How to choose a good car radio
Content
Music in the car is an integral part of the comfort system. Many car manufacturers pay a lot of attention to the multimedia system of cars. Sound quality, playback volume, sound effects - these and many other options can brighten up time on a long journey.
What are the radio? How do they work, and what will help determine the choice of a new device? Consider all the questions in order.
The principle of operation of the radio for cars
The main task of the car radio is to play music. It can be removable media or a radio station. Multimedia consists of a tape recorder itself and several speakers (they must be purchased separately).
The player is connected to the car's power system. It can be connected directly to the battery, or through the ignition switch. In the first case, it can work with the ignition off. In the second - only after turning the key in the lock.
Speakers are placed around the cabin to create a surround effect. Some models allow you to connect a subwoofer, which is most often (due to size) installed in the trunk, and in extremely rare cases - instead of the rear sofa.
Types of car radio
All the radio in the car are divided into two types:
- IN-1.
- IN-2.
They differ in size, connection method and the presence of additional functions. When determining the modification, it is necessary to pay attention to the installation size of the device. There are no restrictions on the depth, however, on the height and width, the socket for the tape recorder in the working panel has clear dimensions.
DIN-1
This type of radio has standard sizes (width 180mm. And height 50mm.). They are suitable for cars of the domestic auto industry and most foreign cars.
Advantages and disadvantages of such radio tape recorders:
| Budget price | + |
| Power output selection | + |
| High-quality radio reception | + |
| Read removable media (flash drive, memory card up to 64GB) | + |
| Connect the phone via cable | + |
| Bluetooth | Very rarely |
| Touchscreen | - |
| Small screen | + |
| Play video | - |
| Equalizer | Several standard settings |
A good budget option that can be installed instead of a regular tape recorder.
DIN-2
In such AV systems, the width remains the same (180 millimeters), and the height is twice that of DIN-1 (100 millimeters). The reason for this size is the large screen of the head unit and the presence of more buttons for navigating the device menu and setting it up. It displays more information about the melody or radio station being played.
As an additional function - the ability to play video files. In this category there are models that are navigated using buttons or a touch screen.
| Large screen | + |
| sensor | + (depending on model) |
| Play video | + (depending on model) |
| Steering wheel control | + |
| Equalizer | Multiband |
| Bluetooth | + |
| Sync with iOS or Android | + |
| Connecting an external screen | + |
| GPS | + (depending on model) |
| "free hands" | + |
| Budget price | - |
| Inner memory | + (depending on model) |
More expensive models are equipped with sophisticated navigation systems. In this case, the map and the GPS assistant are displayed on the screen.
Device manufacturer
This is the main parameter that you pay attention to when choosing a radio. The leading brands among all manufacturers of musical equipment are:
- Soundmax
- Pioneer?
- kenwood;
- Mystery
- Sony.
However, the firm of the tape recorder should not be the only parameter to be guided by. It is also necessary to pay attention to the options available in the model.
Car radio options
There are a lot of options for selecting multimedia. If the head unit installed in the machine at the factory is not satisfied, the driver should pay attention to the following parameters.
Media Type
Modern multimedia is able to read music from various media. To do this, it can have the following connectors.
- CD pocket. It allows you to listen to music recorded on CDs. If the car radio can play DVD format and has a video output, then additional screens are connected to it, which can be integrated into the headrests of the front seats. This technology has its drawback. When driving at high speed over bumps, the laser head of the reader twitches, which causes playback failures.
- USB port Allows you to connect a flash drive or phone to the tape recorder. The advantage over disks is that in most cases this digital media is read better and without failures.
- SD slot A small slot for connecting an SD card, or an adapter in which microSD is installed. This is the most popular removable media, because it is installed inside the player, and it cannot be accidentally hooked and damaged like a USB flash drive.
Output power
Car tape recorders are not equipped with their own speakers. External speakers are connected to them. Standard connector - output to 4 speakers. Front - a pair of front, Rear - two rear.
When buying a new player, you need to pay attention to the power that it gives out. Each model is equipped with its own amplifier for connecting passive speakers. It is worth remembering: the more speakers, the quieter the music will sound, because the power is evenly distributed across all reproducing elements of the system.
Standard multimedia systems develop a power of 35-200 watts. If the car has poor door compaction and sound insulation, then it is worth paying attention to models with a power of 50-60 watts. Those who want to connect a subwoofer will have to buy a more powerful option.
The following video dispels myths about so-called powerful devices:
Banners
This is a modern digital technology that allows you to combine audio and video player in one device.
When buying such a model, it is important to remember that the main task of the driver is to safely deliver passengers to their destination. And watching movies should be left at a time when the car will be standing.
Button Illumination
In fact, the radio in the car is a useful option.
Many models have several shades of buttons. Thanks to this, the driver can create his own atmosphere in the cabin.
It is also worth paying attention to the Demo mode. This is when the player in the off state demonstrates the functions of the screen. Blinking messages can distract the driver from driving. With lateral vision, he notices changes in the display, and the brain can regard this as a malfunction message. Therefore, it is better to disable this option.
Bluetooth
Those who can not stop and talk on the phone (traffic in the central lane) should choose a modification with Bluetooth.
This feature allows you to connect your mobile phone to the car audio system wirelessly. And voice control (not available on all models) helps not to be distracted from the road.
Using these functions, the driver will be able to communicate via mobile communication, as if his interlocutor is in the next seat.
Equalizer
This option is important for music lovers. Most car radios have automatic sound settings for songs. Some allow you to change the melody to your preferences, for example, increase the amount of bass.
Equalizer also allows you to adjust the sound level of individual speakers. For example, the balance can be moved from the rear speakers to the front ones so that the music is not too loud for passengers.
Other multimedia players (broadband) allow you to make finer sound-style settings. True, in order to feel these changes, excellent noise insulation of the machine is required. Otherwise, the funds will be wasted.
Size
DIN-1 models are suitable for all domestic cars and foreign cars of the middle class. They have a mounting niche of the appropriate size from the factory.
If the owner of the car decides to install a radio with a large screen, he will need to increase the height of the opening. But not in every car this can be done, because rarely on the panel near the radio’s pocket there is an empty place.
The DIN-2 modification is installed in executive cars and SUVs. In them, the torpedo already has a corresponding niche for a high car radio.
GPS
Some DIN-2 radios are equipped with a GPS module. It communicates with the satellite, and displays the location of the car on a map. Such a multimedia system allows you to save on the purchase of a navigator.
However, choosing an option with this function, it should be remembered that the presence of this option does not yet say that it will qualitatively “drive” along a given route. It is better to read the reviews of those who already have experience in using the device.
In order for GPS navigation to work properly, you need to install maps of the corresponding regions of the country in the software. You can do this yourself by downloading the update from the Internet, or take the av system to a specialist.
USB slot location
Most modern radio tape recorders allow you to connect an external drive. In such models, the flash drive is connected either on the front side or on the back.
In the first case, the Flash drive will stick out from the radio, which is not always convenient. It can be easily hooked and pulled out of the nest. This can spoil the port, because of which later you will either have to buy a new car radio or solder the connector itself.
A diskless player with a rear connector will require the purchase of an additional cable for a flash drive. You will need to spend time to connect it to the connector and lay it in the glove compartment or armrest.
Display type
There are three types of displays:
- Text The information displayed in the strip is enough to find a suitable radio station or track. These are often budget players.
- LCD display They can be color or black and white. This screen displays more information about folders on removable media. They can play video files, and often have an attractive demo mode.
- Graphic. Most often it is a touch screen. It looks like a multimedia system of an expensive car. Equipped with great settings functionality. They can watch movies and view a map of the area (with a GPS module).
Supported Formats
On old tape recorders you could only listen to the radio and tape media. With the advent of CDs, their functions have expanded. However, it is worth remembering: the presence of a slot for the disk does not yet say that the car radio will read any format.
Most audio files are recorded in mpeg-3 format. However, WAV and WMA extensions are also common. If the player is able to read files of this format, the music lover will not have to spend time searching for your favorite songs with the appropriate extension.
If the device can play video, the owner of the device should pay attention to the following formats: MPEG-1,2,4, AVI and Xvid. These are the most common codecs that are installed in multimedia software.
Before buying a player, you should make sure that it will read files with a suitable extension. Often this information is written on the front of the device, and a more detailed list of codecs is in the instruction manual.
Camera connection
Av systems with integrated color or monochrome screen can be used as DVRs. For example, a rear view camera is connected to some models, which will facilitate parking the car.
This feature allows you to improve visibility when the car is rolling back. It is especially useful for marker cars. It is difficult for the driver to notice cross-traffic when he leaves the garage, or from the yard.
How much is a car radio
A regular budget mid-range digital tape recorder will cost around $ 15-20. This is a great solution for a driver who is unpretentious in musical tastes. The power of such a player is enough for two small speakers at the back and two tweeters (tweeters) on the side racks of the windshield. More expensive options will be more powerful, so you can connect more speakers to them.
For a music lover and a driver who spends a lot of time in a car in a parking lot (for example, a taxi driver), multimedia from 150 dollars is suitable. It will already have a large screen on which you can watch movies. The power of such a multimedia system is enough for four bass speakers.
The Av system with advanced features (the ability to connect additional screens and a rear view camera) is useful for long trips with the whole family. Such radio tape recorders will cost from 70 cu
Apparently, a simple, at first glance, business requires a careful approach. Watch also a video on how to connect the player correctly:
Questions and answers:
What is the best car radio? Sony DSX-A210UI (1DIN), Pioneer MVH-280FD (most powerful), JVC KD-X33MBTE (one of the best options), Pioneer SPH-10BT (top model in 2021).
How to choose the right car radio? Do not chase brands (quality does not always match); select the appropriate standard size (DIN); is there a built-in amplifier; availability of additional functions and connectors.
One comment
Jorginho Alone Skin
Good afternoon!
In fact, I found a variety of car radios. They are beautiful and modern. But I was unable to obtain information about the prices and procedures on how to obtain them when you need them.