It's been a while since the first car stereo was introduced. As referenced by Sonic Electronix, unlike the first stereo system in 1930, which only played AM radio, car radios have come a long way and can do so much more. Here are some of the things you will want to consider before you get a car sound system for yourself.

Supported Audio Formats and Sources

Before your purchase a car sound system, you want to ensure that it will be able to play all your music, no matter the format. Nowadays, audio files come in many formats, including MP3, AAC, and WAV, among others. It can be frustrating to have an audio system that selectively plays back some music and fails to play some. Therefore, before you buy a car sound system, make sure you check the specifications to see if it supports all these file types. Apart from that, you will also want to ensure that the audio system can take audio files from various sources. Ideally, you should be able to insert a CD/DVD, play FM/AM radio, insert a USB or SD card, and pair it with mobile devices via Bluetooth. More advanced android car sound systems can even play music from the internet.

App Support and Smartphone Pairing

Smartphone integration has become a basic function nowadays. Once you get into your car, in most instances, the first thing that you will want to do is pair your smartphone with your stereo. It is important to ensure that the car sound system you get offers this functionality. Upon checking the specifications, be on the lookout for things like Apple CarPlay and Android auto. Aside from playing music from your phone, this will simplify things like answering calls and listening to voice messages. There are more advanced features like android mirroring that you can also explore.

Navigation Capabilities

Nowadays, car sound systems can do much more than just play music. For instance, you can also use your radio as a navigation device to find directions. If you find yourself lost one day, it will be a great plus if you can turn on the GPS functionality on your radio's screen and get directions. More advanced systems can even support apps like Google maps, which make it very easy for you to navigate. Apart from that, you can also benefit from features like traffic reports.

These are some of the things that you will want to check for when buying a car sound system. If you aren't sure which one is the best, take time to search the internet and compare various options. You should also check out online reviews so you can find out what other people who are using the same unit are saying about it.