Car Stereo Buying Guide by Budget: Bluetooth, CarPlay, Wireless and Floating Screens

From $100 to $250, you get a Bluetooth receiver for a single-DIN dash, like the JVC KD-X280BT or Alpine UTE-73BT, or the BOSS Audio BE7ACP with wired CarPlay. From $250 to $500, you get a double-DIN touchscreen with wired CarPlay, like the Kenwood DMX4710S or Pioneer DMH-1800NEX, or wireless CarPlay, like the JVC KW-M785BW or Alpine iLX-W770. From $500 to $1,000 come HD screens, more camera inputs and features like built-in GPS. At $1,000 and up are the 9- to 11-inch floating screens. Every price in this guide is the listed price on the product page.

Car audio · · DJ Custom Audio, South Gate

How this guide works

Each tier below lists the stereos on our listings whose listed price falls in that range, using the same price ranges as our shop filters. The price column is filled in from each product page when the site is built, so it always matches the shop.

Some receivers on our listings say Call for price instead, like the Pioneer DMH-W4600NEX, Kenwood DMX1037S and Sony XAV-AX8500. Text (213) 674-9042 and we will send you the number. We are an authorized Alpine and Pioneer dealer, and Tony installs stereos in our own bay at 8696 Atlantic Ave in South Gate.

$100 to $250: Bluetooth and a first CarPlay screen

Most stereos in this tier are single-DIN Bluetooth receivers with no CD, for calls and music streaming from your phone. The Pioneer DEH-S4220BT keeps a CD player, the Alpine UTE-83BT has a shallow chassis, and the Kenwood Excelon KMM-X705 adds HD Radio. The BOSS Audio BE7ACP is a double-DIN 7-inch screen with wired CarPlay and Android Auto.

Listed prices, taken from each product page when the site is built.

ReceiverTypePhone connectionListed price
JVC KD-X280BTSingle-DIN, no CDBluetooth$119
Pioneer MVH-S322BTDigital media, no CDBluetooth$129.99
Alpine UTE-63BTDigital media, no CDBluetooth$149.95
Alpine UTE-73BTSingle-DIN, no CDBluetooth$149.95
Pioneer DEH-S4220BTSingle-DIN CD receiverBluetooth$149.99
Alpine UTE-83BTSingle-DIN, no CD, shallow chassisBluetooth$189.95
BOSS Audio BE7ACPDouble-DIN, 7 in screenWired CarPlay/Android Auto$189.99
Kenwood Excelon KMM-X705Single-DIN, no CD, HD RadioBluetooth$219

$250 to $500: CarPlay touchscreens, wired or wireless

This tier is double-DIN touchscreens. The Kenwood DMX4710S, Alpine iLX-W670-M and Pioneer DMH-1800NEX and DMH-2000NEX connect CarPlay and Android Auto with a cable. The JVC KW-M785BW and KW-M695BW, Alpine iLX-W770, Kenwood DMX5710S and Pioneer DMH-W3050NEX and DMH-W3000NEX connect wirelessly. The Alpine iLX-W670-M and iLX-W770 are 2.4 inches deep for tight dashes, and the JVC KW-V660BT keeps a DVD/CD player.

Listed prices, taken from each product page when the site is built.

ReceiverTypePhone connectionListed price
Kenwood DMX4710SDouble-DIN, 6.8 in screenWired CarPlay/Android Auto$319
Alpine iLX-W670-MDouble-DIN, 6.75 in screen, 2.4 in deepWired CarPlay/Android Auto$339.95
Pioneer DMH-1800NEXDouble-DIN, 6.8 in screenWired CarPlay/Android Auto$339.99
JVC KW-M785BWDouble-DIN, 6.8 in screenWireless CarPlay/Android Auto$399
JVC KW-V660BTDouble-DIN, 6.8 in screen, DVD/CDWired CarPlay/Android Auto$429
JVC KW-M695BWDouble-DIN, 6.8 in screenWireless CarPlay/Android Auto$429
Alpine iLX-W770Double-DIN, 6.75 in screen, 2.4 in deepWireless CarPlay/Android Auto$429.99
Pioneer DMH-2000NEXDouble-DIN, 6.8 in screen, HD RadioWired CarPlay/Android Auto$429.99
Kenwood DMX5710SDouble-DIN, 6.8 in screenWireless CarPlay/Android Auto$459
Pioneer DMH-W3050NEXDouble-DIN, 6.8 in screen, HD RadioWireless CarPlay/Android Auto$469.99
Pioneer DMH-W3000NEXDouble-DIN, 6.8 in screenWireless CarPlay/Android Auto$479.99

$500 to $1,000: bigger screens and more features

Here you get HD screens, like the Alpine iLX-507 and Kenwood DMX958XR, plus more camera inputs and preamp outputs for an amplified system. The Pioneer DMH-WC5700NEX is a floating 6.8-inch screen, the Alpine INE-W970HD has built-in GPS navigation and a DVD/CD player, and the JVC KW-V960BW keeps DVD/CD with wireless CarPlay. For camera inputs model by model, see our backup camera guide.

Listed prices, taken from each product page when the site is built.

ReceiverTypePhone connectionListed price
Alpine iLX-407Double-DIN, 7 in screen, shallow chassisCarPlay/Android Auto$539.95
Kenwood Excelon DMX809SDouble-DIN, 6.75 in screenWireless or USB CarPlay/Android Auto$599
Pioneer DMH-WC5700NEXFloating 6.8 in screenWireless CarPlay/Android Auto$749.99
JVC KW-M875BWDouble-DIN, 6.8 in screenWireless CarPlay/Android Auto$799
Alpine iLX-507Double-DIN, 7 in HD screenWired and wireless CarPlay/Android Auto$899.95
JVC KW-V960BWDouble-DIN, 6.8 in screen, DVD/CDWireless CarPlay/Android Auto$969
Kenwood DMX958XRDouble-DIN, 6.75 in HD screenWireless CarPlay/Android Auto$999
Alpine INE-W970HDDouble-DIN, 6.5 in screen, built-in GPS, DVD/CDWired CarPlay/Android Auto$999.95

$1,000 and up: floating screens

The top tier is large floating screens: the JVC KW-Z1001W and Kenwood DMX1058XR and DMX1057XR at 10.1 inches, and the Alpine Halo9 iLX-F509 and Halo11 iLX-F511 at 9 and 11 inches on a single-DIN chassis. A floating screen has to clear the dash and vents, so Tony checks the fit for your car before you buy. See our floating screen comparison for more.

Listed prices, taken from each product page when the site is built.

ReceiverTypePhone connectionListed price
JVC KW-Z1001WFloating 10.1 in screenWireless CarPlay/Android Auto$1,349
Kenwood DMX1058XRFloating 10.1 in HD screenWireless CarPlay/Android Auto$1,449
Kenwood DMX1057XRFloating 10.1 in HD screenWireless or USB CarPlay/Android Auto$1,549
Alpine iLX-F509 Halo9Floating 9 in screen, single-DIN chassisWired and wireless CarPlay/Android Auto$1,649.95
Alpine iLX-F511 Halo11Floating 11 in screen, single-DIN chassisWired and wireless CarPlay/Android Auto$1,899.95

How to pick, and how to get one

Start with your dash: single-DIN, double-DIN or room for a floating screen. Then decide wired or wireless CarPlay. The install can also need a dash kit, harness or integration module for your car, and Tony prices those with the receiver. Text (213) 674-9042 with your year, make and model, or use Shop by vehicle.

Everything is bought and installed or picked up at the shop at 8696 Atlantic Ave in South Gate, and you can ask about our Payment Plan. Stock moves, so call (323) 944-7844 to confirm the stereo is on the shelf before you drive over.

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Car audio: send the year, make, and model, and Tony gets back to you with what fits and a price. DJ gear: tell Joe the room or the party, like "backyard party, 150 people" or "starter DJ setup," and he will put a setup together.

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Questions on Car Stereo Buying Guide by Budget: Bluetooth, CarPlay, Wireless and Floating Screens

What is the cheapest way to get CarPlay?

In our $100 to $250 tier, the BOSS Audio BE7ACP is a double-DIN 7-inch screen with wired CarPlay and Android Auto. From $250 to $500 are double-DIN screens from Kenwood, Alpine, Pioneer and JVC.

Wired or wireless CarPlay?

Wired connects with a USB cable. Wireless connects without one. The $250 to $500 tier has both, like the Kenwood DMX4710S (wired) and the JVC KW-M785BW (wireless).

Are these the real prices?

Yes. The price column comes from each product page, the same listed price you see in the shop. Some receivers say Call for price instead; text (213) 674-9042 for the number.

Does the price include the install?

The listed price is for the stereo. The install can also need a dash kit, harness or integration module, and Tony quotes the full job for your car.

Can I pay over time?

Ask about our Payment Plan at the counter.

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