Absolutely all modern cars are equipped with radio tape recorders, however, not every one of them is characterized by decent sound quality. Accordingly, the owner of the vehicle begins to think about replacing such an element. It is quite simple to do today - in specialized stores a huge selection of such products is presented. Most people prefer a 2-din radio, which in addition to excellent sound has a decent amount of additional features.
Unfortunately, not all motorists have enough knowledge about the correct choice of such products. It is for them that our today's article is designed. Let's start by analyzing the important characteristics that affect the choice of the product, and then move on to the rating of the best 2-din radio tape recorders of 2019.
Summary of the rating:
How to choose a 2-din radio?
First of all, you need to check whether this product fits the corresponding connector in the car - today the standards are 1-din and 2-din. On sale there is a huge number of cheap analogues made in China, whose overall dimensions may differ from the standard ones, so be sure to look at the dimensions of the device. In addition, look at the acoustic capabilities of the device. Cars are equipped as standard with two speakers in the front doors and two more located in shelves above the trunk or in the rear doors.
If the car owner is going to improve the sound by installing a subwoofer or additional speakers, then the 2-din format is ideal for him, as these recorders have additional connectors for connecting similar equipment. With the help of these products it is possible to achieve sound power of the order of 4x50 watts.
Absolutely all receivers of this class have a liquid crystal or LCD display, which are characterized by excellent color reproduction quality and a high level of image clarity. On sale there are models with a touch screen and a decent diagonal. However, these factors will directly affect the cost of production. Modern radios do not have a drive for playing optical discs, as this standard is considered obsolete. They were replaced by USB connectors or even slots for memory cards such as SD, microSD.
For lovers of a clear and pleasant sound, so-called tags are also displayed, which indicate the author of the composition, the name of the album, and also displays additional information contained in the playable track. An important moment when choosing a radio of this format is the backlight, because in addition to the aesthetic effect, it will directly affect the safety of movement. The fact is that each color in its own way affects the psychological background of a person.
It is natural that the radio is equipped with a radio operating in the AM and FM bands. It is advisable that memory cells be provided to store your favorite radio stations, as well as automatic broadcast scanning. This will allow the driver not to be distracted while driving. There are also models equipped with navigators and other additional features, however, they mostly belong to the premium class and cost significantly more than conventional radio tape recorders.
When choosing products for inclusion in our rating, we relied on all the points considered, and also took into account the price-quality ratio of products, and user reviews played a significant role. We tried to compile a review of the most acceptable in terms of cost of radio tape recorders, so that each reader they could afford. Now is the time to analyze the specific operational characteristics of the models themselves.
The best models of 2-din radio
10. Alpine IVE-W560BT-R
Our review opens not just a radio tape recorder, but a real full-fledged multimedia system that allows you to enjoy clear sound with a well reproduced range of low, medium and high frequencies. With its help, you can not only listen to music, but also watch movies in various formats. This was made possible thanks to the installed six-inch high-definition liquid crystal display. In addition, there is a reliable and powerful Bluetooth module that can reliably connect to a mobile phone. This feature allows you to save the motorist from using special hands free headsets. It is possible to install displays in the rear seats. While the driver will listen to the radio, other passengers in the car will be able to enjoy watching movies.
This model works very well with iPhone brand phones. Through the radio, you can control the Siri voice assistant, however, it will also be in stable contact with gadgets operating on the Android platform. There are a lot of exits here, so with the help of such a radio, you can easily increase the overall sound power of the car speaker system.
Benefits:
- Carefully thought out and fully Russified interface;
- Great sound quality;
- The radio tape recorder can be interfaced with any regular buttons of the car;
- The broadest functionality.
Disadvantages:
- It’s quite difficult to set up products - it will take a lot of time;
- You can listen to the .flac format only from external devices.
9. Pioneer SPH-DA240BT
The radio tape recorder easily works with all well-known audio and video formats, it is also possible to view photos stored in the memory of a mobile phone or on a USB storage device. Even high-definition video (such as Full HD) plays with ease. Like most models included in our review, there is a Bluetooth module, a jack for connecting a rear view camera with the ability to configure parking lines. The sound processor of the radio is quite powerful, so the user will be able to easily adjust the sound, including in channel mode. The model has a graphic equalizer, which includes 13 bands at once. The front side of the device is almost completely occupied by the display, whose diagonal is 7 inches. The screen has an anti-reflective coating, the response speed is very high.
The backlight is made with RGB support, and it is customizable, which allows you to bring the radio to one style design with the colors of the dashboard and the vehicle interior. The user can set the screen saver to their taste. A radiator designed to cool power amplifiers is combined with a fan of the entire radio cooling system. The number of connectors is huge - they are enough for all occasions. There are tags, and they are displayed on the panel in Russian. Navigation is very accurate, all information is displayed on the main screen, and control is carried out from it. The equalizer has a number of standard presets, and there are also several cells for saving user settings.
Benefits:
- A very large number of connectors;
- It is possible to connect a rear view camera and configure parking lines for the dimensions of the car;
- The menu is very convenient, the buttons are bright and large;
- Decent screen clarity;
- Good sound quality.
Disadvantages:
- Not so easy to install on your own;
- Weak radio.
8. JVC KW-M14
This is one of the most affordable models without a disk drive. One of the key features of the device is the installation depth, which is negligible and is only 75 mm. Therefore, the car enthusiast can quite cope with the installation on their own, even if his car has a problem panel, which has limited internal space. The sound processor here is very mediocre, but with it you can achieve a decent sound. The design is modest, but no protruding details are provided here. Touch control - all functions are located in the on-screen menu. If desired, you can connect the radio to the steering buttons, however, for this you will have to purchase a special adapter. The display is touch-sensitive, its diagonal is 6.8 inches, and the resolution is 800x480 pixels. It works on the basis of the latest generation of liquid crystal matrix called Clear Resistive Touch Panel.
The matrix is characterized by excellent contrast and decent picture quality. The sensitivity of the sensor is high, users usually compare it with the same indicator available on capacitive screens. The panel works perfectly at all temperatures. The receiver, first of all, is designed to work with USB media, however, the flash drive must be formatted in FAT32, NTFS is not supported here. The radio tape recorder works only with the most common sound formats - .mp3, .wma, .aac, you won’t be able to listen to .flac songs or watch videos with the .avi extension. On the back there is a decent number of connectors: there is a socket for working with a parking camera, an exit to a subwoofer, wires for working with reverse sensors, a parking brake and an adapter for the steering wheel buttons are displayed in a harness.
Benefits:
- The lowest cost in the entire rating;
- Wide viewing angles;
- Eyes do not get tired even when watching movies for a long time;
- Superior workmanship and assembly;
- Insignificant width.
Disadvantages:
- Does not read many audio and video formats;
- Not very wide opportunities in terms of setting the sound quality.
7. Alpine INE-W928R
A very interesting car device, which has a very large display diagonal, which is as much as 8 inches, is a real record for 2-din radio tape recorders. The driver can get all the information necessary for himself only by throwing a cursory glance at the device’s screen. This makes the product as convenient as possible while driving. There is also a function of dividing the screen into two parts, so you can work simultaneously with several applications without loss of image quality. The functional side of the device is also very wide. Especially users note the Bluetooth module, which is able to work with a huge number of protocols designed for transmitting audio, video, receiving calls, and so on.
The radio tape recorder is fully compatible with the iOS and Android platforms. To connect external storage media, a USB connector is provided here. She also has a drive for working with optical discs, which is quite unusual for products of this class. Among other things, the navigation system is provided here: the interface is clear, there are built-in detailed maps of 46 countries, the application supports 29 languages, the map can be displayed both in standard form and in 3D format, which looks great on a display of this size. The sound tuning options are wide, you can achieve excellent performance even on a standard vehicle speaker system.
Benefits:
- Very large display diagonal;
- The ability to split the screen into two parts without loss of functionality;
- Each user can save their own settings;
- Carefully thought out interface.
Disadvantages:
- Some difficulties may arise when connecting such a product;
- High price.
6. Pioneer SPH-DA120
This is the first model in our review that runs on the Android platform and was originally created for people who actively use their smartphones, including driving a car. The diagonal of the LCD touch screen is 6.2 inches. The picture is juicy, contrasting and very clear despite the fact that its resolution is only 800x480 pixels. The outer frame is highlighted quite brightly, made of polished aluminum, which gives the design an external resemblance to the tablet. The native functionality is not too different from the models already analyzed in our review. The radio tape recorder easily interfaces with any mobile devices, plays music and video stored on them, and makes calls. The software allows you to work even with formats such as .flac and .wav. From an external USB drive, you can play videos of almost all known formats. The size of the picture in this case does not have to be adapted to the resolution and diagonal of the screen itself.
The radio has a preamplifier that outputs four channels with a nominal power of 27 watts, with peak loads this parameter can increase up to 50 watts. If desired, you can install a subwoofer and a rear view camera in the car. Sound quality is adjusted using an equalizer consisting of 13 bands. The original point is the presence of a crossover power amplifier, with which you can cut off unnecessary frequencies from each channel.
Benefits:
- Works with almost all audio and video formats;
- Advanced settings;
- May work with MirrorLink;
- Fairly good sound quality.
Disadvantages:
- There is no built-in navigator - such a function appears only after pairing with the smartphone is completed.
5. Prology MPC-50
This is another radio based on the Android operating system. It is a fairly powerful product, equipped with a large-format liquid crystal display with large viewing angles, the diagonal of which is 175 mm. The device is characterized by an expanded functional part, and also combines a very attractive appearance. It differs from other models by the presence of a powerful Wi-Fi module, therefore it is able to independently connect to the Internet without using the resources of a mobile device. If desired, you can connect a 3G modem to the radio. This will allow in future to receive the latest information regarding traffic jams, as well as a whole set of other data. The products are able to function with Google Play, from where it will be possible to download paid and free applications of an entertaining and useful nature.
The multimedia center works with all available video and audio formats. The Bluetooth unit provides hands-free operation, and also allows the radio to receive streaming audio directly from your smartphone. The system has a GPS navigation system, for which the special application “Navitel Navigator” is installed, complete maps of 12 countries of the world are supplied with it.
Benefits:
- A decent diagonal of the LCD;
- You can connect a number of third-party equipment;
- High definition DVR recording;
- Acceleration sensor installed;
- The DVR is equipped with its own processor.
Disadvantages:
- He reacts to some menu switches with some delay.
4. KENWOOD DMX7017BTS
Diskless products, the front panel of which is rigidly fixed on the front side of the car panel. Due to the fact that no moving elements are provided here, the device turned out to be very reliable, since there simply is nothing to break. The depth of the case is standard, although manufacturers could make it even smaller due to the lack of an optical drive. When performing the initial setup, the system will offer to set the angle at which the user will look at the panel. This allows for maximum screen readability. The display itself is characterized by a high level of sensitivity, the response to pressing is almost instantaneous, the lists scroll quickly.
It operates on the basis of the latest generation of resistive matrix Clear Resistive Touch Panel. The colors are quite clear and contrasting, you can change the location of the icons and background image if necessary. The manufacturer claims to support large external hard drives - indeed, a 500 GB hard drive reads with ease. File navigation is very convenient, the font is large, which facilitates the use of the radio while driving - you will be able to instantly navigate what is happening on the screen while driving. It reproduces videos and feature films stably, does not slow down.
Benefits:
- Easy to manage;
- Just connect - you can even connect to the car yourself;
- Pretty fast;
- Bright display of large sizes.
- Reproduces all existing formats.
Disadvantages:
- Average sound quality.
3. Sony XAV-AX100
Despite the fact that this model has been widely sold for more than two years, it still has not lost its relevance to consumers. The device is capable of working with applications such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with which you can play content from a mobile device through the car’s multimedia system. The diagonal of the product is 6.4 inches with a resolution of 800x480 pixels. The functional part is standard: you can receive and make calls through the radio, read short messages, use navigation, maps, connect to the Internet, open a browser. Of course, this also includes listening to music from physical media, radio, watching movies. There are special sensors that display the temperature in the passenger compartment and overboard.
This radio tape recorder allows you to control the climate control system, seat heating and so on. On the screen you can see the picture from the rear view camera, get data regarding tire pressure. The system is equipped with Dynamic Reality Amp 2 sound amplifiers - there are four in total, each with a power of 55 watts. In addition, the producers decided to use their proprietary Extra Bass technology here, with which all low frequencies of the composition will be perfectly heard. You can control this product using a set of voice commands. The settings here are quite wide, a 10-band equalizer is provided, for connecting audio equipment the radio has three additional outputs.
Benefits:
- Ability to use voice control;
- Decent capabilities in the field of tuning sound quality;
- Even low frequencies are well audible;
- Attractive appearance;
- Excellent quality production and assembly.
Disadvantages:
- There is no drive for working with optical discs;
- There is no navigator, although there are built-in maps.
2. JVC KW-M730BT
Caught in second place in our review of the best 2-din radio tape recorders, products are characterized by a strict and slightly angular appearance. On the front panel there are only three control buttons - two are responsible for adjusting the volume, and one allows you to access the main menu. Capacitive touch screen, quickly responds to touch. Its background can be selected among the predefined options, however, it is possible to load your own. There are rear USB connectors that allow you to connect a mobile device and use it as a navigator, and at the same time, the user can listen to music from a connected flash drive. All formats are supported, and this applies not only to audio, but also to video. The built-in sound processor has several operating modes: front, rear, subwoofer, a channel-by-channel amplification function for front and subwoofer sound is provided.
The diagonal of the display is 6.8 inches.The coating is glossy, but glare on it will not be noticeable, moreover, it is insensitive to the occurrence of fingerprints. The viewing angle can also be adjusted, such as brightness, contrast and other parameters of the picture. The image is very saturated and juicy. If necessary, you can connect the radio to the buttons located on the steering wheel. The thirteen-band equalizer has 12 preset modes of operation, as well as four slots for saving user settings.
Benefits:
- High sensitivity and good sensor response speed;
- The radio tape recorder is capable of working with all existing media formats;
- It reads well even 500 GB hard drives.
Disadvantages:
- Raw version of the software update - after its installation, the model may begin to reboot spontaneously.
1. ROXIMO 4G RX-1002 2DIN (Android 6.0)
The leaders of our rating were the latest generation model, which is characterized by the presence of a high-speed Internet module 4G / LTE. The appearance of the device is universal, so it can easily fit into the interior of any car salon. Two special antennas are supplied to the Internet module, which have support for MIMO technology. Such a constructive solution can significantly increase the speed of packet data exchange with the Internet - by about 30-70%. The radio has a connector for installing your own SIM card, so there will be no need to connect it to the phone in order to access the Internet. The model runs on the Android platform, which allows you to use the truly unlimited resources of the Play Market. All maps and routes are displayed taking into account traffic jams, the user is informed about traffic cameras, radars, and so on.
Complete with the device are all the necessary adapters, which will be useful when connected to the vehicle’s standard power system. The display works on the basis of the IPS matrix, which has significant viewing angles - even at a large angle, the colors will not begin to distort. There is support for Multitouch technology: pictures and maps can be scaled with a flick of the finger. Another advantage of this display is its resistance to low temperatures. The radio is equipped with an eight-core MT3562 Octa Core ARM A53 1.5 GHz processor, its functionality is increased thanks to 2 GB of RAM. There are a lot of user settings, as well as connectors for connecting audio systems, cameras, subwoofers and so on. The radio works with any format, has a powerful built-in radio, as well as a TV tuner.
Benefits:
- Very wide product functionality;
- There is everything necessary for comfortable use;
- Does not need to pair with a phone to access the Internet;
- Long service life;
- Good build quality and accessories.
Disadvantages:
- Not found.
In conclusion, a useful video
A review of the best 2-din radio tape recorders is nearing completion. Summing up, I would like to note that for each model we tried to collect the maximum amount of useful information so that you can purchase the most suitable device for yourself. If you have any questions or comments, you can state them in the comments to this article. We will try to respond to your post as soon as possible and provide you with the full amount of information you are interested in for a particular model.