All In-dash car stereos

The Bottom Line: The Kenwood KDC X890 is a capable head unit that supports a broad range of audio formats. Voice indexing helps counteract awkward manual file selection, although the system's claims that it measures car performance are dubious.

Specs: Radio / CD / MP3 player, Radio tuner, CD / MP3 player, USB, Audio line-in, Subwoofer output, Rear channel output, Front channel output

The Bottom Line: With its wide selection of media source inputs, the Jensen VM9511TS is a high-water mark for aftermarket stereo head units. Its separate media module takes up a lot of space, and at $800, it's pricey for an off-the-shelf system. Still, it blows factory-installed options out of the water in terms of value.

Specs: In-dash, LCD monitor, CD text, On-screen menu, IPod compatible, ID3 tags support, Dual-zone capability, Rear-facing camera capability, 60 Watts x 4, TV tuner, CD player, DVD player, LCD display, Radio tuner, CD, DVD, CD-R, SVCD, CD-RW, DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD+RW, DVD-RW, Video CD

The Bottom Line: The Jensen VM9510TS is a versatile in-dash multimedia head unit with DVD- and TV-viewing capabilities. You get a variety of input options, some of which are easily accessible thanks to a dash-mountable breakout box.

Specs: In-dash, LCD monitor, On-screen menu, JPEG photo playback from flash memory card, MPEG-4 video playback from flash memory card, 60 Watts x 4, TV tuner, Amplifier, CD player, DVD player, LCD display, Radio tuner, Digital player, CD, DVD, CD-R, DivX, SVCD, CD-RW, DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD+RW, DVD-RW, Video CD

The Bottom Line: Blaupunkt's Monterrey MP35 is an affordable MP3/CD player with a couple of cool features, but you don't get a lot of extras with this entry-level head unit.

Specs: Radio / CD / MP3 player, Radio tuner, CD / MP3 player, Audio line-out, Subwoofer output, Audio line-in

The Bottom Line: Sony's CDX-F7715X is a versatile CD/MP3 player, but its lack of a front input makes hooking in an MP3 player difficult.

Specs: Radio / CD / MP3 player, Radio tuner, CD / MP3 player, Front channel output, Rear channel output, Subwoofer output, Audio line-in, System components control bus, Remote control

The Bottom Line: With its multiple A/V connections and DVD/CD player, the Sony XAV-A1 is a very capable head unit. It's an attractive choice, if you can afford it.

Specs: In-dash, LCD monitor, CD text, Dual-zone capability, 50 Watts x 4, In-dash unit integrated, DVD player, LCD display, Radio tuner, CD, DVD, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD+RW, DVD-RW, Video CD

The Bottom Line: A few minor issues aside, this player performs very well.

Specs: Radio / CD player, Radio tuner, CD player, Front channel output, Rear channel output, Front speakers output, Rear speakers output, DC power input, Antenna, System components control bus, Audio line-in

The Bottom Line: A good deal for the price.

Specs: Radio / CD / MP3 player, Radio tuner, CD / MP3 player, Audio line-out, System components control bus, Audio line-in, Subwoofer output

Specs: Radio / CD / MP3 player / USB flash player, Radio tuner, CD / MP3 player, Audio line-out, Subwoofer output

Specs: In-dash, LCD monitor, CD text, Built-in clock, On-screen menu, iPod compatible, ID3 tags support, Rear-facing camera capability, 50 Watts x 4, Amplifier, DVD player, LCD display, Radio tuner, Digital player, CD, DVD, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW