DO's & DON'Ts – Picking a Car Audio Radio Head Unit
DO's & DON'Ts – Picking a Car Audio Radio Head Unit
When choosing a car audio head unit (aka stereo or radio) in 2020 what are some “Do’s” and some “Don’ts” to make sure we make the best choice and get the best unit for our application? Let’s talk my opinions on what I feel you should and shouldn’t do when it comes to picking a car audio head unit in 2020.
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Car Audio Fabrication – Master Car Audio – Design, Build, Install
Many new head units will block USB & Bluetooth setup functions if the handbrake switch is not detected. I found this out after days of thinking my new Sony AX3000 was broken.
Turns out my previous cheapie Chinese unit didn’t use one and it hadn’t been wired up.
Also lots of Chinese knock offs advertise "Android Auto" when they mean mirror link.
Knobs are a must and I lowkey like just plug in w/o Bluetooth
Im trying to buy a Head Unit with my 2006 Dodge Stratus. Any Advice?
What are the digital out (toslink /spdif) out nowadays?
What if Crutchfield don’t list any compatible head units for your car? Does that mean an aftermarket head unit can’t be fitted? I have a 2015 Land Rover Discovery Sport (10 speakers, no sub). The factory unit does control the climate control etc. Would be great if you could do a video for this scenario.
I’m looking for a head unit that has OBD READ OUT FOR MY TRUCK
I’m using an older pioneer and the bass for the amp output only goes down to 50hz. Is there one that goes lower? Putting in skar audio 4500.1 amp and zvx 3200 subs
No name android units have pathetic sound quality..
So I just got the pioneer PIONEER DMH-WT76NEX and it tend to cause music to skip when it is hot outside what can u recommend to cool it obviously my ac except it causes my vehicle to run hotter which intern causes the deck to raise temperature too please do a video on this if u can or at least respond thank u
CD player, that’s new. My car is a 2002 Toyota Yaris and it has a tape player. Upgrade? I can’t be bothered.
How do I find an aftermarket head unit that still has cassette player features??? Did those ever exist? (Also a CD player on the same unit would be nice, plus radio & clock of course.)
Suzuki Ciaz 2017, help, thank you
need a car stereo that’s compatible for the Toyota 2011 mark x
Does changing a head unit of a 2012 lexus glx with jbl stereo change the sound signature??
Stay away from PIONEER radios, they are junk. We spent 2400.00 for 2 units 1 for each vehicle. Had nothing but trouble with them and PIONEER has NO support, not even the dealer could get help. NEX 8200.
He’s right stay from Chinese android units.
I still have my phoenix gold amplifier I forget what my crossover is but still have that from probably 1990. And jl subs mb quartz went with car. Really miss them.but want to do something again.
Please provide technical information for the Nakamichi NA3100i head unit.
How to outsmart the head unit so that it doesn’t auto on when the ignition key is in the ACC position.
Thank you.
So best Android auto and Carplay for under 300? 2007 civic.
Somebody know the diference between the pioneer avh-w4500nex vs avh-z9250bt? Wich one its better
Great video. I’m going to put a higher end receiver into my pickup. Interface is important to me. I want a physical button to control volume and also to turn on a backup camera. I’m leaning towards the newer Kenwood
Thoughts on Alpine ILX-F309E?
Everybody likes to dog pile on CDs until either their phone dies or they’re traveling through an area with no service. I’ve been looking for a head unit with CD, Aux, and USB support to have all my bases covered, but it’s actually hard to find high quality ones with everything these days.
What is the optical input/output for?
Can a stock head unit limit the output frequency or signal of a dsp?
I am going to have to disagree with some of the things that you have said! In 2009 I purchased a Kenwood DNX7100, I literally just removed that radio 4 months ago! It was in its third vehicle and I used the CD player constantly! Every other month I was driving from South Carolina to New Jersey, And the only reason that I removed it was because I just purchased a Kenwood DNX997XR! The 7100 works just as good as the day I bought it! If you take care of your equipment it will last!
Always coming back to review with these videos. =] thanks man.
Are Boss head units as good as the Jensen, Alpine, Kenwood head units?
Been following you for a while and have my system planned, can you tell me if Pre out voltage is important and why please Mark?
Toyota decided in their infinite wisdom to use a non-standard size in the 2019 and on RAV4. Probably other models as well. It’s not single or double DIN. So I have literally about 4 choices and there’s only one single 10" available. It’s $1,200…
I went thru Crutchfield to try and find one, but I wonder if you know of any double-din stereos that play USB and use Sound Leveling? Put 10 albums on a USB drive and each plays at vastly different volumes. Know of any (anywhere?) that carry this feature and it actually works?
I got this shitty Fender system in this 2015 VW GTI Autobahn.. Crutchfield says it is not recommended to change the screen… So am I stuck with this garbage system for as long as I have this car?
I wanna put a Pioneer DEH80PRS.. Will it fit? Best head unit I owned!
Is the Boss be7acp a decent head unit for just a basic 6×9 system with no amp? Ive seen good reviews on crutchfield for it but ive also heard to stay away from the Boss brand
At last an excellant review that explains all the options clearly
You mention that we should look at brands like Sony, Alpine, Kenwood, JVC etc however NONE of these brands make an Android head unit.
Android Auto and Car Play are rubbish. Nothing beats the full Android experience. If you want a real Android unit, then unfortunately you need to go with one of these new brands.
You really do need to do a review some Android units. Not all brands like ATOTO. They are rubbish.
Your thoughts on the 7" Vanku android double din?
Is there a way to make cheap Chinese stereos sound better like xtrons brand ? I have fitted a amp which obviously helps but when I fit my old pure brand stereo it just sounds well better . And way I can get the same results using my xtrons ?
I feel that a big DO is buying head unit with multiple camera inputs for front and rear camera access.
I can fit 1000’s of songs on a thumb drive. No CD needed.
why is 90% of the units on Crutchfields sold out?
I’m trying to replace my old radio that stopped working. Why the hell cant I just get a new radio that plugs into my existing backup camera and steering wheel controls without having to do wiring? Why do they call it plug and play if I need a wiring harness, a soldering gun and 3 hours?
Damn Stinger in the head unit market. Thats new!!!
Not a fan with Bluetooth audio sorry
Yes, the subject you touched on in the beginning is what I am concerned about. I used to install my own stuff a long time ago but now you don’t have standards like you did in the past. You used to be able to pull the head unit out and a new one in it’s place or bin
What do you do with dashes where the stock system is not something you can pull out?
I know you covered it partially
Thanks for the information
Good tips; glad I checked. I looked into it and there are $600 in extra boxes and harnesses for steering wheel buttons, cameras, xm stuff, eyesight, onstar, starlink, morningstar breakfast links, zelda links to the past, etc. All for a pair of rca outputs, the only thing I really needed. Nope. Automakers reeeeally want you to have a shitty radio.
Or just skip it entirely and patch your mp3 player or smartphone straight into the amp.
You forgot to mention a flip out 7” DVD player head unit, for those that want the screen but their vehicle can only accept a single din unit.
Do you recommend staying away from the Pumpkin android car steroes then???
Crutchfield has not listed my car.. shame
Thought I’d add this one for folks who just can’t easily change out from the factory head unit, especially if you have one of the factory amplified premium systems.
Found out that my 2018 Ford Sync premium head unit is actually Sony-built inside and is totally 2-ohm stable though the speakers are wired at 4ohms. (BTW. The labelled Sony premium 11-speaker system for this model is all speakers running at 2-ohms while mine comes running 2-ohms only at the two rear 6×9’s)
Here’s the deal. I put in 4-ohm Focal coaxials in the lower doors wiring in in parallel 4ohm Focal tweeters using an 8uf 100V film ie. non-polarized capacitor into the upper door. (Found out 4.7uf works great too) Everything looks totally factory and .. Viola! With the lower impedance load, more power. FAR MORE CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN VOLUME and COOL running as can be! (To be honest though, the amp in this unit ran VERY CLEAN SOUNDING to begin with. Its just seems even cleaner running at lower impedance all-round!)
Used to be that my 2018 Ford Fusion head unit would get "confused hot and bothered" all the time. Had to do frequent resets. Been running this way for months now. GREAT!
Took the system a few days ago to a local neighborhood stereo shop for a rattling rearview mirror problem. Manager listened wanted to what 4-channel amp and door speakers I was using. Said no way he would have known this was not a fully amplified system. No need for an aftermarket 4-channel amp! (At least till the harness becomes available and cheap .. smiles) With a JL LC2i Pro, JL XD600v2 and a sealed box 12W6 … replaced also the front dash speaker with a modified Infinity piece to "catch up". HAPPY DAYS!