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When the stereo in John Rice's Volkswagen Jetta broke a few weeks ago, he decided it was time for an upgrade. Rice commutes from Shoreline to Redmond, and he wanted the ability to make calls and play podcasts during the hour-long drive.
"I had in mind that I wanted a Bluetooth," he says. "I knew the law had just passed (banning cellphone use while driving), and I didn't want to get pulled over."
Stereos like the Alpine INA-W900 are all-in-one systems with large displays and touch-screen navigation. (Jeff Layton)
Now, when Rice gets an incoming call, the music on his new Kenwood stereo mutes and his hands-free Bluetooth works directly through his stereo.
Car stereos are no longer about just the radio, explains Kyle Brehm, commercial district manager at Car Toys of Seattle. The new-generation stereos hitting stores this summer are loaded with some exciting technology. Here are some of the latest trends.
All about the iPod
Interfacing with iPods is the No. 1 request from stereo buyers, says Brehm. "Ninety percent of our customers come in and say, 'How can I play an iPod in my car?' "
Stereo makers have responded by making it easy to run Apple devices while driving.
Smartphone apps offer a new universe of music beyond the AM/FM dial
- Rather than being shackled to the same old hits from local radio stations, drivers can more readily -- and more safely -- customize their music with new Internet-based technologies. Ford's new Sync system integrates streaming Internet music services, like Pandora, directly into vehicles. These types of systems may make traditional radio a thing of the past.
- Read more about these systems and Pandora-ready stereos.
The Kenwood KIV-BT900 was designed with the iPod in mind. It has a spinning jog dial, like an iPod's, and the controls are on the stereo's faceplate so you don't have to look down at your iPod.
The new Sony DSX-S100 goes one step further with a feature called a TuneTray. The iPod is sucked into the stereo (like putting a tape in a VCR), which eliminates the clutter of cords and loose devices.
No more CDs
One of the biggest changes in car stereos has been the elimination of CD players. Most new-generation decks have no moving parts and are completely "mechless" -- without a CD mechanism.
Mechless stereos are cheaper to produce, which helps explain why stereos have dropped dramatically in price, says Brehm. Four or five years ago, an average deck with a radio and CD player cost around $800. Today's decks cost about $400, including installation.
Don't forget the amp
- Of a stereo's three components (deck, amplifier and speakers), the amplifier is the most important, says Brehm. A good amp keeps loud music from becoming distorted, he says.
- While the physics of amplifiers haven't changed much in 60 years, their size has shrunk from 2-foot boxes to sleek 10-inch packages. Modern amps can be hidden in interior door panels or under seats, rather than taking up space in the trunk, Brehm says.
All-in-one systems
Large navigation systems are replacing stereos altogether. "The coolest devices to hit the market have navigation systems, Bluetooth, iPod control, backup camera, AM/FM stereo, HD radio, satellite radio and auxiliary input," says Brehm.
Touch-screen navigation systems -- such as the Pioneer AVIC-Z120BT, Pioneer AVIC-X920BT and Alpine INA-W900 -- cost more than $1,000 but eliminate the clutter of multiple cords and devices in your car.
Some midprice stereos allow buyers to build their own systems by adding the features they want. For instance, buyers may opt for HD radio but not satellite radio, which requires a subscription, says Brehm.
Bigger screens
No longer is text on a faceplate limited to just a single line. Full-color screens are now the norm on new decks such as the Alpine iXA-W404 and Sony XAV-60. The additional space makes scrolling through playlists easier and allows enough room to display album art.
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