Aftermarket Stereo Upgrade: Alpine Halo iLX-F509 or Sony XAV-9500ES?

[arouth]

Hi,

Alpine intros 11 and 9-inch Halo receivers with wireless CarPlay and Lossless [U: Weather-resistant Jeep models too] - 9to5Mac

Sony XAV-9500ES Mobile ES Series digital multimedia receiver (does not play discs) at Crutchfield


I’m hoping to get a quality head unit with Wireless Carplay and these are what I’m thinking. There is also a 9 inch Pioneer stereo (Pioneer 9" DMH-WT7600NEX), but I’m passing on that since it’s almost 2 years old. I’m most likely going to wait for the 9 inch Alpine Halo iLX-F509 but just wondered if there were any thoughts either way?

2015 4Runner Trail Premium. Not a big audio file or stereo type of guy. Thinking the Alpine Halo iLX-F509 bc it’s smaller and would only cover the bottom part of the AC vents in my 4Runner.

 

[I4CUTigers]

My understanding is that the Sony doesn’t display vehicle info, like tire pressure, while the alpine and pioneer do. Not sure how important that is to you, but if it’s not, trail grid pro has a pretty good bundle on some of the Sony’s.

 

[97BlackAckCL]

I love my Halo9, but it definitely is older technology and the screen resolution is not that great. With that said it is a great head unit and I love all the OBD2 info that you can pull and monitor on the truck. I have looked heavily at the Sony and debated switching, but I'll probably just wait for the newer Alpines to come out. I love the 9" screen, not sure I'd go up to an 11" though

 

[arouth]

My understanding is that the Sony doesn’t display vehicle info, like tire pressure, while the alpine and pioneer do. Not sure how important that is to you, but if it’s not, trail grid pro has a pretty good bundle on some of the Sony’s.

That is true, their gear does not have Wireless CarPlay which is going to become the norm in a year or so. I checked and wireless CarPlay dongles don't work with those stereos either on the Trail Grid website. I kind of feel like I'd do that upgrade and then like a year later get tired of plugging my phone in every time I wanted to go somewhere and use maps.

 

[I4CUTigers]

That is true, their gear does not have Wireless CarPlay which is going to become the norm in a year or so. I checked and wireless CarPlay dongles don't work with those stereos either on the Trail Grid website. I kind of feel like I'd do that upgrade and then like a year later get tired of plugging my phone in every time I wanted to go somewhere and use maps.

I just picked up a Kenwood dmx1057xr. Wireless CarPlay, 720p screen, and several other features, but what I’m looking forward to the most is 4 camera inputs to create my own multi terrain monitor (2 of the 4 inputs are 720p). Was considering the pioneer and alpine. The new Alpine seems like a better deal if you don’t want the extra cameras.

 

[arouth]

I just picked up a Kenwood dmx1057xr. Wireless CarPlay, 720p screen, and several other features, but what I’m looking forward to the most is 4 camera inputs to create my own multi terrain monitor (2 of the 4 inputs are 720p). Was considering the pioneer and alpine. The new Alpine seems like a better deal if you don’t want the extra cameras.

Can you post some pictures of the Kenwood DMX1057XR in your 4Runner? Does it cover the AC vents? I looked at that but it seemed a bit too big. It's why I'm thinking the 9 inch Alpine stereo.

 

[Ripper238]

I run Alpine amps and speakers but went with the Kenwood DMX as well. It is big, but that was kind of the point for me. lol

Awesome head unit with maestro since it will provide the ability to read and clear codes, show tire air pressure and temp plus so much more.

It does block the vents a little (sits far enough away) but works fine, and totally worth the trade off. I generally set my AC/Heat 2 times a year and never touch it anyway.

I currently only have front and rear cameras set up.

 

[I4CUTigers]

Can you post some pictures of the Kenwood DMX1057XR in your 4Runner? Does it cover the AC vents? I looked at that but it seemed a bit too big. It's why I'm thinking the 9 inch Alpine stereo.

When I say I just picked it up, it is being delivered tomorrow from Crutchfield. They are already out of stock, but I signed up for the email list last week and bought as soon as I got the email. Was wanting the DNR1007xr, which is the same, but with built in Garmin Nav, but they told me their last shipment of that unit was June of 21. After realizing I can just download google maps for times without cell service, it was a no brainer to save some money.

 

[I4CUTigers]

I run Alpine amps and speakers but went with the Kenwood DMX as well. It is big, but that was kind of the point for me. lol

Awesome head unit with maestro since it will provide the ability to read and clear codes, show tire air pressure and temp plus so much more.

It does block the vents a little (sits far enough away) but works fine, and totally worth the trade off. I generally set my AC/Heat 2 times a year and never touch it anyway.

I currently only have front and rear cameras set up.

Did you use the factory mounting brackets for extra support?

 

[Ripper238]

Did you use the factory mounting brackets for extra support?

I had an installer do the head unit install, so i am not sure. But i did get a dash kit. Its super solid.

 

[97BlackAckCL]

For anyone interested in the Halo 9" I used the stock radio brackets and mounted it in the lower slot and it doesn't cover my air vents at all. Saw another thread where someone claimed it blocked the vents which it does not.

 

[Kyle_howie]

I went with the CarTrimHome T10 and couldn’t be happier. Only took a few days to arrive. Looks OEM and wireless CarPlay is awesome. Install took an hour, then another 30 minutes or so to get the software setup exactly how i wanted. It’s extremely customizable, uses all the OEM type functions like steering wheel buttons, headlight dimmer, you can even customize the inputs

5th Gen 4Runner Apple CarPlay Radio Upgrade - A Family Adventure Blog

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Cheers!]

Sony.

I had the alpine and pulled it out and retuned it before the crutchfield no questions asked return period ended. I could never get the gps to work. Even with Alpine sending me their own GPS model and bypassing the Toyota GPS.

The signal going to the iphone8 or iphone12 or my pixel 4 kept jumping around.

 

[arouth]

I run Alpine amps and speakers but went with the Kenwood DMX as well. It is big, but that was kind of the point for me. lol

Awesome head unit with maestro since it will provide the ability to read and clear codes, show tire air pressure and temp plus so much more.

It does block the vents a little (sits far enough away) but works fine, and totally worth the trade off. I generally set my AC/Heat 2 times a year and never touch it anyway.

I currently only have front and rear cameras set up.

Is there any way to mount that a bit lower? I've researched the Kenwood rather thoroughly and like it but I felt it was a bit too big for the small space allotted in the 4Runner. That's all personal preference though. It's a sweet stereo though, glad you are enjoying it.

 

[Ripper238]

Is there any way to mount that a bit lower? I've researched the Kenwood rather thoroughly and like it but I felt it was a bit too big for the small space allotted in the 4Runner. That's all personal preference though. It's a sweet stereo though, glad you are enjoying it.

It has some minor adjustment but not really. Much lower you would need to relocate your AC controls. If the 4Runner had digital controls (like limited) the Kenwood DMX can be programed to control AC as well.

If it was a 9" screen it would be perfect.

 

[I4CUTigers]

Is there any way to mount that a bit lower? I've researched the Kenwood rather thoroughly and like it but I felt it was a bit too big for the small space allotted in the 4Runner. That's all personal preference though. It's a sweet stereo though, glad you are enjoying it.

Just to add, I put this in my truck on Sunday and have had two days with it. I was worried about it being too big, but it really isn’t bad. It really doesn’t seem to hinder air flow in any significant way and to be honest, one of the most used features so far has been the volume knob. I would have bought it if it was a 9 inch, but being 10.1 isn’t as bad as I had imagined. Really impressed so far.

 

[Cheers!]

Sony site lists the 9500ES as iDatalink Maestro compatible. It isn't clear if it is the new Maestro2 or the original Maestro...

Here are pics I found online of an install into a Limited trim.

 

[97BlackAckCL]

Cool screen if you don't like your front vents lol

 

[Cheers!]

Or your hazard lights

 

[arouth]

It has some minor adjustment but not really. Much lower you would need to relocate your AC controls. If the 4Runner had digital controls (like limited) the Kenwood DMX can be programed to control AC as well.

If it was a 9" screen it would be perfect.

Any updates on how you are liking this Kenwood after using it a couple of weeks? I'm researching it and it's one of the more expensive options. However, the reviews are pretty good so it might be worth it.