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Components To Look For In A Good Car Stereo

admin — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 11:34:42 +0000

A regular stock car stereo system might be fine for some, but for those who value superior audio quality, what most automakers put into place simply won't do. So, even before the sticker's even off the windshield, they start shopping for a replacement.

Looking for the best in higher-end car stereo systems can be a little tricky. There are so many component options, a buyer might be overwhelmed. Making choices on what to buy and what to pass on comes down to personal choice. Once the receiver and a good set of speakers is in place, the rest is just icing on the cake so to say.

Let's take a look at some of the main options for a higher end system that includes add ons.

Receiver/radio: This is the heart of the system. Without a good radio, which also controls add ons, a driver might as well stick with stock.

Speakers: These can be coaxial, which means the woofer and tweeter come in a single package, or they can be elaborate single item buys that are set up and configured for optimum sounds. The non-coaxial type is the one chosen by many sound perfectionists.

CD player: This has become a standard feature in most car stereo system. Often included with the radio/receiver, the CD player is a feature that surpasses old cassettes by allowing higher quality sounds and more of an ease of use.

CD/MP3 player: The inclusion of an MP3 reader with a CD gives a driver a lot of options a regular CD play cannot. MP3s allow for greater choice of music for the driver and work in conjunction with paid download services for creating personalized "albums."

Equalizer, amplifier: These add ons improve sound quality and power. Not everyone necessarily needs them, but with the right speaker capacity, they can turn a basic CD or MP3 sound into something that rivals an actual concert.

Material quality: Since cars can be subjected to extreme temperatures, it's a good idea to choose equipment that's made of higher quality parts. Sometimes this means having a pay a little more, but the rewards will be worth it.

Creating a perfect stereo system for a car is a matter of choice. If sound quality and power matter, the higher end equipment is probably the way to go. If basic clarity is all that's desired, a fairly simple and affordable system should suffice.

Continue Reading >> Components To Look For In A Good Car Stereo.

Car Stereo Speaker: Let Your Car Stereo Speak For Itself

admin — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 01:05:17 +0000

Even if you're not a car audio connoisseur, it's easy to be impressed with a car stereo speaker while looking around in an expo or convention. They're the first thing you'll probably notice, they come in different colors, shapes and sizes. Those big throbbing concaves blaring incredibly low bass lines or cool little tweeters whistling out seething treble sounds.

Car stereo speakers are interesting and very tempting to buy, especially the big loud ones. But big is not always the best. Each speaker has its own unique quality, intended use and price range. Some may also be better than others at certain things so it pays to investigate your type of car stereo amplifier or head unit before you finally decide on a car stereo speaker for your system. Here are some features to consider:

Car stereo speakers are not all the same size and wattage, and this can cause a problem once you try to hook it up in your car. Know the specs of your system. Sort this out ahead of time, it will save you a lot of hassle. You will be happier with your new acquisition if you can get to see it in action as soon as possible.

There are also a lot of car stereo amplifiers on the market, it pays to be aware of how the car stereo speaker you are considering compares to the others, and how compatible it is to your amplifier or the amplifier you're planning to buy. Car stereo speakers and amplifiers go hand in hand. You'll want the car stereo speakers you buy to be suitable for your automotive entertainment needs and not strain the system.

Style can be an important factor when choosing your special car stereo speakers. You'll want the one you choose to fit in perfectly with your other all sorts of stereo speakers. If you're planning to install something different, you have to take into consideration the modifications your going to have to make in order to accommodate your new car stereo speakers.

One of the biggest issues in buying a new type of car stereo speaker is suitability. How suitable your car stereo speakers are is probably the biggest issue. Don't forget the reason you're buying the type of car stereo amplifier in the first place, and ensure that the all sorts of stereo speakers you are looking at will do the job you need no matter what other fancy features they may offer.

Brand is an important consideration when you are shopping for a car stereo speaker. The fact is, one brand of type of car stereo amplifier may have a much better reputation than another, and for good reason. You be the judge. Do your research. Ask car audio enthusiasts. Read magazines and reviews. Do you want to take a chance on just any car stereo speakers, or go for the proven name brand?

Lastly, price is important even if you think it's not. After all, would you want to pay more for your car stereo speakers only to find it cheaper the next day at a different store? Nobody likes that. When shopping for better car stereo speakers, it pays to check at least a couple of different stores, just to make sure you're getting your car stereo speakers at the best price.

Continue Reading >> Car Stereo Speaker: Let Your Car Stereo Speak For Itself.

Car MP3 Players Give Drivers Choice

admin — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 15:23:44 +0000

When it comes to the ultimate audio systems for cars, few systems will over look the addition of a CD/MP3 player. These combination devices read both regular audio CDs and can decode more complex compressed digital files from an MP3.

The sound quality of an MP3 is considered higher than old fashion cassettes by a long shot and even better than CD. What's more, MP3s are quite a bit more versatile than CDs. They can travel from portable players to computers and cars.

But what is an MP3? An MP3 is basically a compressed digital audio file that enables the storage of a large amount music on a single CD. In fact, the MP3 format generally allows the storage of about 10 hours of music on a single CD-R or CD-RW disc.

The MP3 format is taking the musical world by storm and enabling music lovers a greater amount of choice in creating their own CDs than they'd ever had before. Download sites are available to allow MP3 lovers to create their own musical line-ups. The sites allow users to download MP3 files of their favorite songs onto their computers or portable player machines. These files can then be burned onto a CD for use in a car and so on.

The cost for creating a musical library of favorite songs is cheaper than buying a whole album for a single loved song, too. Sites that legally sell MP3 downloads charge typically under a dollar for a single song.

The advantage here is the fact that MP3 lovers can create their own "albums," so to say. They don't have to endure songs they don't like to get to the ones they do. Also, by providing up to 10 hours of continuous play, the driver of a car doesn't have to constantly change out CDs or fiddle with buttons to get to the one or two songs on an album that really appeal.

Be careful though if buying an MP3 player for a car. There are lots of sites out there that offer "free" downloads of music. Some of these offers are technically illegal since the record labels, writers, producers and most importantly the artists that make the music don't get a cut of the proceeds. Steer clear.

MP3 players are fast becoming one of the most sought after choices for musical storage. By giving drivers the freedom to create their own, high-quality mix, the freedom they offer simply can't be beat.

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Using A Car Stereo Smartly While Driving

admin — Sun, 23 May 2010 04:51:05 +0000

Listening to music on the road is a great way to take some of the pressure of driving off the driver. Studies even back up the fact that singing while the car eats up miles of road can help keep a driver alert and awake. Unfortunately, if singing were all there was to listening to the radio and driving, there probably wouldn't be as many accidents.

Singing is okay, but fumbling with CDs, taking eyes off the road to change channels or allowing a foot to tap a little too aggressively during a fun and fast song can be very bad ideas. In fact, they're the stuff accidents are made of.

To ensure maximum safety while enjoying a little music for the ride takes some common sense and a bit of advanced planning before hitting the road. Here are some ideas to minimize the risk of listening to a few tunes while driving:

* If you're using CDs, make sure your selection is nearby and easy to change out. If possible, get a multi disc changer or even consider an MP3 player that can store hours of tunes on a single disc.

* Use stereo presets. These can make it really easy to switch from channel to channel without having to take eyes off the road. These generally are pretty simple to program and offer drivers a lot of options.

Listening to the stereo in the car can be about more than just music, too. Smart can also mean multitasking. For many people nowadays, commutes can be up to several hours a day. This is time that's lost from doing other things. While it's not a good idea to consider reading your favorite author's latest works from behind the wheel, perhaps you can catch up with books on tape.

Other ways to take advantage of the time and put that stereo to full use include learning a foreign language on tape, checking out the news, listening to a favorite motivational speaker and more.

With more and more people finding themselves behind the wheel of a car for hours a day, sometimes the steering wheel gets more one-on-one time than family members. While there's little doubt the most important thing to do while driving is just that, there's nothing wrong with adding a little something special to that time. Make the most of it by using a good stereo system to its full potential.

Continue Reading >> Using A Car Stereo Smartly While Driving.

Some Car Stereos Are Better Than Others

admin — Mon, 03 May 2010 19:14:38 +0000

Whether it costs $100 or $1,000 a good car stereo system isn't good unless the listener is happy with the end results. If the music doesn't "sound right," even a high-end system can be classified as junk by the listener.

For drivers who like to listen to a lot of different types of music, the key to finding the best car stereo is a system that offers some control. Treble and bass, speaker levels and so on should be adjustable for different kinds of music. Speaker quality, too, must be high for the picky listener to be pleases.

The tones necessary to make a classical movement sound "live" or a rock track to make the listener feel "he's there" can be a little different. The bass might need to be more prominent for one style over and other. Sometimes the sounds are better with the speakers or treble adjusted.

Those who like to listen to different styles and do so a lot tend to gravitate toward stereo systems that allow more listener control. With equalizers, individualized settings and even presets for the controls, these listeners want it all and stereo makers are willing to provide it.

Some listeners know what "sounds good" for a particular musical genre, but they're unable to match the settings themselves. For these there are even car stereo systems that come preprogrammed for different musical genres. Just click a button to create a rock setting or another for jazz and so on.

In general the better car stereo systems offer some diversity in sound quality. The more user control, in some cases, the better. For others, the more presets factory programmed the better.

Anyone in the market for a car stereo system should consider the type of music that will be played and find a system that "sounds" right with that genre. Control will almost always be necessary if multiple styles are desired, but that doesn't necessarily have to boost up a price out of reach.

Buying a car stereo can be a costly undertaking. The best bet is to find a stereo that adjusts by itself or at the user's hands to ensure a higher quality, more balanced sound. If possible, listen to the systems under consideration or at least read past user reports and look at the product specs. The more control, the better.

Musical sound quality is a very subjective thing. For those who enjoy high quality, the ability to adjust is a big deal.

Continue Reading >> Some Car Stereos Are Better Than Others.

Upgrading A Car's Speaker System

admin — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 08:42:13 +0000

A good car stereo system can be a joy for a driver. Some drivers might prefer the sounds of the road, but others feel more relaxed and alert behind the wheel when their favorite music is playing in the background or local traffic reports are piped into the vehicle.

Unfortunately, most cars come with only a basic sound system. The receiver and CD player might be great, but the speakers are typically just a step above junk. Many motorists choose to remedy this right away.

But what should a person look for in speakers? What equates to quality and what doesn't? Honestly, those are some pretty subjective questions. Quality is in the ears of the beholder.

Before upgrading a speaker system, which can be a pretty expensive undertaking if quality needs are high, consider the desired end result. Do you simply want to hear traffic reports or do you want your favorite CDs to sound like you're at a concert?

When it comes to sound quality, buyers are almost always safe with the major brand names. However, for those with a good ear for musical tones, sometimes it's actually best to "listen" to different speaker systems to decide which one sounds best to the owner's ears. For those who just want basic sounds, anything that's a step above the stock speakers put in the car by its maker should do.

Once quality issues have been addressed, the next thing to consider is how a set of speakers handles power. This equates to how loud the speakers can safely go. For example, a low-end speaker might only handle 100 watts, which would be more than fine for the traffic report listener, but a high-end musical quality speaker will accept 1,000 watts. This, too, is subjective and the power needs will depend on what the driver intends for the speakers.

Installation set up is the next consideration. There are speakers that come as coaxial, which basically means the woofer and tweeter are stacked and save space. This is the most common sent up. However, for the true sound aficionado, an individual set up might be in order. This means the two are installed separately and can increase sound quality greatly.

Buying speakers for a car stereo system can greatly enhance the quality of sound for even a low-end receiver. But how much is right and how much is too little will depend on the driver's tastes. For basic listening, stock is probably more than okay, but for the driver who wants their classical music to sound like the orchestra is playing in the car, a higher end, separate speaker system is most likely in order.

Continue Reading >> Upgrading A Car's Speaker System.

Driving And Music Go Hand-In-Hand

admin — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 23:21:15 +0000

Just about everyone has a favorite drive-time song. Whether it's "Radar Love" or Beethoven's 9th, the practice of listening while driving is actually a good thing for those behind the wheel – most of the time. With car stereos being a standard piece of equipment in every automobile, as important to some as the engine, it's little wonder there's a huge following for favorite drive-time tunes.

Ever since the 1950s and perhaps before, signing and driving have been an American pastime. Road music has long been believed by drivers to help them focus, stay awake and stay alert – three things that are vital behind the wheel. Although some will say the practice is "dangerous," studies support the drivers' contention. Music in a car can actually help a driver drive better and stay more focused longer, especially on long, boring drives.

Unfortunately, some of the top drive songs are those that don't necessarily fit into the best tunes to listen to while driving category, but they're well loved anyway. Researchers who support driving while singing as a way to stay alert, say those tunes that make the foot stomp too much and the heart race can actually create momentary lapses in judgment.

This, of course, makes a little sense. Consider any time an absolute "favorite" song came on the radio as you were behind the wheel. Was the urge there to maybe put the pedal to the metal just a little bit harder? Probably!

Despite the warnings, drivers have some distinct ideas about the best songs going while being behind the wheel. Although the list is extensive and includes major titles from the last 50 years or so, some of the most popular drive-time tunes include:

* Golden Earring's "Radar Love"

* "Stuck in the Middle With You," by Stealers Wheel.

* Chuck Berry's "No Particular Place to Go"

* "Born to Be Wild" by Steppenwolf

* "Highway to Hell" by AC/DC

* Willie Nelson's "On the Road Again"

* "I Can't Drive 55" by Sammy Hagar

* "Life in the Fast Lane" by the Eagles

* "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" by Meatloaf

* And of course, Don McLean's "American Pie."

The list of favorite drive songs can go on and on. Listening and signing while driving go together for many about as well as peanut butter and jelly. One without the other just doesn't seem right.

Just remember when you're jamming out to a little "Radar Love" behind the wheel to keep that foot steady and the experience is more than okay, it's a proven way to enhance alertness.

Continue Reading >> Driving And Music Go Hand-In-Hand.

Car Sound Systems

admin — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 13:17:42 +0000

Car sound systems have become very popular and very important. Car sound systems have become a huge business too. There was a time when a car sound system was in the dashboard. I was a simple, small AM radio with a tiny little speaker and it came with the car. Car sound systems have come a long way from those early days. Car sound systems these days are expected to create a multilayer sound environment all throughout your car and some car sound systems are even designed and expected to affect the people and surroundings outside the vehicle.

Car sound systems are very important to todays car owner. The car sound system isn't just the crackling AM radio anymore. Car sound systems have more controls and adjustments than most sound studios had, not long ago. Some car sound systems even have separate sound systems for the front and the back of the vehicle. Some very sophisticated and quality car sound systems now come as standard equipment with a car. You can also order upgraded car sound systems that will be installed at the factory when your car is produced.

You can also acquire a car sound system in the car after market. You can find in almost every town someone selling and installing car sound systems. There are some businesses where that is all that they do, install car sound systems. There are usually a few major regional retailers in any given area that sell and install car sound systems. They sell and install car sound systems along with car alarms and usually cell phones now. You can get an integrated system that includes all of these elements and have it professionally installed.

Some people prefer to install their car sound system themselves. If you are going to install your own car sound system, then you can also but it either from a local car sound system retailer or more likely, you will purchase you new car sound system on the internet. There are many, many sites displaying and selling car sound systems. You can find car sound systems in almost any price range. When shopping for your car sound system this way, you have ultimate freedom to mix and match components. You can get some elements of your car sound system from one site and you can get other elements of your car sound system from another site. When shopping for your car sound system on the internet, you have the whole world to choose from

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Picking The Right Driving Tunes For A Stereo System

admin — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 02:48:14 +0000

You've installed a brand new car stereo system and you're pumped! It's time to grab your favorite tunes and hit the road. But, what tunes to grab?

According to studies singing while driving actually can improve driver alertness and decrease chances for falling asleep behind the wheel. The same studies show that music that's too pumped up, though, can actually create an undesired effect and promote distractions and accidents. Any driver that's felt their foot hit the pedal a wee bit too hard after landing on their favorite song knows this is more than gravity at work!

So, before you head out for a road trip with your brand new stereo, make good music selections for the road. Whether it's rock, country, pop, hip hop or another form of music, pick tunes you love to sing along with but not those that are so easy to tap your foot along to you can't resist doing just that!

If you have an MP3 capable CD player included in your car stereo set up, the choices for drive music will be incredible. With a download connection and a little time, you can create your own mix of music just right for the road. With an ability to play about 10 hours straight of the driver's favorite tunes, there's no reason to keep changing out CDs when there's an MP3 player onboard.

Remember when you get your music all picked out to be certain to store it in an easy location for changing when it's time. Drivers should not take their eyes off the road for anything, so changing channels and CDs should be done by rote or even better at rest stops. If that's not possible, make sure your presets are locked and loaded with favorite stations so there's no need to take your eyes off the road to change the channel.

A new stereo system can be an exciting upgrade for a car. Maybe not as important as the engine, the stereo is actually a pretty valuable tool for keeping drivers alert and letting them know about important news as they travel from point A to point B.

The drive doesn't have to be boring, however. A good selection of drive music, tailored to meet the driver's tastes, can really spice up a ride and help keep everyone awake and ready to go!

Continue Reading >> Picking The Right Driving Tunes For A Stereo System.

Kenwood Car Stereo Lets You Listen To The Future Of Car Audio.

admin — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:25:32 +0000

This brand is a household name for every car audio enthusiast. Mention the name Kenwood car stereo and they will know what you're talking about.

Kenwood car stereos have produced high quality consumer electronics, test equipment and communication equipment since 1946. Kenwood car stereos primarily specialize in the design, engineering and manufacture of wireless communication infrastructure but are also renowned in the production consumer mobile and home entertainment systems. Kenwood car stereos are also committed to creating the finest quality components with state of the art technologies that has earned them a huge following in the audio products scene.

At present, Kenwood car stereos have a very impressive product lineup that would make anyone drool over, whether he is an audio enthusiast or not. For the regular Joe who isn't really into technical stuff, and is just looking for something nice to put into his ride, Kenwood car stereos offer sleek designs that will surely satisfy anyone's craving for aesthetic. Tech-freaks and geeks will also be impressed with the specs a Kenwood car stereo has.

A lot of Kenwood car stereo units nowadays include popup LCD panels for watching VCD/DVD movies. The Kenwood KVT-717DVD 7.0" Wide, Fully Motorized In-dash Monitor DVD/WMA/MP3 Receiver is a good candidate for any situation.

* 7.0 inch Wide Color TFT Active Matrix Display
* Full-automatic Open/Close with slide and angle adjustments
* Interactive Touchscreen Control with OSD
* Audio Easy Control Mode while Playing Visual Source
* Selectable Wall Paper (6 Patterns)
* Installer/Backup Memory of Audio/Video Setup
* Maximum Output Power : 50W x 4 (MOSFET Power IC)
* 3 Preouts with 5V Pre-out Level
* 2 RCA AV Inputs / 1 RCA AV Output
* Video Input for Rear View Camera
* RGB Input for Navigation System
* System Q/ System E's+
* DVD Menu Direct Touch screen Control
* MPEG 1/2 Video files (.mpg) and JPEG files (.jpg) Playback
* Dual Zone Source & Volume Control
* DVD±R/RW Compatible
* External Media Control – iPod Ready
* Optional TV Tuner

For those who might not get what the hell all of these means, just imagine this: a really thin monitor panel that smoothly retracts and extends at the push of a remote, crystal clear movie and picture playback, all encased in a beautiful black matte finish polymer casing done with a space age design.

If all you want is a just a regular car stereo for playing CDs', listening to mp3s or the radio, Kenwood car stereo have a lot to choose from. A good head unit would be the KDC-MP928 AAC/WMA/MP3/ CD Receiver with External Media Control.

* Auto-Slide Detachable Faceplate
* Rotary Encoder & Jog Control Knob for Easy Operation
* 4096 Color OEL Display
* Display Customize Function
* Maximum Output Power : 50W x 4 (MOSFET Power IC)
* ACDrive (Advanced Codec Drive)
* AAC/WMA/MP3 Playback
* G-Analyzer (Graphic Motion Analyzer)
* Built-in DSP : DTA/System Q(4band P-EQ)/Digital E's/SRS
WOW Digital Effect
* O.D.D. (Offset Dual Differential) D/A System for Sound Quality
* Installer/User/Backup Memory of Audio Setup
* SIRIUS Satellite Radio Ready
* HD Radio Ready
* External Media Control – iPod Ready
* Dual Zone Source & Volume Control
* AUX Input
* Gold Plated 3 Preouts with 5V Pre-output Level

The Kenwood car stereo auto slide detachable faceplate allows you to take the faceplate (one which has all the buttons) in order to prevent theft by taking away the functionality of the unit left in the car.

Continue Reading >> Kenwood Car Stereo Lets You Listen To The Future Of Car Audio..