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Best Car Stereos
scootz - 27/4/10 at 04:57 PM

Would like to update the stereo in our new toy-car as it only has a tape-deck!

cute lil car linky

Can't remember the last time I looked at stereo units... must have been in my early-20's!

Anyway... who are the mid-price industry leaders just now? I've always had a soft-spot for Pioneer - any good these days?

Would aslo like to have USB connectivity, so I can listen-to / charge my iPhone whilst in the car... bluetooth for handsfree phone-use would also be handy! Any suggestions!

Cheers all!


tomprescott - 27/4/10 at 05:00 PM

I've always liked sony units and have become a lot more affordable recently, my first cost me £280, the most recent one I bought cost £70, bought a pioneer for my dad for around £50 and its been really good.

That said, I don't think you should update, you should just sell that car and buy one with a mp3/cd player already fitted


scootz - 27/4/10 at 05:02 PM



Noooo... I've fallen in love with it! It was supposed to be a short-term run-around until we make up our mind what we're doing car wise after the Tiguan went, but I plan to keep it!


tomprescott - 27/4/10 at 05:06 PM

I don't know why - never come into contact with one before - but I've taken an instant dislike to it, sorry scootz

Halfords have big sales on ICE quite often, might be worth having a look!?


coozer - 27/4/10 at 05:07 PM

Don't forget if buying a new radio that am&fm will be turned off soon. DAB is the way to go...

I have a Sony CDX-DAB6650 DAB Digital Radio and love it to bits.

I've had it nearly 5 years now and paid £110 for it, seems to bring more now tho.

Only downside is the DAB ariels are expensive.

Mine came with a one that sticks along the side of the windscreen.


blakep82 - 27/4/10 at 07:31 PM

get down to halfords, have a look for one you like, buy on the internet

i like http://caraudiosecurity.com


boggle - 27/4/10 at 07:34 PM

alpine all the way!!!!


adam1985 - 27/4/10 at 08:20 PM

alpine no contest


tomgregory2000 - 27/4/10 at 08:29 PM

quote:
Originally posted by boggle
alpine all the way!!!!


Hell yeh alpine have by far the best quality of sound, sony are very bass heavy, i like bass i used to have a 15" sub in the back of a mk2 golf and that made the roof move about 2" in and out


mangogrooveworkshop - 27/4/10 at 10:51 PM

DAB IS PISH>>>>>> If you like listening to bubbles


morcus - 27/4/10 at 11:29 PM

Its only national radio thats due to be switched to digital, but its still a kick in the teeth. I'm told theres gonna be devices to convert existing radios but something tells me I'm gonna have to swap my whole car if I want to Keep Radio 2 without giving my vehicle a molested look inside.

Never really been an A2 fan but I'm told its very comfortable and very light.


Ninehigh - 28/4/10 at 06:34 AM

Another one for Sony, I've had a few of them and they've never broke on me (they just went with the car by accident)


l0rd - 28/4/10 at 12:53 PM

I always had Sony.

Good value for money. I am looking on a new sony now but the ones that i aren't sold in UK market yet for some reason. The only one I found was 250 quid.


alistairolsen - 28/4/10 at 01:26 PM

kenwood alpine or pioneer here!


coozer - 28/4/10 at 01:58 PM

DAB = bubbles?? Sorry don't get that, mine is crystal clear all the time.

Love 5live that I can actually make out, TMS on 5live xtra, and all the rock channels you just don't get on good 'ol FM...

Set radio one on the menu then just scroll up through every bbc radio station. Mint!


Ninehigh - 30/4/10 at 06:39 AM

quote:
Originally posted by coozer
DAB = bubbles?? Sorry don't get that, mine is crystal clear all the time.


Just like freeview the signal needs to be 98-100% or the "distortion" makes it inaudible. Yeah if you get a bit of interference it does sound like it's coming from underwater a bit.


Jasper - 1/5/10 at 02:27 PM

I have 3 alpine iPod units in our 3 cars, and they are excellent, the newest 2 don't even have a CD player as all our music is on the iPod. Ipod goes in glovebox:

http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product_list.php?filter_manufacturer_id=3

The best one I have in my daily driver has a full colour screen and super easy navigation of the iPod, and sounds wicked. You'll want to hook it up to some decent speakers though, don't get the cheap Halfords ones, spend at least £100 a pair if you can afford it. I just kitted out the Mini with Alpine head unit, JL audio 6x9's, 10 inch sub in the boot, and decent JL amp, sounds absolutely fantastic.

All bought from Car Audio Security.


scootz - 1/5/10 at 02:41 PM

Cheers Jasper... just the sort of info I'm after!