one of his customers paid for a customised system is $20,000, Mr. Place said Sirius digital radio service is about to break new technological ground.

“Soon, they will be offering video streams via their signals. Sirius is really catering to the backseat passenger with wide talk about channels such as Cartoon Network and Disney Channel being introduced. It’s going to be huge.”

Interested in enjoying your favourite tunes while out on the water? Mr. Place and his team of professional installers will also install a marine audio system on your vessel.

Free estimates are available at no charge.