Have iPod, Will Travel.

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Author: Willcox, James K.

CAR AUDIO

Automakers generally aren't early adopters of audio gadgets â€" hell, it took them a decade to make CD players standard â€" but they've been quick to get with satellite radio and Apple's iPod. Now car-audio manufacturers are following through with a raft of innovative gear, allowing users to retrofit their cars to make the most of the new technologies.

If the tuner-receiver is a car system's brains, then the Alpine is Stephen Hawking. The D310 plays almost any disc you throw at it, including home-burned DVDs and CDs, and it also channels satellite radio â€" you just need a receiver/antenna such as Sirius' SIR-ALP1 or XM's Radio Package (both $100). And paired with the Alpine's iPod adapter, the D310 can access all of your iPod's contents â€" songs, artists and even playlists â€" on the seven-inch retractable LCD touch screen. alpine-usa.com

Most cars come equipped with flimsy paper speakers socketed into factory-cut holes. If you really want your MP3 player or satellite radio to sing, opt for these by JL, which have metal-dome tweeters to produce sparkling highs. For a J. Lo-size bottom, go with the ten-inch ProWedge subwoofer, housed in a carpet-covered case. jlaudio.com

Don't be fooled by the sleek looks: Autotek's Mean Machine series of amps add major juice to a tuner's generally lackluster output. The MM 100.4 sends 100 watts of power to four separate channels, perfect for two pairs of main speakers, and the MM 1400.1D can drive even the most power-hungry subwoofer. maxxsonics.com

Want to listen to your iPod in the car on the cheap? Consider Belkin's new FM adapter, which converts digital music files into an FM signal that's beamed to your car's radio. Just plug it into the iPod's remote-headphone jack, tune your car's radio to a clear FM station, and you're good to go. belkin.com

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By James K. Willcox