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In this article, I review the best double DIN car radios:
- Pioneer AVH-X390BS
- Pioneer FH-X731BT (not a touch screen)
- JVC KW-V25BT
All of them have touch screens except the Pioneer FH-S731BT. I included it in my article because it is still an excellent product.
If you don’t have time to read the whole article, here is my recommendation:
The best touch screen car radio is the Pioneer AVH-X390BS – With its large 6.2″ touch screen, DVD player, AM FM tuner, powerful built-in amplifier and bluetooth connectivity, it’s very hard to beat for the price.
Terminology of car stereos
For the sake of this article, let’s have a look at the names of the key components of a car stereo and define them. Being clear about what exactly we are talking about will make the buying decision much simpler.
Car stereo
“Car stereo” is a generic term. It refers to all the elements of a car audio system as a whole (The head unit, the speakers, the amplifier, the wiring).
Head unit
The “head unit” is the main part of the “car stereo”. It is the unit that is installed the dashboard that the user operates. Currently there are two types of head units: 1) Single din and 2) Double din.
What is the difference between single din and double din?
The obvious difference is size. Single and double din are the same width but double din is twice as tall and so takes up more space on the dashboard.
Single DIN: size – Width: 7 inches (180 mm) Height: 2 inches (50 mm)
The advantage of single din is that they are small and discreet and so less likely to attract unwanted attention by thieves. They are also often cheaper because they have fewer features and functions.
Double DIN: size – Width: 7 inches (180 mm) Height: 4 inches (100 mm)
Double DIN units will have large colorful touchscreens that can be used for many things like watching DVDs (when parked of course), navigation and even mirroring apps from your smartphone.
All of the stereos reviewed for this article (see below) are double din units. All of them have touch screens except one.
Tuner
A tuner refers to a “head unit” that has a “radio tuner” ie. a radio. A tuner does not have a built-in amplifier. It would therefore require a separate amplifier for it to work.
Receiver
A “receiver” is a type of head unit that has a radio tuner and a built-in amplifier. Therefore it does not require a separate amplifier.
Controller
Not everyone is interested in having or listening to the radio. Some people therefore want a head unit that does NOT have a radio. That is what a “controller” is. A controller is a head unit without a radio. A controller would have other audio inputs, such as a CD / DVD player.
Things to consider when choosing a touch screen car radio
Audio sources
What audio sources do you want? Some common options are radio, CD and DVD. However, since most people are moving away from CDs, it’s probably not worth paying for a CD player that you’ll never use. A better choice would be a “Digital media receiver” – ie a head unit without a CD player. You can find decent digital media receivers with a built-in amplifier, preamp outputs, multi-band equalizers, wireless remote controls and options for satellite or HD radio.
Smartphone integration
Many head units can integrate on some level with a smartphone. That could be simply via a USB cord and a USB port on the front panel of the head unit. More advanced car radios will have bluetooth so that you can connect your smartphone via bluetooth and not have the hassle of plugging in cables. With smartphone integration, you can then play music stored on your phone through the car stereo and car speakers and even navigate through your music collection via the touchscreen on the car dashboard.
In addition to playing music physically store on your phone, some car stereos will also have integration to streaming apps such as Spotify, Pandora or iHeart Radio. You’ll be able to log on and then access all your playlists and subscriptions through the touchscreen of the car stereo.
Analog radio / digital radio / HD radio
Radio stations usually transmit an analog signal. No special equipment is needed to receive this analog signal as this is how radio has been transmitted since the beginning of time.
However, more and more radio stations are also transmitting with a digital signal. This digital signal offers superior audio quality when compared to an analog signal. Digital radio also offers some very nice features such as displaying the name of the radio station and even the name of the song on your radio’s screen. In order to receive digital radio, your radio must be compatible with the type of digital technology standard used by the radio broadcaster. This depends on what part of the world you live in. Be sure to chack your equipment has one of the following standards based on where you live in the world:
HD radio
In North America, look for equipment that supports “HD radio”. HD Radio uses the same spectrum now occupied by the standard AM and FM bands. The same stations broadcast the digital component simultaneously with the analog signals. If your radio is “HD radio” compatible and it can pick up the signal, it will play the digital version. Otherwise, it will play the analog version.
Satellite radio
Satellite radio is made available in North America by a company called Sirius XM Radio. It is a paid service. Customers subscribing to the satellite radio service get access to more than 130 channels of Sirius XM programming for a monthly subscription fee. The car radio requires a Sirius XM compatible satellite radio tuner for it to work. The service transmits in the frequency range of 2332.5 to 2345 MHz.
Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM)
DRM is common in Europe. DRM is a terrestrial service intended to replace AM and FM analog systems with a digital signal. The signal is compressed and transmits mainly in the shortwave (SW) bands from about 5 MHz to 19 MHz.
Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB)
DAB is a common digital radio standard in the UK and Europe. DAB uses a compressed signal in the 174 to 240 MHz and 1452 to 1492MHz frequency ranges.
Digital Multimedia Broadcast (DMB)
DMB is malinly used in France and South Korea. It is very simpilar to DAB (see above)
GPS and navigation
Some car stereos also have GPS and navigational capability. Be sure to check if that is somehing you’d be interested in.
Connectivity
You’ll be wanting to physically connect other devices to / from your car radios / stereos. Here are some of the common types of connection you’ll find:
Inputs
- USB
- Auxiliary input (3.5mm jack)
- Mic (Microphone for hands-free phone calls)
- W/R (wired remote)
- Audio input jacks (usually with RCA connectors)
- Video input jacks (usually with RCA connectors)
- Rear-view camera (usually with RCA connector)
Outputs
- Preamp outputs (Audio outputs that are used to drive an amplifier – usually with RCA connectors)
- Video output jacks (often for rear-passenger monitors – RCA connectors)
The best double DIN car stereos
Pioneer AVH-X390BS
The Pioneer AVH-X390BS is a double din car stereo receiver with a large 6.2″ WVGA touch screen. It has a DVD/CD player, AM/FM tuner with 30 presets (18 for FM and 12 for AM) and built-in Cea-2006 compliant amplifier.
This head unit supports Sirius XM digital satellite radio and has full smartphone integration via Pioneer’s app called “Appradio one”, giving you complete control over compatible iPhone and Android apps on the radio’s touchscreen. Bluetooth is built-in and allows dual connections.
This car stereo comes with a remote control included.
Key features
- Remote control.
- Built-in Bluetooth (Dual Bluetooth Connection.)
- Built-in amplifier (2006 CEA Compliant): 50W x 4.
- Hands-Free Profile (HFP): HFP 1.6.
- Supports SiriusXM, Pandora, Spotify.
- AM / FM radio with 18 FM presets and 12 AM presets.
- Local seek tuning.
- RDS.
- Digital media playback – CD/CD-R/RW Playback.
- DVD/DVD-R/RW/DVD-Video playback.
- Compatible with all common audio file formats via USB (MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV, FLAC).
- Compatible with all common video file formats via USB (MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, AVI and WMV)
- JPEG photo slideshow viewer via USB.
- Back-up camera ready (Not included).
- Audio – RCA Preout: s3 (4V).
- Mixtrax.
- Auto EQ (CD-MC20 required).
- Easy EQ (EEQ) Preset Equalizer.
- Customizable graphic equalizer: 13-Band.
- Subwoofer control.
Pros
- Big screen with good colors
- DVD player
- 50w output gives great speaker power delivery.
- Remote control
- Excellent audio quality(even with stock speakers)
- 13 band graphic equalizer
- Spotify integration
- Customizable colors and backgrounds
- User-friendly
- Reliable bluetooth connection (with dual connection)
- Backup camera compatible
Cons
- Auto EQ doesn’t seem to work very well.
- No customizable guidelines for backup camera.
- The buttons are a bit small (but that leaves more room for the screen.)
Pioneer FH-X731BT
The Pioneer Pioneer FH-X731BT is a double din car stereo receiver with CD player. It has an AM/FM tuner and is also HD radio compatible. It has a brightly colored screen (NOT a touch screen).
It supports Pandora, iHeartRadio, Spotify and SiriusXM Satellite Radio.
There is a USB port on the front panel and it comes with a pair of free alphasonik earbuds and a remote control.
Superior sound quality
Use the 3 way Network Mode for a high level of audio performance. There is time alignment, 13-Band EQ and FLAC codec playback (for files stored on USB drive), for precision sound and definition.
Hands-Free calling and Audio Streaming via Bluetooth
With the Bluetooth wireless technology, you get hands-free calling, wireless audio streaming with artist, album, and song search, simple pairing, and voice recognition.
Better call quality reception
With the new wideband speech hands-free profile 1.6, the bandwidth of the frequency is nearly doubled bringing you call quality similar to FM reception.
Dual Bluetooth
Dual Bluetooth allows two phones to automatically connect when in the vehicle to easily make and receive calls and stream music from both phones.
Guest Mode via bluetooth
Guest Mode allows a user to add and replace a third mobile device instantly to the receiver.
USB Direct Control For ipod and iphone
Connect an iPod or iPhone to the FH-X830BHS using the optional CD-IU51 interface cable for 30-pin devices (sold separately) or CD-IU52 interface cable for Lightning devices (sold separately) to enjoy the music stored on your device. Song, artist, time and album information are displayed on the LCD display.
The Link Play feature helps you find content faster and the system’s wired USB connection provides direct digital signal transfer from the device for clean, clear sound while providing 1 amp of current to keep your iPod or iPhone charged.
Use the voice control of your iphone
The FH-X830BHS is also able to use the voice control feature found on your iPhone. With an iPhone connected to the receiver via Bluetooth and the receiver source set to “Bluetooth audio” or “iPod,” simply press the volume knob, wait for the prompt, and speak your command as you would on your iPhone.
Customize the colors
Dual-zone color illumination allows you to customize the color of the text on-screen as well as select another color for the button illumination. (Over 210,000 colors to choose from.)
10-level brightness control allows you to customize the brightness of your screen.
Summary of key features (non-exhaustive)
- CD player.
- USB port on front panel.
- Remote control and alphasonik earbuds included.
- Built-in Bluetooth for hands-free calling and wireless audio streaming.
- Built-in amplifier.
- Built-in HD radio.
- 3x RCA Preouts (2V).
- Supports SiriusXM, Pandora, Spotify and iHeartRadio.
- AM / FM radio.
- Digital media playback – CD/CD-R/RW Playback.
- Compatible with all common audio file formats via USB (MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV, FLAC).
- Subwoofer control.
Pros
- 10-level brightness control – The screen is easy to read in all conditions.
- Very powerful: 50w output.
- Remote control and earbuds included.
- Excellent audio quality.
- Customizable colors and backgrounds.
- User-friendly.
- Reliable bluetooth connection (with dual connection).
- Great integration and options for use with iphone.
Cons
- No video functions or DVD player.
- No touch screen.
- Can take a little long to reconnect to Bluetooth.
- The buttons can be a bit slow to react at times.
JVC KW-V25BT
The JVC KW-V25BT is a double din multimedia receiver featuring a large 6.2″ WVGA touch screen, DVD player, AM/FM tuner, built-in amplifier, bluetooth, 13-Band equalizer and JVC remote app compatibility.
Music sync. effect
The illumination flashes along with the rhythm of the music.
Gesture touch control
Just touch and move your finger over the screen for various operations corresponding to your finger movements. It’s very easy and quick to operate.
Connect 2 phones with Bluetooth
You can connect two phones via Bluetooth with secure and simple pairing. Calls to either phone can be received by a push of a key on the receiver.
iPhone bluetooth automatic pairing
Connect your iPhone via USB and the automatic bluetooth pairing function will work to complete the pairing. No long complicated menus to navigate.
Bluetooth voice recognition
Thanks to HFP 1.6 Wideband Speech, the sound quality is improved resulting in a higher level of voice recognition accuracy.
Bluetooth AVRCP1.5 for improved song selection
Easily search for songs using the browse function. You can look for and choose the song you want to hear from the folder name and song name lists.
JVC streaming DJ
Connect up to 5 Bluetooth devices simultaneously, allowing you and your friends to take turns streaming music.
Enhanced digital sound quality
K2 is a JVC original technology that reproduces the original master sound by expanding the frequency range. For example, K2 will expand the digital data of the audio CD recorded at 44.1 kHz/16 bit to 192 kHz/24 bit.
Time alignment to improve audio quality
The receiver will automatically adjust the timing of the sound output from each of the speakers so that the sound from each of the speakers will arrive exactly at the same time to the listening position, resulting in improved audio quality.
AM / FM radio tuner
The AM / FM radio tuner has 20 presets.
DVD / CD player
CD-R/RW Compatible, DVD-R/-RW, +R/+RW Compatible, Video CD Playback.
13-band equalizer
Use the 13-band equalizer to manually adjust the sound to your taste.
Pandora / iHeartRadio / Spotify Control (Android/iPhone)
Listen to Pandora, iHeartRadio, and Spotify from your smartphone with smooth control on the receiver via USB or Bluetooth connection for iPhone, and via Bluetooth for Android devices.
Ready for SiriusXM radio
You can listen to over 100 Channels of music, sports, and entertainment on SiriusXM satellite radio (optional SiriusXM tuner required, sold separately)
Remote Control App
Control the receiver’s audio source directly from the smartphone using simple finger gestures with “JVC Remote” app (now available for both iOS and Android).
Rear view camera ready
The Rear View Camera input allows you to connect an optional rear view camera (sold separately). A rear view camera allows you to safely reverse your vehicle, monitor towing, and more.
Steering wheel remote control ready
Factory steering wheel control functions can be retained with a third-party adapter (sold separately).
Remote control (optional)
Remote control (RM-RK258) is optionally available.
USB port
Charge your smartphone using the USB port, with up to a maximum of 1.5A.
Pros
- Easy to install.
- DVD player.
- 6.2″ color touchscreen.
- Remote control app – Control the receiver with your smartphone.
- Bluetooth connectivity works very well.
Cons
- Remote control is sold separately.
- The screen is a bit dim.
Conclusion
The best touch screen car radio is the Pioneer AVH-X390BS – With its large 6.2″ touch screen, DVD player, AM FM tuner, powerful built-in amplifier and bluetooth connectivity, it’s very hard to beat for the price.