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?
Budget Models
As you might expect, as price increases, so do performance, features, and flexibility. However, you should not consider any CD receiver, even a budget model (selling from $100 to $200), that does not provide a bare minimum of features:
As you might expect, as price increases, so do performance, features, and flexibility. However, you should not consider any CD receiver, even a budget model (selling from $100 to $200), that does not provide a bare minimum of features:
- CD-R/RW playback
The CD transport should play all types of CD music discs, including CD-R and CD-RW discs. That way you can play discs that you burn at home on your computer or a home CD recorder.
- Rear stereo outputs
A basic CD receiver should also provide rear stereo line outputs (with at least a 2.0-volt output). These are important because you might need them in the future to add an external power amplifier, especially to drive rear channels.
- MP3 and/or WMA digital file playback
Although rare a few years ago, more and more mid-priced models now play discs with MP3 and WMA files. This lets you play self-burned compilation discs with hours and hours of compressed music — very enjoyable on a long drive. Incidentally, if the head plays MP3/WMA files, make sure it has some kind of disc navigation system that lets you quickly find the right folder and song you are looking for.
- Power: 15 watts RMS per channel or better
The power amplifier in a basic receiver should provide about 15 watts (RMS) of power per channel (it might be quoted as 15W x 4); be aware; however, that most manufacturers use a "maximum peak power" rating, which they would list as 40 watts per channel. The new CEA-2006 compliance ratings remove the ambiguity by standardizing this measurement. All CEA compliant power ratings are listed as wattage RMS into 4 ohms with 14.4 volts and 1% total harmonic distortion plus noise or less. Might sound confusing, but by using one standard for all ratings, it's easy to compare products.
- Basic sound controls
Of course, a basic receiver should provide bass and treble tone controls, balance and fader controls, as well as CD transport controls for scan, repeat, and random playback. And, they all should provide a clock.
- Radio presets
Finally, the tuner should provide presets to keep your favorite stations handy. A tuner typically offers 18 FM and 6 AM presets.
Mid-Price Models
As you move up in price (from $200 to $350), the feature list starts growing:
As you move up in price (from $200 to $350), the feature list starts growing:
- Better faceplates and displays
For starters, mid-price models look a lot flashier than budget models. The faceplates are more impressive looking and more colorful, and often let you change illumination color to match your car's instrument panel. Many mid-price receivers are designed with a removable faceplate. Hit a button and the face falls into your hand. Slip it into your shirt pocket or purse and take it with you; anyone peering through the window contemplating a theft will see a blank panel and an inoperable head unit. Peace of mind is well worth a few extra bucks. As an additional (and modest) theft deterrent, some models sport a flashing red LED when the face is removed, just to remind the bad guys that the face is gone before they smash a window.
- Changer and satellite radio controls
Many mid-priced models are also XM and/or SIRIUS-ready. That is, they can control an optional tuner package that receives programming from one of those satellite radio providers. Initially, the manufacturers were aligned with one satellite company or the other. Today, there are adapters available to allow a Sirius-ready receiver to control an XM tuner, while Kenwood and Alpine models are compatible with both. Mid-price models can also control one or more CD changers.
- Inputs and outputs
Mid-price models also provide both front and rear line-level outputs, which provide an important upgrade path to high-power external amplifiers. In addition, the voltage output on these line-level outputs is increased to 4 or 5 volts, yielding a lower noise floor at the external amplifier input. Some models also provide separate subwoofer outputs, which are useful for driving subwoofer amplifiers. Many models also provide auxiliary line-level inputs, important if you're planning on connecting external sources like portable MP3 players. Some models list an auxiliary input which is wired into the back of the system. If you want to easily add your MP3 player or plug-n-play satellite radio, you want a front-panel aux input.
- Perks
Mid-range models usually throw in a number of other miscellaneous perks. You might find a wireless remote, essential for enjoying music playback from the back seat. Some models display the CD-Text (song titles) found on some CDs, and RDS (Radio Data Systems) text information that some stations broadcast. Some models have bass boost circuits that can be used to equalize that all-important bass response. You might see some more advanced tone controls and basic equalizers. Another crowd-pleaser is a simple spectrum analyzer that shows output music levels and their frequency. Here's a small perk that you might find very handy: a Mute button to conveniently attenuate the sound when taking an important phone call.
The High End
High-end CD receivers (selling from $350 to $600, or higher), as you might expect, add features that you may not absolutely need, but sure are nice to have. They offer everything that low- and mid-priced models offer, and more. Lots more.
High-end CD receivers (selling from $350 to $600, or higher), as you might expect, add features that you may not absolutely need, but sure are nice to have. They offer everything that low- and mid-priced models offer, and more. Lots more.
- Motorized faceplates and full-color displays
High-end models are often tricked out with motorized faceplates. Hit a button and the face slides forward to reveal the disc-loading slot. Because the face is slotless, this leaves room for a bigger display. In some cases, the displays are more entertaining than the music itself. Miniature, full-color LCD screens can dance to the music, change colors, and show different kinds of comprehensive spectrum analyses of the music. Some displays can even show animations, and your own JPEGs that you download from a disc. Some high-end models are stealthy; when the face returns to its upright and fixed position and the power is turned off, the face turns black, betraying no sign of its real function. Other models offer touch screens that are often easier to use than physical buttons, and also make it far easier to drill down into the complex menus that are used to control many of these sophisticated heads. Some players can even control and display a portable music player. The Alpine KCA-420i ($99.99) can interface between an Apple iPod and high-end Alpine players, displaying and selecting songs from the head unit's controls, and it even charges the iPod when it's plugged in.
- Sound processing controls
High-end models usually provide sophisticated DSP (Digital Signal Processing) features like parametric or graphic equalizers (make sure you have separate equalizers for the front and rear channels). Some models have automatic equalization; the head plays pink noise through the loudspeakers, and a microphone senses the signal and the head automatically equalizes itself for the flattest frequency response. You'll also likely see crossovers that let you determine which frequencies will go to which speakers. For example, you might use a high-pass filter to play high frequencies in the front channels, and a low-pass filter to play low frequencies in the rear. With onboard DSP, you will not need a separate external crossover to accomplish this.
- Digital perks
High-end models also offer other digital perks such as time delay to coordinate the arrival time of sounds from all your speakers, so they arrive at the listening position simultaneously. To help protect those assets, many of these models accept security codes. If someone removes the radio, it will not function unless the code is re-entered. That's a good feature, but only a theft deterrent if the thief knows his radios.
- More power
High-end models also offer beefed-up power amplifiers, perhaps advertising up to 30+ watts RMS per channel. That is useful to have, unless you upgrade with an external amplifier and bypass the head's power amplifiers entirely. More than likely, if you pay big bucks for a head unit, you'll also want to buy an external amplifier, as well as loudspeakers that are far better than the factory supplied ones.
- HD Radio and better AM/FM reception
Low-cost radios can be plagued by signal drop-outs caused by multipath interference; good tuners are more resistant. Low-cost radios often struggle to pull in weak stations while better radios are able to lock on and track weak signals. When presented with strong local signals, a good radio will_reproduce that signal with lower noise and distortion, and flatter frequency response. If you are a die-hard radio listener, a more expensive CD receiver might be worth the price solely because of its improved radio performance.
One of the most exciting developments in the radio broadcast industry is the roll-out of HD Radio. HD Radio uses the same programming as your local AM and FM stations — even uses the same frequencies. It is carried within the analog signal, but it broadcasts a digital signal that is less susceptible to multi-path interference, also known as picket-fence noise. Even more exciting — the broadcasts from an FM station will sound very good, almost CD-quality, and AM stations will sound similar to what you're used to hearing on analog FM radio. Static is a thing of the past. Other text information such as song title, weather data, news and traffic can displayed as well on this free radio service. That's right folks. It's free. Currently, over 400 stations in the country are licensed to broadcast HD, while only about half are currently on air with it, but the numbers are rapidly increasing. HD Radio was developed by iBiquity, and the recent switch in coding technology from PAC to AAC has really given HD Radio a very satisfactory sound quality. If the radio loses the HD signal it will automatically switch to the analog signal until it receives the HD signal again. The signal covers the same area. To really determine how well a radio will perform, you must take it out on the road; listening in a showroom won't stress its reception capabilities.
- Better CD playback
Similarly, but to a lesser extent, CD playback performance differs among head units. Good CD transports are able to track even badly scratched discs. Their playback electronics can reproduce the music signal with lower noise and distortion; however, these differences are relatively slight, and can only be heard if your vehicle's loudspeakers are truly high fidelity.
- Longer Warranty
Many of the high-end models will have an extended warranty usually adding at least a year over the standard warranty.
Shop Carefully
Whatever your buying budget, there is probably a CD receiver within $10 of your target price. Moreover, at any given price point, there will probably be several manufacturers competing for your cash. In that case, shop carefully because you are buying into a family. Any head unit will supply signals to any power amplifier, and in turn you can use any manufacturer's loudspeakers. But when it comes to electronics, compatibility is often limited to products from one manufacturer. For example, if you prefer XM radio, don't buy a SIRIUS-ready receiver , or visa-versa — an XM-ready radio will not receive the signal from SIRIUS, although some companies offer both. If you can get a deal on a Panasonic CD changer, don't buy a Kenwood head unit (they won't talk to each other). If you want to buy a Kenwood Music Keg, you'll want a Kenwood head. And so on.
DVD — the next frontier
When shopping for a CD receiver, you must also ask one important question — do you want to buy a DVD head unit instead? These heads do everything that a CD receiver will do (play back CDs, tune into radio stations, and most drive speakers) but they also play back DVD-Video discs. Many of these units also squeeze a 6- or 7-inch wide LCD screen into the 1-DIN chassis. Touch the button, and the motorized screen slides out and lifts to its viewing position. Park the car, load in 2 Fast, 2 Furious, and enjoy the spectacle. As with CD receivers, DVD receivers come in a range of prices (all are more expensive than CD receivers) and require their own set of shopping criteria.
A sound investment
Whichever kind of head you choose, you can rest assured that it will probably be a sound investment. Whether you are commuting to work, or driving cross-country, a good disc player and radio will be an essential companion. You'll probably access that head unit's faceplate more than any other non-driving control system in the vehicle. That's why shopping for a CD receiver deserves some consideration and product research. Happy shopping and happy driving!
Whatever your buying budget, there is probably a CD receiver within $10 of your target price. Moreover, at any given price point, there will probably be several manufacturers competing for your cash. In that case, shop carefully because you are buying into a family. Any head unit will supply signals to any power amplifier, and in turn you can use any manufacturer's loudspeakers. But when it comes to electronics, compatibility is often limited to products from one manufacturer. For example, if you prefer XM radio, don't buy a SIRIUS-ready receiver , or visa-versa — an XM-ready radio will not receive the signal from SIRIUS, although some companies offer both. If you can get a deal on a Panasonic CD changer, don't buy a Kenwood head unit (they won't talk to each other). If you want to buy a Kenwood Music Keg, you'll want a Kenwood head. And so on.
DVD — the next frontier
When shopping for a CD receiver, you must also ask one important question — do you want to buy a DVD head unit instead? These heads do everything that a CD receiver will do (play back CDs, tune into radio stations, and most drive speakers) but they also play back DVD-Video discs. Many of these units also squeeze a 6- or 7-inch wide LCD screen into the 1-DIN chassis. Touch the button, and the motorized screen slides out and lifts to its viewing position. Park the car, load in 2 Fast, 2 Furious, and enjoy the spectacle. As with CD receivers, DVD receivers come in a range of prices (all are more expensive than CD receivers) and require their own set of shopping criteria.
A sound investment
Whichever kind of head you choose, you can rest assured that it will probably be a sound investment. Whether you are commuting to work, or driving cross-country, a good disc player and radio will be an essential companion. You'll probably access that head unit's faceplate more than any other non-driving control system in the vehicle. That's why shopping for a CD receiver deserves some consideration and product research. Happy shopping and happy driving!