How to Install a New Car Stereo

The most popular accessory that people put in their cars is a new car stereo. Having your car stereo professionally installed can be expensive. If you are already spending hundreds of dollars on your stereo deck, the idea of spending up to three hundred dollars more to have it installed can be intimidating. Not to worry, though. Installing your own car stereo can save you a lot of money, and it can look just as nice as a professional installation. All you need is a couple of tools, a few parts, and a little time.

Let's go down the list of the things you will need to install your own car stereo.

Car Stereo Installation Tool Kit: You can pick one of these up for under fifty bucks. You can probably get them for as low as twenty dollars, depending on where you buy it from. Make sure it has a DIN tool or pick one up separately. Without a DIN tool, you aren't going to be able to pull your original head unit out. Also, make sure your tool kit has a multimeter, wire strippers and crimpers, splicing connectors, and electrical tape. It is also a good idea to get one that includes the tools you need to remove the pieces of your dash's trim safely. (The DIN tool is the most common tool for pulling out your stereo deck. Your car may need a different tool. Ask your stereo salesman about your car.)

In-Dash Receiver Kit: You need to pick this up especially made for your car. You can get universal ones if you have an older car, but if you have a newer car with climate controls or any other controls built into the stereo's trim, you will need to order one specifically made for your car. You can usually pick these up for under thirty dollars from online retailers like JC Whitney or Crutchfield.

Wiring Harness Adapter: Most cars today have a simple plastic connection that plugs in all of your stereo wires. Your speakers, antenna, power controls, and auxiliary hook-ups are usually all bundled into one or two connections. With a wiring harness adapter made specifically for your car, hooking up all of your wires can literally be as simple as a snap.

Your Car Stereo: If you haven't already got a car stereo you want to install or you are still undecided on what to buy, be sure you check with the retailer to make sure that it can fit in your car's dash. Most stereos are compatible with most cars, but some stereos are oversized and made to fit only a few cars.

Time: Be sure you start this project on a day where you have a few hours. Once you get started, you will not be able to stop until you are finished. It may not even take a few hours, but you should still set aside the time so you can enjoy your new tunes.

When you are installing a car stereo, there are a few safety measures we need to go over. You want to make sure that you are doing this in a dry area. Water and electronics don't mix. You also need to disconnect your negative battery cable under the hood. You disconnect this to protect your car, your new stereo, and yourself from electrical current and shorts while you are working. In my younger days, I did burn up a stereo by being hasty and skipping this important step. Now I make sure that the battery is disconnected before I work on any electrical component of the car.

Now that we have all the tools and parts we need and we know all about safety concerns, we can get to work on installing your new car stereo.

Disconnect the Battery: You should loosen and disconnect your NEGATIVE battery cable. Disconnecting the positive cable is not necessary.

Remove the old car stereo: Use your DIN tools to remove the old car stereo. There are holes on the sides for you to insert the tools into. Once you have them all the way in, put outwards pressure on the tools and pull gently, but firmly. Once you have it a little out, you should be able to grab the sides and support the weight of the old stereo while you pull it all the way out. Once you have it out, unhook all of the connections and set your old stereo to the side. (If you are using something other than the DIN tool, these work in the same fashion.)

Install Wiring Harness Adapters: Now that your stereo is out, all of your wires are exposed. This is the time to hook up the adapters you got for your car. Your wiring harness adapter probably has instructions designed just for your car. If you need to do any splicing, be sure you use splice connectors, electrical tape, or heat shrink tube. If you leave any exposed wire, it can cause your sound to be distorted, or even worse, short out your new stereo.

Install Your In-Dash Receiver Kit: If your car needs a kit, follow the supplied instructions carefully. Use the trim removal tools to disassemble the areas around your stereo. Your new pieces should snap in easily. You would need one of these in case your car has anything molded into the stereo's faceplate, like climate controls. Most newer cars would probably use this kit.

Install Mounting Sleeve: Your car should be ready to have the mounting sleeve installed. This is a little "cage" type thing that locks into your dash. Simply slide it in and bend the appropriate tabs to lock it into place. Once you are done with that, it is a good idea to get your wires organized and easily accessible. Next, you are going to put your new stereo in!

Install Your New Stereo: By this time, your dash should look normal, except for a big rectangle hole in it. Take your new wiring harness adapter and plug it into the back of your stereo. There may be a couple of different connections and your antenna. Once those are all plugged in, tuck the excess wire neatly into the dash and then slide in your new stereo until it locks.

Hook Up Your Battery: Be sure and reconnect the battery cable. Be sure you tighten it up really snug, too. Loose battery connections are a leading cause of electrical problems.

Now it is time to take your new car stereo out for a spin. Well, it may be a better idea to sit in the driveway for a bit and get used to the controls. A lot of people spend hundreds of dollars to have their car stereo professionally installed. Now you can save a bundle by installing your own car stereo on a Saturday afternoon.

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Choosing Car Stereo Systems

Choosing a car hi fi might seem like a straightforward job, but with so many styles, makes and price ranges on the market, ensuring that you choose the right one for your needs can be a nightmare.

Car stereo systems can cost as little as fifty pounds or as much as a thousand; it all depends whether you're happy with a basic CD and MP3 player or if you're looking to impress with a double din car stereo that incorporates a screen, DVD player and satellite navigation. But, even if you know what gizmos and gadgets your car requires, you've still got to find a stereo with the right 'look'.

So what is the right car stereo for you?

If you're a casual driver who mostly uses their car to get to and from work with the occasional supermarket trip thrown in, there probably isn't much point splashing the cash on the latest and greatest stereo. And if like many of us, the morning radio is your accompaniment to work, you are not going to benefit from a powerful sound system.

However, you might be someone who needs to blast the music for a morning wake up call. In this case a quality car hi fi may be in order. You also might want to consider upgrading your cars speakers, or even fitting a subwoofer. Though don't be tempted by double din car stereo gimmicks; if there's rarely anyone but yourself in the car, it's not often that you'll find use for an in-car DVD player, and if you rarely travel off the beaten track, a GPS system is going to be pretty pointless too.

Alternatively, perhaps you're somebody who regularly travels long haul, and often has friends and family in tow. This is when more expensive car stereo systems really show their worth.

If you've got young children, you're probably more than familiar with the repeated drone of 'are we there yet'. Bored children can be a nightmare on long journeys, but a favourite film will quickly keep them quiet leaving you to concentrate on the driving. Similarly, if you're often travelling to unknown lands, the GPS systems that are now incorporated into many higher priced car stereo systems can be a godsend, ensuring that you arrive at your destination on time rather than spending many frustrating hours believing you've passed that same tree three times already....

There is one other point worth considering when choosing the right car stereo for you: theft. While many car hi fi's can be removed while the car is not in use, a lot of models cannot. Where does your car get parked at night? Is it in a secure garage or do you have to leave it on the street? And how often is your car likely to be left in other locations where it could be easily targeted? Car hi fi's can be a valuable steal for any thief, and if your car is constantly left at risk, you don't want an expensive, attractive car radio to be on display to passing criminals.

This article was written by Jeremy Jacobson on behalf of Shop 4 Choice, experts in car stereo systems including double din car stereo systems. For more info on car stereo systems including double din car stereo systems please visit shop4choice.co.uk

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How to Choose the Best Car Stereo System

With so many stereo systems available on the market for cars, it can be a confusing task to choose one that is most suitable. Here are a few tips to help you.

Research

There are several relevant magazines, journals and Internet resources that can provide ample material for your research. See what the experts have to say about the various brands available. Understand what the various features of each system is and see which one fits in with what you are looking for. While well recognised brands, such as Sony car stereo may be a bit more expensive, the high quality and longer life may be well worth the slightly extra price tag. This isn't however to say that there aren't cheap stereo systems for cars that don't offer a decent quality. It really depends on what you want out of your system.

Experiment

Once you've done your research and narrowed your options down, it would be well worth your while to visit a car stereo shop, and actually listen to how a few car stereo systems sound. If you need to, visit a few shops to hear all the systems on your short list. Remember you will have to pair the system with appropriate speakers and choose a set that is suitable for your particular car shape and size. Car stereo store personnel would be able to make suitable recommendations. Once you've listened to a few car stereo systems, it will be much easier to make a choice.

Choose an Appropriate System

Making your final choice should depend on what you are personally looking for. If you want a good quality system that will last for a few years, Sony car stereo may be a good value for money choice. If on the other hand you want a temporary system, because you plan to buy a new car shortly, cheap car stereo may be more suitable. Some systems are suitable for particular types of music, so if you mainly listen to one genre of music, find out which type of system would be most appropriate. Make sure that the system you choose is easy to operate. This is important, especially since you will be using it while driving, and you don't want something that is going to divert your attention, simply because it requires a lot of operations for simple tasks.So when you buy appropriate system you should follow some important points.

Daniel Daniali is a business entrepreneur who has run successful business of branded products like Discount Kitchen Appliances, Car Dvd Players, Home Appliances Online and much more.

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Getting Car Stereo Systems: Some Of The Basics

Different people have different ideas of what they want in their car stereo systems. Some people want to pimp up their cars with the best sounds around. Others are simply happy hearing the music that they like playing on the radio. Getting one then is a matter of addressing your needs. There are a lot of options available anyway so it should be easy getting your hands on a car sound system that is perfect for you.

Some terms defined

When you're out scouting for your car stereo, it won't be unusual to come across certain terms associated with sound systems. If this is your first time exploring them, then having common terms defined will certainly come in handy. Some of the terms you may encounter include:

Stock unit - the actual car audio system originally installed in your car as specified by the manufacturer. Different stock units have different stock components although generically a radio, CD player, and MP3 player should be in place in today's most common stock units.
Head unit - the head unit is the primary control panel of an audio system. It is commonly installed in the middle of the dash panel in modern stereo models today but older vehicles had the head unit located externally underneath or on top of a dash panel. Different head units have different components installed within them but the most typical ones are a radio receiver/tuner along with a small amplifier. Other components that can possibly be used include a CD/DVD player, a portable hard disk drive, and USB flash memory.
Subwoofers - subwoofers are a kind of loudspeaker that is specifically catered towards reproducing low frequencies. While highly functional, a lot of the aftermarket models available also focus on aesthetics to add appeal to a car. Typically, subwoofers are available in sizes between 8 inches to 15 inches in diameter. More specialized subwoofers are available in bigger sizes up to 32 inches across.
Capacitors - capacitors in car stereo systems are used by amplifiers as an energy source to be tapped into on demand. Available in different sizes, capacitors are mainly intended though to cover temporarily short bursts of electrical demand that may have exceeded what a car may be electrically capable of generally.

Buying online

There is a tremendous amount of different car stereo systems on sale online. With different sound systems available from different sources, it's fairly impossible not to find what you're looking for. Do shop around though first so you get a good idea of what sort of options are available to you. Aside from simply enjoying the best kind of quality, you also stand to enjoy savings by shopping around.

The best place to shop around for car stereo systems is online. You can learn about their different qualities and see price comparisons at http://carsteriosystems.co.uk/

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Car Stereo Systems And What They Can Do For You

Choosing from an array of car stereo systems can be hard, since they all promise to give you perfect sound clarity every single time. However, not all advertising claims prove to be true, since each sound system is very different from each other. You should be happy that there are car sound systems that cost from less than one hundred pounds to several thousand, from ordinary CD players to Bluetooth connectors, and even DVD players and LCD screens. So how will you know which one from the numerous car stereo systems is the right one for you?

If you are an ordinary driver who only uses his/her car to drive from work to home and vice versa, it would really make no point at all to splurge on a high-end car stereo system. A decent stereo system would suffice, since it would be a good thing to have music accompanying you on your way to work or that occasional trip to the convenience store. A powerful sound system would be futile if you use your car stereo for that chatty morning disc jockey or that smooth jazz sounds on your way home.

If you are one of those car-obsessed individuals who really love to fix up their cars with different upgrades, getting high quality car stereo systems may be in order. This includes getting top grade speakers, which should include a great subwoofer for that shudder effect. However, no matter how you wish your car to be souped up, putting in a GPS system would be pretty pointless if you will not use the car for anything than car shows or that short trips. A DVD player is another pointless electronic gadget to have, since will not really use it for anything other than playing DVDs, which can only be done if you are traveling long distances.

When you do become a family man and have kids, you will need to have car stereo systems that have DVD players with them for those family vacations so that your kids will not be bored easily. Alternatively, cars used for out-of-town trips with friends and other families will also make use of these DVD players as well as that GPS systems so that getting lost will not be an option. Overall, before you choose a car stereo system, you will need to identify your needs rather than what you want for your car. You can have an extremely flashy car but have the most pointless music system, so choose wisely.

The best place to shop around for car sound systems is online. You can learn about their different qualities and see price comparisons at the Car Stereo System site.

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How to Choose a Car Stereo

Life is the music that you play. When you are a proud owner of a car, one of the most pleasant activities for any music lover is choosing the car stereo. The car stereo company enhances the feel of the car, the music playing to the sound of the words tuning to the beats and the rhythm creating its move as you drive. One of the most important features which interest me in any car is the car stereo.

Now, many of us think about getting a good car stereo. Before you get one, it is beneficial to do some research and see what kind of music system you are looking for in the car stereo company. The easy way to check for car stereo systems is to get online and check on the internet. You get to look at various audio systems and enhancements. The car stereo company offers a wide variety; different price ranges viz-a-viz quality and specifications. There are many car audio magazines one can refer before heading to the stereo company. It would be a good idea to sit and write the features you are looking for in the stereo system.

Also, note down the make and model of your car so that you can ask the salesperson of the stereo company to give you options based on what you are looking for and what would best suit the kind of car you have. Check on various options within your budget and listen to the sound of the audio system before you choose one. Know the settings of the audio system so that you can operate it with ease and comfort. If you are a radio lover look for 12 FM and 6 AM presets. Ensure the head unit has buttons of your choice and ease. Many of the cars also have audio controls on the steering wheel so you can drive and change music channels and modes at your preference. Check the output for MP3 player options. A USB port will do you good, you can store music in the USB drive and connect it when you want to listen to your favorite tracks and there is no need to change CD's on a regular basis. The head unit is the life of the car stereo system.

The other component to check is the deck. The deck is a crucial part of any car stereo system. Check the channel output of the speakers, the equipment range from CD's, MP3 and cassette decks. The deck also allows you to control the sound and music. Well, to enjoy music at its best, get an amplifier. An amplifier enhances the power of sound. Go ahead and play some loud music to your ears. Once you know the kind of music system you are looking for, test your speakers for their frequency and sound quality. The speakers are the soul of any stereo system. To feel the beat and to make your car vibrate, get a good subwoofer. The bass will set the pace and one can enjoy music to the fullest!

Drive to tunes which soothe and make your drive smooth.

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Car Stereo Systems: What You Need to Know

When you buy a car, a lot of attention is being paid to the brand of the car, the make, the color, the upholstery and so on. It is as important to take notice of the car stereo systems as of any other accessories. You cannot just fit in any audio system in the car. To find all about systems for the cars, read through.

Variety of Car stereos

Gone are the days when people used home stereo system in the car and drive away. Today you get a wide variety of high definition car systems in the market for instance MP3 players, CD players, LCD players and so on. You get audio systems that are already built in the car, but the quality is questionable. High end cars of good make such as BMW, Volkswagen and so on provide very good quality of stereo systems. Some reputed companies provide high quality stereos such as Sony car stereos, Blaupunkt stereos, Pioneer stereos and so on. You can customize your system as per your requirement and preference.

Car stereo systems

Car stereo is not just a part that you can fit in the car. You can also get a few attachments with the car stereos. For instance with the head unit you can find different kinds of tweeters, amplifiers, subwoofers, and other audio attachments to enhance the sound quality of your system. You can find very good quality stereo as well as cheap stereos. As they say, you only get what you actually pay for, so quality comes with a price. Make sure that you don't pay an exorbitant amount as well in the name of a branded stereo system. Also check for the durability of the stereo system, as installing a good system will not fit the bill if it does not work properly.

Best buy

Always buy your car systems from a place that sells products related to cars and its sound system. Go for some place where you can get every thing under one roof, be it your stereo system, tweeters, amplifiers or any other accessories. It saves a lot of time and effort. Also you are likely to get the stereo system and the attachments that are suitable and compatible to each other. You may find some cheap car stereos that fit in your car and can be easily installed. You can find online stores selling these products. Check the credibility of the online store and the detailed description of the product mentioned to avoid any confusion later on.

Stereo systems have come a long way in terms of technology, advancement and quality of the sound. Make sure to pick the one according to your taste and quality of the product.

Daniel Daniali is a business entrepreneur who has run successful business of branded products like sony car stereos, pioneer car radio, car audio electronics and much more.

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How to Choose a Good Car Stereo System

Cars that do not have a car audio system installed inside them work like simple machines. In a recent survey conducted on new car buyers, it was found that installing a car stereo system was the second thing on their mind after car insurance plan. And this is quite significant thing to note here, because most of the car owners in the world prefer to have audio system installed in their cars. They feel that their car will remain incomplete if car stereo system is not installed inside it. Seeing the popularity of car stereo system, many car manufacturing companies have started bundling car stereo system in their car models. Car alarm starter will work with the stereo system and it protects your car from any kind of theft. The alarm system is fitted using stealth technique and giving peace of mind to owner as he/she knows that their car is completely protected even if they are not around. The audio system is designed in the manner where you can play any music file anytime. There are more advanced nature of car audio systems that will produce high quality surround sound and digital surround sound system. You will not be able to hear any disturbance when you play the music on the digital car audio system. Besides playing music and digital system, you can also play FM and all other national stations. Car audio and stereos systems are loaded with many advanced features. These features will include Repeat and Shuffle, Switchable Rear Output, tuners, Band Equalizer, a Disc, Switchable Rear Output and a lot more. The new genre of car stereo system also brings with it multiple DVD exchange and USB integration facility.

The Disc Repeat and Shuffle Feature give innate capabilities to car owner to listen to their favorite tracks as many times he/she wants to listen. The smart and exclusive feature like Switchable Rear Output will provide the option to make changes in audio levels of the files, ultimately making audio system a completely user-friendly and must have for your car. Companies such as Sony, Pioneer, AIWA, National etc, have taken quantum leap in the production of state of the art car stereo system. The system can be easily integrated and worked together in the car of any model.

If you are planning to buy car stereo system, or if you want to replace old worn out audio system with the new one, it is your responsibility to check through variety of models available. The models are listed on internet, and you can have the right type of music system if you spend some quality time comparison and shopping for it. Again, if you do not want to go for additional car audio system, then you can always go with the car manufacturer's choice. In this manner, you will be saving your pocket by not spending extra money. Further if you go for automotive in built music system option, you will not be spending your money on the installation costs.

Brooke Thom is an expert author and webmaster of soundandalarm website. The website having details of Car alarm starter system, custom car installation,car audio, car stereo system, Car Subwoofers Installation.

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Car Stereo Reviews - What You Need To Look At In A Car Stereo

There are a few key points you want to look at in order to determine whether or not you want to purchase a specific car stereo. While there are allot of car stereo reviews out there, it's always nice to know which factors are the most significant.

What's the most important factor of a car stereo?

It varies from customer to customer, but essentially the most important factor is the quality of the sound. Whenever you go out to look at a new stereo, look at the sound quality first. There's no point in purchasing a stereo that has a low sound quality. It literally ruins the music.

After sound quality it's mostly each to his own. I always look for car stereos that support the MP3 format and have to possibility to connect to an IPod adapter. These are essential for me, since I'm listening to so many different tracks every single day.

Some factors to look at in a car stereo:
Sound qualityVolumeDoes the sound quality stay good when the volume is increased?Bass qualityDoes the bass quality say good when the volume is increased?Can it repeat?Can it shuffle?How many cds can it hold?Is the display any good?Is it easy to handle?

Every time you look at a new stereo, ask yourself these questions. It will give you a great idea whether or not this will be the correct stereo for you.

Of course you can follow some of the car stereo reviews out there, by all means. Just make sure they know what they're talking about. Look at customer reviews. Customers who have already bought a junk product want to warn others, while customers who have purchased an amazing product want to share their experience with others.

If you love music, then the quality of your stereo is absolutely vital. Don't be afraid to spend an extra buck to get that juicy sound you desire.

Don't purchase some piece of junk because the sales men say it's the best on the market! Have a look at these Car Stereo Reviews before you do anything else! If you'd like to get the best stereos out there, then check out these car stereo reviews.

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Car Stereo Systems: Changing The Way You Hear Music When You Drive

It is a must for cars to have car stereo systems we are told. Not for the entertainment value but because it is one of the pieces of electronics that is considered to be a standard part of a modern vehicle. Every car usually comes with stock audio systems, but they are mostly models that offer mediocre sound quality and have features that are quite limited.

You might get used to inferior quality, but most likely you and your passengers would enjoy journeys more with higher quality musical entertainment. You don't have to stick with the original automobile sound system, you could choose to replace it with something better that could add value and appeal to your car's interior. A good idea, but before you go out and buy a new car stereo system you need to know about the basics first, and hopefully you'll understand how they work properly.

How Car Stereo Systems work

As soon as you turn your car's audio on you will hear a sound that comes from the head unit. The head unit is the part that controls the frequency of the radio, controls the CD or MP3 player that you have in it, as well as controlling the balance and equalization. The signal from the head unit is then boosted or amplified by the audio amplifier and finally it is sent to the speakers. The signal that travels from the head unit to the speakers tells whether the car stereo systems have a bad sound or a great sound. If you're radio sounds bad, it's not really the fault of your speakers; it's your amplifier which is not working properly. Stock stereos have their amps at the back of your radio. But if you buy high quality car audio systems, the amp is located elsewhere and is just connected to your unit via a cable.

If this is your first time looking for a car music system I would say that the first characteristic that you need to consider is the power of the system. The amplifier power is measured by wattage per channel. So when you're buying one, you should be particular that you don't pick those advertised with all the wattage added together. A system with 50 watts total actually has two channels, meaning 25 watts for each channel.

Another thing that you could look for is its compatibility with modern devices. You can establish a connection between your car music systems and your music player via Bluetooth, so there's really no need for wires. A good example of a Bluetooth car stereo is the Sony MEX-BT3800U Bluetooth Car Stereo. This is a great upgrade to your stock stereo speakers, so if you have extra cash and you wish to have good music in your car, don't hesitate to get reliable car stereo systems, just like the one mentioned earlier.

Before you start looking to improve your sounds click on the link and check out the car stereo systems at our website http://carsteriosystems.co.uk/ where you can find the best audio deals for wheels.

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What To Know When Buying Car Stereo Systems

A perfect car, as they say, is one that is complete with accessories, inside and out. So, you might want to invest in wheels, paint, lights, and other decorative stuff, but when you get inside the car, nothing beats one that has an excellent audio system. For this, one of the most strategic investments that you will ever make is purchasing quality car stereo systems. That's why if you want your car to be beautiful inside and out, finding the best audio system for your ride should be at the top of your to do list.

The first thing that you will have to do is to conduct extensive research of the brands and products which are currently available in the market. The Internet is a great place to research for these components because you can usually find genuine customer reviews alongside product descriptions. Furthermore, car accessory magazines usually feature the list of the best rated car sound systems. These are the best sources as they are professionally written by an objective third party.

You should also decide upon a price range for your choice and stick to it. You can get decent audio systems for your car for around ?100 but the top range models can cost a lot more. You might want to check second hand shops if you want to purchase a model at a really low price. You have to remember, though, that you have to avoid buying the components one piece at a time. Regardless of the brand and the quality, each piece has different sound quality and characteristics. While it might save you a few pounds if you buy them separately, you might not have the chance to actually listen and preview the entire system before you purchase them.

You must also have a clear grasp of which kind of music actually works best for you. For example if you like heavy metal and rock music, the maximum power of a stereo system is obviously the best for you. But if you are a fan of the classical art, you would want to use a car stereo system that has moderate power but exceptional sound quality.

You must also be fairly familiar with speaker options, given that most speakers are actually two-way. They also have low range drivers called a woofer and high range drivers called tweeters. For larger cars, three-way speakers may be the best option given that you will not need external crossover devices in order for your car stereo systems to function the best way possible.

The best place to shop around for car sound systems is online. You can learn about their different qualities and see price comparisons at the Car Stereo System site.

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Sony TuneTray Vs Oxygen O-Car: Two Revolutionary Car Stereo Ideas

It is now a well known fact that car stereos are moving to digital media at an ever increasing pace. 10Years ago a car stereo that did not play CD's or even cassettes would have been a ludicrous idea, nowadays its what people want. Why carry a large wallet of CD's that will get scratched and damaged when you can have your whole music collection on a card the size of your thumb nail?

There have been two major developments in the last 12months in the way we connect digital media to our vehicles, namely our iPods. Sony released their latest concept, the TuneTray, last September. This was met with much anticipation from the industry and public alike, featuring full speed digital media control and a connect anything attitude, Sony have had a big success with the DSX range. Starting at only ?100, the TuneTray is not a technology that is exclusively for the rich and famous, it is available to everyone.

You may have never heard of Oxygen Audio. They were a fairly small French audio manufacturer until they had an idea that will again change the way we use our digital media. The O-Car is Oxygen Audio's take on how we should integrate digital media into our daily lives. It features a similar concept to the TuneTray in that it only caters for the digital world of music, leaving CD and Cassette firmly behind however it currently only for iPhones. What it does with the iPhone is why I am sat here today comparing these two innovations. Conventional stereo's will connect your iPhone via a cable or USB port, the O-Car allows your iPhone to BECOME the stereo.

I have had chance to use both systems recently, below are my findings.

Idea

The TuneTray was and still is a fantastic and innovative idea. The ability to connect any piece of USB hardware and hide it away within the stereo is unrivalled. No other stereo on the market can do what the TuneTray range can.

The O-Car is also innovative in how it turns your iPhone into a car stereo. This is easily the best way to integrate your iPhone into your car. The down side to this particular idea is that it has to be an iPhone 3GS or newer and has to be plugged into the stereo for anything to be heard. The radio tuner is an app that you can download for your iPhone.

Features

The TuneTray range has a huge list of features including bluetooth, multiple USB ports and high end equalizer controls. It comes with everything you would expect from a high end car stereo.

The O-Car allows you to provide the features! It comes with the standard RCA pre outs and high power amplifier that you would expect but it also enables you to use any features or apps that you have downloaded to your iPhone. You can use a TomTom sat nav app with it whilst listening to music, or make calls using a connected microphone. You can even turn your car into Digital Radio using apps such as Pandora or Spotify. The possibilities are only limited by the apps you buy.

Cost

Sony have been very clever in the way that they have branded the TuneTray. They haven't just made it exclusive to a single, high priced model in there range, they have created a whole range around the idea. Starting at only ?100 for the basic model and reaching ?200 for the best, Sony have made the TuneTray accessible for everyone.

Oxygen Audio do not have the luxury of having multiple models due to the concept behind the unit. They have however priced the O-Car at a price that is very affordable. At ?250 the O-Car is towards the top of the Single Din price range but for the features and quality of the unit I would still class it as very good value for money.

Ease of Use

This is where the Sony TuneTray is at a disadvantage when compared to the Oxygen O-Car. Displaying the full iPod menus on a 4line display is tricky and to do it right, Sony have had to make the control a little complicated at times. It is still a case of Albums, Artists and Playlists but there are hidden features like the searching by letter and quick search that when pressed by accident can throw you off target. When combined with the fiddly thumb stick control this accounts for a sometimes frustrating user interface.

The O-Car is the complete opposite, simply insert the iPhone into the dock and use it in as you would naturally. The O-Car does not impose onto the iPhone, even the Radio and Equalizer settings are altered using Oxygen's Apps that were developed in house specifically for this stereo.

When put side by side these two huge step forwards are both equal to one another. The only difference is that they are two huge steps in slightly different directions. If you have an iPhone, you will want the Oxygen O-Car, it is simply the best iPhone compatible stereo on the market. If you have an iPod or any other USB device, the Sony TuneTray range is easily the best choice for you. No-body will be disappointed with either of the stereo's I have featured in this article, it will be purely based on your own personal preference as to which will suit you best.

The Oxygen O-Car really is revolutionary in how it integrates your iPhone into your cars entertainment system. It is set to be the biggest product of 2011 and is going to take the world by storm!

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Things to Consider When Buying Car Stereo Systems

If you're looking to get a great sound system for your car, there are many things to consider. Car stereo systems come with many different features from the quality of the sound to the different audio formats it supports. Along with the various features, you have to consider your budget. Let's start with the features to consider.

The first important thing when it comes to car stereos is the audio format it supports. The simplest systems these days will come with a CD player with some that reads data. That means that you can burn MP3 files into the CDs to fit more songs in the CD. Many of the newer car stereo systems come with docks that can hold and charge your iPhone or iPod to play your favorite music.

The next thing you need to consider is the sound settings on the car stereo. Can you control different aspects of the sound from the bass, treble, balance, and more? There are stereo systems that give you control of the sound and even come with multiple presets from rock, classical, pop, dance, and more.

Third, you want to think about the speakers. If you want a surround sound experience, you will want to get rear speakers, door speakers, and other additional speakers. If you already have speakers installed (most cars will), you will probably want to upgrade to higher quality speakers. Most standard car speakers do not compare to the ones you can buy from specialty stores.

Fourth, you want to consider installing a subwoofer when it comes to car stereos. To get the best bass sound, you will want a subwoofer. A good subwoofer will make your music sound more full. It also won't distort the music if the bass is too loud and balance. Bass is very important if you listen to music such as hip hop, rock, and dance.

Finally, you will want to buy a tweeter. A tweeter is what will play high frequencies in car stereo systems. These are small speakers that will need to be installed. A complete car stereo system usually consists of a subwoofer for the low frequency sounds and a tweeter for the high frequency sounds. You need to make sure that you install them correctly to get the right sound.

So those are some of things that you need to consider when setting up car stereo systems. There's the actual stereo system itself, the speakers used in the system, the subwoofer, and the tweeter. You need to consider your budget when it comes to setting up your sound system. You will also need to learn how to install everything before you go out to set your system up. When in doubt, get help from an expert that knows how to set up audio systems in cars.

Nicole Roberts
Welcome to The Best Subwoofers, inside you will discover an amazing selection of low priced and excellent quality car stereo systems.

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The Parrot Asteroid: A New Car Stereo Receiver Previewed at CES 2011

Parrot are well known as a company that muscled into the Bluetooth hands free call market with a car speakerphone system that worked a whole lot better than Motorola's then dominant models. The great advantage Parrot offered was voice commands that worked. Most voice controlled technology only responds to those few people who sound like machines! Since then, Parrot has come up with some surprising devices. Including a radio controlled helicopter that can be controlled with an iPhone or iPad.

Parrot's new Asteroid, a new car stereo announced at CES 2011 is closer to the company's roots. The Asteroid has voice control for hands free calls via its speakers and an AM/FM radio. It is also a hub with 3 USB inputs so that you can connect in an MP3 player, smart phone, tablet PC or laptop. One nice irony is that the Asteroid uses Android as its operating system but is very happy to hook up to Apple devices like the iPod.

An optional 3G dongle can be used in one of the USB ports and the unit ships with a GPS dongle. Use both and it allows the stereo to know where it is, as well as having internet access. It can then give you relevant traffic updates and even turn by turn navigation with the Parrot Maps app.

Like any conventional upscale car stereo, part of the device is detachable so you can take it with you as a security measure. Half an Asteroid is hardly worth hauling away for any criminal.

The LCD screen is a generous 3.2-inch LCD. This will give you song name and artist information in conjunction with internet radio services like Pandora. It is also possible to get the same information verbally by pressing a button. A voice synthesizer converts the information embedded in the song into sound. This slightly strange feature will probably help those drivers who hate to look away from the road for even a moment.

The system is due for release in late 2011 but no price has been given at the time of writing.

Will it succeed?

At first glance, the Asteroid seems unnecessary. Cars come supplied with stereos and there are FM transmitters to hook up phones and iPods very easily. GPS navigation devices are also widespread and many have hands free call capability when integrated with a smart phone. At the same time, three USB ports, the ability to get traffic updates and navigation, internet radio and make hands free calls will certainly appeal. For me it covers all the important things I want in car. For some people it might just be too much and unnecessarily complex.

Jack Arthur writes extensively on mobile devices.

If you want to look at more car speaker phone systems try Best Bluetooth Car Speakerphone guide. You might also be interested in Best iPhone 4 FM Transmitter guide.

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You Deserve The Best Car Stereo Amps

You need to know that if you decide to invest in car stereo amps, the sound in your car will improve dramatically. You need to know that it is imperative to choose the best amps where you will get the best sound for your money. You need to know that when it comes to car amps you need to shop around and gain some additional information prior to making a final decision. At the end of the day it is going to be within your best interest to try and find the best deal possible because if you do, you will be able to enjoy the many wonderful benefits that car stereo amps have to offer you.

You may want to find out the exact type of power that your speakers need to make use of. You may also want to find out the RMS rating which is the constant power. It may be within your best interest to know the exact peak rating. This is actually the maximum amount of power that the speakers are able to receive in one period. If you are not sure exactly how all of this works, do not despair because you can always learn the stuff which you need to in order to ensure that when you do invest in car stereo amps, you get the best that there is on the market for the money which you have available. You need to know that the ratings are actually measures in watts. You may not be aware of it but the amp output is also measured in terms of watts. If finances are a problem for you, which is understandable in today's day and age, if you don't have big amounts of extra cash to spend on stereo amps, then you could always consider the option of buying used ones. You could also take a look at the Kenwood range as they are a very reputable company that has a very good name within the industry. If you search around you may be able to find cheap amps which also provides you with decent quality at the same time.

You may also want to work out exactly where in your car; you are planning to put the amp. It also is highly suggested that before you go and look at car stereo amps, you should actually measure the area of the car where you intend putting the amps in order to write down the dimensions and take it with you on paper to the store. You may also want to try and record as much technical information with regard to your cars current stereo and speakers in order to be able to tell the salesman exactly what you need and exactly what you are dealing with. It is better to take some time and effort in order to understand what you are dealing with, prior to just buying without knowing much. This will ultimately benefit you more at the end of the day.

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Tips on How to Set Up a Car Stereo Head Unit

Installing a double din device into numerous vehicles may seem like an extremely hard task. Roadsters, for example, lack an extra place to include stereo equipment like LED monitors. Making use of the available space of your dash is an excellent answer that efficiently utilizes the area you've got and provides a customized flare for your unique ride. Continue reading to understand how you can set up a car stereo head device in your car.

Open up your dash from beneath to check out any kind of cables, cross members or even supports, which may be in the way. Relocate any kind of things that you don't need to cut whilst opening the outlet in the dash to put your brand-new stereo head device or LCD monitor.

Protect the area you are going to open by using a masking tape and also take notice of the side of the airbag construction. Make use of a marker to make a rough contour of the cut you will be creating through tracing the interior side of the frame.

Make use of a razor blade to start cutting out your dash. It would appear in layers and may even call for short saws--all to remove through the last part of dash. Make use of the razor knife to smooth and straighten up the sides properly to be sure that the opening does not get too large.

Make sure that your cabling is for enough time to get to the brand new device with no twisting or crimping badly.

Secure the installation crate to the ends of the hole and place the car stereo device into position right after making all the necessary connections. Tighten up any loose mounting bolts on the mount and try out the device to make sure that all of cable connections work.

Batten the frame into position and clean the dash. You are now all set to use a brand new system that appears as excellent as it appears.

Additional Information:

If you want to buy a double din car stereo, you should always check the product review of the unit you are intending to buy. This is to ensure that you are getting the most out of your investment. One website that I could recommend is the Amazon. It has a Customer Reviews section that you can browse. This section is unbiased since the reviews are from the customers. Have fun!

For more information about double din stereos, please visit this website at doubledinreview

Read their latest review, the Double Din Pioneer AVIC-X920BT Receiver Review.

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