Number of fixed settings
The number of fixed settings (presets) provided in the car radio equalizer.
The presence of such settings can greatly simplify the adjustment: choosing the right preset is easier than manually adjusting each EQ band. At the same time, presets are often selected by the manufacturer for certain genres of music and have the appropriate names — "Rock", "Pop", "Jazz", etc.; this simplifies the task even more. And the more fixed settings in the device, the wider the choice of the user. In some radio tape recorders, in addition to pre-flashed ones, user presets are also provided — they can be programmed in advance and turned on in the same way as the preset ones.
Power per channel
The rated sound power produced by the radio amplifier for each audio channel.
Nominal is the highest average (rms) sound power at which the amplifier operates without overload and is able to operate for an unlimited time. This is the main indicator characterizing the overall sound volume of the radio; individual power surges can be much higher than the nominal value, but they are short-lived; here we are talking about a constant signal level. In addition, compatibility with specific speakers depends on this indicator: the rated power of the speaker system must be no lower than that of the amplifier, otherwise the speakers may be damaged at high volumes. However, the spread is not so great; there are radios with an output power of
40 W,
45 W,
50 W,
55 W,
60 W and more.
Optimal amplifier power settings depend on a number of factors, ranging from the number of channels to the personal preferences of listeners. Detailed information on this topic can be found in special sources; In short, we can say that the higher the power per channel, the louder the sound the radio can produce.
Volume control
The type of volume control provided in the radio.
Rotary knobs,
sensors or
mechanical buttons are most often used in this role; Here is a more detailed description of each of these options.
— Rotary regulator. The traditional regulator in the form of a round knob, which does not lose popularity nowadays — in fact, it is he who is installed in most modern car radios. Such prevalence, among other things, is due to the fact that the rotary knob is compatible with both digital and analogue volume control circuits — which means that it can be used in devices of any level, from top-end to the most simple and inexpensive. In addition, such a regulator stands out noticeably on the radio panel, so you can even find and turn it by touch, without being distracted once again from the road. The disadvantages of rotary knobs include perhaps some bulkiness compared to buttons and sensors, but this moment is extremely rarely significant.
— Mechanical buttons. Traditional mechanical buttons — more precisely, most often one double-sided rocker button, vertical or horizontal. Unlike the rotary knobs described above, they can only be used with digital volume control circuits; therefore, most radio tape recorders with buttons are advanced devices with extensive functionality and a size of at least 2DIN (or a screen of at least 5 ", for standard models). In such cases, the advant
...age of buttons over rotary controls is that the rocker can be made very narrow and install even on a very thin screen frame, while the handle requires a fairly wide additional panel. And if you compare this option with sensors, then mechanical buttons are somewhat cheaper, and you can control them blindly without taking your eyes off the road to the radio panel. On the other hand, the mechanics tend to wear out with use, making it less reliable, and many users simply don't like buttons more than sensors, and for these reasons, and a few others, this option is relatively rare.
— Touch buttons. Controls in the form of sensors that are triggered not by pressing, but by touch. Like mechanical buttons (see above), this control is only compatible with digital volume control and is mainly used in advanced radios with large screens. At the same time, the sensors give the device the most advanced and “technological” appearance, attractive to many users from a purely aesthetic side. The main disadvantage of this option is that the touch buttons usually do not protrude from the panel — so it is almost impossible to find the right sensor blindly, and when controlling the radio, you inevitably have to be distracted from the road. However, with more or less decent driving skills and due care, this moment is not a serious drawback, so this type of control in high-end radio tape recorders is used much more often than traditional buttons.
