TOP-5 car radios 1 DIN

Sony DSX-A35U

One of the simplest and lightest radio tape recorders will open the review. The device is devoid of a disk drive, which reduces the cost of the device, but instead it plays content directly from external USB media without any difficulties. And this is very convenient, since a huge amount of music in MP-3/WMA/AAC format can be placed on a 32 GB USB flash drive connected to the USB port next to the removable front panel.

The adjacent AUX input, which has already become the norm in modern low-cost models, also allows you to connect MP3 players, iPhone, iPod, etc. If the user does not use these two connectors (USB and AUX), they can always be closed with a tinted cap. FM receiver with RDS function and memory for 12 stations receives medium MW and short SW waves.

The radio can be classified as an entry-level solution, it is designed primarily for buyers who will use only the built-in 4x55 W power amplifier. But the manufacturer still provides a pair of line outputs to an external amplifier labeled REAR AUDIO OUT. This output duplicates the rear speakers in the audio settings menu and supports several connection options:

1) if you connect an active subwoofer to a single line output, then its volume level will be adjusted together with the rear speakers (if any);

2) in the absence of rear speakers, you can adjust the subwoofer with a fader, regardless of the front speakers;

3) you can also connect rear speakers to the line output through an external amplifier;

4) to the four door speakers, powered by a built-in amplifier, you can add another pair of ovals, for example, in the rear shelf, and get all six channels.

In the audio settings menu, there are 6 preset equalizer positions for different musical tastes and a seventh one for your own settings of a 3-shelf equalizer. However, it can be completely disabled.

An unusual bonus for the low-cost class of radio tape recorders is the complete set with remote control, as well as support for regular buttons on the steering wheel through a special adapter (purchased separately).

As analogues, we recommend paying attention to Kenwood KMM-100 with FLAC playback and Pioneer MVH-150UB , lacking support for standard steering buttons.

This model boasts not only a USB port, but also an additional slot for reading external SD memory cards, which is hidden under a removable front panel. Support for formats read from USB and SD media is completely the same: two formats for connoisseurs of high-quality lossless sound WAV / FLAC and two compressed formats MP3 / WMA, but with the included sound reconstruction function (Sound Recnstr), which allows you to slightly improve the quality of the recorded track. Additionally, the radio is friends with the iPhone and iPod, which can be connected not via the AUX on the front panel, but via the USB port located nearby. You can control the player of "apple" gadgets both from the head unit and from the iPhone, iPod, which is actually very convenient.

Numbered six buttons on the front panel provide quick access to your favorite radio stations. As for the radio data function (RDS), it is an integral part of all European models.

The maximum output power of the built-in amplifier is 4x50W. If you have a question why the more expensive model turned out to be weaker than the previous hero of our review, then we note that in fact, the maximum power is often indicated more for advertising. In practice, the rated power will be used, which is approximately the same for everyone, because. limited to standard 1 DIN housing dimensions.

If you want a really powerful sound, then you should connect an additional external amplifier, especially since Kenwood has two pairs of line outputs with the ability to switch the rear to a subwoofer if necessary. When switching the rear to a sub in the audio settings menu, full support for active subwoofer adjustments appears: level, frequency cut and phase switch 0 or 180 degrees.

As for analogues, we recommend paying attention to JVC KD-R457 and Sony CDX-G1100UE , which are additionally equipped with a CD drive, but lack an SD memory card slot.

In addition to the standard set of features: AUX and USB ports on the front and removable panel, CD-drive and RDS-radio, this model boasts a number of interesting innovations aimed more at today's youth.

First of all, the model attracts attention with a bright backlight of the display, flashing to the beat of the music, as well as the ability to create a club atmosphere in your car by turning on the non-stop mode with DJ transitions between tracks.

The display is dot, 3-line. The channel numbering is not on the buttons, barely visible in low light, but is displayed on the display, which is more convenient. The color of the backlight can be changed to match the backlight of regular devices.

The letter "X" in the name indicates support for the new MIXTRAX function. It works only when playing a USB flash drive, turning pauses between tracks into beautiful DJ gadgets.

In terms of sound settings, Pioneer is very good. Six fixed and two manual settings of the five-band equalizer allow you to adjust the sound for different genres or sources. The built-in crossovers work both for linear two pairs of outputs and for acoustic ones, so this head unit supports an economical connection option, which involves using only the built-in 4x50 W power amplifier. The connection looks like this: the front component acoustics (preferably 165 mm) reproduce up to 80 Hz, and the ovals, like two subwoofers, after 80 Hz.

Similar models Kenwood KDC-3657SD and JVC KD-R557 , but without economy oval connection support (for these models an additional amplifier is required).

Alpine specializes only in car audio and has earned its prestigious status due to the quality of its radios. The refined and stylish design has been consistent for many years and is well recognizable as the famous "nostrils" of the BMW grille.

Analog AUX and digital USB inputs are provided for convenient and quick connection of external drives. MP3/WMA/AAC/WAV formats are supported (the latter is read only from CDs). Search navigation of content from digital media is carried out in a variety of categories: playlist, artist, album, song, podcast, genre, audiobook, and more, which is actually quite convenient.

For each source (tuner, SD, AUX, USB) an independent memory of equalizer settings is stored. For every taste, 10 types of factory presets are offered, as well as your own personal settings for a three-band parametric. It is possible to adjust filters for acoustics and a subwoofer, loudness of high and low frequencies by 10 dB.

The model supports remote control from an infrared remote control (it is not included in the package) and regular steering buttons via an adapter purchased separately.

As for similar models in the corresponding price range, we will single out Pioneer DEH-X5600BT and Kenwood KDC-4757SD .

This head unit cannot be called a car radio in any way. This was the name of the cassette recorders, which removed the sound from the magnetic tape. A head unit with a 3.5-inch monitor is called a multimedia receiver. The active matrix TFT display with a resolution of 320x240 pixels allows you to view video files from CDs and USB drives, the device can play video in DivX, XviD, VCD and MPEG-1,2,4 formats.

What is especially interesting: there is support for a reversing camera. You can connect a passenger monitor to the video output / input or take a video image from the DVR.

A friendly pair of AUX and USB connectors, like all other models in this review, is located on a removable front panel. iPhone, iPod are supported and charged via a separately purchased cable, and Android app control is via Bluetooth only.

The built-in Bluetooth module with a complete external microphone allows you to talk hands-free and use some smartphone functions: phone book, call log, pick up / pick up the handset.

The total output is 200W or 50W for each of the four channels. Connection of the external amplifier is provided. There are two stereo line outputs with switchable rear output for subwoofer control. On the back there is a connector for connecting to the standard steering buttons via a separately purchased adapter, an infrared remote control is included.