Car Head Units
The first component in the music chain is the head unit, often referred to simply as the radio though the head unit does much more than just tune stations. The source you choose for your system depends on your budget and your current collection of music. There are two main categories of source units available. These are cassette players and compact disc or CD receivers.
Cassette receivers offer poor to good sound for the range of most players available. Cassettes also offer more durability than compact discs. Budget constraints and a large collection of cassettes are the main reasons for choosing this type of source unit. Of course with cassettes being such an old technology you will probably not find many choices now or in the future. You can search for used models if you really need a high quality cassette player.
Compact disc receivers are available in the price range from less than one hundred dollars to more than two thousand for extreme high-end units. Many companies offer CD receivers and quality ranges from good to excellent depending on craftsmanship and components used in the manufacture. Compact discs offer a higher quality sound than is available from cassettes but are prone to scratching and skipping if not cared for properly.
The first decision to make when choosing a source unit is whether or not to replace the factory head unit. The quality of original equipment manufacturer (OEM, those that come with your vehicle from the factory) head units has increased to the point where, if features are ignored, the unit will be acceptable for most listener's tastes. If the automobile is lacking an adequate deck or if the automobile is not a recent model, a replacement deck is needed. Keep in mind that factory decks are usually easier to use with larger and fewer buttons and of course look like they belong in the dash (because they do). Also, a CD changer can be added to a factory deck (or deck lacking CD changer controls) through the FM antenna using what is known as a modulator.
Your factory head may also have inputs and controls for a CD changer which was not installed at the time of purchase. These head units can either have a factory CD changer added later or certain aftermarket changers added with special adapters available through a few select companies such as PIE (Perfect Interface Electronics), Blitzsafe and others. Typically it will be cheaper to have an aftermarket changer installed with an adapter than to buy a factory unit. The advantage over an FM modulated changer will be higher sound quality and one less controller in the dash. Factory units may also have controls built into the steering wheel which can be difficult to replicate with an aftermarket head unit. However PAC makes a few units that can rememedy this for many models.
Also some cars have additional functions built into the head unit that are not audio related that can prohibit the removal of the factory deck. In this case an educated installer can relocate the factory head unit to retain these features while still adding a factory head unit. Over time aftermarket adapters are often created that mimic these functions so radio relocation is not necessary.
Manufacturers do not want aftermarket head units in their cars because this cuts into their profits on premium sound systems they want to sell. These additional functions built into the radio are part of this plan. They have also changed the size of head units from the standard DIN (single height head unit) to 1 ½ DIN, double DIN, oval shaped, and split units such as the older GM pickups with the radio controls near the steering column and the tape/CD/equalizer in the middle dash. These days they come up with all kinds of crazy sizes that can be tough to work around. Manufacturers such as Metra and Scosche offer dash kits that will facilitate the addition of standard DIN radios in these vehicles. Some aftermarket head unit manufacturers, such as Pioneer, also offer non-standard size units to fit the more popular vehicles with 1 ½ and double DIN.
If you have a classic automobile with a vintage radio shaft pattern and do not wish to cut into the dash to install a DIN unit you should contact a specialty radio manufacturer such as Custom Autosound or Absolute Classics that supplies these style radios.
If you decide you are able and desire to use an aftermarket head unit then the next step is to decide if you want a tape or CD unit. If you have an extensive tape collection you may choose to buy an in dash cassette player. You should also decide if you will wish to add a CD changer in the future. If you do then you will want to purchase a unit with built in CD changer controls. If you do not purchase this type of cassette player then your only choice for an add on CD changer will be an FM modulated unit with a separate control panel and lower sound quality (due to the interface type).
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You may also be interested in How to Install Your Own Car Stereo System . It covers many topics including in depth car stereo head unit installation. Click here. |
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