So you have finally decided to switch out that factory tape deck and join the rest of us using CD's or you are just ready to upgrade your current CD player. This is a big decision, as many of us spend a lot of time in our cars these days.
Don't be afraid though, because picking out a CD player isn't really too hard once you know something about the features that are offered. After going to Installer Institute and becoming MECP certified I will help you figure out the different features that are offered.
Brand
A lot of people have brands that they prefer and they can't even tell you why. They may have had good luck with one in the past or heard good things about the brand. Most of the brands currently on the market are really high quality and two of the most highly respected are Alpine and Pioneer. Just be wary of anything that offers a lot of extra features for a lower price. That can be a sign of a less than superb CD player.
Wattage
A lot of people think that the wattage will directly translate into loud music that sounds great. While the watts are a big factor in this there is more to the story. Listed on the box of a CD player, there will be peak wattage and RMS wattage. Basically you can forget the peak wattage because that is how many watts it will put out in just a few seconds. The real wattage to look at is the RMS wattage, also called continuous wattage. This is what the stereo has the ability to put out over the length of the playing time. Some CD players will have higher RMS wattages than others and that can definitely mean that your stereo will be louder.
What types of discs will it play?
You may want your new stereo to be able to play CD-R or CD-RW discs. These are CDs that you have burned at home. Also you may want it to play MP3 files. With MP3's you can fit a whole lot more songs on a disc, but the sound quality might be slightly lower. These features will be very important if you make your own CDs or have an interest in doing this at a later time.
Audio Tuning Features
A lot of CD players now include equalizers and crossovers built right in. Basically an equalizer is used to adjust the levels of different frequencies within the music. This is used to emphasize or reduce the lows, mids, or highs of the music. A crossover is used to cut off certain frequencies from going to the speakers. This would be good if you have a subwoofer in the vehicle because you wouldn't need the speakers to play the low frequencies. These are great if you enjoy fine tuning the music to your liking. All CD players currently on the market include bass and treble controls.
Expandability
These features are very important in today's car audio field. Not too many people install just a CD player anymore. Lots of people are hooking up amplifiers, MP3 players, satellite radio, CD changers, Bluetooth and more.
If you are interested in hooking up any of these devices at a later date be sure that the CD player has the capabilities to add these.
Further Research
There are many other features that different CD players will include. Some will include a remote control or have a detachable face. Just make sure that you ask for help when you go to purchase a CD player at the store. The sales associates are there to answer any questions you may have. There are also great sites on the web where you can compare different CD players or look up additional information. The main thing to remember is to take your time with the purchase and ask lots of questions. Once you find one you are happy with the extra work will be well worth it.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/269754/how_to_choose_a_cd_player_for_your.html
