Today it is very difficult to imagine a car in which even the simplest speaker system would not be installed. In addition to the ability to play music, modern recorders allow you to use yourself as a navigator or video player. The need for high-quality sound of music in humans is growing, so the range of car stereos is constantly growing. In this article we will tell you how not to make a mistake with the choice of what parameters to choose a receiver.
Receiver type
The manufacturer of the car radio plays a primary role in its selection. This is explained by the fact that well-known brands producing such products value their name and put on the market more and more new types of head units (PG), trying to choose the design, lighting and functionality for each consumer. Also, radio tape recorders are divided by price segment, on which the quality of the product and its functionality directly depend.
First of all, you need to decide what type of radio you need. All models are divided into two categories:
The first standard is 1DINSuch car receivers are suitable for installation at home for all domestic cars, as well as most foreign cars. A device of this type has dimensions of 180 x 50 mm. The system may have an MP3-, DVD- and USB-player, and some models are even equipped with an on-site 7-inch monitor.
Standard receivers 2DIN equal to 180 x 100 mm. These types of head units are installed in a regular place of many Japanese and American cars. In Russian cars and European foreign cars a place under such receivers is much less. Such a car stereo is capable of playing all standard formats and supports the installation of the navigator. These devices are a bit more expensive than 1DIN standard receivers.
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Main selection criteria
- An important parameter of any receiver is the number of pairs of linear outputs. It depends on them how many amplifiers, subwoofers or additional speakers you can connect to it. If in the future you have a desire to change or install additional speakers, it is cheaper to overpay for the radio with an additional output than buying a new one.
- Differs from car receivers and number of channels. On a two-channel radio tape recorder, the number of connected speakers is two, on a four-channel one, four, and so on. Accordingly, plan your choice with a basis for future or present needs.
- Radio power output specified by the manufacturer, usually in the form of 4x50 or 4x60 parameters, which means the maximum power per channel that the internal amplifier provides. But the rated power is only 10-20 watts. Thus, it will provide the sound of medium quality. Accordingly, you may not pay much attention to such a power indicator at the receiver. To enhance the sound power and to hear in your car a real, clear, loud sound without wheezing, you must additionally install an amplifier. For this, each channel requires at least 100-150 W of output power.
- Take an interest in such receiver parameters as signal to noise ratio. For sound to be clear and sound better, this parameter should exceed 90 dB.
- The tone of the sound should be tuned using band equalizer. This feature allows you to distribute the signal to the front and rear depending on your preferences. For a regular user, it will fit from two to five lanes. And true connoisseurs of sound, you must choose a device with a large number. The more bands, the more accurately you can distribute the sound throughout the vehicle.Starting from the middle class, in the radio, it is possible to adjust the low and high frequencies, sent to the speakers in the front doors and the high-frequency tweeters in the racks, respectively.
- If you often listen to radio stations in ultrashort range (VHF)then keep in mind that now not every radio can work at such a frequency.
- If you like to relax outside the city to the sound of radio stations, then choose a radio with tuner sensitivity less than 1 µv. In this case, it will definitely catch the signal at such a large distance from a large settlement.
- Not every car radio can connect a subwoofer. So ask if there is a device on your device. adjustable subwoofer output. This connector allows electronics to adjust cut, reverse phase and volume levels.
- At the stands of the store they usually give listen to the vending car radio. Be sure to take advantage of this opportunity! And only after that go to the cashier.
No extra amenities
- Very handy when there is a receiver on the receiver. mute buttonallowing you to instantly turn off the sound. Also, many motorists love when they are given the opportunity to adjust the color of the backlight.
- Via Bluetooth You can listen to your favorite music directly from your phone or any other gadget that supports this connection technology. This feature also allows you to use your smartphone to talk with the other person while driving, when you hear his voice from the car speakers.
- Availability Usb port and SD card slots on the radio panel allows you to listen to music from removable media. This eliminates uncomfortable CDs.
Most Popular Manufacturers
Budget-class tape recorders are represented by companies such as Rolsen, Supra, Soundmax, Mystery, Prology and Erisson. Depending on the price, they present different possibilities both from the technical side and from the functional side. Models of receivers of firms belong to an average price segment Jvc, Sony, KENWOOD, Alpine and Pioneer. In this class, you can find devices with good performance, even belonging to the type 2DIN. Well, the highest quality car stereo, reproducing music at the highest level and having excellent technical characteristics, produce the same Alpine and Pioneer, and Clarion.
Useful tips
- If you want to buy a radio with a navigator, then purchase only the products of the most famous companies. If your choice fell on a cheap model with this function, then buy a similar one, but without navigation. After that, install the navigation application on your smartphone. So the cards will work faster, and online functions will be available.
- Buying the most budget tape recorder, be prepared for the fact that the quality will not be at its best. And such models, as a rule, do not last very long.
- When buying receivers popular firms do not fall for a fake. Buy only in trusted stores. Compare models in the official catalogs of manufacturers.
- Do not rush to choose a radio with a large screen to watch the video. Unless, of course, you are not a taxi driver and are not used to pass the time in a car. In other cases, it will be unnecessarily.