Picking the right stereo for your car involves several steps. This could be tough for those who are entering this quest without any prior knowledge. A car stereo is responsible for providing you with a smooth and enjoyable ride. Let’s take a look at some of the most important things to consider before you plunk down money for a new car stereo.
- Budget
Money talks, and you won’t even get anywhere without establishing a budget first. Once you have an idea of how much money you are willing to spend on this new gadget, then you can better determine the features that come with a stereo in your price range, and whether or not you want to lower or increase your budget.
- USB Port or Audio Jack
This is purely for convenience and enjoyment. Having a USB port allows you to connect your phone to your car and enjoy the music and other things like hand-free functions. Some USB ports in car stereos even read USB drives. If you don’t care much for that, settling for one with an audio input jack may be enough. Most options do come with the latter, although you should not that the audio jack does not charge or control your phone.
- Controls
Will the traditional knobs and dials work or would you want to invest in a touch screen? Since most devices can be controlled with the tap or swipe of your finger, we would imagine a touch screen would provide much more ease of use than the conventional method. Controls higher up on our list since ease of use is something we prize very highly nowadays.
- The Sound
It goes without saying that the sound quality of your new stereo should make it on our list. If you like everything but the sound, don’t worry you can try to customize the subwoofers on your own.
- Connectivity
Decide if Bluetooth is something you need. This allows you to connect your phone to your car and accept calls this way. You will be able to hear the caller’s voice coming through the speakers and for them to hear you with the built-in Bluetooth mic. One of the best reasons to have Bluetooth would be the wireless connection. You can stream music, audiobooks and/or podcasts wirelessly once it’s enabled.
If you want subwoofer under your seat or at the back of your car, that's possible too. You can even do it yourself—follow any guide on how to install a subwoofer to a factory stereo and you'll be able to improve the audio quality in your car by a huge deal.
Extras
Some car stereos nowadays even have anti-theft features like face plates that are detachable and maybe even security codes! If your car stereo is really high-tech, this could protect it from burglars and thieves.
Conclusion
Picking a new stereo does involve a lot of decision making, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. There is no right answer because everyone’s needs and preferences are subjective. First thing is first, establish your budget and decide if that range can encompass all that you are looking for. A lot of features can be added and aftermarket car stereos sometimes have really cool cosmetics to spice up the interior of your car.
