Thread: Car Stereo?

I am getting a used car that just has a cd player. I haven't bought a cd in awhile and was wondering what recommendations you guys recommend. Was thinking about getting a XM radio because the radio stations I have at home suck and then I always get new music without having to worry about downloading. Any ideas?

I have Sirius(and the best of XM) plugged directly into my stereo. The audio quality isn't as good as it could be, but I get a lot of different talk and sports stations, so I rarely listen to music anymore.

I like XM too, but I would get something with external jacks so you could plug in an Ipod.

How much do you want to spend? If I were you I'd buy a receiver with an AUX input for around $100. It will probably sound better than the POS factory stereo. Then buy an XM/Serius receiver and plug it in to the AUX jack. This way if you want to listen to the satellite radio at home or work just buy a home dock for it and you're set. Probably cost you less than $200 all in.

Then if you want to spend more you can get a head unit and a sat receiver that plugs directly into the unit (less distortion). This option would be 250 - 350. A lot of the units nowadays have usb ports on the front of the unit so you can plug+charge your ipod while displaying song titles/artists, etc. This is also a better option sound quality wise.

I have this unit in my truck
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_070XD64...RID070&tp=5684
It syncs up with my Android phone blue tooth for hands free operation and also streams Pandora Radio from the phone to the receiver.Works well for a inexpensive unit.

Pandora is better than regular radio and better than satellite radio. I'd get what TWINS has

I bought a cd player that would hook up to a satellite radio setup but never got that far. Make sure the buttons for navigating it are easy to remember. My clock has been on the whim of whatever time it's on since I bought it, due to the fact I could never figure out how to get to whatever setting changed it.

Originally Posted by splat

I bought a cd player that would hook up to a satellite radio setup but never got that far. Make sure the buttons for navigating it are easy to remember. My clock has been on the whim of whatever time it's on since I bought it, due to the fact I could never figure out how to get to whatever setting changed it.

So how long was your VCR clock blinking back in the day?

how about speaker upgrades?

I thot about putting better speakers in my ranger but does it improve the sound much in the latest cheap factory systems or is it not really worth the $ and trouble ?

Speakers? Yeah, way better sound. Picked up some Focals off woofersetc and they're miles better than the stock Harmon Kardons in my car.

Head unit? Sat radio can be fun but I like IPod and have about 400 CDs so I play those cuz they sound better. Get the USB port

Originally Posted by Kai

Pandora is better than regular radio and better than satellite radio. I'd get what TWINS has

I looooved having XM for long drives, but I killed the subscription when I got an Android phone with unlimited data. Pandora is great and I also have the live music archive app, some podcast players, and the MLB audio app. I miss the XM stations occasionally, but the phone definitely dominates. I usually just plug in through the aux in jack.

Originally Posted by XXX-er

how about speaker upgrades?

I thot about putting better speakers in my ranger but does it improve the sound much in the latest cheap factory systems or is it not really worth the $ and trouble ?

I'm hardly an audiophile but it's been my experience that attaching upgraded speakers to a generic factory car stereo is like putting lipstick on a pig. I've found that the factory systems that I've had lacked enough pop to drive the factory speakers adequately...installing more efficient ones might help some but the biggest bang for your buck will come from installing a new receiver, IMHO.

so its not worth the trouble for the amount of driving I do

BTW when your SAT. expires they will contact you with a smoking 1 year deal which is way cheaper than if you contact them

they will try to make it automaticaly renewing but just tell them to contact you next year with another good deal