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    Quick Links: Rate my audio before I buy Anyone know where I can find a Sundown SA-8? I drive alot time for a new sound system! Order placed here we go! It's almost time, countdown to the stereo install! Another - Alpine KTP-445U Power Pack install and questions NE1 INSTALLED THIS? Looking for a player with bluetooth

Help finding a quality single DIN radio

Discussion in 'Audio & Video' started by EricU, Mar 11, 2015.

  1. Mar 11, 2015 at 6:41 AM
    #1
    EricU

    #1
    EricU [OP] Well-Known Member

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    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
     
    EricU, Mar 11, 2015
    #1
  2. Mar 11, 2015 at 7:00 AM
    #2
    GreeGunc

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    GreeGunc Full of regret

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    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.
     
    GreeGunc, Mar 11, 2015
    #2
  3. Mar 11, 2015 at 9:04 AM
    #3
    ZMan2k2

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    ZMan2k2 “Hold my beer and watch this!”

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    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.
     
    ZMan2k2, Mar 11, 2015
    #3
  4. Mar 11, 2015 at 9:21 AM
    #4
    OneFastGeek

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    OneFastGeek Grand Master Fu

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    OneFastGeek, Mar 11, 2015
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  5. Mar 11, 2015 at 1:44 PM
    #5
    adrenalnjunky

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    adrenalnjunky Well-Known Member

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    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.
     
    adrenalnjunky, Mar 11, 2015
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  6. Mar 11, 2015 at 10:41 PM
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    EricU

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    EricU [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I might have to consider that one, reviews seem to be great
     
    EricU, Mar 11, 2015
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  7. Mar 11, 2015 at 10:55 PM
    #7
    BadBrains

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    BadBrains Spreading the Aloha

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    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.
     
    BadBrains, Mar 11, 2015
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  8. Mar 11, 2015 at 11:01 PM
    #8
    Mr Ribby

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    Mr Ribby Well-Known Member

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    Pioneer DvD double din, pioneer 5way front door speakers, kicker 3 way rear door speaker
    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.
     
    Mr Ribby, Mar 11, 2015
    #8
  9. Mar 11, 2015 at 11:02 PM
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    davidpick

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    davidpick NWXPDTN

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    davidpick, Mar 11, 2015
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  10. Mar 12, 2015 at 6:08 AM
    #10
    EricU

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    EricU [OP] Well-Known Member

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    what is your stereo setup with that head unit? do the time alignment and auto EQ features work well?
     
    EricU, Mar 12, 2015
    #10
  11. Mar 12, 2015 at 6:43 AM
    #11
    boostedka

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    boostedka Well-Known Member

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    THis...
    X2
     
    boostedka, Mar 12, 2015
    #11
  12. Mar 12, 2015 at 9:42 AM
    #12
    BadBrains

    #12
    BadBrains Spreading the Aloha

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    Vehicle:
    '07 Taco LT, '00 GS-R, '75 C10, '83 CJ-7, '19 T4R SR5
    King, TC +2"LT, 35's, Aluminum this and that.
    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
    $64 Axxess ASWC-1 Steering Wheel Control Interface
    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.

    80prs.jpg
     
    BadBrains, Mar 12, 2015
    #12
  13. Mar 12, 2015 at 9:53 AM
    #13
    BadBrains

    #13
    BadBrains Spreading the Aloha

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    '07 Taco LT, '00 GS-R, '75 C10, '83 CJ-7, '19 T4R SR5
    King, TC +2"LT, 35's, Aluminum this and that.
    Ah, you won't have issues with steering wheel controls or the face plate on a 1st gen, all good then.
     
    BadBrains, Mar 12, 2015
    #13

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Metra Axxess ASWC-1 Steering Wheel Control Interface
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