Jul

Has the iPod Killed the Car Stereo?

Posted by Published in Car Buying

According to the Consumer Electronics organization, that year’s spending on aftermarket car stereo systems is expected to drop 28% from 2006. that includes CD changers, speakers, satellite radio and any other aftermarket add-ons. Today’s 16- to 24-year-olds are not as worried about sound quality, it seems. A recent survey stated that about 50% say the OEM-installed stereo is good ample. Hooking up an iPod to an FM transmitter is cost-effective, and music portability is most critical. So what can revive the industry?

Interestingly ample, most aftermarket manufacturers are already producing iPod- and MP3-compatible systems that are normally more compelling and have more features than what comes standard in cars. They’re additionally relatively inexpensive. One obstacle we see is that manufacturers are designing integrated stereos into new cars. Take the Mazda3 for example. You can’t simply replace the stereo; the entire

center console would have to be removed, and it would look beyond awkward with an aftermarket deck in its place. We’ll plus confess that stock stereos generally sound better nowadays than they did 10 years ago. We’d additionally guess that getting used to the sound of a 192 kbps MP3 — versus the higher-quality music from CDs or even 320 kbps MP3s — might form a stock stereo sound “good abundant.”

Although the numbers are falling, aftermarket industry executives are predicting a rebound in the approach future. We’d propose they come up with devices that can work with existing stock systems and start marketing the benefits of better sound quality.