Help finding a quality single DIN radio

the truck is a 1st gen, and i had plans for a double din screen but for the features i will actually use, a single din is fine.

What i am looking for is Bluetooth, rear USB, 3 RCA Preouts atleast 4.0v, and must be able to recognize a portable hard drive as a media source.

Also, if the option to turnoff the headunits internal amplifier is there, that would be great too as i have a JL XD700/5 to power the system.

so far ive found the Kenwood KDCX998 would fit the bill, but just wondering if anyone recomends something else

 

I've got a Kenwood in my truck. It came with the truck so I don't know what model it is. I really like it. It has USB and Bluetooth with the mic.

 

Alpine CDE-149BT. Has all the functions you're looking for, comes with a USB extension cable, so you can have the rear USB where you want it, and has a tuning app for your phone, so you can tune to your hearts content.

 

I'm about to pull the trigger on a

$110 Sony MEX-N4300BT Built-in Dual Bluetooth Audio Streaming Receiver with NFC, USB, Auxiliary, and Pandora Integration

Sony MEXGS610BT. Maybe this would suit your needs? If you have an iPhone mounted on your dash, you can also control the unit via the touch screen on your phone with an app that Sony has available for free.

 

Pioneer DEH-80PRS is regarded as one of the best sound-quality units out there, 16 bands of eq for left and right channels independently, Time alignment, 3-way crossovers built in.

Next to it - the Kenwood 998 was always my single din runner up.

 

I might have to consider that one, reviews seem to be great

 

I have one, love it(DEH-80PRS). No sense repeating all the features that you can read yourself, so here's one they don't mention. Voltmeter. One of the background options has a voltmeter, kinda cool. One less gauge or spot taken on a scan gauge.

 

Kenwood Excelon
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113KDCX399/Kenwood-Excelon-KDC-X399.html

Best single din (features for money) all around good head unit! this one I linked to does not have usb in back, but a few of the better versions do, more expensive though. The excelon series also puts out a higher rms to your speakers than other choices giving you a better sound if your not running an amp for them.

 

Huge fan of Pioneer headunits. Mine's coming up on 3 years old now, but it has all the features that you listed and has been problem free.

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car/CD-Receivers/DEH-P9400BH

I'm sure the replacement versions of this one are more than capable.

 

what is your stereo setup with that head unit? do the time alignment and auto EQ features work well?

 

THis...
X2

 

For now just the DEH-80PRS and the JBL speakers from my previous 2012 Taco. They used to clip bad with the non-JBL head unit when the volume was around 30. Now they sound great.

I'm planning on my next phase being a 4 channel amp running the 6.5 mid components on all four doors through the mid RCA's, and the tweeters off a small amp through the high RCA's. Not going to use separate crossovers since the head unit can handle that.

Then finally the sub.


I haven't played with the time alignment or auto EQ, I tweaked it myself.
My 2012 had the double DIN Entune and it was great but I honestly didn't need it, hated having a big light in my face. The nicest thing was Bluetooth.
Decided sound quality and bluetooth were priorities so asked a reputable shop which single DIN he'd go with, he recommended the DEH-80PRS. I went home and looked it up, liked what I saw, went back in and got a price match to Amazon Prime's $260 or whatever it was.

One issue with the Metra kit is the fold-down face. The head unit is recessed in far enough that it won't open up. I decided since it's an $18 dollar part, screw it, and took a hole saw and relieved a section so the volume knob wouldn't hang up. Also drilled a hole in the back of the "cubby" area and fed the Bluetooth mic through there instead of running it up to the ceiling or on the dash. It blends in and can't even be seen.

The backlighting is great, so many choices.

I used the Axxess ASWC-1 steering wheel control adapter. After pulling my hair out with the included instructions, went on their site and found the updated correct wires to hookup. Works great. Maybe 1 out of 50 start ups it doesn't register with the head unit. Restarting fixes that.
Only shitty thing is it won't forward the song through Bluetooth, have to use my iPhone. Haven't tried it hooked up through the USB yet.

 

Ah, you won't have issues with steering wheel controls or the face plate on a 1st gen, all good then.