Best Car Stereo To Buy In 2024- Buying Guide

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We couldn’t think of a touchscreen more deserving of this honor than the Kenwood DNX997XR. Best Car Stereo To Buy In 2024

This unit replaces the DNX996XR (which won last year’s top honors) and some mentionable improvements to the new model would be wired mirroring for your iPhone, four camera inputs, and support for Kenwood’s new high-definition backup camera, the CMOS-740HD.

The DNX997XR still has the built-in Garmin navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, HD Radio, three sets of 5-volt pre-amp outputs for additional external amplification, and a whole lot more.

Literally, a WHOLE. LOT. MORE. Like what?

How does an extensive sound tuning suite suit you? Or perhaps the touchscreen’s ability to read high-resolution music and help reproduce it in stunning clarity? Not quite sold yet?

You also get three years of free Garmin map updates. Yup, we thought that might intrigue you!

To quickly circle back to a couple of features we rattled off. We wanted to let you know a little bit more about the wildly popular Apple CarPlay and Android Auto conveniences that a lot of folks are looking for nowadays.

These software platforms connect your iPhone or Android either wired or wirelessly (phone-specific) to this Kenwood and allow you to use the on-board navigation apps. (think Apple Maps, Google Maps, or Waze).

To get you to your destination, control music streaming apps (Spotify, Tidal, Pandora, Apple Music, and more), and also allow you to connect with friends and family via text/phone through Siri/Google Assistant.

What are you waiting for? Click the “Add to Cart” button and let’s get you started down the path to audio zen. (Don’t need built-in Garmin navigation? Check out Kenwood’s DDX9907XR model).

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The Sony XAVAX1000 Apple CarPlay touchscreen could be a wonderful replacement option for your vehicle if you’re looking primarily for Apple CarPlay functionality (if you’re an Android user, check out Sony’s XAVAX5000 model). Best Car Stereo To Buy In 2024

Once you plug your iPhone into the front USB input, you’ll get Apple’s slick user interface popping up on the 6.2” touchscreen for your pleasure.

Through this interface, you’ll be in control of Apple Maps, Google Maps, or Waze for your navigation purposes. Directions will play through your existing speaker system, so you’ll always know when a turn is approaching.

Need to chat with someone or safely exchange a few texts? No problem – CarPlay has you covered here, too.

The Sony is equipped with an outboard microphone for your voice while your caller’s voice will play through your vehicle’s speakers. For the music lovers, you can pull up your favorite playlists in Spotify, Pandora, Tidal, Apple Music, and more right through the touchscreen.

The XAVAX1000 is a really neat option to help get you the Apple CarPlay convenience that your current car may not support. When your iPhone isn’t plugged in, you can still listen to AM/FM or stream music via the built-in Bluetooth (it will handle phone calls, too!).

Add a SiriusXM tuner kit and set up the subscription to enjoy coast-to-coast digital music. That’s a whole lotta stuff for not too much, huh?

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Much like the Sony XAVAX5000’s smaller brother (the XAVAX1000), it offers tremendous value to those looking for an inexpensive. But reliable and easy-to-use, touchscreen that features some smartphone connectivity. Best Car Stereo To Buy In 2024

The XAVAX5000 offers both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but for the sake of this write up, we will be focusing on the Android Auto aspect of things.

Once your Android is plugged into the USB input that’s wired into the rear of the Sony, Android Auto is available for use through the 6.95” display.

This nifty interface offers two mapping platforms for navigation needs: Google Maps and Waze (assuming they are on your Android to begin with).

Operate music streaming apps such as Pandora, Spotify, Tidal, Amazon Music, and more through the touchscreen or via voice.

Phone calls and texts are also controlled through the Android Auto software to ensure a safe and uneventful journey. The Google Assistant is accessible either through your voice or an icon on the Sony’s touchscreen, too!

While the XAVAX5000 may not have a CD player, that doesn’t seem to bother folks too much nowadays. Our smartphones have become an integral part of how we operate, so this Sony can help streamline your life even more!

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Kenwood’s DMX957XR may not feature a CD player, but who cares? Why go scrounging around for a CD when your smartphone is probably close to hand anyway?

With Apple CarPlay for iPhone users and Android Auto for Android users built into the touchscreen, CDs have almost certainly gone the way of the dodo bird.

These two pieces of software allow you to connect your iPhone/Android via USB (or wirelessly for select devices) and pull navigation software like:

• Apple Maps,
• Google Maps, or
• Waze for use,

Control music playlists in:

• Spotify,
• Pandora,
• Tidal, and more, and handle incoming/outgoing phone calls or text messages via voice, and these even more that can be done, but I only have so much room to work with here. Cool, huh?

When you’re not enjoying the benefits of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The DMX957XR features HD Radio for local digital broadcasts.

Bluetooth for hands-free calling and audio streaming. And a USB input that accepts all sorts of music file formats such as MP3, WMA, AAC, FLAC, DSD, etc.

When it comes to adding additional amplifiers for speakers and/or subwoofers. This Kenwood has three pairs of 5-volt pre-amp outputs for a strong, clean audio signal to those amps.

Trust us: you’re going to love the easy-to-use interface and superb sound quality that the DMX957XR presents to you!

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Take one look at Sony’s XAV-AX8000 9” over-sized touchscreen and you can see how cool the thing is!

The chassis that sits in your vehicle’s dash is actually single-DIN sizing (about 2” tall and 7” wide). So it can fit into older vehicles whose dashes don’t support the larger-chassis touchscreens.

Once the Sony is installed. It looks like a tablet that appears to be hovering over the dash. It’s really impressive! While it does have a built-in AM/FM tuner, SiriusXM support (with optional tuner and subscription).

And Bluetooth for hands-free calling and audio streaming. What takes the cake with the particular touchscreen is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

These pieces of software that are pre-loaded into the XAVAX8000 unit allow your iPhone or Android to plug into it through the supplied USB input and control/display of popular navigation apps.

(think Apple Maps, Google Maps, and Waze). Access your tunes on Spotify, Pandora, Tidal, Apple Music, and more, and also control phone calls and texts messages through voice prompts.

If you’re hoping to use the XAVAX8000 as the cornerstone of a new sound system for your vehicle.

Rest assured that external amplifiers are supported and the Sony boasts 5-volt 5-channel pre-amp outputs (front, rear, and one subwoofer outputs) that guarantees a strong, clean signal to your amp(s).

Assume you’re looking to upgrade an older vehicle with the latest in features, the Sony XAVAX8000 could be the perfect fit for you!

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We love Sony’s DSX-GS80 not only because the price is quite reasonable, but also because it is LOADED with popular conveniences. Best Car Stereo To Buy In 2023

Do you have an iPod, iPhone, or USB thumb drive packed with your favorite tunes that you want to plug into this Sony and listen to?

Or maybe you want to make hands-free calls or stream music from your smartphone? Looking at adding amplifiers to enhance sound quality? Guess what? The Sony can do all of this and more!

The slick, easy-to-use interface makes operation a breeze and when you’re really feeling the music and want to kick it up a notch. Press the “Extra Bass” button for an additional kick from your speakers.

If you love listening to SiriusXM’s channel lineup, add the optional SiriusXM tuner and you get control right through the Sony’s onboard controls.

Sony even included a wireless remote so the kids (or grownups) in the back can control the tunes (assuming you’ll let them do that!).

Best of all, the DSX-GS80 comes with an industry-leading 3-year warranty so you can have some peace-of-mind and enjoy what really matters: the music.

Other highlights: This Sony plays a wide range of music file formats such as MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV, and FLAC.

The built-in auxiliary input allows you to connect any device with a headphone output on it, too! The Class D amplifier Sony used in the DSX-GS80 produces a massive 45 watts per channel continuously which can rival that of dedicated amplifiers.

You can even dedicate one of the rear speaker outputs for a small 2-ohm subwoofer. Negating the need for an outboard amplifier!

One More Thing ……  Best Car Stereo To Buy In 2024

Once you pick out your car stereo, a last word of advice: buy it from a trusted dealer, and the more experience / the longer the track record, the better.

A good dealer will take care of you in the event anything happens. And if you still can’t decide, talk to us. We’ve been doing car stereo going on 40 years, and we can help.

We’ll ask you: what kind of music do you like, what are your favorite bands and artists, and how loud do you like your music?

From there, we want to know all about your car, what you’d like to spend, and so on. We’ll get you there. The Best Car Stereo To Buy In 2024