A vast array of styles, features, performance, and price
When Henry Ford first sold the Model T, his salesmen proudly noted that you could buy a Model T in any color, as long as it was black. In the early days, pretty much the same was true of mobile CD receivers. They were all very similar, with similar features, performance, and price. Today, however, CD receivers come in a vast array of styles, have great differences in features and performance, and are priced anywhere from cheap to very expensive. In fact, the diversity can be overwhelming; more than a few potential buyers shrink back from the plethora of choices, and buy absolutely nothing. For example, should you buy the Kenwood KDC-205 for $109.99, the KDC-MP425 for $189.99, or the KDC-MP925 for $449.99? If they all basically do the same thing, why the big price differences? And those are only three of the over nineteen CD receivers that Kenwood offers, and they are a drop in the bucket compared to all the models from all the other manufacturers. Can this situation be clarified a little? You bet.

What is an in-dash CD receiver?
A CD receiver is a "head unit" (or more traditionally known as your "car stereo") that fits into your car's dashboard. Most of them are "1-DIN" sized, which means they will fit in most car dashboards. Moreover, they are all designed to operate on a car's 12-volt electrical system and to connect to the car's radio antenna. All CD receivers will play CD music discs and also provide an AM/FM radio, and most feature power amplifiers to drive front and rear stereo speakers. In other words, if you install a CD receiver, connect it to an antenna, power, ground, and some speakers, you can play CDs and listen to the radio. That's not bad, considering that some models start at $100 or so. If a low-end model covers all those bases, why would anyone consider paying $200, or $300, or up to $500 or more?