Factory stereo upgrade poll - What did you do?

[ddicosmo]

I'm looking to upgrade my factory stereo system (including speakers) on my 2008 SR5 V6. It has the standard stereo with CD player and AUX jack in the middle console. The sound quality is poor and I'm thinking of upgrading the whole sound system. I'm looking at one of those Navigation/DVD head units that has built in Navigation, DVD, backup-camera capability, Bluetooth and HD/Satellite Radio. I know a lot of people like the Kenwood units but I heard that they are very slow and sluggish when navigating around the screen. I'm leaning towards this JVC model (JVC-KW-NT50HDT) as it supposedly is quite fast and snappy and is feature rich for $799:

JVC KW-NT50HDT Navigation receiver at Crutchfield.com

My primary requirements in order of importance are as follows:

1. Sound Quality
2. Navigation
3. Blue Tooth
4. DVD (would like to use for DVD playback to rear seats for kids)
5. Backup-Camera support (looking to install backup camera)
6. Steering wheel control capable
7. HD Radio

For people who have upgraded their audio systems, can you provide a list of what head unit, speakers and amps you went with? Did you install it yourself or have a professional installer do it? I'm thinking that Crutchfield looks like a good place to buy and I'm leaning towards DIY unless people recommend not DIY. Looking for recommendations on all of this stuff. Thanks,

- Dave.

 

[CookieRoe]

Crutchfield is top notch. It's also top dollar. With its customer service, it makes it all ok. The JVC you are interested in is a FINE unit. If I had to purchase one today, it would be that model. If you ask them, they can "match" the amp/speakers so you don't have to. DIY with crutchfield, its worth it (no "professional installation BS" to deal with). I still have the OEM NAV setup, I'm satisfied for the time being. That's all I have.

 

[ClockWork]

I dropped $4k on my system. Kenwood Excelon HU, Alpine PDX 100Wx4 amp powering JL door speakers and AQ2200 in the trunk with 2 12" Type R's in a ~9ft^3 ported box. Total of around 3500WRMS. Have not heard a system that can touch it for SQ, not even the B&O in the S5.

SQ is a relative thing, as is everything else. Coming from solid wood Infinity Kappa 8.1 speakers the 4R system didn't compare. The JBL optional system sucks too. IMO.

 

[MikeInNH]

Actually Crutchfield prices can be BETTER then most places once you add in the wiring harness and mounting kit. Those come FREE from Crutchfield. Everyplace else you have to buy it separately...and it's easily $50 more.

I upgraded my head-unit a couple months ago with a Kenwood. The only new feature I wanted was HD build-in. Love the unit. Sound quality is excellent. Very happy.

 

[gaterose]

...Kenwood Excelon HU, Alpine PDX 100Wx4 amp powering JL door speakers and AQ2200 in the trunk with 2 12" Type R's in a ~9ft^3 ported box. Total of around 3500WRMS..

Forgive me but how is 400+2200=3500?

I replaced all my stock stuff, the only thing factory is the power wire to the head unit.

I went with
Kenwood Excelon DNX-9960 - some of the menu items as well as the iPod controls do often take a second to work (not that long, but def delayed), but every head unit I looked at had several drawbacks and I found the 9960 had the most functionality (and least errors) with the things I planned to use most (BT music, iPod, Garmin Nav, and an extremely powerful sound engine)
JL J2 360.4 powering
MB Quart component (in all 4 doors)
JL J2 250.1 powering
JL 12W3V3 (2 Ohm)

 

[superman3043]

My sterio specs are in my sig and garage. I basically had all of the criteria that you did, plus iPod compatibility. My Kenwood DNX9140 is an 09' unit so I'm sure the technology has improved since, but here's what I think of mine:

I'm not sure what you mean by "sluggish navigation", but I haven't really noticed it. The unit is rather slow to boot up, but not ridiculous. The Kenwood interface menus are a little clunky, I'm not gonna lie. The Garmin Nav interface side of the unit amplifies this since it is so clean and intuitive.

Overall I'm happy with the unit. I always run the latest firmware, which there are 3 different firmwares for the unit (Kenwood, Garmin, Parrot Bluetooth), and there are still features that leave some to be desired. mainly with the way it interacts with the iPhone. There is an issue I have with the audio dropping out when streaming audio over Bluetooth. Re-synching the devices corrects this. Also, video playback only works for videos loaded to my iPod section of the phone, so I can't stream in a youtube video and have it playback through my head unit. Audio works but not video. Kind of sucks, but it's a minor gripe and something I think could be patched with a firmware update.

Had mine professionally done and don't regret it a bit. The guys I deal with are top notch and took care of a warranty issue I had with my amp, by switching out my amp AND my sub/box to make sure the issue was totally alleviated. Also, I had the full system done at once. Had it been just a HU, I might have tried to tackle that on my own, but there is so much to install, with iPod connections, USB connections, hand's free button, Microphone, back-up camera, steering wheel controls. Not for me man, leave it to pro's.

But if you're a Crutchfield guy and so inclined to DIY... by all means my friend. I'd def give Amazon a shot for price comparisons though. Have seen some killer deals out there.

Hope this helped... Good luck!

 

[Seatown]

I'm looking to upgrade my factory stereo system (including speakers) on my 2008 SR5 V6. It has the standard stereo with CD player and AUX jack in the middle console. The sound quality is poor and I'm thinking of upgrading the whole sound system. I'm looking at one of those Navigation/DVD head units that has built in Navigation, DVD, backup-camera capability, Bluetooth and HD/Satellite Radio. I know a lot of people like the Kenwood units but I heard that they are very slow and sluggish when navigating around the screen. I'm leaning towards this JVC model (JVC-KW-NT50HDT) as it supposedly is quite fast and snappy and is feature rich for $799:

JVC KW-NT50HDT Navigation receiver at Crutchfield.com

My primary requirements in order of importance are as follows:

1. Sound Quality
2. Navigation
3. Blue Tooth
4. DVD (would like to use for DVD playback to rear seats for kids)
5. Backup-Camera support (looking to install backup camera)
6. Steering wheel control capable
7. HD Radio

For people who have upgraded their audio systems, can you provide a list of what head unit, speakers and amps you went with? Did you install it yourself or have a professional installer do it? I'm thinking that Crutchfield looks like a good place to buy and I'm leaning towards DIY unless people recommend not DIY. Looking for recommendations on all of this stuff. Thanks,

- Dave.

Dave,

I just installed the JVC NT50HDT in dash system last week and I love it. I've now owned 6 aftermarket in dash systems (two pioneers, three Kenwoods, and now one JVC). You are right..Kenwoods have the best navigation, but are sooo sluggish. Pioneers have great ipod/audio adjustments and look great, but suck in navigation. The JVC is in my opinion the best of both worlds. The navigation is spot on with many functions, except the woman's voice sounds kind of robotic. The HD radio and lifetime traffic is a great touch. Also, you get free sport scores, weather, and news!!

The only drawback I saw on this unit is the iPod hookup in the front; all other units hook up in the back so you can stowe your ipod in the glovebox. Well to combat this negative is twofold. The first is that you can use a SD card, which i do, the other is to use bluetooth streaming frmo your smartphone...ive noticed zero sound quality difference.

Bluetooth call quality is spot on; no one even notices I'm on BT it's that clear.

I'm considering adding the backup camera, but have not done so..maybe down the road. So I cannot help you on that function of the unit.

As for sound quality, I've heard that this unit like most aftermarket HU will pump life back into your stock speakers. I have the JLB Synthesis system in my 4runner so I cannot give you any insight since I'm using the same JBL amplification.

oh yeah...and this unit is detatachable!! It's the only one on the market that has this function. I found mine brand on Amazon before xmas for $699 and I could not pass that up. Try eBay and look for good sellers with positve feedback and return policies. I had best buy hook my unit up, but you'll want to do the legwork on the harnesses yourself since you can save $150 on all of them thru eBay.

My criteria for the indash was great Navigation, clear BT, and quick and clear responses from the interface. I got all of that and a lot more; out of all the in dash units I've gone thru in the past 4 years this is by far the best. JVC should be on everyone's short list.

 

[rockwall]

Check ABT.com. I live in the Chicago area so I had them install my system, but they beat all pricing and have top notch products and service.

 

[ddicosmo]

Thanks everyone. Seatown, I was wondering if the JVC HU supports only iphone or if it will also support Android smartphones. I have an android Samsung Galaxy Skyrocket phone and was wondering if this will integrate with the JVC HU. Would I be able to control my phone and music via the HU even though it is not an Apple? Also, for the bluetooth, is there handsfree control or do you have to push buttons on the HU to answer calls, etc.? My 4r does not have the steering wheel bluetooth controls. I've never had bluetooth before so I don't know how it is activated. Is it voice activated or manually activated?

Finally, are the stock speakers good enough soundwise? If I were to keep all the stock speakers and just upgrade the HU, will this vastly improve the sound quality or are the stock speakers junk? I listen to a wide variety of music but mainly metal and classic rock. I don't need the huge bass of hip hop type music but want clarity and definition in my music. I want to be able to turn the volume up very loud without the music distorting. Is upgrading the speakers something I can do after having installed the HU or would it be easier to do it all at once? Finally, if I did upgrade the HU and speakers, can I use the stock wiring or do I have to run all new wire? If so, where does the speaker wire run? (ex. under carpeting, inside panels, etc.). Thanks again for the info.

 

[Sungod]

I was looking at that exact same JVC and was close to getting it until I looked at it at Best Buy. The dispaly looked cheap in my opinion and I ended up going with the AVIC Z130BT. It ended up being about $30 more, and is a much nicer system (my opinion anyway). I love it. It has all the features that the JVC did and the navigation is as good if not better.

Here is what I got:
AVIC Z130BT
PAC SWI
PAC TATO
Right side steering wheel phone controls (mine only had the left)
Best Kit Dash Kit

I got the HU from onlinestereo.com, the steering wheel controls from a dealer in PA, it arrived the next day, and the remaining parts from sonicelectronix.com. I shopped around quite a bit for price.

You will drive yourself mad searching for information. There is a lot of conflicting opinions.

 

[galactic_04]

I'd personally get the Pioneer AVH-3300BT with DVD. I have a friend with the previous model of receiver from this and its' awesome. If it was out when I got my Clarion I'd have got this one instead. The Clarion is great, but no touchscreen or DVD. Most anything that has bluetooth will integrate with iPhone or Android phones. I have a Motorola Droid Bionic and it works fine with every radio I've tried lately.

Pioneer AVH-P3300BT DVD receiver at Crutchfield.com

Hoestly, the speakers aren't the highest quality, but I'd do the receiver and see if you're happy with the sound then. If not, go from there.

 

[14 snow]

I just added a Pioneer DVD 4300 in my 2008 (stock, no JBL) using the stock speakers. I also added head rest monitors. I can tell you the orange illumination was important to me and looks great in the dash. The sound quality of the stock speakers is dramatically improved. I also used the PAC SWI for my steering wheel controls.

This set up, looks great, and sounds way better. Would it be even better with after market speakers, amp and sub(s), Sure, but this meets my needs at this time.

I got everything from Sonix and they were great.

As far as actual decks, go, look at them live so you are familiar with the look, feel and usability. Also weigh what is important to you. For me it was DVD, Orange illumination, rear USB and ease of use to name a few. Many posts here regarding various Pioneer decks helped me make my decision.

Good luck. No matter what deck you put in, the sound will be better than stock.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

I just installed the JVC NT3HDT last week. I use it with all the stock SR5 speakers.

I got it on Ebay as a warrantied refurb for $450 shipped (I can PM you the seller if you'd like). I got the install parts (harness, dash kit and parking brake relay) on Amazon.

It is essentially the same unit and the JVC NT50HDT. The JVC NT30HD seems the same as the 50 but does not have traffic. The unit is awesome, and works great in the 4Runner. Bluetooth quality is excellent with the mic on the steering column. iPod integration is great, as is Bluetooth streaming quality.

The only downside to the unit is there is no rear usb inputs.

I mounted the GPS antanna on the dash where the driver A pillar meets the dash. I tucked the wire between the 2 panels.

Nav is decent and easy to use. I wired mine with a parking brake relay so the passenger can use nav while we are moving. I highly recommend doing that. Otherwise you can't use the nav unless you are parked.

I did the install myself. If you can solder (or even use wire crimpers) you can do the install yourself. It took about 10 minutes to remove all the dash panels needed to do the install. If you do it yourself, there is one gotcha. The 4runner has a powered antanna amplifier. Make sure you connect the remote on wire from the head unit to the blue power antanna wire (its called the power antanna wire on the wiring diagrams) on the Toyota harness adapter. Otherwise you won't get AM at all and FM reception will be marginal. That detail was not mentioned in any of the wiring diagrams because they are for generic Toyota wiring.

Also I only have the large antanna connected to the head unit (there are two that plug into the OEM head unit, a large and small one).

 

[aaronfro17]

I gutted the factory stereo and DIY is the way to go! My setup:
AVIC-Z120BT (Top notch iPhone integration)
Alpine MRX-V60 Amp
Sony Components in the Doors
MB Quart 10" Sub
Custon Stealthbox
Urban Runner trim ring
There's a link in my sig for pics.

 

[knightsfs4]

I put in a Pioneer AVH-P3300BT and it's awesome! I also have 2 Alpine Type R 12s @ 2 ohms and a kicker 750.1 Amp. I love the set up, I just need some new door speakers.

 

[bensanders]

I got the install parts (harness, dash kit and parking brake relay) on Amazon.

I wired mine with a parking brake relay so the passenger can use nav while we are moving. I highly recommend doing that. Otherwise you can't use the nav unless you are parked.

Thanks for the tips. Can you explain the parking brake relay a little more? I purchased this HU off Crutchfield so I assume this relay is something I need to pick up from Amazon. I'd like passengers to be able to use the nav while in motion as well

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

It is called a "parking brake bypass"

This is the one I got. They are all over Amazon and Ebay. The small ones are easy to zip tie into the radio harness. It is just a relay that makes the HU think that the parking brake is on all the time. It is very easy to wire up and it allows you to use the nav and watch DVDs while driving.

ALL JVC VIDEO AND NAVIGATION UNITS AUTOMATIC PARKING BRAKE BYPASS | eBay

 

[zimm]

The Kenwood's aren't slow and I highly recommend them. Get the "Excelon" version and you get a 2yr warranty. Crutchfield rocks- worth a little more to keep the warranty over buying from grey market. Now for the speakers, I went grey market because I'm not worried about warranty and the price on JL was 50% less. Kenwood also uses Garmin nav which is nice. The iphone cable lets me stream pandora. The kenwood backup camera is very nice (although $200 extra).

Here's my install: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/89645-how-replace-jbl-subwoofer.html#post782236

 

[Seatown]

Thanks everyone. Seatown, I was wondering if the JVC HU supports only iphone or if it will also support Android smartphones. I have an android Samsung Galaxy Skyrocket phone and was wondering if this will integrate with the JVC HU. Would I be able to control my phone and music via the HU even though it is not an Apple? Also, for the bluetooth, is there handsfree control or do you have to push buttons on the HU to answer calls, etc.? My 4r does not have the steering wheel bluetooth controls. I've never had bluetooth before so I don't know how it is activated. Is it voice activated or manually activated?

Finally, are the stock speakers good enough soundwise? If I were to keep all the stock speakers and just upgrade the HU, will this vastly improve the sound quality or are the stock speakers junk? I listen to a wide variety of music but mainly metal and classic rock. I don't need the huge bass of hip hop type music but want clarity and definition in my music. I want to be able to turn the volume up very loud without the music distorting. Is upgrading the speakers something I can do after having installed the HU or would it be easier to do it all at once? Finally, if I did upgrade the HU and speakers, can I use the stock wiring or do I have to run all new wire? If so, where does the speaker wire run? (ex. under carpeting, inside panels, etc.). Thanks again for the info.

First the speakers...I had an SR5 '08 previously without the JBL and the in dash Pioneer 930bt that I had made the stock speakers sound sooo much better so do the in dash first and then see for yourself, but I bet you'll notice better performance from the stockers. You will not need new wiring for the speakers if you upgrade.

as for supporting android, I do know you can still stream music from your android phone. I even streamed from my blackberry the other day. however, I don't konw about controlling it thru your HU...I'll try Monday with my co workers android and let you know thereafter.

For BT you can answer by pushing the button on the HU; I have steering wheel controls and I don't use them to answer or hang up phone calls. For activation...once you pair your phone to the HU the JVC will automatically sync up the HU when you get in your 4runner. All calls will automatically show up on your HU to be answered via "answer" button.

 

[Toyota_Thom]

I posted this in another thread, but maybe this one is a more appropriate thread to ask this ...

Hope you guys can help me out ...

2009 Toyota 4runner 4.0L SR5. OEM radio just went. Well, the AUX button just went. I can't plug in my iPhone to play music thru the speakers anymore because the button is unresponsive.

I was thinking of getting the same exact radio again thru eBay. But i see there are several different model numbers.

My OEM radio, on the front, has the model number 11823 on it. Do i need to stick to that model number only when searching for a replacement?

Please give me some advice. What model numbers will work? Should i pay attention to the model numbers when looking?

Some of the numbers i'm seeing on ebay: P1802, 11833.

And if there is a thread i missed that has this info already, please link me to it.

OR should i buy an aftermarket instead? If so, I would like to have the ability to connect the iPhone wirelessly to play music. But do NOT need to take and receive phone calls thru the bluetooth/speakers/microphone setup. If you have any advice in that regard i would appreciate it.

Thanks in advance for any help.