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Head Units

Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2017 9:16 am
by Audiophiliac
I have been "out of the loop" for a while now. Looking to replace the head unit in my 2007 Rabbit. Not sure I will do a full on system yet....just want to see what the 3-way door setup sounds like with a better HU first. I do have an SD1100.5 if I need to go that route. I am not planning on keeping the Rabbit too much longer.....just need to put a fuel pump and clutch in it, fix a shimmy on the highway, and it will get sold. But in the meantime, the stock sound sucks! I have read that the HU is a weak link, and with a decent one, the stock speakers are not too shabby. It is an odd setup. 8", 4", and 1" in the doors. 8s are low towards the back, 4s in the middle above my knee, and tweets in sail panels. Not ideal, but it is what you have to work with. There are several drop in kits from Rainbow, Hertz with a bit of modding, and maybe some other discontinued kits that might be available used.

Anyhow, the only HU I own is an Eclipse 8053. Killer HU, but lacking somewhat in the technology dept. :) I use an Android phone, so having Car Play would be a plus. Some level of EQ flexibility. I can do a double DIN unit and would probably prefer it. Blaupunkt makes a direct replacement that looks stock, but not sure how it sounds.

What are people using these days for decent SQ, ease of use with Android, etc? I would still like to have a CD slot as a "backup", but if I had to forego it for a USB stick, I could deal with it.

Kenwood, Pioneer, Sony, etc....all look to have units that would likely fit the bill. There also seems to be several no name brand Android units available on the net. Give me your thoughts and opinions please. :)

Re: Head Units

Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2017 11:07 am
by KillerBox
I have a Kenwood DDX9903S and so far I love it. Sounds good and is only a little complicated to use. Has 2 USBs inputs. I have one USB in my glove box with a 128gb flash drive and it holds about 150 albums with no compression.

The other USB input is where my cigarette lighter used to be and is now used for my iPhone connection with Apple CarPlay. So the DVD/CD player is hardly used.


I am just using the RCA outputs and they do not distort until 39 out of 40 on the volume control.

Re: Head Units

Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2017 11:57 pm
by brenzbmr@sb
single din i would say pioneer 80prs. complicated to use though but awesome features for that price. sq is top notch

if looking for something alittle cheaper look into the kenwood kdc-x301 good unit and excelon boast two year warrenty

double Dins

hands down i would go with DDX9903S

its fast, supports android auto/ apple car play although car play is nicer then the android auto.

the deck itself has all the features you need in a DD and its good on sound quality

Re: Head Units

Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2017 12:26 am
by smgreen20
Clarion baby!
I use the NX604 and love it. Would like to get my hands on the NX706. The latter is 3-way capable.

Re: Head Units

Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2017 9:21 am
by keith2728
smgreen20 wrote:Clarion baby!
I use the NX604 and love it. Would like to get my hands on the NX706. The latter is 3-way capable.
I was looking at the NX706. is the interface with Android phones good? how is the sound quality?

Re: Head Units

Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2017 9:34 am
by ttocs
pg actually just announced they are working on making a head unit that sounds interesting with wifi/media options.

Re: Head Units

Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2017 3:34 pm
by Audiophiliac
ttocs wrote:pg actually just announced they are working on making a head unit that sounds interesting with wifi/media options.
ORLY?! :o

Where is this official announcement directly from AAMP with a release date and specs/pricing? Huh?

Re: Head Units

Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2017 5:29 pm
by ttocs
sorry its stinger actually but its as close as we get these days.
http://stingerelectronics.com/

Re: Head Units

Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2017 11:13 pm
by smgreen20
keith2728 wrote:
smgreen20 wrote:Clarion baby!
I use the NX604 and love it. Would like to get my hands on the NX706. The latter is 3-way capable.
I was looking at the NX706. is the interface with Android phones good? how is the sound quality?
I've not had any issues with mine. SQ is pretty good for what it is.