How to choose a car radio – our guide
Every day, we are approached by owners of various cars with a request to choose a good car radio: to buy and install the best option within a certain budget. We decided to make a detailed guide on how to choose a radio and not make a mistake. So.
Why is it so important to carefully approach the choice of a car radio? Based on our experience, we can say that sometimes it happens that after installing a new head unit, the music starts to sound worse, the quality of the standard sound deteriorates. And then you have to either return the previous (factory radio), or change all the speakers, and often the amplifier. Here is one of the cases from our experience:
It is also important to consider all the features of each specific car when choosing a new radio – it is important to consider the year of manufacture, configuration, etc. All these factors can greatly affect which head unit you will ultimately buy.
Before buying a car radio
Identify your needs
- Type of music – does your preferred genre of music affect which car stereo is better to buy? Honestly, again based on our practical experience, the type of music you listen to does not matter if you are only changing the car stereo. Now, if we were talking about a full-fledged audio system, then this point would be quite important.
- Usage: How do you plan to use the car radio? Just for listening to music, or do you need additional functions, such as navigation? It is very important to decide on the functions you want to get before buying and installing the radio. If you do not know what capabilities modern devices have, ask us – with each six months the functionality becomes more and more diverse. We will tell you what is there – and you will make your choice yourself.
Decide on the main characteristics
- Format: Available file formats (MP3, FLAC, WAV, etc.).
- Connections: Availability of CarPlay, AndroidAuto, Bluetooth, USB ports, AUX input and the ability to connect a smartphone. The ability to keep the standard steering wheel buttons, output image from the factory rear view camera, climate control, factory menu (as in this project, where we installed a radio in a BMW E60). Another important point is the need to buy accessories for installation and connection – and this is a question of compatibility.
- Dimensions: in modern realities, the size can only be defined in the context of the display diagonal. That is, we are no longer talking about 1DIN or 2DIN, we are talking about the screen size – 9 inches, 10 or even 12-13.
- Equalizer or built-in DSP processor: if sound quality is important to you and you need to customize the music for yourself, then the presence of such a function becomes extremely important. Many Chinese and branded radios have a built-in digital sound processor, which allows you to customize even the standard music for yourself. By the way, factory radios almost never have such a function.
- Navigation: Do you need built-in navigation? We bet you do.
- Car make and model: This is also of great importance, since it affects both the price and the availability of certain functions, and the adequate operation in the end. Replacing a standard radio is always a complex of all sorts of nuances that are important to consider.
Examples of car radio installation
Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about choosing a car radio
- What size car radio do I need?
- Answer: Previously, you had to determine whether the 1DIN or 2DIN format was suitable for your car, but now everything has changed – no matter what screen size you choose, the installation size of the radio will be standard and will fit any car older than the 2010s. Here it should be said that car manufacturers and auto market devices are in “collusion” to achieve greater sales.
- Do I need a car stereo with CarPlay?
- Answer: If you plan to use your phone as the main device in the car – for listening to music, navigation, messengers, etc., then it is better that this function is in your car. Although, if you decide to buy a Chinese radio on Android, then the CarPlay function will most likely be available in its arsenal – as a bonus.
- Is it possible to connect a smartphone to a car radio?
- Answer: Many modern car radios support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which makes it easy to connect and control your smartphone.
- How to choose a car radio with good sound quality?
- Answer: In order to improve the sound in your car when replacing the radio, we recommend paying attention to the characteristics of the built-in sound amplifier – the final sound of the radio depends on this component. If you are not sure which built-in amplifier in the radio is really high-quality – ask us, we will tell you everything.
- Do I need built-in navigation?
- Answer: If you travel frequently, built-in navigation can be convenient, but you can also use navigation apps on your smartphone using CarPlay and AndroidAuto.
- What is an equalizer and why is it needed?
- Answer: An equalizer allows you to adjust the sound depending on your preferences and the features of the car’s acoustics. But one equalizer may not be enough. It is better when there is a built-in DSP processor – we wrote about this above.
- How to install a car radio?
- Answer: Installation can be done independently if you have experience, or it is better to contact specialists to avoid damage. Contacting our audio studio is the best decision!
- What power should I choose for my speakers?
- Answer: The choice of power depends on your sound preferences; it is better to choose a car radio with a power corresponding to the speakers. But in fact, you need to choose not so much by power, but by the sensitivity of the speakers – if your audio system does not assume an external amplifier, then choose speakers with a sensitivity higher than 90 dB.
- Which brand of car radios is considered the best?
- Answer: Popular brands include Pioneer, Kenwood, Sony and JVC, each offering different models and features. In Ukraine, the most popular car stereos are those from Chinese manufacturers. We work with such reliable brands as Teyes, Resonance, Abyss Audio.
- Is it possible to use an old radio with new speakers?
- Answer: It is possible, but it is important to make sure that the old radio supports the required formats and has enough power for the new speakers.
- How much should I spend on a good car radio?
- Answer: Prices vary depending on features and quality; you can find decent options in the $100-$500 range.
- What to do if the radio does not work after installation?
- Answer: in our car audio studio Electrosila this is impossible)