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Home > Visual / Audio Mods > Audio FAQ/Help > headunit recommendations?

headunit recommendations?

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WhooKid

Reg'd: Jun 17, 2008

Oil Changer

so i plan on replacing my stock 07 headunit, but i'm looking for some specifics...

-i want it to fit properly so that i can keep the flip up door
-i want it to respond to all of the steering wheel radio controls
-i want it to be able to control the subwoofer bass level seperately from the door speakers' bass level
-i'd like the price range to be 150-200, i figure a radio that can do what i want will be somewhere around that price range


i'm probably going to buy the head unit before i buy the subwoofers/amp, if not at the same time. anyway, i was just looking for some suggestions.....what's the perfect radio to fulfill my needs?

i know i've been asking about sound systems in general since i joined here, but i appreciate that i have most of my confusing questions answered...thanks

[#] Jul 13, 2008 06:17pm
WhooKid

Reg'd: Jun 17, 2008

Oil Changer

okay, well can somebody at least tell me if a Jensen VM9312HD would be able to control the sub level?

[#] Jul 22, 2008 10:20am
FrAnkRYzzO

Reg'd: Oct 21, 2005

$upervillain
for Hire

Don't know about the Jensen. I have a Pioneer FH8000BT. It does everything you want it to and is close to the price range, but I have an 05 w/o steering wheel controls, so I don't know if it is plug and play with those or if you will need some type of adapter module.

...............

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[#] Jul 22, 2008 10:23am
krdshrk

Reg'd: Sep 29, 2007

Godlike Advisor

WhooKid wrote:
so i plan on replacing my stock 07 headunit, but i'm looking for some specifics...

-i want it to fit properly so that i can keep the flip up door
-i want it to respond to all of the steering wheel radio controls
-i want it to be able to control the subwoofer bass level seperately from the door speakers' bass level
-i'd like the price range to be 150-200, i figure a radio that can do what i want will be somewhere around that price range


i'm probably going to buy the head unit before i buy the subwoofers/amp, if not at the same time. anyway, i was just looking for some suggestions.....what's the perfect radio to fulfill my needs?

i know i've been asking about sound systems in general since i joined here, but i appreciate that i have most of my confusing questions answered...thanks



Ahh didn't see this until now. Well, there's not that much in your price range. First - pretty much all head units won't allow you to use the steering wheel controls. The only ones that I know will allow you to do that is the Eclipse ones. Now, you can buy a separate box that will allow you to use the controls, but that's another $70-100 (Pac SWi-X).

As for the head units themselves, I'm very partial to Kenwood and Alpine.


Scikotics NJ is sponsored by Lawrence Scion

2006 GReddy Turbocharged Automatic tC
220+ WHP - 14.044 @ 97.02 MPH
[#] Jul 22, 2008 10:24am
WhooKid

Reg'd: Jun 17, 2008

Oil Changer

yea forget that price range I mentioned in the first post, I'm currently looking for a flip up touch screen.

[#] Jul 22, 2008 10:35am
JRod_TC

Reg'd: Apr 18, 2008

Vehicle Designer

with flip ups you wont be able to keep your door. You can with the indash tv/radio/navi.. you can find them cheaper if u just get the TV/radio... you would still have to redrill the door holes but its easy and looks great and protects ur tv


http://clubsciontc.com/fo...ion-System-Launched-.html
[#] Jul 22, 2008 10:39am
07sctc

Reg'd: Feb 16, 2008

Tech Advisor

gonna be atleast $300 for the deck and adapter for sterring wheel control if you get a midgrade deck. if you want a good deck thats has an eq built in, it would be $300 for just the unit. as long as you get a unit without a huge knob, the door will still work my ecplise has a HUGE know but everything fits fine.

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[#] Jul 22, 2008 10:39am
CrashUSAF

Reg'd: Apr 17, 2008

Godlike Advisor

Allow me to shed some light on this subject. As far as finding a head unit that allows you to close the tray, I never had to re-drill the holes for my single-DIN Kenwood. Not all headunits have buttons that stick out too far to be put behind the cover.

Also, as far as radio controls go. Not all headunits support radio controls. It takes a fairly expensive head unit to be steering wheel control adaptable. Here is a link to a company that makes steering wheel control adapters. You will want the SWI-Jack. It is compatible with 5 different brands of radio, to include my favorite (Kenwood). http://www.pac-audio.com/...ering%20Wheel%20Interface

As far as the flip up touch screen, most people go with the Pioneer Avic-D3. In my opinion, this is what you go for when it comes to looks. If you are more into getting a headunit purely for sound, I would recommend something else.

For some of the best prices and excellent customer support for online buying, I recommend www.sonicelectronix.com as well for car audio. I first purchased subs from them, and seem to go right back to them for every thing else I buy.


The SEARCH feature on the site works, I promise. USE IT!!!
"I almost numchucked you, you dont even reallise!!" -Will Ferrell-
[#] Jul 22, 2008 01:08pm
WhooKid

Reg'd: Jun 17, 2008

Oil Changer

The Avic D3 looks incredible, but I definitly can't handle the price. The fact that it has navigation in it makes it more expensive, and I don't even want navigation in mine...and I do care more about the sound quality than the look, and I suppose all flip up touch screens will look nice enough for me. But that's why I mentioned the Jensen VM9312HD. Looks nice, very affordable at 350 dollars right on Amazon.com (400 on Crutchfield, still affordable)..I'm aiming for something like that. I'm practically still a kid, so I am on some sort of a budget. I'm not looking for the best flip up touchscreen out there, just something that's not a piece of shit and that I can afford.

as far as steering wheel controls, if I did end up getting a touch screen, the last thing I would be worrying about is steering wheel controls anyway. I mentioned that in my first post because I originally planned on buying a normal $150 headunit.

I would love to keep the little door in my Scion. But if that's gonna be the only thing holding me back from a new flip up, then it's gone.

So now that you know where I'm coming from, do any of you think I would be good with a Jensen VM9312HD....any other recommendations?

Thanks alot.

[#] Jul 22, 2008 08:25pm
krdshrk

Reg'd: Sep 29, 2007

Godlike Advisor

Personally I'd stay away from the D3. Mediocre/Poor sound quality, Mediocre/Poor Navigation...


Scikotics NJ is sponsored by Lawrence Scion

2006 GReddy Turbocharged Automatic tC
220+ WHP - 14.044 @ 97.02 MPH
[#] Jul 22, 2008 09:00pm
WhooKid

Reg'd: Jun 17, 2008

Oil Changer

the D3 is definitly out of the question, but check my post please ^^^

[#] Jul 23, 2008 01:04am
Flavah

Reg'd: Feb 11, 2007

Window Washer

Just for your heads up, I am currently on my second Jensen VM9022 and having problems with this one as well. The first would take 5-10 times to switch sources and the one that replaced it keeps giving me bad disk when I switch DVD's. Needless to say, I will NEVER buy another Jensen due to them being so unreliable or even install one if it was free. On top of that, the customer service rep that I spoke with just said, "Well, maybe you might want to think about returning it." That was it, no attempt to help or make things better. I will be exchanging this one with a Kenwood. Looking at the Kenwood DDX712

[#] Jul 23, 2008 05:56pm
WhooKid

Reg'd: Jun 17, 2008

Oil Changer

so I went to an audio store today, and alot has changed....

2 12 inch Kickers don't even fit in the damn tC! But that is alright, 2 10s would fit just fine...

as far as the headunit goes, I am now looking into in-dash headunits instead of flip up. If i had a flip-up, i would have to remove the door, and I don't have tints yet so it would probably get stolen within a month. Plus, my limit has actually gone up to 900 dollars (don't ask) so i lucked out. This time it is definite, i know exactly what I'm going to do. I just need to find the right in-dash receiver (and I would actually prefernavigation in it. I appreciate all the advice on the flip-ups, but now i'm on the in-dash route. So for the last time, any advice on these?

[#] Jul 23, 2008 08:48pm
CadenceScion

Reg'd: May 27, 2008

Oil Changer

I would recommend getting a JVC Double DIN headunit w/ a 7'' widescreen. It has all the bells and whistles, but your looking at $500.00 or better, but well worth the buy. I plan on getting on either this yr, or next yr, pending on funds. Plus their headunits have tons of options and plenty of power and then some for stereo systems. Also the headunits will allow for opening and closing of the door. Good luck in your search for a headunit.

[#] Jul 23, 2008 10:30pm
CrashUSAF

Reg'd: Apr 17, 2008

Godlike Advisor

ummm, 2 12 inch Kickers should fit in the tC. Which model sub is it?


The SEARCH feature on the site works, I promise. USE IT!!!
"I almost numchucked you, you dont even reallise!!" -Will Ferrell-
[#] Jul 24, 2008 01:49am
rluis99

Reg'd: Oct 08, 2007

Oil Changer

i just got this one on my car last week Pioneer FH-P8000BT

it's really nice, you'll loose the controls in the steering wheel but you can get that box the other guys were talking about, this hu is awesome got all the goodies and a good control for the sound sys, it has so many things i'm still adjusting to get the best sound! i'll recomended to anyone, and looks nice too. i'm gonna try to post some pics...! i got it use from ebay and is working fine, i pay $200!

[#] Jul 24, 2008 02:25am
Blitzin

Reg'd: Sep 07, 2007

Detailer

I have (and would recommend) the Alpine W200 or W205. Either will do what you are looking for and they are both double din touch screen. The best thing is since Alpine just released the W505 (what I REALLY want) the W200 or W205 are below $700! (The W200 is the oldest model and may be hard to find...)

Good luck!

[#] Jul 25, 2008 09:46am
armygirl718

Reg'd: Dec 19, 2007


Just Keep Swimming!

I have the pioneer Z2 nav system. the radio is slightly staticky but other than thats awesome! It has brackets that you mount a little deeper inside so the cover flips up and down just fine. The only thing is, you have to push at the top of the cover instead of its usual place b/c the screen is so big and button are on the bottom thats all. It is a touch screen and for an extra 100$ u buy the steering wheel control module.


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[#] Jul 25, 2008 10:44am
VIP_tC08

Reg'd: Dec 02, 2007

Godlike Advisor

I recommend the pioneer avic-d3, i have it..do not have a single complaint


'08 // Flint Mica // tC
[#] Jul 25, 2008 11:10am
Flavah

Reg'd: Feb 11, 2007

Window Washer

I just ordered my Kenwood DDX712. I will be installing it next week to replace this crappy Jensen. The guy installing said he will ensure the radio door still closes. He was able to make this happen with my Jensen and the face is twice the depth of the Kenwood. One of the things I am really liking is the expandability of this unit. If I want in the future, I can add the Blue Tooth accessory, GPS, back up camera, and still have room for my two headrest monitors and a possible gaming console if I so desire. It is a double din 6.95" touch screen. If you want, I can write a little review for you once installed.

[#] Jul 25, 2008 08:35pm
WhooKid

Reg'd: Jun 17, 2008

Oil Changer

the model number for the 2 12s that didn't fit in the trunk was KKR07DCVR122 on circuitcity.com...its no big deal, i'm gonna go with 2 10s anyway....

so the search for a head unit is rapidly being narrowed down. I'm currently considering the Pioneer Avic-F900BT. It looks fantastic, but the thing holding me back is the multiple reviews I've been reading that say it has quite a few problems that need to be fixed in an update (such as laggy touchscreen response and it takes a few minutes to boot up). Would any of you happen to know anything about this product, like if it received an update yet, or when will it receive one, or is it really that annoying? I'm really liking this one because it has the navigation built in the memory so I don't have to use a seperate disk for it, plus it looks good audio-wise.

Any advice is appreciated.

[#] Jul 25, 2008 10:10pm
WhooKid

Reg'd: Jun 17, 2008

Oil Changer

Flavah, please do write a review on that product.

Would the Kenwood DNX8120 fit properly without removing the door, or would i definitly have to remove it?

[#] Jul 26, 2008 09:06pm
Flavah

Reg'd: Feb 11, 2007

Window Washer

I just got the DDX712 yesterday and I COMPLETELY love it. The DNX8120 is the same size and I still have the door and it is fully operational. I will take pictures as soon as I can. The DNX8120 is a higher end unit than what I got. It has GPS integrated. I am unsure if it has Blue Tooth with it or not. Mine is expandable to have GPS, Blue Tooth, back up camera, SURIUS radio, and a TV tuner. I have 2 7" head rest monitors hooked up to the HU and they work seamlessly with this HU. I can even play video and sound from my ipod (using the ip-300 cable I think the name is) through the front speakers and the DVD and its sound from the rear speakers. True dual zone, video and sound. The time it takes to read the ipod is almost unnoticeable. That is how fast it reads the ipod and posts the band, album, song title, and album art. It looks great in the car and has brought new life to my stock speakers. I have the ability to choose from 3 different skins and change the background to a custom one from a USB thumbdrive. I cannot write a full review as I am still exploring all the functions and capabilities of this HU but as of right now I LOVE this thing and would recommend it to anyone looking for a HU under $800 that has the ability to do anything needed while allowing you to keep your radio door and still close it to conceal when not in use.

[#] Jul 31, 2008 12:14am
Flavah

Reg'd: Feb 11, 2007

Window Washer

Here is some pictures of the Kenwood DDX712 I just took. The first pic is the HU playing a SpongeBob DVD and the last two is the HU playing video from my ipod.
[#] Jul 31, 2008 05:17pm
WhooKid

Reg'd: Jun 17, 2008

Oil Changer

Congrats Flavah, it looks great. I already ordered the DNX8120 but it's on backorder so it will be a few weeks before I get it. I also ordered the KCA-iP300 iPod wire, glad to hear it works well.

Quick question...did you end up having to drill holes, and assuming you (or your installer) did, how much deeper are the holes that you drilled from the original holes in the bracket?

[#] Jul 31, 2008 09:44pm
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