The Hindu Business Line : Tips `n' notes for car audios

A MORE expensive head unit need not be the one that is better suited to your requirements. Similarly, more features need not necessarily be better, especially if you are not going to use them. For example, features such as one-touch radio presets in the head unit, if they exceed the number of AM/FM stations available in your city, may not be useful at all.

Similarly, avoid multi-colour, liquid crystal display (LCD) screens with jazzy graphics and screen saver features they are much more expensive, distracting when you drive and are clearly dispensable. A simple LED backlit screen which displays the track or radio station being played and equaliser level would do the job as well.

If you are buying a head unit that plays CDs, check if it will play MP3 and .wmv tracks. With MP3 becoming so popular and being the cheaper alternative to regular pre-recorded CDs, this feature will be a big plus. You may also want to buy a head unit that plays DVDs also, if you are contemplating installing mini LCD TV screens at a later date for entertaining rear passengers.

Remember, speakers at the rear is not a must, especially if you are the driver.

Choose a deck/amplifier that is rated either equal to or is slightly more powerful that the combined rating of all the speakers to avoid damage to speakers.

Look at the RMS per channel rating rather than the PMPO or peak power output rating of the amplifier or player.

If you are buying a (2-DIN) radio and cassette deck head unit, make sure to check if it is compatible for accepting a CD-changer input, so that a future addition may be possible.

Look for a head unit that has a detachable faceplate for added security.

A three-band graphic equaliser is enough to control bass, middle and treble. Anything more than that will not be used as often and will cost a bomb.

Usually, a whole component of speakers from a single manufacturer will be cheaper than sourcing them getting separately from different makes.

S. Muralidhar

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