Car Stereo +MP3 +USB

[toomanycooks]

Afternoon all,

I was wondering if anyone had a suggestion for a decent but cheap car stereo. I guess I am looking to spend around £50. It should be able to play mp3's on a cd-r/rw and ideally have a usb port (optimistic perhaps?). It should be able to run at a decent volume but I am by no means a audiophile so crisp and perfect sound reproduction is not necesssary, just decent clarity at reasonable volumes. Any tips?

As I am a big fan of bundles in general, does anyone know of a speaks and stereo bundle or the like?

Many thanks.

A

[5lab]

not at that price..

the only thing you'll get for £50 new is the aldi deal. look in bargins. a half-decent hu with cd/mp3 is £100 straight off, and any upgrade on stock speakers is £50 minimum.

[steve threlfall]

Here we go http://forums.hexus.net/showthread.php?t=64300. no chance of getting one with usb im afriad. Line out to connect an mp3 player maybe but that would be pointless if it plays mp3 cd's i suppose.

Maplin were doing one for £50ish that accepted SD mem cards. Have a look on the website.

[toomanycooks]

Thanks guys. Regular trawler of the bargains section - that Aldi one is no more apparently...

So then USB is out, ok. Any recommendations on the head unit for around the £50 mark? Are some producers rubbish? A friend has suggested that I should get 50W x 4 as a minimum. In light of the prices you have mentioned, any recommendations for head units and speakers for around the £120 mark?

Thanks in advance.

[Edit]That one on ebuyer looks like quite a good buy. Suggestions/alternatives still appreciated - will not be buying probably before the end of the month unless a monster deal pops up.[/Edit]

[5lab]

i'd strongly reccomend a 2nd hand unit. have a gander on ebay..

sony stuff is generally regarded not to be as high quality as you can get for the money.. i've a pioneer unit which was quite pricey but very well made. if you want new check caraudiodirect.co.uk

speakers depend on your car. if you want a bit of kick (and not fussed about quality) you can do worse than bung a set of 6x9s in the parcel shelf. audiofiles hate them, but for cheap kick you cant do better

i wouldnt worry too much about the output rating - its mostly made up anyways. i'd check its got at least 4x40.. past that its more about the unit than the rating itself..

a *reasonable* new combo would be

http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/prod...871d77dfb02a13


http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/prod...e9b5f2616e3db9

you might want to budget a few quid for wiring (to the back of the car), tools (to cut holes in your parcel shelf, and crimp the wire connectors, and take bits of panel off to allow the wires to hide under the carpet) and connectors..

[Matma]

Maplin were doing one for £50ish that accepted SD mem cards. Have a look on the website.

There is also one "Yakumo - MP3/WMA Car Stereo - with SD & USB Slot" from amazon ( there were sold out when i last checked) i bought one and its great little unit, cost £75 so pretty close to your target..

has usb slot, sd card slot and can play mp3 from cd or usb and sd but it can ALSO record radio to the usb key! so if you like a track wack the one touch record and job done...

[Vimeous]

What car is it for?
Does it already have speakers?

At £50 20wx4 would be enough frankly. Quality doesn't come down to wattage and the bigger the number the less chance of affording speakers that'll handle the power without giving up the moment you turn up the volume.
My Civic was fitted with 35wx4 as standard for what was an £18k car new. It's only 10years ago that 20wx4 was the norm!

Suggestions:

Pixmania always have decent prices:

This Tokai has USB/MP3 for £36 inc VAT and you'll see on the site they've loads of deals for speakers etc.
This iRandom is similar but is 40wx4 at £45.99.

I'd be tempted by this Blaupunkt and go with SD cards instead, is £10 more gonna break the bank? (£60)

[steve threlfall]

There is also one "Yakumo - MP3/WMA Car Stereo - with SD & USB Slot" from amazon ( there were sold out when i last checked) i bought one and its great little unit, cost £75 so pretty close to your target..

has usb slot, sd card slot and can play mp3 from cd or usb and sd but it can ALSO record radio to the usb key! so if you like a track wack the one touch record and job done...

January 2006 ???



Holy thread revival etc

[Vimeous]

Geez didn't spot that one! LOL