Car Stereo? What buy?

Question

I'm getting my first car soon and i want to install a good stereo (not too pricey). I have no knowledge on car stereos what-so-ever. Got any advice for me? Thanks.

Answer 1

Before You buy a New Car Stereo System......be care and follow   the points suggested.....

Stereo systems come in a wide variety of designs, features and prices, but they all have three things in common: Speakers (two for stereo sound, more for surround sound or home theater), a Receiver (a combination of an amplifier with an AM/FM tuner) and a source (CD or DVD player, a turntable, or other music source). You can purchase each component separately or in a pre-packaged system. When purchased in a system you can be sure that all the components are well matched and will work together, when purchased separately you can pick and choose the performance and convenience features that are closest to your needs.

Difficulty: N/A

Time Required: 30 minutes

Here's How:

   1. Determine Your Needs

      Consider how often you’ll use a system. If it is for background music or easy listening, consider a pre-packaged system. If music is your passion, select separate components. Both offer excellent value, but separate components offer the best sound quality. Before you shop, make a list of your needs and wants.

          * How often will you listen?

          * Is it for background music, or critical listening?

          * Will anyone else in your family use it and how?

          * Which is most important, sticking to your budget, or the best sound quality?

          * How will you use the system? Music, TV sound, movies, video games, etc?

   2.

      Establish a Budget

      To set a budget, consider how important it is to you and your family, and then determine a budget range. If you savor the thrill of movies, music and games, consider separate audio components. It’s a good investment that will bring many hours of enjoyment and justifies a larger budget. If it is less important to you, consider a more moderately priced all-in-one system. Systems start at around $499 while separate components cost more, almost as much as you want to spend. Whatever your decision, you can be certain there is a system that will meet your wants, needs and your budget.

   3. Select Where To Shop for a System

      There are many places to shop, including big-box retailers, audio specialists and custom installers. Compare products, service and prices among three stores before you buy. If you need an audio consultant, consider a specialist or a custom installer. Generally, these merchants sell the best brands, offer the best demonstration facilities, have the most knowledgeable staff and offer installation. Big-box retailers offer the broadest selection of products at competitive prices, but you may have to search for an experienced salesperson. Many also offer installation services.

   4. Use the Internet

      The Internet is a good place to research products and features and in some cases make a purchase. Some websites offer the lowest prices because of lower overhead costs. However, with a major purchase you may prefer to see, touch and hear the product first. Exchanges or upgrades can be more difficult if you buy online. Purchasing online should be considered if you’re certain that you know what you want and need. However, be cautious about buying online – some manufacturers void your warranty if you buy their products from unauthorized websites while others allow direct purchases from on-line stores.

   5. Compare and Select Components

      Unless you’re buying a pre-packaged system, selecting separate components should begin with the speakers. Speakers are the most important factor for sound quality and they determine the amount of amplifier power you will need. Compare and select speakers based on your personal listening preferences by taking a few familiar music discs with you. Listen and compare the sound qualities of each speaker. You don’t have to know a lot about speakers to know what you like. Most printed specifications mean little when comparing speakers.

   6. Ask The Most Important Questions

      Prepare a list about your needs and wants.

          * What types of music do you enjoy?

          * How large is your room and where will you put the speakers and the system?

          * Will you listen at low to moderate levels or do you like it real loud?

          * Do the speakers need to match the room decor?

          * Which family members will use the system most often?

          * Is this your first system or are you upgrading a system?

          * Do you have a brand preference?

      An experienced salesperson should ask these questions and others and recommend solutions based on your answers. If not, shop elsewhere.

   7. Make the Decision to Purchase

      You know what you want and need, you've done some research and you've been shopping, so what's left? - Making a purchase. Here are three questions I ask myself when making a major purchasing decision: Do I like the product enough to justify the purchase price? Did I receive good service from the merchant and the salespeople? How easy (or difficult) will it be to return it or exchange it if I don't like it? Answer those questions and your choice should be simple.

Answer 2

Unless you have really specific needs, like you're an audiophile or you're going for something more complicated and loud, just about any name-brand head unit will do.

Sony, Panasonic, Kenwood, JVC, Pioneer, Alpine, Blaupunkt, etc...pretty much any other major manufacturer.  About 100-150 is a good budget.

If your speakers are paper-cone, or just really old (or worse yet, both), spend about 40-50 bucks per pair on some decent new speakers.  I got Sony Xplodes for 50 bucks a pair (because they were the only thing available locally that fits my car without alteration...they're very low-profile) and I've been happy with them.  Just make sure the cones are polyester or some other plastic, whatever you get.  

Heh.  When I got my Accord, it still had the original 14 year-old speakers.  They worked just fine when I bought it, but I'd ripped them apart within 30 minutes.  Apparently, the previous owner never turned the volume up.

Anyhow, for just listening to music at non-street-shaking, non-ear-bleeding levels, or listening to talk radio/news, there is absolutely no reason to spend more than $250.

Oh, and if you get a new or late-model car, odds are the stock system is pretty good.  Which is fortunate, because it's been a trend in recent cars to have proprietary systems integrated into the design of the dash, which are difficult or impossible to swap out with aftermarket stereos.  You see that a lot these days.