Head Units

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Audiophiliac
Posts: 918
Joined: Mon Dec 18, 2006 9:41 pm
Location: Boise, ID

Head Units

Post 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. :)
KillerBox
Posts: 38
Joined: Tue Jul 26, 2011 12:30 pm

Re: Head Units

Post 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.
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brenzbmr@sb
Booty Connoisseur
Posts: 1606
Joined: Wed Dec 06, 2006 9:49 pm
Location: as ziggy marley said" on a beach in hawaii"

Re: Head Units

Post 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
You may have subs in your car........but my doors sound better!
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smgreen20
Posts: 2873
Joined: Wed Dec 20, 2006 11:23 am
Location: Somewhere in Between

Re: Head Units

Post 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.
"ZPA's will have the same sound essentially as you get from the MS, they just feature a bigger shinier set of balls."

Install:
http://phoenixphorum.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=16998
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keith2728
Posts: 144
Joined: Fri Feb 22, 2013 8:03 am

Re: Head Units

Post 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?
Old guy who forgot how fun car audio was till my son got his first car and found my stash.....
current system:
Clarion 807
(2) Phoenix Gold Elite .5
Focal 165 AS3
focal 130 AS
(4) Kicker L7 10"
Bit one

Soon to come
8" midbass in kick pannels
ttocs
the Floor Sweeping Hack with Golden Ears
Posts: 14783
Joined: Fri Dec 19, 2008 9:53 pm

Re: Head Units

Post by ttocs »

pg actually just announced they are working on making a head unit that sounds interesting with wifi/media options.
what else can I say I am a grumpy asshole most of the time.
Audiophiliac
Posts: 918
Joined: Mon Dec 18, 2006 9:41 pm
Location: Boise, ID

Re: Head Units

Post 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?
ttocs
the Floor Sweeping Hack with Golden Ears
Posts: 14783
Joined: Fri Dec 19, 2008 9:53 pm

Re: Head Units

Post by ttocs »

sorry its stinger actually but its as close as we get these days.
http://stingerelectronics.com/
what else can I say I am a grumpy asshole most of the time.
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smgreen20
Posts: 2873
Joined: Wed Dec 20, 2006 11:23 am
Location: Somewhere in Between

Re: Head Units

Post 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.
"ZPA's will have the same sound essentially as you get from the MS, they just feature a bigger shinier set of balls."

Install:
http://phoenixphorum.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=16998
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