Music has played a major role in cars for decades. Moreover, that’s not all, no matter whether it’s hourly news, exciting reports or special breaking news – the car radio entertains and informs the driver on an international, national and local level hourly or even every minute about all important things. For example, traffic jam reports are essential for professional drivers or commuters who drive a long way to work every day. Vacation travelers on the road also turn on the car radio not only because of the traffic reports, but also because of the variety of music that some stations offer. However, the radio part is of particular importance: traffic reports, warning messages, such as driving on the wrong path, can prevent accidents, or allow the driver to avoid traffic jams and move faster. Now you can get acquainted with the tips and criteria on how to choose the best car stereo for yourself.
Car Stereos Are Available in Almost Every Vehicle
The radio installed by the manufacturer in new cars is often not sufficient, so a modern model is selected. The selection is huge when you want to buy a radio. The new car radio can be equipped with various additional functions such as MP3 or USB. The integration of a hands-free system or a touchscreen is also possible. The car radios are used for entertainment while driving. With CarPlay, modern car radios can be connected to the smartphone. Today, around 85 percent of all new cars are equipped with a car radio, be it a DVD car radio or a CD car radio. For used cars, the value is even higher at 86 percent. However, car radios have not been able to avoid digital change either. Numerous new car radios can be connected to the smartphone in order to listen to your own music. In addition, in many cases there is a USB interface. In addition, there are stereos that support digital radio. Anyone who is about to buy a car radio is spoiled for choice on the market. The prices of the current radios vary quite a bit between around 30 dollars for the cheapest radios and up to around 200 dollars for high-end radios.
All Variants
If you decide on a classic car radio, you have to decide on two things in particular: what should the radio look like, is the style important and which functions should it offer. These price differences are mainly due to the equipment. You should think carefully beforehand whether you often listen to music on CDs and DVDs or whether you can do without them completely, for example. It can also be significant whether you already owner of a smartphone or an MP3 player. There are devices that come with their own connection for Apple’s iPhones and iPods, for example. Bluetooth is now also part of the equipment of many devices. The sound of the music does not depend significantly on the car radio – speakers, boxes and subwoofers are the more important factors here. Nevertheless, professionals can still perceive differences in this area. Reading customer opinions protects against bad buys.
Due to technical developments and advances in the mobile communications sector, the manufacturers of entertainment and telecommunications electronics are also forced to bring out new and interesting devices in other areas. For users, smartphones are not just mobile phones, but also MP3 and video players as well as mobile navigation devices. And it is precisely this device that owners would also like to use in their cars.
Aux Connection
When the so-called aux connection appeared on stereo systems for the first time several years ago, this was the long-awaited opportunity for consumers to be able to connect external electrical devices in addition to the built-in devices. This laid the foundation, so to speak, for the later popular component systems that are popular with so many music fans. In addition to the Aux-in connection, it is also possible to control other products such as a power amplifier or a subwoofer via the Aux-out. However, the aux input offers the most options for supplying the car radio with music or videos not only via line-in.
Many MP3 fans still don’t even know that the technology was originally a German invention. Few other developments have been able to set off such a revolution in recent decades. No wonder that the countless MP3 car radios established themselves so quickly. With this format, you as a consumer can carry a large part of your music collection for the MP3 car radio with you in the smallest of spaces via an MP3 CD, a USB stick or, of course, the right MP3 player.
The Car Radio Should Be Easy to Use and Clearly Designed
Complicated handling or an unlit display lead to the risk of becoming inattentive on the road. This increases the risk of accidents. However, if significant functions can be controlled via a control panel on the steering wheel, you can keep your eyes on the road. Therefore, the display plays an important role in the selection. Another important point is theft protection. Most car stereos are easy to remove and install with the right tools. This is an advantage when converting your radio, but it also increases the risk of theft. Therefore, many models have anti-theft protection.
Conclusion
Connecting a new car radio – and converting or exchanging the device in the car is now almost child’s play. Standardization and harmonization make it possible and leave time for the important things in life. Gone are the days when a car radio was not part of the standard equipment of most station wagon models. Connecting a new car radio is quick. Today the question is more about the playable formats and the correct dimensions of the device. And the selection of car radios is immense. Things don’t cost that much money these days. Whichdevice you ultimately choose depends, as so often, on your preferences and requirements – but nowadays you can’t do too much wrong when choosing.