ipod, aux, and bluetooth are now almost a regular within any radio. I like mine, because it has a "tune tray". My ipod slides in like a cd pretty much.
Check out www.sonicelectronix.com they have about the best prices on the web, good customer service and return policy. What is your budget? When you mean Bluetooth do you mean audio or phone integration hands free?
no matter what system you buy ,make sure all components are from the same manufacturer. here my setup: -Alpine CDA 105 head unit -2 ea Alpine s-serie 4 in center dash - Alpine 6 1/2 s-serie in doors. ( i bought the older style as New old stock, since it came with grills) - Alpine 12 sub, s-serie, low profile - Alpine M500 Mono Amp for the Sub. - Alpine Remote for the Radio the whole package (all new New Items) only set me back about $400.-
I do not consider it a must to have all of the same brand in your vehicle. Cross over from brand to brand should not cause any interference with performance or hookup. I run alpine with sony and have no problem. I would just say use name brands like sony, kenwood, alpine and any other well known suppliers and they should be compatible with eachother.
No Offense but I would steer clear of Sony. Their stuff has gone way down hill since the 90s. They used to make some of the best stuff on the market but cost cutting etc has set them way back. I also agree that buying the same manufacturer has no bearing on how good a system will sound. Every piece of my systems are mismatched by manufacturer. I look for the best bang for the buck regardless of who makes it.
Did a paper on this 30 years ago in college tech writing class. Tried to explain the numbers to an English teacher/non-tech type. When big numbers are better, output power, bandwidth, when small numbers are better, FM sensitivity, alternate channel rejection. Bottom line...Take your budget...put half of it into speakers. Put the rest into the receiver/amp component. Build up from there. Note Klipsh is making a comeback. Nice horn drive speakers that look like furniture. Not for your car though. Crutchfield still has the site for comparing various models. Can buy from them, or find the one you want and go elsewhere.
Hope you like it, it's a discontinued radio. http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113KDC248U/Kenwood-KDC-248U.html?search=Kenwood+KDC248U&tp=5684 Kevin
Thats why it was almost $80 they just wanted to get rid of them...... that and its a cheap low end unit... not worth more than $69.95
Crutchfield Never said these guys were the best place to go for stereo components. Just they have a good catalog to compare various components.
You can get a subwoofer with built in amp, then spend more money on a high quality amp with lower watts to run your speakers. People forget that sound quality is highly affected by the amp, not just how loud it plays. MB Quart speakers are some of the best. Their 6" component speakers are crystal clear.
I go into the Crutchfield outlet here in town a few times a month. There's some good deals in there; unpackaged returns and whatnot. I'm going this evening after I dump my kid off at dance class. Anyone looking for something in particular?