Most factory installed car stereos offer mediocre audio output but is definitely inadequate for an audiophile or audio enthusiast who wants crisp highs, low bass and plenty of features.
Aftermarket car stereos have come a long way from the days of 8-track tape decks. These days car audio manufacturers are packing in more audio, security and visual features into their car radio head units than ever before.
The first step in choosing a car stereo is to determine which features you want. Car stereo features you should consider before choosing a car radio are Apple iPod connectivity, auxiliary input, Bluetooth connectivity, built-in equalizers, burned CD readability, digital sound processing, digital tuner, DVD playback,
GPS navigation, MP3 readability, USB key connectivity, removable faceplate for security and more.
Once you’ve determined which features are important to you, the next step is to figure out how much money you want to spend on your after market car stereo. Aftermarket head units can cost anywhere from $50 to $2000 depending on the features that are built in.
Once you’ve set a budget, you’re ready to choose an aftermarket car stereo that is within your budget and offers the features you want in the din size your vehicle requires. Our advice is to choose an after market car radio from a well known, quality car audio manufacturer like:
| Alpine Car Stereo | Eclipse Car Stereo | Panasonic Car Stereo |
| Boss Car Stereo | JVC Car Stereo | Pioneer Car Stereo |
| Clarion Car Stereo | Kenwood Car Stereo | Sony Car Stereo |
After you purchase your aftermarket car stereo, the next step is to remove your factory car stereo, prep your vehicle wiring and start your car stereo installation.