radio upgrade
 

OK, I have to be honest here. Not for my 1969 Corvette, for my 2005 Corolla XRS that is the daily driver.

My 2005 Corolla has the 6 CD radio that came in all the XRS model. After my 2006 was totaled, the one in my current 2005 doesn’t work so well. Especially when it gets hot.
Anyway, I like to replace it. I do NOT need one with full navigation. I have Garmin GPS and waze.
What I would like is something that will

• Double din
• Take CD’s (I love to listen to audio books from the library on the long trip to work)
• Take a download off my phone or device so I have all my music.
• A radio. Sometimes I like to listen to the local stations.
• Simple to use.

That’s it. I would also consider upgrading the car speakers if they fit the stock location.
Any recommendations appreciated. I live on Long Island, NY if someone know a great car audio place to have this done. That would be great.
One last thing, budget is in the $500 to $800 range. Thanks!!!

BTW: when looking at audio specs, what are features to look for? On my Corvette I have modified the engine, suspension and brakes to time trial the car. But electronic puzzles me.

When I replaced the radio in my wife’s previous car, a Suburban, I wanted one that I could use DVDs in because my children would like to watch cartoons on road trips. Since we were playing lots of different DVDs, I chose a double din radio that did not have the tilt face option where you load the discs behind the face. I thought that the motorized face would be just one more electronic thing that could go bad. I gave up a little screen size but since we had a flip-down 15” screen for the girls in the back it didn’t really matter. It was an older Pioneer unit, before the Apple Car Play days. I have Pioneers in my Corvette and Accord as well and love them. There are many on here who say that Kenwood and Alpine offer better sound quality but my ears must not be nearly as picky. All of mine sound fantastic and were wonderful upgrades over stock at a price point that I was very comfortable with.

DVD is a non-issue for me as. I don't have to worry about kids in the back seat :)

Wish I could look at specs and know which units were better. What to look for. Just watts?

The reason I shared my story was because you menitioned listening to CDs. I was letting you know that I chose what I did to eliminate another electronic component that may cause issues, the motorized face.....

Thinking of the Kenwood DPX503BT

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_113DPX...3BT.html?avf=Y

Is Kenwood a good brand name or would I be better off with names I am familiar with like Pioneer and Sony?