Nowadays every car has a music system. All new cars are equipped with car player and speakers. But we can , and sound system will be already in. Our requirements to the sound quality change every day. And one day we want to choose a player that will have better characteristics and higher functionality. As we know, technologies are also developing. Every year producers present new car players, cheap as well as elite.
CD/Mp3/DVD car players
The number and types of reproduction formats for audio and video will be the main criterion in the choice of car player. Cassette car players won’t be described in this article, because their demand is decreasing. They are used only by those, who have a music collection on tapes. Though many important characteristics are the same (power, number of channels, inputs/outputs, tuner). That’s why the following information will be useful for everybody.
CD-players are the most popular: discs are practical, durable and not expensive. An optimum choice is the purchase of mp3-player, you’ll be able to record a lot of songs on one disc. Nowadays, there are DVD-players, which together with display can show video. Reproduction of all formats has one disadvantage – in jolty ride some music intervals can be skipped. Producers try to solve the problem with a help of more qualitative mechanism or using an antishock.
Car player power
Selecting a car player, you should pay attention to its power. The main characteristics of the player’s power are its nominal and maximal powers. Durable listening to music consumes nominal power, that’s why you should select a player according to this characteristic. The more powerful is player, the better will be its sound on lower sound level. But usually producers indicate only maximal power, which is used only in those short time periods, when there are volume changes. To select a car player, you should look through its technical characteristics (nominal power has smaller value).
Car player can have 2 as well as 4 channels, to connect corresponding number of speakers.
Car player connection
Car player connection can strongly influence the choice of one or other model. Majority of car players use ISO-connector for connection to power supply and sound system. It’s a cutoff, in one part of which there are wires connected to power supply, and the other – to speakers. Latest cars are made for ISO-connectors, so there won’t be any problems. If there is no ISO-connector in your car, and car player has only this type of connection, you can buy an ISO cutoff.
There are also some models, which are connected with a help of welding. It’s not very convenient, especially if you are going to connect another player in the future.
On the back side there is an output for external antenna. Car players don’t have a built-in antenna, that’s why you’ll need this output for radio tuner.
Additional outputs
Selecting a car player pay attention to additional outputs on the back side. First of all, you may need an output for CD-changer. Necessary condition: selected car player and CD-changer should be producer by one company.
Line inputs/outputs
Line inputs/outputs are used for sound system extension. That’s why, selecting a car player, pay attention to their presence and number, especially if you are going to connect additional amplifier.
Line outputs are used for external amplifier. Signal comes to outputs from preamplifier, omitting built-in amplifier. Line output cutoffs are usually in the form of RSA “tulips”. There are also outputs that use ISO-connector, that’s why, selecting a car player, you should consider this detail.
Crossover and equalizer could also be connected to line output.
If you’ve chosen the cheapest car player, line output may be absent or there may be only one line output (for front of back speakers). It allows to control only one pair of speakers.
Car player panel
Car player panel can influence the choice of the model, mainly because its convenience and design.
Usually you are choosing between two similar by technical characteristics car players, which differ by panel. Inconvenient small buttons spoil all the impression. Producers think over the ergonomics, but the choice of a model depends only on your personal feelings – try to press the buttons. Display light, its color and brightness are also important – it can dazzle in the night. That’s why, selecting a car player with bright display light, consider the possibility to tune its intensity that can be very useful.
Car player panels are removable, to provide safety. It is recommended to check latches of removable mechanisms (there can be defects). In expensive models the panel is hidden, turning inside.
Car player equalizer
Equalizer is traditionally used for sound tuning. The number of these tunings depends on the car player model.
Car players usually have three-line equalizer, which allows to tune low, middle and high frequencies. More expensive professional models have seven-line equalizer. But selecting such car player you should have some knowledge in this sphere, otherwise equalizer will only impede.
To simplify the control there are default regimes with already tuned equalizer.
The function of tocompensation is also very useful. It heightens high and low frequencies with small volume.
Car player tuner
Every car player has FM/AM-tuner. Despite common similarity, tuners in every model have their peculiarities.
The most important for tuner is the accessibility to all the diapason of necessary frequencies. Usually the access to FM-waves in diapason from 80 to 110 MHz is quite enough. The number of memory cells differs for every model, but it’s enough.
Majority of models have digital tuner and there is a function of automatic wave search. Selecting a car player, check the tuner sensitivity. The functions of tuner sensitivity change and stereo/mono switch, affecting the signal quality, are also very useful.
RDS function can come together with tuner. This function reflects the broadcasted information. This function could have been useful, but our radio stations don’t use it.
In the shop there are a lot of various models, but you should choose among the car players by proved producers. Such companies as Sony, Pioneer, Alpine, Clarion, Kenwood, Blaupunkt specialize in car players. But to choose an appropriate car player among their wide family is not very easy. But at least you can be sure that the player will have qualitative sound and will be durable.
Have a nice purchase and good music on the road!