Replacing car stereo

DCFC79

What makes of car radios should i avoid or consider ? im wanting to replace my car radio with 1 that i could use with my [STRIKE]htc desire[/STRIKE] samsung galaxy s2 phone eg to play music etc.

Is it easy to replace the unit ?

Thanks

fivetide

What car are you wanting to put it in? That will be a huge factor.

5t.

DCFC79

fivetide wrote: »

What car are you wanting to put it in? That will be a huge factor.

5t.

oh whoops, its a 206 2004 model,

Read a bit and it seems easy to remove the current 1 by using the hole eaither side of the unit

fivetide

Well, if i remember right it is a funny sized unit, most are now as an anti theft device, they only fit that model of car.

I would suspect that if you look on some of the car clubs, there are a number out there for Pugs, someone will point you in the right direction for an ISO lead so you can plug a new stereo into the existing wiring and a plate for the dash to make sure there are no holes.

I am not sure if you'd need to remove trim to get access to the mounting points of the radio, I suspect there will be a guide out there somewhere.

In fact - find the equivalent in English http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKdG2paMX1M most of the decent brands are fine, the technology is nothing new or complicated so shop around for the best price. Nip into Halfords or something and have a play with a few though, you want one you can get on with. A fiddly radio distracts you from driving.

5t.

Ghostrider

Have you got a budget?

I'm a Pioneer fan personally but I would also say that Alpine are very good sound quality wise, although I perosnally find them a bit fiddly in their operation. I would avoid Sony, they generally do not sound as good as Alpine, Pioneer or even Kenwood IMO. There are others of course, but I would make it easier for yourself unless you have any specific requirements, and stick to looking at one or 2 manufacturers.

I use a Pioneer in one of my cars to stream music from my iPhone via bluetooth which is very convienient, particularly as the car lacks much storage for CDs and the like. The same should work for an HTC I would have though, but just check that it does allow bluetooth music streaming.

Are you looking for any other particular functions on a stereo, things like SD card slots, blutetooth handsfree, aux-in etc etc?

Replacing a car stereo on a modern car is normally a plug'n'play affair these days. You may or may not need to buy an adapter plate if the stereo you are taking out of your car is not the standard din size of a car stereo. These are normally available to buy or order from Halfords or online.

There are some good deals to be had online at places like these:

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

http://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/

Generally much much cheaper than the likes of Halfords and much more selection.

fivetide

Ghostrider wrote: »

Have you got a budget?

I'm a Pioneer fan personally but I would also say that Alpine are very good sound quality wise, although I perosnally find them a bit fiddly in their operation. I would avoid Sony, they generally do not sound as good as Alpine, Pioneer or even Kenwood IMO. There are others of course, but I would make it easier for yourself unless you have any specific requirements, and stick to looking at one or 2 manufacturers.

All good. The thing to remember though is that a great stereo will never souns great through boggo speakers so unless you are looking to do a full ICE (in car entertainment) install then there does come a point where the quality of the stereo makes no difference.

5t.

Ghostrider

fivetide wrote: »

All good. The thing to remember though is that a great stereo will never souns great through boggo speakers so unless you are looking to do a full ICE (in car entertainment) install then there does come a point where the quality of the stereo makes no difference.

5t.

Very true, but no harm in future proofing yourself in case you decided to install some upgraded speakers in one day?

I guess it comes down to price at the end of the day for many people, but you're right, I can't imagine the stock speakers that Peugeot stick are up to much....

DCFC79

fivetide wrote: »

All good. The thing to remember though is that a great stereo will never souns great through boggo speakers so unless you are looking to do a full ICE (in car entertainment) install then there does come a point where the quality of the stereo makes no difference.

5t.

thats another thing as well, do i replace the speakers and again is it easy to do, think ill ask on a pug forum too

DCFC79

Ghostrider wrote: »

Have you got a budget?

I'm a Pioneer fan personally but I would also say that Alpine are very good sound quality wise, although I perosnally find them a bit fiddly in their operation. I would avoid Sony, they generally do not sound as good as Alpine, Pioneer or even Kenwood IMO. There are others of course, but I would make it easier for yourself unless you have any specific requirements, and stick to looking at one or 2 manufacturers.

I use a Pioneer in one of my cars to stream music from my iPhone via bluetooth which is very convienient, particularly as the car lacks much storage for CDs and the like. The same should work for an HTC I would have though, but just check that it does allow bluetooth music streaming.

Are you looking for any other particular functions on a stereo, things like SD card slots, blutetooth handsfree, aux-in etc etc?

Replacing a car stereo on a modern car is normally a plug'n'play affair these days. You may or may not need to buy an adapter plate if the stereo you are taking out of your car is not the standard din size of a car stereo. These are normally available to buy or order from Halfords or online.

There are some good deals to be had online at places like these:

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

http://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/

Generally much much cheaper than the likes of Halfords and much more selection.

budget wise ive no idea, just something thats reasonable price, id obviously want to keep it under a thousand and if possible under 500

fivetide

DCFC79 wrote: »

thats another thing as well, do i replace the speakers and again is it easy to do, think ill ask on a pug forum too

I've only done it once, because one was bust. Much harder if you really go at it, amp in the boot, improved speaker wire etc.

I think Ghostrider knows more than I though and will give you the benefits!

5t.

DCFC79

fivetide wrote: »

I've only done it once, because one was bust. Much harder if you really go at it, amp in the boot, improved speaker wire etc.

I think Ghostrider knows more than I though and will give you the benefits!

5t.

im not really into music with bass, cant stand it so dont think ill go for an amp