Extreme Audio

Voted National Retailer of the Year
Contact UsMidlothian
804-302-4488
Mechanicsville
804-559-3589
2 Locations! 7451 Sujen Ct Mechanicsville, VA 23111 11507 Hull St. Rd Midlothian, VA 23112
  • About
    • About Us
    • Contact
    • Work for Extreme Audio
  • Products
    • Remote Car Starters
      • Remote Start Models
      • Remote Starter FAQ
      • Remote Starter Estimate Request Form
    • Car Audio
    • Dash Cameras
    • Heated Seats
    • LED Lighting Upgrades
    • Marine Audio
    • Mobile Video
    • Motorcycle Audio
    • Powersports Audio
    • Radar Detectors
    • Smartphone Integration
    • Vehicle Security
  • Car & Truck Accessories
    • Bed Covers
    • Exterior Accessories
    • Floor Liners and Protection Products
    • Grill Guards And Bumpers
    • Jeep Parts
    • Lighting
    • Step Bars
    • Window Tint
      • Window Tint FAQ
      • Window Tint Estimate Request Form
  • Driving Safety
    • Backup Safety
    • Blind Spot Warning Systems
    • Emergency and Safety Lighting
  • Brands
    • 3M Window Film
    • Alpine
      • Alpine Restyle: We Can Do That!
    • ARC Audio
    • Audiofrog
    • Cicada Audio
    • Compustar
    • Fusion
    • JL Audio
    • Lucas Lighting
    • Rigid Industries LED Lighting
    • Sony
    • WeatherTech
    • Wet Sounds
  • Reviews
    • Mechanicsville Reviews
    • Midlothian Reviews
  • Facility Tour
  • Articles
    • Installations
    • Featured Installations
    • General Information
    • Backup Safety
    • Our Facility
    • Navigation
    • Remote Car Starters
    • Window Tint
  • Gallery
    • Alpine Restyle
    • Backup Safety
    • Car Audio
    • Custom Installs
    • Driver Safety
    • iPod Integration
    • Marine Audio
    • Mobile Video
    • Motorcycle Installs
    • Navigation
    • RV and Bus
    • Truck Accessories
    • UTV Installations
    • Window Tint
  • Financing/Leasing-To-Own

Written By Extreme Audio Expert BestCarAudio.com Leave a Comment

Add-On CD Players Restore Classic Technology

CD Player

Many new cars and trucks don’t come with a CD player. Music stored on our smartphones and the multitude of streaming audio services has, sadly, made compact disc technology almost obsolete. If you still have an extensive collection of discs, your local specialty mobile electronics retailer has a variety of add-on solutions to make it easy for you to enjoy your favorite music.

What Happened to the Compact Disc?

According to the Recording Industry Association of America, sales of compact discs peaked at just under 1 billion units in both 2000 and 2001. One of the key factors in the subsequent decrease in CD sales was the advent of peer-to-peer file sharing through programs like Napster. At the same time, the Apple iPod launched in 2001 and by 2005, iTunes song sales exceeded CD sales in Tower Records and Borders. The next hit was the advent of music streaming services like Pandora (based on the Music Genome Project) and Spotify. CD sales have now dropped to a level similar to that of 1986, and it’s reported that the sales of vinyl records have exceeded that of the compact disc.

CD Player
Revenue from the sales of compact discs in the United States. Information from RIAA.com.

Seeing this trend, vehicle manufacturers like Buick, Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, Chrysler, Dodge, Mazda, Subaru, Honda, Kia and Jeep have omitted a compact disc mechanism in their new vehicles. This omission not only reduces the cost of the infotainment system, but it also opens up valuable space in the center stack (the portion of the car dash that extends down to the center console) for larger displays.

CD Player
A CD player added to the center console of a Chrysler vehicle.

Can You Add a CD Player?

Several companies have created add-on CD player solutions that connect to your factory radio using the USB port. These devices are special and uniquely distinct from a computer USB drive like an Apple SuperDrive or something from Asus or LG. The primary difference is that the software in the vehicle-specific drives is programmed to make the car radio think it’s connected to a media player. The audio tracks on your compact disc are presented to the radio in the same format as you’d find MP3 files on a USB memory stick.

Secondly, automotive compact disc mechanisms include suspensions that help reduce the chances of skipping and drop-outs as the vehicle goes over bumps.

CD Player
An add-on CD player from Automotive Integration Solutions.

Once the device is installed, you can slide a disc into the player and select the USB media source option on your factory radio. The tracks on the CD will show up the same way as if they were stored on a memory stick. It’s worth noting that you are unlikely to see the album, artist and song name on the screen.

Upgrade Your Car Stereo System Today

Whether you want to add a CD player or SiriusXM satellite radio, your local specialty mobile enhancement retailer will probably have a solution for your needs. Drop by and let them know what’s missing. They’ll do their best to help you out!

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

See more content filed under ARTICLES, Car Audio, RESOURCE LIBRARY


Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr

About BestCarAudio.com

BestCarAudio.com is a showcase for the very best mobile electronics retailers in the world and a place to educate and inform interested consumers about existing and emerging technologies.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Search Our Installs and Articles

Featured Article

A confused looking woman sitting in the drivers seat of a car as it is driving down a road

Factory Sound vs. Aftermarket Upgrades: What You’re Really Missing

For most vehicle owners, the factory-installed sound system is just another checkbox on the feature list. It might include a recognizable brand name, … [Read More...]

Featured Product

Truck Accessories

Truck Accessories

Mechanicsville's Truck Accessories Headquarters At Extreme Audio, we are the truck accessories headquarters. Look no further for exciting accessories to enhance and customize your truck or SUV. We … [Read More...]

Recent Posts

  • The Anatomy of a Clean Car Audio Installation: What Sets the Pros Apart
  • Factory Sound vs. Aftermarket Upgrades: What You’re Really Missing
  • A Brief History of CAN Bus in Automotive Applications
  • Why Professional Installation Matters for Remote Car Starters
  • Product Spotlight: Alpine i407-WRA-JL

Subscribe to Our Posts via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this website and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Tags

3M 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Alpine Amplifiers Android Auto Apple CarPlay ARC Audio AudioControl AudioFrog Backup Cameras Bluetooth BMW Chevrolet Compustar DroneMobile Ford Harley Davidson Jeep JL Audio LED Lighting Nav-TV Pioneer Porsche Processors Radios Rockford Fosgate Rydeen SiriusXM Sony Sound Deadening SoundShield Speakers Stinger Street Glide Subwoofers Toyota Wet Sounds Wrangler

Where To Find Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Mechanicsville Location

Address:
7451 Sujen Ct, Mechanicsville, VA 23111
Phone: 804-559-3589

 

Opening Hours:
Monday : 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Tuesday : 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Wednesday : 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Thursday : 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Friday : 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday : Closed
Sunday : Closed

Midlothian Location

Address:
11507 Hull Street Road N, Midlothian, VA 23112
Phone: 804-302-4488

 

Opening Hours:
Monday : 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Tuesday : 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Wednesday : 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Thursday : 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Friday : 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday : Closed
Sunday : Closed

Copyright © 2025 Extreme Audio · Privacy Policy · Website by 1sixty8 media, inc. · Log in

 

Loading Comments...