Car Audio and Video Buying Guide

The In-Dash CD Receiver: The Heart and Soul of Your System
The Speakers: Bringing Out the Sound
Car Video: Keeping the Kids Happy

This page was last updated on 05/02/2005.

So you love your ride, but you're tired of the "same old same old" with your factory-installed audio system. These days, there are a ton of options for those who want to have a great car audio and video experience. Read on to find out what you need to give your car the system it truly deserves.

Your in-dash audio player is where it all starts. The first question to ask yourself is what kinds of music and video sources do you ultimately plan to listen to or watch? Do you burn CDs from your computer? Do you have a digital music device that you'll want to access in your car? Do you want satellite radio? What about DVDs and a GPS navigational system? Your choice of player will determine not only your overall sound quality, but it will also determine what you can listen to or watch as you hit the road.

If music is all you want, some economical choices include in-dash CD audio players such as the Sony CDX-S2210 or the Panasonic CQ-C1100U. These models are in the $100 range and play CD, CD-R, and CD-RW discs. A step up in the way of features from these units are the Pioneer DEH-P7700MP, which features iTunes format playback, and the Kenwood KDC-MP628, which includes satellite radio controls and a detachable faceplate for added security. And if you plan on styling your ride with some DVD and TV action, check out the Pyle PL-TVD122, which features television audio reception and outputs for an in-car television or video screen.

Regardless of your choice of receiver, there are a few things you'll want to research before buying:

Signal-to-Noise Ratio: The higher the ratio, the crisper the sound, especially when you want to crank the volume.

Built-in Four-way Power: While this is standard in most in-dash CD receivers, you'd better check just in case. Without this feature, you'll need a separate amp to crank your tunes.

Sound Control Options: You might only want simple bass or treble controls, or you might want a loudness control for a fuller sound, a bass boost to get you through your hip-hop phase, or a multiband equalizer and digital signal processing controls to fine-tune your sound to your vehicle's contours.

Security Features: There are many security options available--from detachable faceplates to programmable security codes and built-in alarms.

CD Changers: Having a multidisc CD changer will lead to safer driving and enhanced security. Load up several CDs before you drive, and you'll be ready for hours of listening pleasure and convenience.

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Car Equalizers

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Basically, speakers work by converting electrical signals into physical sound waves. Traditional speakers do this with drivers. A driver produces sound waves by rapidly vibrating a flexible cone, or diaphragm. Woofers are the biggest drivers and are designed to produce low-frequency sounds, tweeters are much smaller units for the highest frequencies, and midrange drivers produce frequencies in the middle of the sound spectrum. Generally speaking, a two-way speaker has a woofer and tweeter; a three-way also includes a midrange; and a four-way speaker includes all three drivers plus a supertweeter--a driver designed for the higher frequencies.

Car speakers come in various sizes to match your installation needs. If you want to simply replace your car speakers, then shop for speakers of the same size. And be sure to keep your car's original speaker grill--many new speakers do not come with grills.

Some considerations when shopping for speakers include:

Speaker Material: Cone tweeters are generally standard in car speakers, and tweeters made of poly or silk will create a smoother sound than ones made of paper. Woofer cones made of polypropylene deliver more consistent bass notes and are less affected by extremities of temperature and moisture than paper woofers.

Component Speakers: For greater control over your sound, you might want to consider installing components (separate woofers, tweeters, and crossovers). This approach requires some customizing of your car interior and special wiring, but if you really want to groove, it's the way to go.

Headphones: Many in-car stereo systems are compatible with both wired and cordless headphones, significantly reducing headaches if you'll have teenagers in the car!

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When it's time for that long drive with the family, an in-car video system just might save your relationship with your kids. Just plug in a DVD, and you'll be guaranteed peace and quiet for miles. The Sony XVM-R75 installs on the ceiling and is connected to a separate DVD or game player. The Farenheit T-7005HBR, which also connects to a separate video source, installs on the back of seat head rests. The Power Acoustik PMD-85CM is a ceiling-mount system with its own DVD player. Also, if you're looking for an in-dash option that you can hook up to your GPS navigational system, check out the Pyle PLPK-65TVD.

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Installation: Seek a professional--Installing video and audio components in a vehicle is not for the inexperienced. If you do not understand automotive wiring and other installation techniques, you should seek a certified installation specialist. Let someone set up your system right the first time.