Creative I-Trigue L3800 Multimedia Speaker System
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Car Stereo Buying Guide
These days, most car stereo systems are easy to use, but they’re not that easy to buy if you haven’t done your homework ahead of time. You’ll need to make well-informed decisions about which components to install and figure out how to fit them in your car. You can opt to completely replace your existing car stereo by installing an array of new components, or you can keep most of what you already have and simply replace the one or two specific pieces of equipment that are no longer up to par. Pronto’s Car Stereo Buying Guide will help you find better mobile sound, whether you’re building a system from scratch or just upgrading your components.
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the five
What are the five key points I need to look at?
Car stereo components
A car stereo system consists of a head unit that controls everything and includes a built-in radio tuner and amplifier. Additional car stereo components include high-power amplifiers, CD changers and subwoofers or high-performance speakers.
Hunting a head unit
Look for a car-stereo head unit with large, easy-to-reach buttons and a display that won’t get washed out in bright sunlight. Car stereos with CD players are preferable to nearly obsolete cassette decks, and you should look for HD tuners that give you access to additional digital radio stations for free. If you have a satellite radio subscription, look for a car stereo with a removable receiver so you can take your satellite service home or to the office.
Car stereo media
High-capacity CD changers can be mounted in your trunk or under the front seat. Make sure your car stereo’s head unit can control an attached CD changer, or choose an in-dash car stereo that holds and plays several MP3 or WMA CDs. USB inputs or SD readers can play music on portable storage devices.
Speakers
Tweeters provide high tones, woofers provide low tones and midrange speakers handle the sounds in between. These speakers should be mounted in the front and rear corners of your car’s interior. Optional subwoofers deliver thumping bass and can be mounted anywhere in your car.
Amplifiers
Choose an additional amplifier if you need a car stereo with nightclub-level sound and be sure to match speakers carefully to your amp’s wattage to avoid blowing them out.
pronto pick
What product do we recommend?
We like the Pioneer KEH-P2030 Cassette Player, for those who still love having cassettes in their cars. You won’t sacrifice a single modern convenience, thanks to this car stereo’s XM Satellite Radio compatibility and CD changer controls. With 40 watts per channel and bass boost features, you’ll get that window-rattling sound, and the compact size of this car stereo makes it easy to install in most vehicles.
experts say
CNET—“The Dual XDMA6700 is a competitively priced car stereo with respectable support for digital audio sources and a great optional Bluetooth calling interface.” Source: Cnet
Crutchfield—“[The Pioneer KEH-P2030] can control the optional GEX-P900XM or GEX-FM903XM XM Satellite Radio tuners (sold separately)… XM Satellite Radio programming features up to 100 channels of digital-quality music, news, talk, sports, entertainment, and children's programming.” Source: Crutchfield Advisor
Car Audio and Electronics—“The Alpine PLV-7 sub-woofer system was designed specifically for use in an SUV, station wagon, minivan or similarly styled vehicles.” Source: Caraudiomag.com
hot buzz
What's the latest in the world of car stereos?
The iPhone of car stereos? Pioneer’s much-anticipated AVIC-Z1 puts you in control of the music and the road with a 7-inch touchscreen control that features an intuitive Windows Automotive interface. XM compatibility delivers music as well as live traffic and GPS navigation that adapts for any variations from the recommended route. Its 30GB hard drive not only stores your favorite songs, it automatically syncs contact information with a Bluetooth-compatible cell phone.
Wallet Impact
What can I expect in my price range?
| Price | Description | Good Pick (see all Car Stereos) |
| $ | In the budget range, you’ll find car stereos equipped with in-dash AM/FM radio, CD or cassette players and 50-watt, four-channel speaker systems. Frequency response can be lacking, so compare the specs carefully. Look for MP3 playback and ports for USB or other removable media. | |
| $$ | Mid-priced car stereos offer better frequency response, more wattage per channel and extras such as multi-color LCD screens, equalizers, illuminated operation keys and wireless remotes. Look for satellite radio compatibility and car stereos with built-in cassette and CD decks. |
Compare prices at 8 stores $101 - $290 |
| $$$ | High-end car stereos offer HD radio support, a full line of media inputs for CDs, MP3 players and removable media as well as extras such as GPS navigators and Bluetooth wireless connectivity. Some of these car stereos have built-in hard drives that let you store your music and access it with simple voice commands. |
Buy now at 
$249.99 |
shop talk
What are the terms and definitions I need to know about?
Amplifier
A device that electronically enhances sound, making it louder. Most car stereos have built-in amplifiers, or you can install a separate amplifier for high-powered performance.
Equalizer
Sometimes called a graphic equalizer, this device allows you to adjust the volume level of specific frequency ranges as they are played back, giving you the ability to shape sound to enhance bass, midrange, or high tones.
Frequency Response
A measurement of a car stereo’s ability to reproduce sound, measured in Hertz (Hz). The human ear can hear sounds from 20Hz at the low end to 20,000Hz at the high end. A car stereo with a wider frequency response produces a fuller sound.
Head Unit
The heart of a car stereo, this device includes the tuner, a cassette or CD deck, an amplifier and controls.
Subwoofer
An optional fifth speaker in a car stereo that produces exceptionally low tones below 100Hz. Subwoofers can be mounted anywhere in a car, because the human ear has trouble locating the source of low-frequency sound.
Wattage
A measurement of the power that an amplifier or head unit sends out to the speakers. It’s important to make sure that car stereo speakers can handle the power from an amplifier so they don’t blow out.
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