This week Huffy and JR take turns sharing some amazing giftideas available at Crutchfield. Car stereos, subwoofers, cameras, record players, and some surprise picks! And remember: if you're buying something for yourself, we won't know the difference.
Note: pricing and availability are subject to change. We’dlove to answer your questions in our December episode; please email podcast@crutchfield.com with any queries about consumer electronics gear. If you don’t make it in time for our December recording, maybe we’ll address your question in a subsequent episode. Either way, we’d love to hear from you!
As promised, here are links to all the gift ideas we sharedin this episode:
Belkin Stage PowerGrip Camera grip
Belkin UltraCharge Qi2-compatible, 3-in-1 foldable magnetic charger
LG OLED65C5PUA (65") OLED evo AI C5 Smart 4K TV
Sony BRAVIA 7 (65") Smart Mini LED 4K UHD TV with HDR
Squier Sonic® Stratocaster® Pack
SVS 3000 Micro Ultra-compact powered subwoofer
Sennheiser HDB 630 Over-ear wireless Bluetooth® noise-canceling headphones
Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS A digital camera
Sony Alpha ZV-E10 OSS II Zoom Lens Kit mirrorless camera kit
JVC KW-M590BT Digital multimedia receiver
Keep Car Alarm Connected video security — mounts in cupholder
Soundburger Portable Record Player
JBL Grip Waterproof portable Bluetooth® speaker with ambient light
Fender, the iconic brand of guitars, basses, and amps, isnow available at Crutchfield. To celebrate this momentous occasion JR and Huffy (not guitar players) invite some of Crutchfield’s most experienced guitarists to talk about the instruments they love so much. Ned and Charlie have beenvery busy writing about all the new Fender products but were able to take some time away from their keyboards to join JR and chat Fender gear.
Cory and Rodell then take to the mic to discuss how Fenderand Crutchfield are working together to provide the legendary Crutchfield experience for anybody looking for Fender gear. What type of training are we doing? Do we have special Advisors to help our Fender shoppers? What are wecarrying and how do we support it all? All those questions (and more) are answered in this episode of Crutchfield The Podcast.
JR and Huffy share the online resources they use to stay upto date on the latest in audio, video, sound, car stereo installation, and more. The Crutchfield website is a great place to educate yourself about the gear so you can shop intelligently for TVs, home theater, car stereo, speakers, amps, subs, cameras, drones, and more!
We use these resources to do our jobs more effectively atCrutchfield, and we're happy to share some favorites with our listeners. There are plenty of other great resources out there — hopefully this episode will help you start your next project or make your next gear purchase.
Here's a list of the resources we covered in this month's episode:
Car Audio Fabrication - Custom Techniques , Video Tutorials Car Audio
Emily, a Crutchfield editor and one of our TV writers, joins JR and Huffy to talk about her picks for the top TVs for 2025. She explains the reasoning behind her picks and provides some updates that weren’t in the original article.
If you are interested in televisions or are just wondering which one might be best for your TV watching situation, thisepisode is a must-listen! You can also check out the Best TVs for 2025 article that we used as the basis for this discussion.
JR and Huffy/Eric invite Matt Palumbo to discuss the new Stinger HORIZON10 10" floating-screen infotainment center, along with where car stereo is headed. The HORIZON10 is a feature-packed digital multimedia receiver that integrates capably with Jeeps and other vehicles. It also plays well with AudioControl DSP devices and other peripherals. It’s another example of the future of car stereo. If you have a Jeep, you need to hear this!
In this episode we discuss the Stinger HORIZON10 as well as AudioControl DSPs. You’ll definitely want to enter your car in to the website to see if we have any vehicle-specific solutions for you.
Factory car stereos have become so much harder to replace in the last few years. The radio in the dash is so integrated with the vehicle systems and features that it can be almost impossible to replace. Now, JVC/Kenwood have teamed up with ADS (the makers of the iDatalink Maestro OEM interface), and the result is Direct Replacement. Finally, we can offer radio replacement solutions for millions of cars that were previously difficult or impossible to upgrade.
In this episode JR and Huffy (aka Eric) interview Kelvin Riviera from JVC/Kenwood to discuss how this all came about, get into some specifics about Direct Replacement, and have some fun talking about the future of car stereo. If you want to see the Kenwood Direct Replacement stereos, here’s our YouTube video. To find out if there’s a Direct Replacement option for your car, enter your vehicle and then go to custom car stereos
In this special bonus episode Eric and JR explore thequestion, “Do you need to go to the theater to enjoy movies, or can they be just as good on a home theater?” To get to the bottom of this, the guys brought in some experts and did some of their own research. First they talked with Bryan Loy from Alamo Drafthouse Cinema about why people go to movies, especially at his theaters, as well as how he watches movies.
Then Eric brings his 10-year-old son Porter into the studio to share his thoughts on movies, Dolby Atmos, Minecraft, books, WWII, and more. Porter also schools JR on the lingo the kids are using these days. He’s got plenty of rizz, that’s for sure.
Eric and JR go see a movie!
Thinking about making your home theater feel more like amovie theater? Here are some articles you might find helpful:
How to choose a home theater projector
Home theater receivers: The complete beginner's guide
JR’s mother is pretty cool. So cool that she recently boughtnew speakers and installed them in her 2008 Ford Escape. JR interviewed her after she finished the installation to see how it went, and to show the world how much he loves his mom.
If you are considering your own car audio installation, weare here to help. We offer plenty of insightful articles to get you going, tons of information on the products, expert Advisors for assistance in finding the right products, tech support for your new gear, and 60 days to make sure youlove it.
JR and Eric invite Tech Support Supervisor Cris Baker intothe new podcast studio at Crutchfield HQ to discuss the latest developments in EVs and hybrids and what can be done to improve their sound systems. We know a lot more about these vehicles today than we did just a few years ago, as Cris explains. Cris is also working hard to fill in the information gaps so we can be even smarter about how you can put a new system in your EV or hybrid more safely.
The guys also have some fun talking about their favorite EVsand which ones they would take home today, if money were no object. There are also some new EVs on the horizon that have piqued our interest. Alpine has developed some impressive systems specifically for Tesla Model 3 and Model Y cars, and even made a thorough installation video so you can see what’s involved before you buy. We are pretty excited about the future of audio in EVs, and you’ll know why as you listen to this episode.
Additionally, Cris and JR answer pertinent questions fromthe owner of a 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E about adding a powered subwoofer to his system.
We have custom audio packages for more than just Teslas, Go here, enter your car in to the site and see what we have for your ride: Custom-fit Audio Packages at Crutchfield
Check out Alpine’s Tesla installation video here.
We’ve been researching cars since the early days ofCrutchfield. It’s how we know what stereos, speakers, amps, subs, and more fit your vehicle. How do we do it? Who takes apart dashes and measures speaker locations? Where do we get the cars? And maybe most importantly: How can youhelp? This episode is a deep dive into the world of Crutchfield Vehicle Research.
As you listen to this episode, you can play along as JRquizzes his co-host Eric about all things Vehicle Research. The answers can be found in these articles:
The history of Crutchfield's car audio DIY support
Who was the Crutchfield Installation Doctor?
The Crutchfield Vehicle Research Team
Research your car the Crutchfield way
Bill Crutchfield opened our tech support department in 1979;before that, Bill was the tech support department. Now it’s a group of around 70 people helping our customer get their shiny new toys up and running. JR asked our technicians if they had any interesting stories from their experiences working with customers, and it turns out they do!
This episode features several of our techs sharing their stories. And along the way we find out about them as people, what makes them tick, what the enjoy most about helping our customers. It’s a fascinating look into the world of tech support done right.
And remember you get free tech support for life with everyCrutchfield purchase.
Tech Support - Crutchfield - Audio, video, and more. Since 1974.
What you need to know about HDMI ARC and eARC (crutchfield.com)
We put out a call for questions on Facebook and Instagram: Things you, our fans, would like us to discuss on the podcast. You gave us plenty to talk about, and talk about it we did! We couldn't think of a better way to start our fifth season of the show than interacting with our listeners. We discuss tweeter styles, amplifier power, and how to replace the radio in Chevy Suburbans.
Also: Valentine's day is coming up, so we thought of some Valentine's day gift ideas for your sweetie that might be better than traditional chocolates and flowers. Give the gifts of energy, music, and togetherness instead.
mophie phone chargers: mophie at Crutchfield
Sony WH-1000XM5 (Black) Over-ear Bluetooth® wireless noise-canceling headphones at Crutchfield
Apple AirPods: Bluetooth Headphones: Wireless, Noise-Canceling & more - Crutchfield.com
We get a lot of people interested in using headphones with their TV. Some want to listen on just headphones, while others need the headphones to work at the same time as the TV sound is on for others. In this episode we dive in to how to use headphones with your TV the way that works for your household. This is also our season 4 finale, and we brought in a special guest. Eric and J.R. welcome Mullins, one of our excellent Training Managers, to the show.
If you want more info, check out our top recommendations for TV headphones or begin with our headphone buying guide. Our headphone glossary will help you understand all the headphone-specific terminology, so you can shop smarter.
We are super excited to be talking about Home Theater in this third episode of our four-part series that examines the best ways to make your TV sound as good as it looks. JR and Eric go in to the speakers needed for surround sound, and the home theater receivers that power those speakers. If you are considering whether home theater is the thing for you, this episode should give you the guidance you need.
If you like to read, and you want more, you should check out our beginner’s guide to home theater receivers and our Introduction to home theater speakers. And if you want some more guidance, and some visuals that will help you with speaker placement for home theater, we’ve got you covered.
In part two of this four-part series on TV sound solutions, JR and Eric dive deep on the idea of just using a stereo, 2-channel speaker set up to enhance your TV’s sound. This can be done with powered stereo speakers, or with passive speakers and a receiver. The guys go in to the connections needed to make this work. Are you more in to music, but also want your TV to sound bigger and better than the TV’s built-in speakers? This is the episode for you.
If this episode is of interest to you, here’s some articles you might find helpful in your stereo system journey. This article explains the finer points of stereo speaker placement. And we put together a list of our favorite powered stereo speakers with full explanations as to why we love them.
You’ll find all our powered stereo speakers that are ideal for use with a TV right here: Powered Stereo Speakers at Crutchfield
J.R. and Eric dive into the world of TV sound. In this first episode of a four-part series, the guys focus on the easiest and most popular way of making your TV sound awesome, sound bars. They talk about the various types of sound bars, how to hook them up properly, and help you determine which soundbar is right for you.
In addition to this podcast, we have several helpful articles to make picking out a sound bar as easy as you pleasey. Check out our Sound bar buying guide, And if you are looking to do surround sound from just a sound bar, our best Dolby Atmos sound bars article is a good read, and lastly, if you want to know more about how to connect and set up your sound bar, we’ve got you covered.
It has arrived — the final episode of our series on how to build the perfect car audio system. Hosts J.R. and Eric have a powerful conversation about amplifiers, shedding light on industry jargon and offering shopping tips to find the best amp for your system. Choosing the right amp for your car stereo system can be crucial to achieving optimal sound quality and listening enjoyment.
Your hosts explain the role amplifiers play in enhancing sound quality, increasing volume, and providing headroom. They discuss different types of amplifiers as well as the role of channels and RMS power.
Need more details on the topics discussed? Check out our helpful car amplifier buying guide. And if you'd like to see if there's a vehicle-specific solution that helps your next amp installation go a little smoother, be sure to enter your vehicle information here.
J.R. and Eric are all about the bass in Part 3 of our series on how to build the perfect car audio system. Throw out your preconceived notions of subwoofers! You don't need to crave window-rattling bass to benefit from a sub. Your hosts outline every type of solution and promise that even if you're into subtlety, there's a sub for you.
Find out more about all-in-one solutions, matching subs and amps, and choosing the perfect sub size. After you listen to the episode, essential reading includes our subwoofer wiring guide, buying guide, and instructions on how to build your own enclosure.
J.R. and Eric return for Part 2 of our series on how to build the perfect car audio system for your needs.
Once again, your hosts explain the jargon and answer essential questions like, "What is RMS wattage?" and "Do I need to think about 'sensitivity'?" Find out more about speaker sizes, the importance of speaker materials, and all the good reasons to upgrade the factory speakers in your older vehicle.
Ready to find out which speakers fit your vehicle? Start with our vehicle selector tool.
And for a recap of everything in this episode, check out our car speakers buying guide.