Alpine iLX-507 vs JVC KW-V660BT

The Alpine iLX-507 is the stronger head unit for most shoppers: a sharper 7-inch 1280x720 screen, wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, HD Radio, Hi-Res audio and 4V pre-outs. The JVC KW-V660BT counters with a CD/DVD player, a 13-band EQ, time alignment and a 5-channel preamp output, which suits people with a disc collection or a serious tuning habit. Build quality is comparable at this tier, and owners of both report reliable daily use; the Alpine is the more modern unit and the JVC the more traditional one.

• Choose the Alpine iLX-507 if you want wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, a sharp HD screen and Hi-Res audio without plugging in every trip.
• Choose the JVC KW-V660BT if you still play CDs or DVDs and want deep sound tuning with a 13-band EQ and time alignment.