Choosing the right Head Unit
for your needs
The most obvious thing to look for when purchasing from new, is the
functionality of the head unit. All units will contain a radio, but many people want to be able
to play media. Ask yourself how you will listen to music. Will you need a CD player or a tape
deck? Are you planning on adding satellite radio in the future? Will you ever listen to an MP3
CD?
Do you need an auxiliary port to plug in external music sources? Decide
what capabilities you absolutely need, and what you can do without. Now you should have a basic
idea of what you are looking for.
Unless your system contains external amplifiers, the power of the
internal amp is vital. Power is measured in terms of watts, and there are generally two power
measurements for any head unit. The first measurement, peak watts, is insignificant. It is the
second measurement, RMS watts, that will determine the actual power of your
stereo.
In most cases, the powerful head units will have cleaner and louder
sound, but it is also important that the head unit does not produce more power than your
speakers can handle. If you have any questions about this, be sure to ask our highly trained
staff, because blown speakers can get expensive.
Next, consider whether you plan on making future upgrades to your system
in the future. If you plan on adding external amplifiers, ask about a head unit with pre-amp
out jacks. These will make the connection much easier when the time comes. There are varying
power levels for the pre-out jacks, ranging from 2-10 volts. Generally speaking, the higher the
voltage the cleaner the sound will be, but don’t go overboard on 8 volt pre-outs if you do not
plan on putting a high quality amp on the other end. Also, look at the number of pre-out jacks.
Two jacks means you can amplify one set of speakers, four jacks can amplify all four speakers,
and a fifth jack will allow the addition of a subwoofer. Again, be realistic; there is no point
in paying for jacks that you will not use.
One area that you should not shy away from dropping cash on are the
security features, especially if you live in an urban area. There are many different theft
deterrent devices available, the most basic of which is the removable faceplate. This will
allow you to take the faceplate with you when you leave the car, rendering the stereo useless
to potential thieves. If you are prone to losing things, a better choice might be a stealth
face, which simply turns into a black face when you turn off the car, giving the appearance
that the stereo is non-functional. In high-theft areas, consider a stereo with a built in alarm
that goes off when someone tries to remove the unit.
Whatever you do, be sure your investment is protected.
Another thing to consider when choosing a head unit is the sound
controls. Unless you have an external equalizer you will probably be using the built-in EQ
settings. You will be better able to customize the sound of your stereo if you choose a unit
with many equalizer bands. If simplicity is your thing, look for easy to use treble and bass
controls. Also, if you listen to a lot of bass-heavy rap or rock, look for a bass boost
function. Controlling the sound your stereo makes can be as simple or as complex as you want it
to be.
Before you make the final decision on your new head unit, always remember
to look at the controls. Are the buttons laid out in a logical way? It is important that you
are able to find the controls without taking your eyes off the road. Be sure that the menus and
settings are easy to find. Make sure that the buttons do not feel cheap and easily breakable.
Finally, check out the looks of the unit. The display should be big and easy to read at a
glance. Also, if you care about the fit and trim of your car, try to find a unit that will
match the interior.
Go with the unit that feels right to you. This will be the piece of your
stereo that you interact with on a daily basis. It needs to fit the specs you have decided
upon, but ultimately picking the perfect head unit comes down to personal taste. If you have to
sacrifice a bit of power to get a unit you really like, that’s fine. In the end you will be
happier with your choice.
If all this confuses you - Don't worry, just pop along to John Kleis Car
Audio and have a chat, we can provide physical demonstrations of the best units avalaible and
can explain in depth all your concerns.
After all, if you are going to purchase a new head unit, lets get it
right the first time.
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