The first car radio dates back to the 1920s and has evolved rapidly since then. While it is initially a pure radio receiver the later devices could play cassettes, later cds and today they can even read usb-sticks. Internet radios have been produced since 2009, the first of which was developed by "blaupunkt".
The TOP car radios in direct comparison
model |
JVC KD-R453 |
pioneer DEH-1700UB |
alpine UTE-72BT |
image |
power |
4 x 50 W |
4 x 50 W |
4 x 50 W |
size |
simple DIN-ISO standard |
simple DIN-ISO standard |
simple DIN-ISO standard |
display illumination |
green |
red |
white |
buy |
to amazon* |
to amazon* |
to amazon* |
price |
price not available |
69,00 EUR |
price not available |
details |
to the report |
to the report |
to the report |
price update |
on 31.01.2022 at 00:25 |
on 31.01.2022 at 00:25 |
on 31.01.2022 at 00:25 o’clock |
What to look for when buying a car radio?
The special feature of a car radio is that it must be particularly must be compactly built, to fit into a compartment in the car, which is mostly standardized today. In addition, it must not be sensitive to vibrations and also temperature fluctuations, as they are possible in the car, is not exposed to a radio in domestic use.
Modern development allows car radios to be built that have an integrated navigation system. One advantage of factory installed car radios is that they can often be operated from the steering wheel, which minimizes driver distraction. Today, a car radio is part of the basic equipment of a vehicle.
But some people would like to have a different, better and more powerful radio have – then a new one must be bought. Today’s car radios can do much more than transmit a radio station – they play cds or even dvds, which then provide entertainment for the passenger or at least on the back seat bench.
When buying a new car radio, there are a few things to consider beforehand: for example, whether it’s a standard-size radio, which means it will fit in your car. And are the connections compatible? If you are not sure, it is better to ask a professional, because nothing is more annoying than a radio you have bought that cannot be connected.
Also important are an automatic station search and the automatic frequency change. the radio automatically searches for the strongest frequency of the transmitter, so that the same radio program can run uninterrupted in good quality.
The radio also had to offer the possibility of storing stations, so that you could have the station you wanted to listen to at the touch of a button wherever you were frequently on the road. With it one stores this only once – and has then the quick way via shortcut buttons. There should also be a display, which shows the current station – but that is standard for all radios today. It is important that the operation such as volume – if not possible via the steering wheel – is simple, so that you can find it "blind" and your attention remains on the road.
Manufacturer of car radios
There are many manufacturers, and in addition to well-known brands such as sony or blaupunkt, there are also the car manufacturers’ own brands. It is impossible to choose one company as the best, because there are always new models being released, all of which cost positive and negative features have.
Important are the sound characteristics, because especially on long journeys, a "squawking" car radio all kinds of nerve cost. In addition, of course, it must be clarified that it fits in your car. Cheap models start at 50 euro, how much you want to spend is a question of your demands.
An extra for the perfect car radio
An extra, which is available in mid-range car radios and up, is the bluetooth with handsfree. If the radio supports bluetooth, the user has the advantage that cell phones and co as well as other multimedia devices wireless connection to the radio. If the radio then has a handsfree, you can, for example, use it to make phone calls.
so the cables of the old handsfree system are no longer necessary. Moreover external bluetooth devices connect to the radio right away, wirelessly. Cheap radios are not equipped with bluetooth module, but are prepared for it.
Good sound and ease of use are important to most users. Many of the new car radios have an OSD, i.e. a screen. About this can make the settings. Those who plan to further upgrade the car hi-fi system must look to appropriate connection options already pay attention when buying.
Car radio – the price-performance ratio
Most buyers are also interested in the price, in addition to the sound, features and user-friendliness. Today’s simplest models, which cost around 50 euros, have neither bluetooth nor hands-free, but most already have USB and amplifier inputs.
Two types of radios
The "normal" car radios, as everyone knows them and as they are installed in the older cars, are called "1-DIN car radios" and have the familiar compact shape and size. In the meantime, there are the so-called double DIN car radios, also called 2-DIN car radios. These are higher to accommodate more functions.
The advantage of the "big" is usually a clearer display, many functions such as navi, and large selection. For this they cost from 100 euro upwards. The advantage of the old DIN-1: also a large selection of well-known manufacturers, good equipment, if you pay attention to it and easy installation that can be done mostly even by laymen.
car radio – from the car manufacturer or from the radio manufacturer?
When buying a new car radio or. of a new car, the question often arises whether it should be the device of a well-known manufacturer such as panasonic or sony, or whether the radio of BMW, audi or VW should be, to name just a few examples. mostly you can assume that comparable models have the same quality and the same capabilities – but the models of the car manufacturers are many times more expensive.
Conclusion: on the whole you can assume that for every need the right car radio can be found. Assuming that the right size is not a problem and that money is not a major factor, you should simply choose the model that has the most positive and negative features desired performance accomplishes.
Simple DIN-1-radios can usually be replaced by yourself, at double DIN it is perhaps advisable to consult an expert before spending many hours in vain trying to install the system.
To meet today’s requirements, it is definitely worth to invest in a car with handsfree, to avoid the tangle of cables on the phone. Otherwise, you can simply buy what you absolutely want to have in terms of performance. When buying a new car, it is best to compare in advance which of the available models the best value for money has.
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