Your car deserves some upgrades from time to time. Aside from new paint jobs, some fresh new wheels, and some tech upgrades inside, you should also consider getting a new stereo. You spend long hours on the road so it’s only a must that you’re accompanied by a stereo system that doesn’t blow your ears off.
Picking a car stereo is not easy. You have to choose between finding stereo systems that are not just loud enough but are also able to provide good quality audio. Of course, the durability and the price of your car’s stereo are factors to consider as well.
A car stereo is a big investment so it’s only a must that you get your money’s worth. If you don’t have any friends who are knowledgeable enough to help you out, then here’s a quick guide to picking the best stereo system for your ride.
Sound Quality
Of course, the most important quality you need to look for in a car stereo is that it should be able to provide superb audio quality. What does this mean? Since car stereos are playing audio in a closed environment, they shouldn’t be too loud to take your mind off of driving. On the other hand, they should be loud enough to provide crisp and solid audio.
Look for car stereos that have superior built-in power and good circuit design. These inner workings can guarantee cleaner, richer, and high-definition sound for your car. In most cases, car stereos that have such features are more expensive but they are definitely worth it.
The car stereo should also have the feature that allows you to control the tones. This helps you fine-tune the music to your liking. If the car stereo only has a volume control button or knob to it, make it a hard pass. The car stereo should have buttons to help you adjust various aspects of audio.
Read Reviews
Before you make a purchase, make it a habit to do your due diligence and research more about the products. If there are reviews online, then it can help with your car stereo search. Remember, the best car stereos have been used by many car owners already so there are ways to determine if it’s worth getting or not.
Aside from user review, you should also thoroughly check the specs of the car stereo you are eyeing. Details like these are usually available on the website of the maker of the stereo. This will help you see whether the stereo is compatible with your car or not.
If you can, look for articles that compare car stereos with one another. This is an excellent method to narrow down your search.
Size Matters
Surprisingly, a lot of car owners forget that size matters when it comes to car stereos. Some buyers get a car stereo only to find out later that it doesn’t fit in their car at all. While they can ask for a refund or a replacement, that’s a ton of work on their end.
The good news is that determining the size of the stereo and its compatibility is easy. There are online solutions that help you pick the size of the stereo depending on your car model. Alternatively, you can ask the seller of the stereo to help you measure the size of the space in your car.
Check For Audio Source Compatibility
You’re mostly going to use the car stereo for music. That means if you want to make the most out of your car stereo, you need to get one that has the most compatible sources for audio. You know you’re getting a bad car stereo if it’s only compatible with one or two audio sources.
Some of the sources it should accommodate include a disc drive for CDs, Bluetooth connectivity for smartphones, and a port for USBs. Chances are, you are going to use these sources mostly. Don’t even bother getting car stereos that are compatible with cassette tapes unless you’re a big fan of old-school music.
On that matter, look for car stereos with built-in radio as well. Again, this is a good source of entertainment for you. The good news is that most car stereos have built-in radio systems already.
Of course, you should also determine which audio sources you use most. If you frequently use your phone for music, then get a stereo that can accommodate most of the connection methods that a mobile device has. Disc drives and USB ports can be handy if your smartphone is running out of battery though.
App Compatibility
The technology behind car stereos has improved significantly over the last couple of years. Now, some car stereos have built-in operating systems which allow them to run apps. It would be great to find a car stereo with such a feature as it gives you access to countless hours of entertainment.
Stereos can accommodate apps like Spotify, Pandora, and iHeartRadio. This lets you play music from a wider selection of artists and albums. What’s great about this is that you won’t need outside sources to play music as the stereo itself can search the music for you.
Control Panel
Today’s high-end car stereos now come with touchscreens. These are the best options out there as it makes controlling the stereo a lot easier. Try to avoid buttons if you can as they can take your attention off of the road. Moreover, buttons wear out over time whereas touch screens last considerably longer.
Some stereos offer a mix of both buttons and touchscreens and these are good too. It at least gives you options on how to control the system.
Car stereos do wonders if they work perfectly well with your car. There are many factors to consider when picking one so make sure to be as discerning as possible. Perhaps the last tip you need is that you should never rush getting a car stereo. Take your time, do your due diligence, and then get the perfect stereo for your car.