If your radio has silver accents at the edge of the displays, it's a Radio10.
The Radio10 is a 6 CD changer that includes the ability to play mp3 disks and provides CD title and artist on the multi-line display. The Radio9 is one cd and a more simple display. If you just want background sound, both are decent. You can even pump audio in through an external jack in the glove box for those who are ipod-inclined.
There are many radios out there with more integrated features. I upgraded because I wanted HD stations. The AM station I listen to for traffic reports is upgraded to FM quality sound and although I don't notice the "CD quality" of the FM station, I do get additional stations such as the "local bands only" channel on my local alternative station.
I've added bluetooth to my radio though some radios have bluetooth integrated. Many radios include integrated iPod control so you can select the tunes you want from your radio rather than the glove box and charge your iPod at the same time.
As far as sound goes, if you want to up the volume and experience the music, the factory head unit and factory speakers are both a bit on the sorry side. If you don't have the under-seat subwoofer, the sound can be tinny. Upgrading the door speakers helps even for the factory stereos and the subwoofer's no longer a help since the "tinny" left with the extremely inexpensive factory door speakers.
If you had a 6-transistor radio pushing out some noise you can understand, would you need to upgrade that? It's hard to justify any upgrades if all you want is sound. THe judgement of good sound is where the upgrades start. The features are where the upgrades can take you.
If you want a Radio10 I can hook you up for $80 plus shipping (under $14). More disks and a better display; mp3 disk support across 6 disks can give you plenty of your own music to choose from without swapping disks.
- John
Today
Linear Mode
