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Car Stereo Receivers and Head Units

Enjoy high-fidelity digital sound with an In-Dash receiver that plays CDs or digital music files such as MP3 through SD card. Also included are older technology cassette receivers which do not provide as high of fidelity.
Get the most out of your stereo with a MP3/WMA compatible receiver. These stereos allow you to listen to several hours worth of music burned on to a single disc. Many receivers also have other features such as Bluetooth, iPod control, HD radio, and other convenient features.
Have a large factory radio? Consider getting a oversized double DIN aftermarket stereo. Many of these in-dash receivers feature touchscreen controls, DVD playback, GPS Navigation, and many other advanced features to make your ride more enjoyable!
These in-dash DVD players are compatible with DVD movies and have a built-in screen for viewing the DVD. Now you can watch DVD movies without needing a separate DVD player or screen from the comfort of your dash. It is truly multimedia at your fingertips.
Don't worry about getting lost ever again with a navigation system inside your vehicle. Here you will find navigation and GPS units that install in your vehicle's dash location, and include a built-in CD player, AM/FM tuner and sometimes video (DVD) playback too!
If you are looking to replace your vehicles stereo and keep your cassette player, then Sonic has you covered. Here you will find our selection of in-dash receivers with cassette playback.
Get the best of both worlds! With these in-dash CD & Cassette combo receivers, you will be able to enjoy the music from both your Compact Discs and your cassettes. No need to throw away your old tape collection when one of these receivers will give you all the playback options that you need.
Mobile DVD players are the perfect way to integrate headrest and overhead monitors for your vehicle. They offer playback of DVDs and CDs from your dash and have the ability to connect separate monitors for video playback.
Head units that are "mech-less" have no CD drive or disc mechanism, relying instead on MP3 or digital audio playback through storage media such as iPod connectivity and SD/MMC card slots. We refer to such mechless car stereos as mechless or digital media only receivers.
Car stereos in this category have a Bluetooth kit either built-in or included as a package allowing you to make and receive phone calls through your car audio system. Some Bluetooth capable units in this category also allow streaming audio from Bluetooth devices such as cell phones and laptops that store music and have the ability to transmit Bluetooth.
Replace your entire factory stereo with an aftermarket solution that requires no kit or harness for a truly plug-n-play solution and authentic factory look.
Units that fit into the older Chrysler/GM 1.5 DIN opening and Remote Mount CD receivers can be found here.

Related Categories

Installation kits, wire harnesses, antenna adapters, and other installation parts and accessories for your car radio receiver.
Connect and control your iPod with your Alpine, Kenwood, or other after-market in-dash receiver.
A certified marine head unit is designed specifically with water in mind. Marine certified stereos/radios are specially treated and coated to withstand the marine environment.
These adapters allow you to use your vehicle's factory steering wheel audio controls to control your new aftermarket car stereo.

Car Stereo Receivers and Head Units Information

Want to know if your vehicle can fit most Double DIN video or CD players using a kit? The Scosche chart will show you which kit you will receive FREE with purchase of a compatible in-dash unit. Not all vehicles require a kit, and may only use the factory mounting brackets to replace the factory Double DIN unit.

Please note that factory mounting depth needs to be factored into the installation of any unit, along with the outer mounting area of the Double DIN dash opening compared to the units.


Car Stereo Information:

To use an analogy, a car stereo (also called a head-unit or a receiver) is the "brain" of the car audio operation, allowing the user to control the sound output and adjust it as they see fit. After market stereos provide superior options and more features than factory head units. They also have a much flashier design including animated displays and customizable color schemes. The sound output is louder and cleaner from after-market car head units, and most have enhanced security features to prevent your head unit from being stolen. For the ultimate security features, look for head units with detachable face plates and stealth modes.

Aftermarket car stereos usually come standard with controls for your AM/FM tuner and also have CD, MP3, WMA, and AAC playback capability. They also include standard controls for volume, balance, tone, fader, and source selection. Unlike factory radios, after-market head units have special skip protection, built-in crossovers and equalizers, and even Dolby Digital and DTS surround sound decoding. The top of line car receivers include features such as DVD playback, satellite radio controls, digital HD Radio, internal hard drives, Bluetooth capability, GPS navigation, and inputs for iPod and USB use.

We carry car stereos with in-dash DVD playback with screens sold separately. Check out our LCD Monitors for overhead, headrest, stand alone, rearview, sun visor, and in dash monitors. We also offer in-dash DVD receivers with built-in screens that offer touchscreen controls. Some units feature motorized screens so that you can put the screen away when out of use.

Our in-dash GPS Navigation systems are installed right into your vehicle's dashboard. They include a built-in CD player, AM/FM tuner and some even offer video (DVD) playback too. They also feature A/V inputs and outputs and an antenna for picking up the GPS signal. Your navigation system uses this antenna to pick up signals from Global Positioning Satellites. The monitors feature touchscreen controls and a digital keyboard display, making it easy to type in destinations. Most systems include points of interest that are preloaded on your system’s memory. These points of interest are especially helpful when traveling in uncharted territory, giving you directions to gas stations, airports, restaurants, hotels, and other useful locations. Some GPS receivers are now fashioned with Bluetooth technology to allow you to make hands-free phone calls.

Many of our car stereos offer connectivity with iPods, USBs, and SD Cards for MP3 playback. This means you can play the music on your portable media player through your car receiver, controlling it all through your car radio. Just simply plug your portable music player into the stereo. Some car head units require plug adapters to do this, and in a limited number of older models you can only control the music through the portable player. You can also install a FM modulator so you can listen to your portable media players via a radio frequency. Car stereos that are geared with the latest Bluetooth technology enable you to play music wirelessly from your laptop, cell phone or other digital media players. Certain car stereos even offer a built-in hard drive for storing your entire music library.

Don’t overlook the cutting edge technology of HD radio and Satellite radio. HD radio allows you to receive a clearer AM/FM signal, even when traveling in the most obscure locations. Similarly, satellite radio offers clear broadcasting signals almost anywhere as well as commercial-free channels with premium content. To use a satellite radio tuner, you need a satellite radio-ready car stereo, an antenna, and a subscription. Simply mount the unit underneath your seat and connect the car stereo to the antenna to begin your satellite radio experience. Satellite radio units that operate with navigation compatible stereos offer live traffic data for an additional monthly fee. This data briefs you on the average speed of traffic in your selected areas and helps you avoid traffic jams.

Most car stereos include options for further expansion possibilities. You can use your car stereo’s auxiliary inputs and audio/video outputs to connect portable media players, TV monitors, amplifiers, and subwoofers.

For any questions, give us a call at 1-877-289-7664. Our staff will help you in selecting the perfect setup so that you can start building your first class car audio system today!