How to choose a car radio: useful tips

Many motorists are not enthusiastic about the built-in radio tape recorders. I want a more functional device with convenient controls and maximum sound quality.

Manufacturers offer hundreds and thousands of options - from Chinese crafts to newfangled Korean devices. We will tell you how not to get lost in this variety and what to look for when buying, so that later you would not be sorry for the wasted money.

Types of radio

Devices are divided into two main groups by size:

1. Type 1 din products have dimensions 50x178 mm, they support DVD and are equipped with a retractable display with a diagonal of 3.5 inches (88.9 mm). functionality coincides in many respects with multimedia centers.
2. 2Din - the size differs from the previous one in height, which is two times higher (100 mm), and the width is almost identical to 177.8 mm. As a rule, they are equipped with a large display with a diagonal of up to 7 inches (178 mm), so they are used not only for listening to music, but also for watching videos and a GPS navigator.

In addition, these devices are divided into:

1. Directly radio.
2. Established devices that are installed during assembly of the machine at the factory. They have rather meager functionality and are largely inferior to modern products that can be purchased on the Internet, for example, on Aliexpress.
3. Multimedia systems are modern devices, for example, Phantom, in addition to the standard filling, establishes the ability to connect a rear-view camera to the radio. These devices have a TV tuner, a GPS navigator on board, and also have an Android operating system, which allows you to access the Internet.

All modern car products except FM radio can play music and video files from any medium through a USB input or the latest Bluetooth system.

Specifications

Each product has a unique combination of technical characteristics, but in order to choose the right radio for your iron horse, you need to know the parameters common to all devices.

Output power

Many manufacturers indicate inflated data, and some generally unrealistic numbers to attract a mass buyer. If the box says in huge letters that the car radio has a built-in amplifier with a power of 4x50 W, then this means - the maximum power that it is capable of. The rated power will be only no more than 15 watts.

To increase this parameter, you need to purchase an additional amplifier that can increase the sound to the maximum value, while the device will play the sound series without distortion.

Size standardization

For ease of installation in a car radio, one of the standards is used: 1 or 2 DIN, which differ only in height. The second size has a large display and a rich set of functionality, due to the size of its body.

Tuner Features

According to experts, the sensitivity should be no more than 1 microvolt, which is especially important away from the city where signal reception is difficult. If you often use the range of ultrashort waves, you need to check with the seller whether the device supports this frequency.

Channels

They are available in different types, for example, two and four-channel. The first option involves installing only two speakers, and the second - makes it possible to put 4 speakers.And a radio tape recorder for five channels, in addition to speakers, allows you to install a subwoofer, then the whole system turns out with good sound and pleasant bass.

You must immediately buy a device with a large number of channels in order to subsequently accumulate finances and expand the capabilities of the audio system, having bought speakers.

Equalizers

These devices allow you to adjust the sound tone, adjust the balance of the front and rear speakers. The more strips the product has, the more accurate any adjustment is. When buying, experts advise choosing an equalizer of at least 5 bands.

Car radios that are above average can adjust filters of any frequency. They allow motorists to adjust the frequency of the speakers located in the doors of the car and tweeters mounted on the front pillars, according to their feelings.

The convenience of use

Each owner can adjust the sound as they wish, adjust the backlight similarly to the color of the main panel of the car or other favorite color. Some will like the presence of a USB port, the ability to use an SD memory card, as well as a USB flash drive, to play music and video files.

There are radio models that have the ability to connect to a mobile phone and play music tracks loaded in its memory. Expensive models play the role of handsfree - headsets, the whole conversation will be played by the speakers installed in the car.

Types of Connectors

To understand the connection system, we will consider the standard designation of individual contact functions (pinout) of the European connector on an ISO-10478 type plug.

Power connector with letter "A"

It is located at the top, its main purpose is to connect sources and consumers of electric current in the network of any car. In the schemes of budget devices, connectors No. 1-3 and No. 6 are used very rarely. They are used only to connect additional options in high-end models to increase the comfort of the vehicle, while using different color compositions of wires.

For example:

1. ANT - this output is used when the car is equipped with an automatic retractable antenna.
2. REMOTE (remote) - it allows you to connect amplifiers to the radio and increase the number of speakers, which is important for cars with large salons. In a car with a small interior size, an abundance of speakers will create a load on the auditory organs of passengers, which is fraught with painful sensations, and negative consequences will not please you.
3. ILLUMINATION (illumination) - this automatic option depends directly on the speed of your car, it is controlled by the light signaling of the product, at high speed the brightness of the display decreases so as not to distract the driver from control. When the speed decreases, the backlight increases, and during a stop completely returns to the original parameters.
4. MUTE (mute) - this option is turned on automatically when using a connected mobile phone. As soon as there is a receive or call signal, the car radio activates this output, the music volume in the speakers decreases to the minimum, and sometimes it completely blocks until the conversation ends.
5. A4 - this contact is responsible for connecting the entire acoustic system in the car. The wire is marked in yellow and connects to the ignition switch terminal through a separate fuse. Power is supplied from the battery through the ignition switch.

This connection diagram of the car radio is guaranteed to protect the battery from unauthorized discharge, because you can turn it on only when you turn the key.

"B" - acoustic connector

With it, all the speakers used are connected to the acoustics of the machine, and the pinout of the wires of the European connector can be seen on the diagrams on the Internet.The main part of the models designed is designed to simultaneously connect four channels, so they always use eight wires of different colors - 2 for each of the 4 speakers.

How to pick up

First of all, you need to pay attention to the technical parameters of the product (you can find it in the data sheet). We have already spoken about them in detail in the previous paragraphs.

Budget cassettes are produced especially for the middle class of Russians by such well-known companies as Prology, Supra, Rolsen, Mystery and Erisson. Their cost depends on the presented functionality and technical availability. The middle price segment is represented by models from JVC, KENWOOD, SONY, Pioneer and Alpine. They are distinguished by good characteristics, and the size corresponds to 2 DIN.

The highest echelon is represented by high-quality car radios, with Bluetooth reception and luxury audio. These models are produced by well-known companies Pioneer, Alpine and Clarion.

To purchase a high-quality model, you need to take into account the nuances:

1. Radio with a navigator - it’s worth buying only well-known brands, even if they are more expensive, but the quality and reliability will be guaranteed.
2. In budget models, the quality will not always be good, and such products, as practice shows, serve much less, so after a while you will have to spend money on a new radio.
3. When buying a brand, be careful - skillful fakes are quite common in the distribution network. Such equipment should only be bought at branded points of sale, always requiring a quality certificate. You can get acquainted with the models in the catalogs or on the manufacturer's website.
4. A product with a large screen diagonal is not always relevant, unless you are engaged in cabling or spend most of your life on wheels.
5. The location of the controls is of practical importance, so that it is convenient for the driver to switch music files blindly without being distracted from controlling the machine. Small keys located nearby are a minus for any model.

findings

Today, buying a car radio is not a problem, but choosing the best option that would fully meet the wishes of the future user will not be so easy, because offers exceed demand. Experts advise first to choose a model on the Internet or the official catalog, then study user reviews about it. After weighing the pros and cons, you can go to the company store for a new thing.