# Recommendations for a car cd/mp3 head unit **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 21, 2003, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-a-car-cd-mp3-head-unit/183392 "2003-06-21T08:19:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2003, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-a-car-cd-mp3-head-unit/183392/1 "2003-06-21T08:19:37Z")
I’m looking for recommendations for a cd/mp3 player head unit. My budget is $200 or under if possible, but going over that is doable if it’s really worth it. I need something that puts out a decent amount of watts… I’m not quite sure what my exact requirements are yet. I’m not planning on using an amp or subs, I just want something that will output decent sound to 2 5.25" speakers and 2 3x9" speakers. Something with a nice LCD that displays track names and ideally directories with a good selection menu would definitely be good. It has to sound good - nothing fancy, but a basic built in EQ and that sort of thing would be nice. Also, I assume most of them have a radio tuner, but in case they don’t, please limit recommendations to those that do. Brands to check out/avoid would be good as well as specific models. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2003, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-a-car-cd-mp3-head-unit/183392/2 "2003-06-22T04:29:20Z")
Hmm, got off the page with only 12 views. Bump. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2003, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-a-car-cd-mp3-head-unit/183392/3 "2003-06-23T06:42:59Z")
22 views. Last bump, I’m just trying to get some advice… ---
**Author:** ![Phnord\_Prephect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/df705f/32.png) [@Phnord\_Prephect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phnord_Prephect)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2003, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-a-car-cd-mp3-head-unit/183392/4 "2003-06-23T12:19:41Z")
Well, since nobody else is responding… my advice is to get a tape deck and a portable mp3 disk player with tape adaptor. It’s cheaper, it’s much easier to replace when (not if) it breaks, and you’re not stuck with outdated technology in two years.