Thinking of upgrading your car sound system? This might seem like an insignificant component of your car, but it serves a cosmic purpose. According to Edison Research, over 50% of all Americans above the age of 13 years report listening to the radio in their vehicles on any day. So how do you select the right car radio? Here are some tips to consider.
Audio Sources for the Car Stereo
One of the first things you should check before buying a car stereo is whether it supports a variety of playback formats. Audio files come encoded in different formats, and this decides the quality of the audio file. The most common formats include MP3 and AAC. While these offer conventional quality, you should also look into other formats like WAV, WAV, and FLAC. These offer better sound quality and high resolution. Therefore, you need to ensure that your car stereo supports a wide range of audio formats from a variety of sources, including smartphones, AUX, Bluetooth, and USB, among others.
A Device, App, and Smartphone Integration
Most people want a car stereo that can be integrated with their handheld device. This will allow you to interact with your phone as you are driving without holding the actual phone. For instance, you can answer calls through your stereo if it's fully integrated with your phone. So you need to check if the stereo you are planning to buy has this feature. One of the biggest trends lately is integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This will give you better integration and a seamless and safer driving experience.
GPS Navigation
This is another very important feature that should be on your car stereo. A stereo system that comes with a GPS system allows you to focus on driving whenever you are in an area you are not familiar with. That way, you won't have to stop at every corner and ask for directions. A lot of after-market stereo options come with this feature. Even if yours doesn't, as long as it can fully integrate with your smartphone, you can use your cellphone's GPS on your sound system.
These are some things you need to think about when you are planning to buy a car stereo. It's important to take your time and ensure that you select the best option for your needs. Get in touch with us today for help to find the right car stereo for your vehicle.