Playing MP3s, CDs And The Radio In Your Car?

kelleher asks: "Wasn't sure about the topic - this could go under Hardware, Music, or Toys. I'm looking to upgrade the stereo in my car, right now it has a 14-year-old Blaupunkt AM/FM cassette (standard in an '86 Porsche 944) that is non-functional. I would like something that plays both MP3s, CDs, and has an AM/FM tuner (I can't survive without NPR in the morning). I've looked at the Aiwa CDC-MP3, the Kenwood Z919, and the empeg. The empeg is out because it doesn't play audio CDs. Right now the Aiwa is in the lead due to pricing and feature set, but before I open up my wallet I wanted to know what other people are doing." I would like something similar for the next unit I put into my car. I'm still stuck with the factory radio from a 1988 Honda Accord (LXi).

Comments

The choice is easy: Aiwa

[Toodles]

The choices you listed, the Aiwa and the Kenwood, are the only 'real' choices around for a in dash car stereo. There are many other cheesy options, like a MP3 cd walkman unit with an adaptor or a computer hooked up in back, but let's get real. If you wanted to 'roll your own' you would have already.

So, here's my comparison of the Aiwa CDC-MP3 vs the Kenwood z919. Just a note, I have the former in my 95 4Runner, and a friend has the Kenwood in his 96 4Runner, both with no other audio equipment than what came stock. We have stock speakers only, no amp, and we are both NOT using the stock amp. A pretty fair comparison if you ask me.
First off, the sound quality: Very close. I am not a professional audiophile, and I can't tell the difference. Certainly not a $300-$400 difference between the two (the Aiwa books at +/- $250, the kenwood at +/- $650). Major differences are there if you look. The Aiwa support ID3 tags: The Kenwood does not. I think the ID3 tag display could have been more intelligent, but at least its there. With the kenwood, your stuck to solely the filename. Before you think 'hey, thats fine', remember that it only supports 8.3 format, unless you burned it in ISO mode 2. Unless you went out of your way to make sure, you didn't. So, you have six significant charachters (don't forget the ~1 :) The Aiwa has a detachable face, so if your urban, you may want to consider it. The Kenwood has a tilting face, but no removability security.

The Kenwood does have some pros too. First of all, dolphins. When the unit if powered off (it doesn't do it when playing, which was stupid on their part), you get a cute little dot matrix display of swimming dolphins. NEVER underestimate the poon-tang power of having swimming dolphins in your car. THe display looks cooler on the Kenwood, being entirely dot matrix, however this also means that all of the buttons are on the outside border of the face, making use a pain. But thats ok, cuz you will actually be using our last 'pro': the remote. The remote for the Kenwood is very full featured. The remote for the Aiwa is a crappy 5 button one thats supposed to latch onto the steering wheel and doesnt do a good job. The Kenwood has 3 pairs of RCA outs, so if your a car stereo nut, it'll suit you better than the Aiwa with 2 pair RCA outs.

In my mind, the pro's for the Kenwood are almost all Aesthetic, while the pro's for the Aiwa are all tech related. While Dolphins are cool, I wouldn't give up double my money and ID3 support for dolphins that only swim when the stereo is OFF. If Im in the car, the stereo is always on, and I've been very happy with my purchase.

Toodles