With over 20,000 new and used car audio systems ready to be shipped from Japan and Korea, you will have no problem finding your ideal replacement parts at BE FORWARD. Our list of audio players comprises mainly of offerings from Japanese manufacturers like Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Suzuki, Daihatsu, Subaru, and Mitsubishi; however, we also carry parts for the most popular international car brands like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, Hyundai, and more.

Car Audio Overview

Modern audio players have become fully fledged in-car entertainment systems with many more conveniences than the standard radio and cassette decks of yesteryear, making them an indispensable piece of equipment that for many car owners is essential for an enjoyable drive.

There are three main types of audio players, also known as the head unit, on the market right now that support one or a combination of audio formats. While CD and DVD audio players have optical disc transports, digital media players do away with this hardware and instead give your car audio the ability to stream music from smart devices. While you can expect your audio player to last the life of your vehicle, often times you may begin to experience problems that require repair or replacement with regular use.

Once it is time to buy a replacement, you can save money by searching our listings for affordable new and used car audio systems that are designed specifically to fit your car's make, model, and year.

Common Car Audio Features

Depending on the generation and model of your car, any number of features may be included with the audio player. Inputs like AM/FM radio, multi-disc CD players, AUX port for MP3 devices, amplifier equalizers, and more can come standard. However, today, you can also find even more convenient entertainment features.

USB Input

Many newer audio players come with USB ports to directly connect electronic devices such as mobile phones, media players, and storage devices. Not only does this allow music to be played reliably, you can also charge your devices between stops along your way.

Touch Screen Display

A large visual display with touch screen controls can make driving more convenient and safe. It allows you to quickly adjust your stereo settings and customize screen options, follow onscreen GPS navigation, and give you a better look at what is behind you with a rearview backup camera.

DVD Playability

If you want to watch movies or have MP3 files stored on DVDs, many audio players offer playback functionality with an in-dash DVD player.

Smartphone Compatibility

Car audio systems with Android and iPhone compatibility allow you to access not only music files stored in your smartphone, but other features such as Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Siri, and MirrorLink by connecting your smartphone with a USB cable.

Bluetooth Capability

Bluetooth makes driving much more safe with hands-free communication that allows you to take calls from your smartphone while driving. Additionally, you can connect your mobile device to your audio player via Bluetooth and play music files through the car's built-in speaker system.

Audio Player Sizes

It is important to know that not all audio players will fit your car. They come in two main sizes: single DIN and double DIN (which stands for "Deutsches Institut für Normung," a German organization that created the size standards for vehicle audio players). To know which size you need, check your car's user manual, or remove your audio player and match it to the sizes below.

Single DIN

An audio player designated as single DIN fits into a front faceplate that measures 180mm x 50mm (7-inches wide and 2-inches tall).

If you own a vehicle with a single DIN faceplate but want to upgrade to the larger size, you can opt for a single DIN with a pull-out screen.

Double DIN

A double DIN audio player is twice as tall as a single DIN, fitting into a front faceplate measuring 180mm x 100mm (7-inches wide by 4-inches tall). Modern audio players with touch screen capabilities are usually a double DIN.

Car Audio Troubleshooting

Rarely does a problem with your car's audio mean that the audio player needs replacing. You are more likely to encounter problems if you have incorrectly installed a replacement head unit or when there are issues with your car's electrical system.

Headlights Flickering When Music Is Turned Up

This usually means that the car's power-generating system is not strong enough to handle the audio system. Check that the battery is still working properly and ensure that the alternator's output is high enough to meet the power demands of the audio system.

No Radio Signal

If you are not receiving any radio signal but are hearing static after replacing the audio player, make sure that the blue or blue/white wire of the audio player is connected to the respective wire in your car.

No Power

An audio player that does not power up can be caused by several issues. If you have a voltage meter, test the black, yellow, and red wires. The yellow wire will always read 12V, while the red will only read 12V if the car is running or the key is turned to the "on" position.

If there is no problem with the wiring, check the fuse assigned to the audio system as shown in the car's user manual.

If the amplifier is in protection mode, there might be too high or low of voltage being produced by the alternator, or there is a short somewhere.

Audio Player Maintenance

Extend the life of your car audio equipment by taking the following simple steps.

Clean the Connections

Regularly check the wiring and connections for corrosion and grime, which can affect how your car audio functions.

Clean the Audio Player and Inputs

Besides cleaning the audio player, make sure that anything you insert into it, such as CDs, DVDs, and cords, is free from dirt and dust. Not only can dirty media affect the quality of playback, it can also damage the fragile and expensive laser head of the CD / DVD player.

How Much Is a New or Used Car Audio System?

Generally, a newer audio player with more features packed into it will be more expensive than one with just the basic CD and radio functions. Genuine audio players can range anywhere from $100 to $3,000 USD, while custom units can cost even more.

If you are looking to save, we suggest opting for a genuine used car audio system, like those sold at BE FORWARD. Depending on your car's make, model, and year, we offer audio players as low as $10 USD as well as replacement audio players for luxury car models — all in great condition. Save money on your replacement car audio by shopping with us!