| There are so many car stereo head units on the | | | | quality. Many of them can be hooked up to a CD |
| market. How do you know what to choose? Let's | | | | changer as well. |
| take a look at some of the things you should look for | | | | 4. Does the head unit include pre-amp outputs? |
| when buying a head unit. | | | | If you're serious about sound you wouldn't buy a head |
| 1. How user friendly is the head unit? | | | | unit that doesn't come with pre-amp outputs. With |
| Your head unit must be user friendly. This is the part of | | | | these outputs, you can run an amplifier directly without |
| your car stereo you will interact with the most so you | | | | any need for conversion. This output is the cleanest. |
| must feel comfortable using it. Before buying one be | | | | Higher volt outputs are better as long as your amplifier |
| sure to play around with it and see how easy and | | | | or crossover can handle the voltage. For less noise |
| quick it is to change tracks on a CD, switch radio | | | | choose 4 volts over 1-2 volts. |
| stations, and so on. Are the buttons too small? You | | | | 5. Is there a theft prevention scheme? |
| need to be able to enjoy using your head unit. | | | | If theft protection is important to you buy a head unit |
| 2. How is the unit's power measured? | | | | that includes a theft prevention scheme. You can |
| Pay close attention to power. Look out for models | | | | choose between a partially detachable and fully |
| where the manufacturers exaggerate the unit's power. | | | | detachable face. Detaching the face of your head unit |
| This malpractice is common among most | | | | renders it useless. So this is obviously a great |
| manufacturers. Ensure that power is measures in | | | | deterrent for thieves. |
| RMS. Be very wary of terms like "music power" and | | | | Kenwood has some models where the face flips |
| "peak power". These terms mean nothing when it | | | | around so the thief can't see the head unit. |
| comes to measuring power. | | | | Some head units like Eclipse's ESN system, require a |
| 3. Choosing between a cassette player and a CD | | | | reference CD when you first apply power to them. If it |
| player. | | | | is stolen it is useless. You must have the reference |
| It's all about your personal preference. Do you use | | | | CD for it to work. The only problem with this is that if |
| more cassettes than CDs? In that case you should | | | | the thief has no clue about this feature, your head unit |
| probably go with a cassette player. Many of them give | | | | would be stolen anyway. Your only hope would be if |
| you the option of hooking up a CD changer. Your CD | | | | he foolishly takes it to Eclipse for repair. Eclipse would |
| changer can be operated from your head unit. | | | | be able to verify that it was stolen. |
| The only problem with some CD changers is the fact | | | | Ordering your car stereo head unit online is quick and |
| that you may have to get to your trunk or under your | | | | easy. Before buying your head unit be sure to check |
| seat to change CDs. With in-dash CD players | | | | out some online reviews. Find out what customers like |
| everything is in reach and can be operated easily. | | | | yourself think of the unit you want to buy. You can |
| More and more people are using CDs these days. | | | | order one online today. |
| CDs have several advantages including better sound | | | | |