Kenwood DMX905S - Install, Reviews and Quirks thread - 2018 TRD Sport

Edited to add: I decided to go with Kenwood, the DMX905S. I've changed the title to reflect that, and for search purposes. Install prep, process and chatter starts here (post #31)

The Entune Premium in my truck (2018 TRD Sport with Entune Premium - Non-JBL) is now starting to piss me off a bit more than it should. I have to restart it every day now to get it to recognize my "iPod" (iPhone 6 with the SIM card removed), as well as my USB drive and Pixel 2. In fact, no radio stations actually came in this morning (I need to check if the antenna wire is pulled).

A couple of items before asking for recommendations:

My ability:

1. I can solder, and like to.
2. I have installed head units before
3. I have all the items needed to do my own install, such as shrink tube, soldering iron, heat gun, solder, work space
4. I do not want to go to an installer

I have the following items now on the existing OEM head unit:

1. Moved USB from dash to glove box, split to two usb to accept both the iPod and USB
2. Beat Sonic CS6EP anytime camera for rear - still has input for front not being used
3. Arc Audio XDi850.5 connected via own harness
4. Morel Tempo Ultra 692 wired from amp to crossovers, crossovers to drivers in the front
5. Morel Tempo Ultra Integra 602 wired from amp back to OEM wiring via harness (see my build, my stereo build has been an ongoing process of evolution) in the rear
6. Audison APS 10D sub

What I will need to do to existing wiring:

1. Remove line level wiring to amp and replace with quality RCA
2. remove front speaker legacy wiring for front speakers (this is from the wiring harness I used to utilize OEM speaker wiring before I went to a component front stage)

Information the brain trust needs to make a recommendation:

How I use my existing set up:

Music: As previously mentioned, I have an "iPod" and a USB drive for music. The iPod has all of my favorite Apple Music downloaded music on it. It's set up to automatically download music that I add on my Pixel 2's Apple Music app. The USB drive is my catalog heavy bands such as the Grateful Dead, Led Zep, Pink Floyd, Dream Theater, etc. I use terrestrial radio sparingly. I do not use SiriusXM at all. I listen to Audible, which is streamed bluetooth via my Pixel 2. I rarely, if EVER, listen to actual CDs.

Navigation: I use Waze on my phone. I do not like the nav package on the OEM head unit. I do not mind Waze being on my phone only.

Other apps that are on the OEM head unit: Meh.

Requirements for new head unit:

1. 5v Pre-Amp outputs
2. Ability to use existing OEM infrastructure (steering wheel controls, GPS antenna, hands free mic) - I really don't want to fish those wires too, especially a GPS antenna.
3. Ability to use my camera on demand
4. Ability to use my existing music storage (iPod, USB) while using an Android phone for bluetooth
5. Wireless Android Auto - this would be a nice item, but I'm not hung up on complete phone integration. I can do wired Android Auto as well, it's just going to take a little bit of creativity for the wiring, and I'm not sure how confused the head unit would get with me using Android Auto while having an iPod plugged into it....

My budget

$500 - $850

Timeline

I am in no real rush to get this done. I just recently bought a Waverunner, and am not looking to make a big ticket purchase for the truck again until sometime after July.

Caveats:

I'm looking for ideas here. I know there are folks on this board that work in car audio, and can steer me the right way. I am doing my own due diligence as well. The last aftermarket head unit I put in was a Pioneer AVH-X5800BT, and LOVED it, but I was running it with the Waze integration, and everything was from an iPhone.

TL/DR - Looking for recommendations on a new head unit to replace OEM Entune Premium

Edited to add: I decided to go with Kenwood, the DMX905S. I've changed the title to reflect that, and for search purposes. Install prep, process and chatter starts here (post #31)

 

You can get a great Pioneer headunit that does both Carplay or Android Auto, sounds like this will fit the bill for your needs. Pioneer also has the Auto EQ function on some of its units that measures the vehicle’s interior and adjusts all if the audio settings automatically, its pretty awesome. Changing the head unit will allow you to capitalize on the upgrades you have already made and the system will definitely have better sound quality than with your stock unit.

 

Yeah, I'm a fan of pioneer, I'm just worried that whatever I end up with will not allow me to use Android Auto WHILE listening to music from the "iPod" in the glove box....

 

You could always just put the ipod music on a USB drive. That was my solution and that USB is in my glove. The secondary USB on the dash I use for my phone/carplay.

 

No can do. Because it is Apple Music subscription music, it will not play off of a USB, it has toplay from an iPhone, iPod touch or Android phone with Apple music app

But the app on my pixel sucks ass

 

Roger that

 

The Excellon seems to be the one to go to this time. Not going to sell my OEM head unit though. I'm keeping all the OEM gear for the audio for future purposes (like selling the truck or whatever).

Any head unit I go with will end up with the iData.

 

Last year's Pioneer flagship is on sale. Stuff I like about it, capacitive screen, two USB inputs, wireless carplay/android auto. Outputs are 4V though, I see you wanted 5V. I didn't see a real comparative model that's just Multimedia, I'm kind of watching out for one.

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_1308400NEX/Pioneer-AVIC-W8400NEX.html

 

YouTube to mp3 downloader. Download them and put them on USB. You already payed for that music, shouldnt have to again.

 

I think I might just bite the bullet without getting too hung up on the iPod thing.

 

That's a HUGE discount. I'll be honest, I really liked my Pioneer in the Tundra.....

Going through the reviews for that unit, I see that of the 33 reviews, 13 are from Toyota owners, of which 4 are 3d gen Tacoma owners....

 

I think I may just end up nixxing the "iPod" and USB drive. I like this:

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_500ILXF259/Alpine-iLX-F259.html

Because I don't "need" a lot of the other stuff......

 

I think my most specific questions at this point for this unit are:

1. Can you listen to music off of a USB, WHILE using Waze via Android Auto?
2. Is the back up camera on the head unit on demand without using any add ons (I'm using the Beat Sonic camera on demand module right now with the entune)

 

Just cancel that and get Spotify

 

It's easy if it were just me, but it's not. The kids and wife use it too.....

 

I didn’t see iDatalink
I saw 1% THD
Also, thing hanging in front of the dash sounds icky.

 

Eh?

Looking at this as well


https://www.crutchfield.com/p_500ILXW650/Alpine-iLX-W650.html

 

1 Delete Entune. It just sucks. Then run Bluetooth or USB
Or
2 call Crutchfield and get the current unit that meets these needs

 

1. Yes

2. Nobody can answer my question at crutchfield in regards to splitting the USB. so I'm going to have to actually go to a store with a splitter in experiment before I drop money. Unless of course somebody else is already done it on this page and I don't have to recreate the wheel.

 

If you have 5v on both USB it won’t work with a Y most likely. You need to isolate them when they are both sources, or go to Bluetooth and the head should have that logic native.