audio headunit question

[hugo2go]

Sell you my Alpine for cheap

 

[gamefreakgc]

It would help to know what kind of budget you're working with.

You can get decent head units with good features for under $250, but if you're playing with a little more coin you can step up to some really nice stuff for less than $400.

I have one of the Kenwood touchscreen models and it has tons of features. Back when I was younger we would have paid a fortune for a deck with three sets of pre-amp outputs and built in crossovers.

Also, it would help to know what your intentions are in the future. If you're planning on adding a sub or some amplification then you should get a receiver that will support that.

This. Find the least expensive [quality] head unit that has the features you want. Except for touchscreens, there's no difference between ad single or double DIN, they do the exact same things. However, sometimes double DINs have more pre-amp connections. Don't get lured in by flashing colors and the like, not like you're gonna stare at your head unit while driving.

Personally, I don't like touchscreens. Makes it really hard to control the music while driving. Buttons and knobs for me!

My budget solely on the head unit is probably around $250.

I will definitely upgrade the speakers. I haven't decided yet, but I may want to add a small sub under the passenger seat so a head unit that can support it will be good.

A small amp with so-so speakers is better than high-end speakers with no amp.

Personally, I'd cut your budget for the head unit to $150 or so and then spend that extra $100 on a small amp like this guy (what I have): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CQBY174?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00

or this guy: Amazon.com : Kenwood KAC-M1804 Compact 4-channel Amplifier : Car Electronics

Most head units have amps that only put out about 15-20w RMS per speaker. Also, pretty much any head unit can support an amp. Where you run into trouble is when you try and hook up a 4-way amp AND a sub, then you're looking at needing 3 pre-amp connections. Unless you do what I did (shameless plug):

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/203866-thinking-about-upgrading-your-sound-system-do.html

 

[fblainen11]

Can vouch for the small Kenwood kac-1804

Fits behind my dash under the radio and was an easy install. Hint: The mount for the small metal thing that the factory radio hooked up to makes a great ground. Do not use the shifter mount screws...I could only get 6V worth of ground there and my amp wouldn't turn on.

 

[stir_fry_boy]

Sony has really stepped up their game lately. I have the Sony single din DSX-S300BTX. It's awesome. Very well built, good wires, and has an iPod tray inside! I have a 160GB iPod classic I keep inside. Very good HU for the money, I have used Pioneer for years and the quality of the Sony blows Pioneer out of the water.

Alpine is excellent for the money as well.

Sony HU

If you get new speakers, look at Infinity Reference. Great quality and would work well with the Alpine amp mentioned in an earlier post. The best money spent for good sound is an amp.

 

[s20004runner]

thanks for everyone on this thread!

I've installed the new HU today. Most time was spent putting together the harness. Otherwise, it was easy.

Lesson learned: disconnect battery to avoid shorting circuits and spend hours trying to figure out what your shorted. (grrrr!)

Also added the power antenna switch, which I love dearly. I hate that antenna motor noise.

Mods to come (very slowly):

- New speakers + sound deadening
- new amp + small subwoofer (under the seat)

 

[PhdNPrerunners]

thanks for everyone on this thread!

I've installed the new HU today. Most time was spent putting together the harness. Otherwise, it was easy.

Lesson learned: disconnect battery to avoid shorting circuits and spend hours trying to figure out what your shorted. (grrrr!)

Also added the power antenna switch, which I love dearly. I hate that antenna motor noise.

Mods to come (very slowly):

- New speakers + sound deadening
- new amp + small subwoofer (under the seat)

The new head unit looks great man. That's definitely the one I would go with if I didn't already have a Kenwood touch screen out of one of my old tacomas. What usb ports are using for the cigarette lighter socket? I really want to do something like that to mine.

 

[s20004runner]

The new head unit looks great man. That's definitely the one I would go with if I didn't already have a Kenwood touch screen out of one of my old tacomas. What usb ports are using for the cigarette lighter socket? I really want to do something like that to mine.

I got these, but I don't remember I paid these prices or found a cheaper one on ebay. There are similar ones and the only reason I got these was they match my blue lights.

Amazon.com: Foxnovo Portable Waterproof Blue LED 12-24V Car Motorcycle Cigarette Lighter Socket Dual USB Power Adapter Charger Outlet (Black): Automotive

installation is really easy. just get something to enlarge the hole and that's it.

 

[TheToyotaGarage]

How did you go the ultragauge green?