There are a lot of people who are basically very happy with their car radio systems, never really giving it a second thought. But if you are one of those people who does not like how flat your CD sounds on your car stereo compared to how great it sounds on your home stereo system, then it’s time to replace the car radio system your car came with from the manufacturer with something better from the aftermarket.

Normally your car’s radio system consists of a car stereo and speakers. And, in most cases, if you just replace the speakers, the music your aftermarket car radio can play will be much better.  Removing car radio systems from the dash of your car is usually a simple job – your car stereo should just pop out with the use of some basic tools; however, in some vehicles you will need to remove a section of  your dashboard.

The industry standard size for car radio systems is measured in DINs (DIN-size), and the majority of cars will have a 2 inch tall stereo (standard DIN). Some car-makers install car radio systems that are 3 inch tall (aka DIN and a half), such as GM and Chrysler, and many more are equipping their vehicles with 4-inch-tall car stereos (aka double-DIN). If you have bought a standard DIN aftermarket car radio and your car originally had a 3-inch or 4-inch tall receiver, in this case you can buy a mounting kit that would allow you to install a standard DIN size car stereo into your larger dashboard opening.

Most people won’t even bother buying a new car radio system even though they are totally dissatisfied with the one they currently have because they don’t want to go through the trouble of removing the old stereo and mounting a new one. But installing a new car stereo is not all that difficult. You can always buy harnesses specific to your car to connect your new car radio system to the factory wiring. If you don’t think you can do it yourself, ask your car-savvy friends to help you out with the installation process. The aftermarket car radio systems always come with detailed instructions, so you might be actually very surprised how easy the mounting of the new stereo can be.

So, what exactly are the advantages of aftermarket car radio systems over your average factory car audio:

-better bass response and cleaner sound; in other words more power at a lower level volume;

-better AM/FM stereo, less drift, and more stations;

-better EQ for tone controls to get exactly the sound you want;

-added entertainment choices, like SAT radio, HD radio, iPod control, aux inputs, CD changer control, adapter cables and many others.

Before we look into the best car radio systems brands available on the market, let’s consider some important factors that may affect your decision to buy one of the aftermarket car radio systems:

1. Decide how much money you are prepared to spend, in other words, your budget. Some people may consider, for instance, replacing their vehicle’s front speakers or adding a sub-woofer to the existing car deck first and then buy a new car stereo.

2. Put down on paper all the things that you don’t like about your car stereo. That way you would know exactly what you are looking for in your new car radio system.

3. If you really like a lot of volume consider buying a separate amplifier to power the new speakers – that, I promise, you will not regret.

Be a smart consumer – always buy a reputable car stereo brand from a manufacturer who guarantees satisfaction.

Now, let’s have a look at the Car Radio Systems Brands.

Pioneer

#1. Pioneer

Info: This is one of the most famous brands in car stereos that creates car decks to make your driving experience as pleasurable as possible, with the high quality stereo systems that are easy to use. Pioneer guarantees seamless connectivity, focuses on developing new digital technologies including SAT radio, navigation system, and audio/video features, maintaining at the same time its strong roots in car products designed for car stereo enthusiasts around the world. --Many of its car radio systems offer such features as •detachable face• three-band EQ• built-in aux input• Supertuner IIID AM/FM tuner• iPod connectivity• MP3/WMA/ and DC-R/RW playback and dual color illumination• --Click the image to explore all models from Pioneer--

JVC

#2. JVC

Info: JVC USA is a subsidiary of Victor Company of Japan Ltd, a leading manufacturer of sophisticated video and audio products that are trusted by consumers all over the world. The Company is famous for its superior technology that delivers high quality images and sound. In addition to car stereos, the JVC also offers portable audio products, DVD players and recorders, home theatre system, digital storage devices, and much more. JVC's car radio systems are of superior quality too, featuring •HD radio that produces exceptionally high quality low noise sound without any distortion• crystal clear reception. In addition you will find such features as •iTune tagging• separated variable color to help you create your own color scheme• CD and USB audio• iPod/iPhone USB connection• aux input• optional SAT radio• Bluetooth ready• --Click the image to explore all models from JVC--

Sony

#3. Sony

Info: Sony does not really need an introduction. Electronic products from this manufacturer are very well-known and received in the world. Here's what you can find in your average Sony car radio system: •front aux input for portable devices •HD and/or SAT radio •wireless card remote •front and rear Sub switchable pre-amp output with LPF/HPF for overall better sound •iPod adapter support •detachable face and much more, depending on the model. --Click the image to explore all car stereos from Sony--

Boss

#4. Boss

Info: Boss Audio Systems is headquartered in Oxnard, California, and is one of the top 5 producers of amplifiers in the world. They build their audio products using only the latest technology available in signal processors, loudspeakers, power amplifiers, head units, and mobile videos. --Their car radio systems have various combinations of features giving consumers a choice within several price levels. An average Boss car stereo will play many different disc formats, including VCDs, CDs, and DVDs. As well, you will enjoy •MP3/MP4/WMA digital files• full ID3 tag display of track/artist information• EQ controls, USB and SD connections• rear-view camera input•aux input along with AM/FM radio• and more. Some models include 3.2" widescreen TFT monitor. --Click the image to explore all car stereos from Boss--

Kenwood

#5. Kenwood

Info: This is Another Manufacturer from Japan with headquarters in the USA (Suwanee, GA). Kenwood USA has a formidable reputation in the consumer electronics market, pioneering such innovations as audio/video amplifier for home theatre, anti-theft detachable faceplate, automatic noise reduction and many others. Kenwood's devotion to quality created a lot of demand along with credibility for the professional car radio systems that quickly became the top choice for millions of consumers around the world. Kenwood's car stereos offer many innovative features, including •intuitive iPod operation• advanced search functions• iPod/iPhone Video & Music playback• "hands on" mode to control the music from the iPod instead of the receiver• USB hub ready• USB Transfer/Built-in Internal memory• music editor lite• bluetooth in-car entertainment• variable illumination• and many others. --Click the image to explore all car audio systems from Kenwood--

Supersonic

#6. Supersonic

Info: Supersonic has been a leader in Consumer Mobile Electronics for over 30 years. The company specializes in manufacturing mobile audio/video systems, camcorders/digital cameras, boomboxes, MP3 audio speakers and accessories, MP3/MP4 players, MID units and speakers, portable DVD players, and LED and LCD TVs. --Supersonics, car radio systems offer may features including but not limited to •remote control• preset EQ• Vol/ Bass/ Treble/ Balance/ Fader ) Control• Clock Function & Display (DISP) • Automatic Memory Preset Store Function• 30 Preset Stations 12AM/18FM• Station Seek• MP3/CDR/RW Playback with ID Song Tag & ESP• --Click the image to explore all car radio systems from Supersonic--

Naxa

#7. Naxa

Info: Naxa Electronics, Inc, headquartered in Vernon California, develops the finest quality audio and video consumer electronics using only the latest technological innovations. In addition to car radio systems, Naxa's existing line of products include: personal portable stereos, portable stereos, TVs, VCD players, DVD players, MP3 CD players, MP3 players, portable CD stereos, personal CD players. --Among their car audio systems you will find •basic car stereos• ETR car audio MP3/CD Players• ETR car audio with multimedia players• ETR car audio with multimedia players and digital or analogue TV Tuner• Bluetooth ETR ca audio with MP3CD players• made for iPod and iPhone Car audio with MP3/CD players• --Click the image to explore all car stereos from Naxa--

Dual Electronics

#8. Dual Electronics

Info: Dual Electronics was founded in 2003 and is a subsidiary of the Namsung Corporation located in Seoul, S. Korea. The Company specializes in competitively-priced, feature-rich, high-quality electronics such as iPod/iPhone accessories and applications, navigation systems, home speakers, auto and marine speakers, auto and marine head units. --Their best car radio systems offer car stereos packed with features such as •station presets• selectable EQ curves• matrix type liquid crystal displays• one-touch memory• high speed audible track search• and many more. --Click the image to explore all car audio systems from Dual Electronics--

Sirius

#9. Sirius

Info: Sarius XM Radio Inc. is the premier satellite company of America. It broadcasts to more than 20 million subscribers nationwide, offering more than 135 channels of weather, traffic, entertainment, talk, news, sports, and commercial free music. Sirius has made arrangements with every major carmaker for installation of satellite radios in their cars. --Sirius also offers car stereos under their own brand name, with such features as •easy-to-read blue display• push button navigation• universal docking capability for moving the radio between audio systems and docking kits• 10 presets• FM transmitter or stereo output• jump button• and push-button navigation• --Click the image to explore all car radio systems from Sirius--

Pyle

#10. Pyle

Info: Founded in the 1960s, Pyle has quickly become one of the leading producers of high-quality car stereo systems and advanced woofers. Pyle's reputation grew significantly as more customers around the US have recognized their products and their original speakers have become a well-known brand name. Their best car radio systems boast such features as •mute function• folder up/down• 10 songs skip up/10 songs skip down• last track memory• front aux input• rotary tuning• tone control• ID3 tag function• LCD multi-color digital display• built-in USB/SD ports• semi-detachable faceplate •AM/FM 2-band radio• --Click the image to explore all car radio systems from Pyle--

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