There are many cases that can warrant upgrading your car audio system’s head unit. You may need to find a way of integrating Bluetooth calling and music streaming. Or you might want to be able to use internet radio easily in your car to give you more control over your music. You might have just purchased a car that doesn’t offer any integration with your smartphone at all, and needs an updated unit. Or you might just not like the features and functions of your car stereo’s current unit.
In any case, upgrading the head units can give you the latest technology and integrate with the most popular and user-friendly applications, improving your in-car experience.
While car speakers, subwoofers and external amplifiers all have a role, the best car audio experiences start with the car stereo head unit. Factory-installed car stereos are generally cheap, with few features and subpar audio quality. The best car stereos combine high-fidelity audio with comprehensive playback options and smartphone integration.
So here we present our top 5 single din head units that you can buy for under ₹10,000.
How We Tested
In order to find the best car stereo receiver, Audiosonics has combined several reviews across the industry. There are many criteria that we take into consideration when rating and reviewing each car stereo, including:
- Style (Looks, Design)
- Display Type (LCD, Dotted, LCD Text, etc.)
- Features (Bluetooth, Smartphone Compatibility, Equalizer, etc)
- Power Ratings (Peak, RMS)
- Price
- Expandability (No. of RCAs, etc)
- Quality (Materials used, manufacturer, etc)
- Online Reviews
The result from our combination of sources and testing is a list of the top rated and reviewed head units. But in the end, the best car stereo is one that meets your specific needs and is compatible with your car.
No.1 JVC KD-R971BT
Mrp: ₹9,000
Key Features
- Bluetooth(R) Wireless Technology*1 (Built-in)
- 2 Phones Full-Time Connection
- JVC Smart Music Control ver.3 for Android (App via Bluetooth(R) & USB)
- Siri Eyes Free
- 50W x 4
- 13-Band Graphic EQ
- 4.0V Line and Subwoofer Pre-Output Level
- 3 Pre-Output Terminals
- 3-Zone Variable-Colour
Our No.1 Head Unit under ₹10,000 is the extremely versatile JVC KD-R971BT.
So you want a car stereo that plays everything, looks great in the dash, and more importantly, delivers great sound then look no further than the JVC’s KD-R971BT. This Multimedia/CD receiver lets you play all your music from a wide variety of connected sources, such as an iPhone, a portable audio player, USB thumb drives, or even an Android device.
Smartphone Integration & Connectivity
If you don’t want to use any cables then the built-in Bluetooth enables you to stream your tunes and take calls from your smartphone wirelessly. And above all, you can connect two phones full time via Bluetooth with secure and simple pairing.
The first-time pairing of a smartphone is done via a USB connection for both iPhone and Android smartphones. After that, the phone then connects automatically and wirelessly to the car stereo without any problem. Calls to either phone can be received by a push of a key on the head unit.
Additional comfort features like the wireless A2DP music streaming, HPF 1.6 Wideband and the associated control AVRCP 1.5 are of course also on board.
It also supports Android via the USB, this means if you have an Andriod based phone you will be able to access all your music from the JVC KD-R 971BT similar to that when using a iPhone.
Colour Customization
Do you have specific interior lighting you’d like to match? Then you can customize 3 zones of the front panel illumination using 32 colors with 50 preset patterns for just the right look in your dash and match it with the interior lights to make it stand out.
Audio Performance
Performance-wise, the 971BT is one of the best plug-and-play stereo receivers. It has the much-envied K2 technology that can optimize the sound quality by stretching the frequency range and bit rate resulting in crystal clear sound that doesn’t require you fiddling around with the control.
The built in 13-Band Graphic equalizer means that you have the added flexibility to tune the frequencies of the music according to your taste.
This JVC car stereo has rated power output 50 watts peak and while those power ratings are similar with its competition, the 4-volt pre-out voltage is among the best available in this price range. The strong voltage means your amplifier gets a much cleaner signal to play than you get with weaker pre-out voltages.
Verdict
The JVC KD-R971BT is the flagship single din unit available here in india and is one of the best car stereos because of the amount of control it gives you over the shape of your sound. You have 13 band equalizer and features like Space enhancement, Sound Response and Sound Lift to customize the sound experience. With all that you are getting with this stereo receiver at this price point, no wonder that it is among the best available in the market.
On a scale of 1 to 10, this one gets the top score and is definitely an excellent choice and upgrade to your car stereo.
Pros:
- bluetooth with 2 Phones Full-Time Connection
- 3 Pairs of 4V Pre-amp output
- Display readability is good
Cons:
- Small function Keys
- Slippery volume knob might need getting use to
No.2 Sony MEX-N4150BT
Mrp: ₹7,990
SONY MEDIA PLAYER MEX-N4150BT
- OUTPUT POWER (4 OHM, 1 KHZ, 16 V) 55 W PRE OUT Front+Rear/Sub switchable SUB OUT No AUX-IN Yes (Front) USB Yes (Front)
- Special Note : Please keep it away from dust and get it cleaned on regular interval for best performance
Key Features
- CD/iPod/USB/Aux-in/Bluetooth
- WMA, AAC files through USB/CD
- Dynamic Colour illumination
- 55W x 4
- 2 x Pre-out
- NFC quick connect
- Voice Command & Siri Eyes Free
- Digital Clarity Tuner
- LCD Display (with Acryl)
- 10-band digital equalizer
If features is on the top of your priority list then the Sony MEX-N4150BT is the head unit for you. This versatile receiver provides all the convenience you need to connect and enjoy your music collection in the car.
Smartphone Integration & Connectivity
In addition to playing standard Cds and MP3 files, the stereo can even decode WMA, AAC via USB and you can also plug-in any portable audio player from the front-panel auxiliary input, but thats not even the highlights of this receiver.
What makes this stereo really unique is the technology inside that makes it a connectivity options galore!
Connecting your smartphone has never been easy before but thanks to its revolutionary NFC feature, you can make a quick one-touch connection from selected NFC enabled smartphones and start streaming your music instantly.
But if the mobile phone you own doesn’t support NFC then you can make use of its built-in Bluetooth to connect and stream music effortlessly. It also has a built-in microphone, so you can keep your hands on the wheel while the head unit picks up your voice loud and clear. But thats not all.
It also features support for an incredible app called Songpal for iPhone and Android Phones.
What this application can do is.
- Browse and play the audio contents in the Audio Device
- Switch between sources like USB, FM radio, CD player and bluetooth right from your smartphone
- Voice operation, so you can safely and comfortably operate your smartphone in the car.
- Read out your Incoming SMS/E-mail and Twitter/Facebook/Calendar notification etc. automatically to keep you in touch.
- Full settings of DSP features (e.g., Equalizer, Volume Control, Fader/Balance/Subwoofer, and Listening Position) using smartphone as a remote screen.
For Apple devices like iPhone and iPad, users can also manage everything from calls, texts and music to social media with Siri eyes free.
Audio Performance
Apart from all the above features, the hardware also includes a Dynamic Reality Amp 2 that delivers 4 x 55 W power for loud and natural sound with less distortion. There is an option of 2x Pre Outs for connecting an external amplifier. A 10 band EQ allows you to finely tweak the sound to your requirement for the ultimate listening pleasure. You can also activate Mega Bass by a push of a button to add more punch to your favourite songs, with beat pulsing illumination for a multi-sensory in-car music experience.
Verdict
The Sony MX-N4150BT gives you many different playback options. You have the traditional AM/FM radio, a CD player, a USB port, an AUX port with on the other hand you have Bluetooth and NFC streaming with support for Sony’s Songpal app. It can play WAV or AAC files from the USB port either.
Pros:
- NFC Technology
- Songpal integration
- WAV and AAC playback
- Value for money
Cons:
- No loudness control
- absence of 3rd pair of preout
No.3 Pioneer DEH-X6890BT
Mrp: ₹8,990
Key Features
- CD/iPod/USB/Aux-in
- Bluetooth with HFP 1.6 and AVRCP 1.4
- 2 Zone Colour illumination ( Effect & Timer )
- 50W x 4
- 2 x 2V Pre-out
- 2-Line LCD Display (13 character + info )
- 5-band digital equalizer
- Pioneer’s Advanced Remote Control (ARC)
- Advanced sound retriever
The Pioneer DEX-X6890BT lands 3rd on our list for the best budget car head units as it delivers more than what you would expect from a single DIN head unit. Its minimalist design and array of features make it the perfect choice for listening to music on the road.
Smartphone Integration & Connectivity
Other than playing traditional CDs and radio, the 6890BT offer additional ways to listen to music with features like USB, Auxiliary input and Bluetooth music streaming. You can enjoy more clear voice hands free calling with HFP 1.6. It is also equipped with AVRCP 1.4 which enables you to browse songs stored on your device right from the head unit.
This Stereo features Pioneer’s Mixtrax and support for the app called ARC or Advanced Remote Control which enables your smartphone to have full access and control of music source, settings and 3rd party apps with touch and swipe interface.
Playback
Regardless of which modern musical medium you wish to use, the Pioneer DEH-X6890BT has got you covered. This car audio receiver has a CD deck which can play WMA, MP3 and WAV formats. If you’ve moved on from CDs, like many people have, you can plug in your iPod or other MP3 player into the head unit by using the front panel auxiliary input port or the USB port and start playing your favourite tracks.
Design & Visuals
The Pioneer 6890BT is remarkably sleek, stylish and is also fancier in the sense that it has 2 zone color settings on the detachable front panel which lets you choose from a variety of interface colours to match your mood and your car’s intereors.
Verdict
It is a very well-rounded head unit and Its versatility is what you would expect from a top-of-the-line car receiver with its only shortcoming being the lack of a third pair of Pre-amp outputs.
Great looks, great features, and most of all great sound quality, that’s what you get with the Pioneer DEH-X6890BT.
Pros:
- Easy User Interface
- ARC support and mixtrax
- Customizable zone illumination
Cons:
- Missing 3rd pair pre-out
- 5 band EQ
No.4 Pioneer DVH 3490UB DVD
Mrp: ₹8,790
Key Features
- DVD / CD Player With DVD Video Playback
- 2 x 2V preouts
- LCD Display With LED Backlight (10 – Character)
- DivX / MPEG -1, -2, -4 / MP3 / WMA / iTunes AAC / WAV playback from USB device
- Advanced sound retriever
- Advance Remote Control or ARC
Pioneer is known for creating innovative technology and high-quality products and being a product of pioneer car audio the DVH 3490UB will embrace you with user-friendly interface and easy to use controls.
Playback & Features
This car audio head unit features a CD deck, an AM/FM tuner and it has inputs for your iPod or MP3 player, but it is not compatible with Bluetooth. It has a large 2-Line Display that Improves visibility and incorporates finely balanced fonts to keep text easy to read.
What makes it different from the its counter parts is the built in DVD feature. Add a screen to it and you’ll be able to enjoy watching your DVDs or even videos also via USB right in your car.
It also supports an app called Advance Remote control or AVC which allow users to control and play various music sources and apps right from your Android or iOS devices.
Audio Performance
The Pioneer DVH 3490UB with its built in amplifier can deliver 50 Watts of peak power to your four speakers. It also has 2 pair RCA preout which allow you to add 4 amplifier channels for front speaks and a subwoofer/ rear speakers
However with only five EQ settings, you don’t have a lot of control over the customization of your audio.
Verdict
Whether you have a long commute or you’re running around the city, the Pioneer DVH 3490UB will do a good job in taking care of your music experience.
What it misses out on is features like Bluetooth, a 3rd pair of pre outs and Pioneer’s Mix track. But with built in DVD and Advance Remote Control, this stereo deserves to qualify for our top head units for under ₹10,000
Pros:
- DVD playback
- External Display input
- Easy user interface
- ARC support
cons:
- No bluetooth
- Missing 3rd pair pre-out
- 5 band EQ
- Price
No.5 Alpine CDE-151E
Mrp: ₹7,599
Pioneer DVH-3490UB Digital Media Reciever
- In-car playback of Div X files from CD / DVD media and USB devices, DIV X, the world's most popular compressed digital video format, delivers speedy transfer without compromising picture quality
- Advanced sound retriever
Key Features
- 50 Watts x 4
- 2V Pre-amp output
- Front USB and 3.5mm input
- Made for iPod and iPhone
- App Direct Mode
- Bass Engine SQ Tuning
- 3 Band Parametric EQ
The Alpine CDE-151E is all about high-quality audio in an affordable package, well thats what alpine says. This receiver delivers strong sound and offers sufficient ways to play your music while you’re cruising along.
Playback
The Alpine CDE-151E covers the audio-source bases with CD playback, AM/FM radio, and USB and auxiliary inputs. Combined with new Bass Engine SQ tuning control with Alpine’s legendary sound quality, the CDE-151E CD receiver is an incredible acoustics tool for music lovers.
Design
This one-stop music player has a clean LCD Display with fixed classic red illumination. Alpine’s signature rotary knob makes controlling all your music a breeze. The auxiliary input and USB port are also located conveniently in the front panel.
Verdict
It is a fairly basic stereo, but its short list of features should cover many users’ in-car audio needs. If you’re just looking for a simple receiver to connect your iPhone with or a USB key full of music to listen to while driving with easy controls and settings, then this head unit is the one for you.
However, users looking for advanced features such as Bluetooth hands-free calling, app integration, or preamp connectivity should look further up the car audio totem pole.
Pros:
- Excellent sound output
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio is a brilliant 105 dB
- Bass engine SQ with five bass profiles (Standard, Punch, Rich, Mid Bass, Low Bass)
- App Direct Mode
Cons:
- No additional features like Bluetooth
- only 1 pair of 2V preout
- Basic 3 band EQ
- Price
- Fixed red illumination.
