Recommend good stereo system?

N

NathanOfSeattle

Member
My stock stereo back light is out.. again. Rather than buying an OEM replacement, I thought I'd buy a nice aftermarket system. Can someone recommend an in-dash system they've been happy with? I don't it to have navigation.
 
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I just bought the Pioneer 4500 and love it.

But giving us some more info would be helpful.

Price

What do you want it to do

Single or Double Din HU

Plan on upgrading speakers or adding sub
 
Sony WX-GT90BT

I wanted something with good functions (bluetooth audio was the biggest thing for me) and I didn't want touch screen, mostly because i wanted it to blend with the other 20 year old tech, haha.

It has the ability to set a custom color. so i was able to match it, pretty closely, to the factory lighting. I didnt want a disco show in my truck at night.

Anyway, just my 2 cents on a head unit. like zooroad mentioned, if you are looking for something more, throw some details up.
 
I've got the older version of this. And I've really liked it. Has both USB and 1/8" plug in the front, and makes the stock speakers sound way better. Plus it has Bluetooth, which comes in handy. You can also change the colors (mine has like 32 choices). And I picked a double din so I didn't have to get the pocket for underneath.

JVC KW-R800BT CD receiver at Crutchfield.com

I've been ordering stuff from Crutchfield for almost 15yrs...IMO they can't be beat for service and quality.
 
X2 for Pioneer. I've had this one since the mid to late 90's, and has been in every car I've owned since then, and is still rockin'.

It is about time to upgrade, double din would be nice, as would BT and a front aux, but it's hard to let go.:cry2:

I've haven't had good luck with Clarion or Alpine. Both were unbelievably non-intuitive to use, my wife's Clarion turns itself off 3 time (not 2, nor 4, but 3) on the way to work.
 
I'm thinking about pulling the Kenwood out of mine. It's a single DIN CD with USB, satellite, etc. I was thinking of grabbing a double DIN with NAV. I'll sell it cheap if you want it.
 
Kenwood Excelon units are top notch. Best warranty (2 years) and as a dealer we don't have them come back with problems. All have 3 sets (front, rear, sub) high voltage RCA outputs for amplifiers. They have a user adjustable multi color illumination so you can match the flashlights. The USB is specifically configured for IPod/IPhone and will charge and control off the deck as well as control the pandora app. Their video/ Nav units are very user friendly and have great displays with lots of capabilities like Sirius/XM, HD Radio, back up cam, rear seat video systems (head rest and flip down screens) Their Nav systems are powered by Garmin who is one of the industry leaders in Navigation.
uve9etyg.jpg

I currently am running the KDC-X994 in my 97 Runner and am upgrading to one of the Double Din Nav units in the near future.
 
Kenwood eXcelon's all the way. Had Pioneer a few times, but they always lacked something. The eXcelon line has it all and just looks so nice.

And a BIG +1 for Crutchfield. They really do have the best deals and great customer service.
 
Crutchfield doesnt have the best deals, they're usually over priced. You can go on sonicelectronix and find a better deal or even go on ebay or amazon and get an even better deal.
 
I know the net is always cheaper but I must advocate the Brick and Mortar stores. Especially for car audio , video, and alarms. There are very few ONLINE company's that are actually authorized to sell car audio. You never know what you are gonna get there but if you go into an authorized dealer and get the equipment you know it will be real. The practice of online sales is actually killing the aftermarket car audio industry right now. So please, don't always go with the cheaper option online when Customer Service plays a huge role in car audio. Also it is very difficult to exchange or return product online where a store will take care of you immediately. I do agree on purchasing certain items online, but car audio products are deffinately one I do not advocate! There are many major players that do not and will not authorize online sales of their product ( other than Crutchfeild ) because it hurts the traditional Store. We actually use Crutchfeild as a reference because they are higher priced and we can usually match them and make money.
Sorry for the rant but it is a pet peeve of mine and being in the industry for almost 20 years and seeing a decline in sales in my store because if this hurts.
 
Sony mex bt 39 uw

It's a great single din deck. It has Bluetooth. I also purchased the external mic. I love it so much both my cars now have the deck. I bough them on Amazon. I paid less than $100 each deck.
 
One of the good things about web purchases vs brick and mortor is that some local stores just aren't that great. I feel like this especially applies to the big stores like Fry's, Best Buy etc. Those places charge the same as Crutchfield but the experience and knowledgeability of the reps are much less.

Even in my area (SD) the 2 small-audio stores I've come across recently did not impress me. I felt like everything for sale was cheap stuff. It is unfortunate but it is becoming harder and harder for small stores to carry high end ($400-$1200) audio head units. Tweeter tried carry high end but they went out of business. Best Buy has the same issue. A lot of customers just want to buy $200 units.

I do however support small businesses and I supported California's push to force Amazon to charge sales tax. The idea is that it will help level the playing field.
 
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I've haven't had good luck with Clarion or Alpine. Both were unbelievably non-intuitive to use...
Click to expand...

What Alpine model was it? I have a CDA-9835 (2004) and its great but there was a period for a few years (2006 - ?) when Alpine released these really non-intuitive decks with "finger slide controls" - my Dad still has one and its terrible.
 
Also I'd like to suggest that OP do a search on this topic because there have been several good threads in the last 12 months on this subject.

Lots of good information was posted ....


:girl:


Try pasting this into google:

Code: 
site:toyota-4Runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/ stereo upgrade

or

Code: 
site:toyota-4Runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/ sound system

:bolt:
 
I'm also looking around for something new. The OEM volume knob is driving me crazy. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Also looking to play music from my iphone without having to plug in the cassette adapter. Found this double din Pioneer FH-X700BT
CD receiver
Anybody have this one? How's it fit, sound, etc?
 
I recently bought a Kenwood KDC-X396, refurbished from crutchfield... it has 3 sets 4-volt pre-amp outs. Pandora controls, but if you want it, no bluetooth. I did not care about bluetooth... but it is a sold receiver and was cheap at less than 100.

For me it was for important to get at least 4-volt pre-amp outs... plus it has a 24-bit DAC for iphones/ipods.

This place has good deals from time to time: Car Audio Stereo - Car Subwoofers - Car Amplifiers and Speakers
 
A Kenwood was my first stereo. One of my favorite features of that deck was a 'loud' function that would turn itself off at a certain volume level. This was great as when the volume was maxed out, the bass and treble values would be at zero (or whatever you had it tuned to for best sound), but when you turned it down, the 'loud' would turn on and bring up the subs and treble. Make sense? It allowed you to hear the subs and vocals at low volume.

Kenwood owners, does this feature still exist?

Thanks.
 
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