Trevor Baker
A good car stereo is essentially the most important part of your vehicle. It’s what takes in all of the audio from the radio, movies, and GPS. But with so many different brands on the market, it can be difficult to decide which model is best for you. To save you time and trouble, we have compiled a list of some of the best double DIN car stereo for sound quality.
Pioneer AVH-W4400NEX – Best Double Din Car Stereo for Sound Quality
| Display | TFT Active Matrix touchscreen display 7″ (800 x 480) |
| Apple CarPlay, Android Auto | Yes |
| OS | Proprietary |
| Connectivity | Dual USB, SDXC, AUX, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
| Radio | Sirius XM(not supplied), built-in HD Radio™, Pandora, FM/AM |
| Amplifier | 4 x 50 W |
| Equalizer | 13-band EQ |
| Camera input | 2 inputs |
The Pioneer AVH-W4400NEX media receiver is a high-quality unit with a lot of worthwhile features. While there are cheaper brands on the market, Pioneer is a name that comes with a certain level of quality expectation. If you want to invest in something that will last, then this might be the device for you.
📲 This model has both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support integrated right into the media receiver so you can choose which one to use depending on your phone of choice.
🖥 The W4400NEX has a 6.95-inch WVGA display that is easy to use and gives you access to a lot of information. The screen resolution is 800×480, which is fine for the price. The screen is resistive, which is a nice feature to have.
What really makes this receiver stand out is the sound quality. It supports Hi-Res audio format (FLAC 192kHz/24-bit).
🔊 This model comes with a 50-watt x 4-channel built-in amplifier, which will work well for an average audio system. If you want more power, you can connect your own amplifier via the pre-amp outputs.
🔌 This media receiver comes with all the necessary inputs and outputs to connect all your devices like a camera, smartphone(USB), etc. It also has an AUX input that can be used to listen to audio connected to an external device.
Of the wireless technologies, there is Bluetooth, which is suitable for streaming music. It even has built-in Wi-Fi.
🎛 The 13-band graphic EQ on the AVH-W4400NEX is perfect for adjusting the unit’s sound. This feature gives you the ability to adjust your sound to the level that you like. You can also adjust your bass and treble, as well as have different profiles available depending on your preference.
For a media receiver with high sound quality and plenty of features, the W4400NEX is a solid choice for anyone looking for a decent device.
Kenwood DMX7706S – Best Double Din Car Stereo for Sound Quality with Backup Camera
| Display | TFT Active Matrix touchscreen display 6.95″ (800 x 480) |
| Apple CarPlay, Android Auto | Yes |
| OS | Proprietary |
| Connectivity | USB, Bluetooth |
| Radio | Sirius XM(not supplied), FM/AM |
| Amplifier | 4 x 50 W |
| Equalizer | 13-band EQ |
| Camera input | 2 inputs |
The Kenwood Excelon DMX7706S is a great double-din car stereo. It has an intuitive interface that is easy to use and set up, as well as simple controls for changing the settings of your connected devices.
📲 When it comes to mobile technology, Apple and Google are some of the most well-known companies. The DMX7706S has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, which allows you to use your smartphone in a safe way while driving.
🖥 One of the most important features of a media receiver is the display. The DMX7706S has a bright 6.95-inch full-color touchscreen. It has an electronically adjustable display angle. This feature allows you to adjust the contrast and create the best possible viewing environment.
🔊 When it comes to car audio, one of the most important factors is having a strong enough amplifier. The DMX706S amplifier is capable of producing up to 22 watts RMS and 50 watts peak power.
🔌 If you’re interested in wireless connectivity, the KENWOOD is equipped with Bluetooth. Also, you have access to the most commonly used inputs like aux-in and USB. It has two rear-view camera inputs. This feature allows you to connect your rear-view camera right to the media receiver.
🎛 The Kenwood DMX7706S has a 13-band graphic EQ that can be adjusted to any frequency range. This feature is great in terms of adjusting the sound to your preference.
You can get a lot of different double din stereo units, but the Kenwood Excelon DMX706S has all the features and excellent sound quality you need to make your music listening experience better.
Sony XAV AX5000 – Best Double Din Car Stereo for Sound Quality with Bluetooth
| Display | TFT Active Matrix touchscreen display 6.95″ (800 x 480), 500cd / m2 |
| Apple CarPlay, Android Auto | Yes |
| OS | Proprietary |
| Connectivity | Dual USB, Bluetooth |
| Radio | Sirius XM(not supplied), FM/AM |
| Amplifier | 4 x 55 W |
| Equalizer | 10-band EQ |
| Camera input | Yes |
The Sony XAV-AX5000 is one of the most popular double-din car stereo for sound quality. It has all the basic features you need as well as a relatively powerful amplifier.
📲 Apple Car Play and Android Auto™ are two key functions that Sony XAV-AX5000 offers. This way, you can use your smartphone as a hands-free speakerphone and control your favorite music apps from the touchscreen display.
🖥 This model features a 6.95″ bezel-less display that gives you an outstanding view of the video and control screen. The display is also easy to read and use in bright sunlight thanks to its high contrast and wide viewing angle.
🔌 Sony XAV-AX5000 comes with two USB ports. These are used for input to a smartphone or tablet and for output – so that you can connect to other devices, such as an iPod or a USB stick.
📻 SiriusXM tuner(not included) allows you to enjoy over 150 satellite radio channels – featuring music, sports, news, and entertainment programming.
🔊 This car stereo features 4 separate amplifiers(4 x 55 W) that can be used to boost the performance of this system’s speakers or to provide additional power for a subwoofer. This lets you enjoy rich and deep sound with any audio source you choose.
Sony XAV-AX5000 is a high-performance, fully featured in-dash multimedia car stereo that has been improved in many ways to make it the best double din car stereo for sound quality.
Alpine iLX-W650 7″ – Best Double Din Car Stereo For Android Auto
| Display | TFT Active Matrix touchscreen display 7″ (800 x 480) |
| Apple CarPlay, Android Auto | Yes |
| OS | Proprietary |
| Connectivity | USB, AUX, Bluetooth |
| Radio | Sirius XM(not supplied), Pandora, FM/AM |
| Amplifier | 4 x 45 W, KTA-450 amp 4 x 100 W |
| Equalizer | 9-band EQ |
| Camera input | 2 inputs |
The Alpine iLX-W650 is one of the best double-din car stereos available today. It offers a rich sound quality and wireless connectivity for the ultimate music experience.
📲 It comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. With Apple CarPlay, you can access Siri to make calls, send messages, and use voice commands. You can also access all the music stored on your iPhone through the iTunes app. Android Auto allows you to access Google Maps and makes it easy to stream your favorite music apps such as Slacker Radio and Spotify.
🖥 This receiver comes with a 7-inch capacitive multi-touch display. It features a full-color TFT resolution of 800 x 480 pixels, which will make your navigation experience easy and enjoyable.
🔊 The Alpine iLX-W650 has a 4-channel amplifier that provides 14 watts RMS and 50 watts peak power per channel. It comes with a KTA-450 amplifier that can boost up to 50W RMS and 100W peak power.
🔌 There are several connectivity options here. It can connect to your phone through Bluetooth and supports Siri Eyes Free. It can also connect to your phone through a USB cable and supports Apple CarPlay. It is also possible to connect two cameras and a radio tuner SiriusXM (not included).
The Alpine iLX-W650 is easy to use and easy to connect. It is an excellent choice for anyone who wants excellent sound quality while driving down the road with great music in their car stereo system.
ATOTO S8 Premium – Best Android Double Din Car Stereo for Sound Quality
| Display | Full HD 7inch 1024*600 5-Touch Capacitive QLED Touchscreen with 600cd/m2 |
| Apple CarPlay, Android Auto | Yes |
| OS | Android |
| Connectivity | 2 x USB, AUX, SD, Dual Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
| Radio | Sirius XM(not supplied), Pandora |
| Amplifier | 4 x 49 W |
| Equalizer | 2 adjustable frequency bands |
| Camera input | 2 inputs |
This car radio is significantly different from the previous ones. ATOTO S8 Premium is an Android multimedia that has a UNISOC 7862 Octa-Core processor based on ATOTO AICE UI 11.0 operating system.
🖥 The second feature of this device is the display. ATOTO S8 has a 7-inch QLED screen with a Full HD resolution of 1024 * 600. This has a serious advantage over competitors, because of its brightness of 600cd/m2 and a viewing angle of 178 degrees.
🔊 The sound quality here will not be anything special. This car radio has a built-in Max 4*49W BTL Amplifier with RMS 4*29W. But it has a flexible equalizer setup: preset 9 EQ Modes, and 32 adjustable frequency bands (16 bands for front and 16 for rear).
🔌 To connect your smartphone, use a USB or Wi-Fi connection via CarPlay or Android Auto. You can also stream music via Bluetooth 5.0 which has aptX HD, SBS, AAC, and other codecs.
With a connected Internet there is an opportunity to use installed maps from Google, as ATOTO S8 Premium has a built-in GPS receiver.
In fact, it is one of the best car radios, thanks to its features that others do not have and the low price for such additions. At the same time, this product is not very popular, and has not yet passed the “test of the years”.
Pioneer MVH-S622BS – Best Budget Double Din Car Stereo for Sound Quality
| Display | LED, 210000 Colors, dual-zone |
| Apple CarPlay, Android Auto | No |
| OS | Proprietary |
| Connectivity | USB, AUX, Bluetooth |
| Radio | Sirius XM(not supplied), Pandora, FM/AM |
| Amplifier | 4 x 50 W |
| Equalizer | 13 Band, 31 Band with Pioneer Smart Sync app |
| Camera input | – |
Pioneer MVH-S622BS is a relatively cheap 2-din car stereo among the above mentioned, which has its disadvantages, but there are also some advantages, which we will tell you about.
🖥 The first difference in this car receiver is the display. Here is a simple LED text display, so you can’t see videos or images.
📲 Accordingly, there is also no support for CarPlay or Android Auto. But you can still control the music on your car stereo via your smartphone with Pioneer’s Smart Sync app. It also allows you to conduct hands-free calls, use navigation, and even gives you 31 bands of EQ.
🔌 You can connect via Bluetooth or USB, from Android or iPhone. You can also stream music from your smartphone through the Spotify application or Pandora Internet Radio via Bluetooth.
🔊 As for sound, there is a built-in amplifier with 14 W RMS, with a peak power of 50 W x 4-ch. It supports MP3, WMA, AAC, FLAC, and WAV files.
Pioneer MVH-S622BS is the best double din car stereo for sound quality if you consider budget options, there is no big touch screen, but you can control your smartphone and listen to high-quality music.
JVC KW-V850BT – Best JVC Double Din Car Stereo for Sound Quality
| Display | Clear Resistive 6.8″ WVGA |
| Apple CarPlay, Android Auto | Yes |
| OS | Proprietary |
| Connectivity | USB, AUX, SD, Bluetooth |
| Radio | Sirius XM(not supplied), Pandora, FM/AM |
| Amplifier | 4 x 50 W |
| Equalizer | 13-Band Graphic EQ |
| Camera input | 2 inputs |
📲The JVC KW-V850BT is a great double din car stereo with a wide range of features intended for those interested in high sound quality and compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
🔌 This car audio supports both of these technologies for seamless compatibility between car stereos and smartphones. With Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, you’ll only need to connect your phone via USB to your car stereo for easy access to your contacts, music library, maps, and more.
🖥 You can control it all on the 6.8-inch WVGA display with an adjustable angle.
🔊 The sound quality here is no worse than others, perhaps even better in some ways. JVC can play Hi-res FLAC (up to 24-bit/192 kHz) and DSD (up to 11.2 MHz) files on USB drives. The built-in amplifier has a peak power of 50W and an RMS power of 22 watts for 4 channels.
🎛 This JVC comes with a 13-band parametric EQ with 8 preset EQ settings and 4 user presets. It gives you a lot of room for customization, you can adjust the bass, mid, and treble to your liking.
The JVC KW-V850BT is a good choice if you need a double din car stereo with high sound quality, compatibility with Apple CarPlay, and the ability to customize your sound.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Double Din Car Stereo
User Interface
The user interface of the car radio should be simple and easy to use. The screen should be easy to view and navigate. The menus should be displayed in an organized, easy-to-understand manner. Volume should be easy to change without having to go through numerous menus or play with different buttons. It is better if the main buttons (volume and track switching) are made separate from the touch screen.
Compatibility
Before you buy a car stereo, make sure it’s compatible with your vehicle. You must make sure that the car radio fits the dimensions and that you have all the necessary wires and connectors.
Amplifier
Many of today’s head units have more preamp lines than single din, so if you want to install an amplifier for your aftermarket speakers, these double din models will be perfect.
EQ
At first sight, the equalizer doesn’t seem like a big deal. But it allows you to adjust the perfect sound for you, including the voice quality when speaking. And the more bands you have on your car radio, the more precise and detailed you can adjust.
Operating System
You will want to make sure the head unit you choose has an easy-to-use operating system that works well with your smartphone. This may be a proprietary operating system or a mobile operating system, like Android.
CarPlay, Android Auto
If you have chosen a receiver with a proprietary OS, it is worth paying attention to whether there is support for CarPlay or Android Auto applications, which allow you to control the device from a smartphone. You can use a USB cable to connect the receiver.
Connectivity
The most important feature to consider when choosing a double DIN stereo is its sound quality. Most models come with AM/FM access, but if you want more of your own music options, then think about connectivity features like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. How many devices can be synced at the same time? Do you have the option to connect USB drives or aux cables?
And if you have rearview cameras, it’s worth knowing if your car radio has the right connectors.
