Pick a head unit

This forum is designated for In Car Entertainment discussion...
Forum rules
Please take a look at the rules for posting in the Technical section as all posts will be moderated accordingly...

Technical Section Rules
Post Reply
2226cc
Major
Posts: 3364
Registered for: 21 years 2 months
Car Make: VW
Car Model: 2017 Cross Polo 1.2 TSI
Membership No: missing
Location: Cape Town, South Africa

Pick a head unit

Post by 2226cc »

I'm well confused.
I initially wanted a double din, but they were either too expensive, too Chinese, or near perfect on price but lacking on what I wanted.

Decided to rather do an Android 2-DIN unit, but I think proper units will only start panning out in a year or so (i.e. decent CPU, touch panel, features, etc).

So back to finding a single-DIN in the mean time. Tried to rather reduce budget, but you get crap as is to be expected. Or when you find a bargain it winds up missing specs advertised by the manufacturer. Thank you SONY.

Want unit with bluetooth, 4x pre-out, preferably mech-less.

Narrowed down to the following options:

1. Kenwood KMM-X50BT @ R1799
- Bluetooth
- mech-less (no CD)
- variable illumination
- plays FLAC (w00t!!)
- 2x USB (1x front, 1x back = flash drive in cubby would be good)
- 4x 2.5V pre-out
- 2 phones paired at the same time
- 3 band equaliser

2. SONY DSX-S300BT @ R.no_idea_yet (expect +- R2K)
- Looks like 2012/2013 model, have asked SONY SA if they have
- Bluetooth
- excellent info display (4-line OEL)
- red/blue illumination only (blue too bright and distracting, Vortex hack to make green :))
- mech-less (no CD)
- internal cradle (Tune Tray) for ipod or usb
- front USB
- 7 band equaliser
- Advanced Sound Engine (listener positioning, etc)

3. SONY MEX-N4050BT @ R1499
- Bluetooth with NFC instant pairing (interesting)
- has a CD unit
- 1x USB on front
- red/blue illumination
- 4x 2V pre-out
- App Remote (software on Android allows completely managing the phone from handset)
- 10 band equaliser
- listener position time-alignment
- auto source volume adjust

First choice: the SONY DSX-S300BT, but think I'm too late on that being available anymore.

Leaning towards the Kenwood (from Makro, nogal).
But the #3 option SONY has a lot going for it, except the will-never-be-used-like-ever CD unit and just the one USB on the front.
Listener positioning not too important as I was going to try out my old JBL GTP4 (flippin' old skool stuff)

If you had to pick, which would you take?

Is the DSX-S300BT still available somewhere? (I found one supplier online in SA...dodgey site, but 3 "shops" ... so I looked up the shop, and they're operating out of the Wimpy in a mall in PMB :D)
2017 VW Cross Polo 1.2TSI
2006 VW Citi 1.4 carb
1995 VW Chico 1.3 4-speed
1989 Audi 500 turbo (the end. finally.)
User avatar
DarthJB
Cadet
Posts: 842
Registered for: 14 years 11 months
Car Make: VW
Car Model: MK2 Jetta CSL
Membership No: missing
Location: Durban

Re: Pick a head unit

Post by DarthJB »

Another option...

http://www.autostyle.co.za/jvc-kd-r746b ... d-mp3.html

The kenwood looks good too
Current:

Shadow Blue Polo 6R - Daily

'89 Jetta 2 CSL (*cough* Race car *cough*)
2226cc
Major
Posts: 3364
Registered for: 21 years 2 months
Car Make: VW
Car Model: 2017 Cross Polo 1.2 TSI
Membership No: missing
Location: Cape Town, South Africa

Re: Pick a head unit

Post by 2226cc »

Yeah, that one was on my mental list too. It is kitted out for sure.

I pulled trigger in the Kenwood about an hour ago. Costs more, but had that second USB port round the back.
2017 VW Cross Polo 1.2TSI
2006 VW Citi 1.4 carb
1995 VW Chico 1.3 4-speed
1989 Audi 500 turbo (the end. finally.)
User avatar
rodga
Nazi Spelling Master
Posts: 8600
Registered for: 16 years 4 months
Car Make: VW
Car Model: MKVI GTI
Membership No: 1323

Re: Pick a head unit

Post by rodga »

2226cc wrote:Yeah, that one was on my mental list too. It is kitted out for sure.

I pulled trigger in the Kenwood about an hour ago. Costs more, but had that second USB port round the back.
Would choose that for the same reason
It's strange how hard it is to find a unit with rear USB these days.

Sent from my SM-N900 using Tapatalk
*** The MKVI How-To, FAQ, and Do-It-Yourself Guide ***
rodga's ride
'10 MKVI GTI - tornado red, manual, sunroof, xenons
'09 Generic XOR 125 - matte black - Daily Driver :)

Image
2226cc
Major
Posts: 3364
Registered for: 21 years 2 months
Car Make: VW
Car Model: 2017 Cross Polo 1.2 TSI
Membership No: missing
Location: Cape Town, South Africa

Re: Pick a head unit

Post by 2226cc »

Yip. Couldn't make up my mind for the past 3 weeks. Then realised I didn't really want CD anymore.

There are quite a few with 2 USB ports, but the price starts climbing quickly. 2-DIN is where the best options seem to be, but just can't afford right now.

Now I have to wait for makro to get this thing. Could take 3 weeks.
2017 VW Cross Polo 1.2TSI
2006 VW Citi 1.4 carb
1995 VW Chico 1.3 4-speed
1989 Audi 500 turbo (the end. finally.)
User avatar
Unobeat
Lieutenant-General
Posts: 8378
Registered for: 12 years 11 months
Car Make: Fiat, Toyota, Mazda
Car Model: Uno, Auris, CX-5
Location: Pretoria

Re: Pick a head unit

Post by Unobeat »

My 1st choice would be the Kenwood(the 2nd usb can be very handy) and then followed by the JVC.
THANAS wrote:Mix them together to create Shellstrol, and then mix that with Winstrol to create the ultimate, maximum performance oil for your engine.
panic-mechanic wrote:When I build engines and do stuff like this I do it when there is nobody else around, No distractions, No phone nothing so that you don't forget what you should be doing. It's the little things that make them run right. Anybody can slap a basic bottom end together. that is the easy bit. It's all the little things that makes these builds a success or not.
2226cc
Major
Posts: 3364
Registered for: 21 years 2 months
Car Make: VW
Car Model: 2017 Cross Polo 1.2 TSI
Membership No: missing
Location: Cape Town, South Africa

Re: Pick a head unit

Post by 2226cc »

I think JVC and Kenwood are the same company these days?

Can't wait for the Kenwood to arrive, but looks like I won't have it for mini road trip next week.
2017 VW Cross Polo 1.2TSI
2006 VW Citi 1.4 carb
1995 VW Chico 1.3 4-speed
1989 Audi 500 turbo (the end. finally.)
2226cc
Major
Posts: 3364
Registered for: 21 years 2 months
Car Make: VW
Car Model: 2017 Cross Polo 1.2 TSI
Membership No: missing
Location: Cape Town, South Africa

Re: Pick a head unit

Post by 2226cc »

Got the Kenwood couple days ago. Just spent the evening making a harness to fit into the stock wiring and went to play.

Interesting... no rear speaker output being played. :P Checked the wiring and got 5.2 ohms to all speakers. Everything wired correct. Not sure if the rear pre-out is set to sub only and whether it affects the direct speaker output. Didn't mess with that setting yet.

Hooked up my phone, plays via bluetooth beautifully. Didn't test USB yet or FLAC playback.

Downside? These aftermarket head units are fugly. Are sound engineers really that bored? :P :) Wish someone would make a full featured yet nice (near stock) looking HU.
2017 VW Cross Polo 1.2TSI
2006 VW Citi 1.4 carb
1995 VW Chico 1.3 4-speed
1989 Audi 500 turbo (the end. finally.)
Kavi4GP
VWCSA Member
Posts: 2190
Registered for: 9 years 7 months
Car Make: Toyota
Car Model: Corolla D4-D
Membership No: 2016
Location: Roodepoort
Contact:

Re: Pick a head unit

Post by Kavi4GP »

2226cc wrote:Got the Kenwood couple days ago. Just spent the evening making a harness to fit into the stock wiring and went to play.

Interesting... no rear speaker output being played. Image Checked the wiring and got 5.2 ohms to all speakers. Everything wired correct. Not sure if the rear pre-out is set to sub only and whether it affects the direct speaker output. Didn't mess with that setting yet.

Hooked up my phone, plays via bluetooth beautifully. Didn't test USB yet or FLAC playback.

Downside? These aftermarket head units are fugly. Are sound engineers really that bored? Image :) Wish someone would make a full featured yet nice (near stock) looking HU.
Go pioneer on the high end all you have is a few buttons
Current:
2017 Toyota Corolla D4-D Ultimate Performance Tuned
2013 A3 1.6 TDi S-Tronic 8V.1

EX:
2014 Polo 1.2 TSI Comfortline CPi Tuned
2013 Ford Focus 2.0 Sport
2011 Hyundai i20 1.4
2006 Toyota RunX
2226cc
Major
Posts: 3364
Registered for: 21 years 2 months
Car Make: VW
Car Model: 2017 Cross Polo 1.2 TSI
Membership No: missing
Location: Cape Town, South Africa

Re: Pick a head unit

Post by 2226cc »

Actually looking at pioneer now. See a dual USB and BT unit on crutchfield, but probably not available here.

High end here too pricey for me, though.

To tell the truth, I used to like blaupunkt. Had one in my Audi, then moved to my chico and then it got nicked. They have a simple look to them and sounded good back in the day. Not sure about new stuff.

I'm about to rewire the plug to test rear speakers. If they don't play then there's something whack with this unit.
2017 VW Cross Polo 1.2TSI
2006 VW Citi 1.4 carb
1995 VW Chico 1.3 4-speed
1989 Audi 500 turbo (the end. finally.)
Kavi4GP
VWCSA Member
Posts: 2190
Registered for: 9 years 7 months
Car Make: Toyota
Car Model: Corolla D4-D
Membership No: 2016
Location: Roodepoort
Contact:

Re: Pick a head unit

Post by Kavi4GP »

2226cc wrote:Actually looking at pioneer now. See a dual USB and BT unit on crutchfield, but probably not available here.

High end here too pricey for me, though.

To tell the truth, I used to like blaupunkt. Had one in my Audi, then moved to my chico and then it got nicked. They have a simple look to them and sounded good back in the day. Not sure about new stuff.

I'm about to rewire the plug to test rear speakers. If they don't play then there's something whack with this unit.
If you give me the model number , I can look if I have it on my stock list
Current:
2017 Toyota Corolla D4-D Ultimate Performance Tuned
2013 A3 1.6 TDi S-Tronic 8V.1

EX:
2014 Polo 1.2 TSI Comfortline CPi Tuned
2013 Ford Focus 2.0 Sport
2011 Hyundai i20 1.4
2006 Toyota RunX
2226cc
Major
Posts: 3364
Registered for: 21 years 2 months
Car Make: VW
Car Model: 2017 Cross Polo 1.2 TSI
Membership No: missing
Location: Cape Town, South Africa

Re: Pick a head unit

Post by 2226cc »

It was simpler than I thought. In BT mode default is to only play front speakers. flipped the setting and all plays fine.

One annoying thing compared to stock: can't turn it on without key in ignition. I never leave keys in the car, but wife and kid might be there so radio would be good. Any harm in wiring the accessory power pin to direct 12V instead? Unless of course this means amps and processor are constantly on.
2017 VW Cross Polo 1.2TSI
2006 VW Citi 1.4 carb
1995 VW Chico 1.3 4-speed
1989 Audi 500 turbo (the end. finally.)
User avatar
LostEnigma
Captain
Posts: 2617
Registered for: 10 years 10 months
Car Make: Audi
Car Model: S3 8L
Membership No: 3207
Location: DiamondWorx Detailing

Re: Pick a head unit

Post by LostEnigma »

Do yourself a favour and look at www.soundslimited.Co.Za
Image
Current:

2003 Mexico Blue Audi S3 8L 280.7 WKW - 424NM - Bagged by FS Projects, YT Revision & Only Charged Dubs - ISPIRI WHEELS FTW



Ex:

2013 VW Candy White Polo Vivo GT - SOLD
1997 VW White Chico Golf - SOLD
2226cc
Major
Posts: 3364
Registered for: 21 years 2 months
Car Make: VW
Car Model: 2017 Cross Polo 1.2 TSI
Membership No: missing
Location: Cape Town, South Africa

Re: Pick a head unit

Post by 2226cc »

Spent plenty time on there.
2017 VW Cross Polo 1.2TSI
2006 VW Citi 1.4 carb
1995 VW Chico 1.3 4-speed
1989 Audi 500 turbo (the end. finally.)
Jimmy2poul
Enlisted
Posts: 3
Registered for: 5 years 4 months
Location: Florida

Re: Pick a head unit

Post by Jimmy2poul »

Kavi4GP wrote: Thu Dec 25, 2014 10:54 am
2226cc wrote:Got the Kenwood couple days ago. Just spent the evening making a harness to fit into the stock wiring and went to play.

Interesting... no rear speaker output being played. Image Checked the wiring and got 5.2 ohms to all speakers. Everything wired correct. Not sure if the rear pre-out is set to sub only and whether it affects the direct speaker output. Didn't mess with that setting yet.

Hooked up my phone, plays via bluetooth beautifully. Didn't test USB yet or FLAC playback.

Downside? These aftermarket head units are fugly. Are sound engineers really that bored? Image :) Wish someone would make a full featured yet nice (near stock) looking HU.
Go pioneer on the high end all you have is a few buttons
If you had to pick, which would you take?
Gti3
Cadet
Posts: 296
Registered for: 16 years 2 months
Location: Durban

Re: Pick a head unit

Post by Gti3 »

Jimmy2poul wrote: Mon Oct 29, 2018 6:28 am
Kavi4GP wrote: Thu Dec 25, 2014 10:54 am
2226cc wrote:Got the Kenwood couple days ago. Just spent the evening making a harness to fit into the stock wiring and went to play.

Interesting... no rear speaker output being played. Image Checked the wiring and got 5.2 ohms to all speakers. Everything wired correct. Not sure if the rear pre-out is set to sub only and whether it affects the direct speaker output. Didn't mess with that setting yet.

Hooked up my phone, plays via bluetooth beautifully. Didn't test USB yet or FLAC playback.

Downside? These aftermarket head units are fugly. Are sound engineers really that bored? Image :) Wish someone would make a full featured yet nice (near stock) looking HU.
Go pioneer on the high end all you have is a few buttons
If you had to pick, which would you take?
I bought a pioneer avh-205bt double din dvd unit from makeover for 2k. Has Bluetooth, aux, usb. Aux and usb are at the back. It also has the dual Bluetooth feature, various illumination colours, it's got 4 pre amp outs as well as 2 subwoofer outs. Also has a video out as well as reverse camera in. Ther interface is very intuitive and looks neat as well. When set on red lighting it matches my Amarok interior quite nicely. In terms of sound output it's quite decent, although I haven't really compared to other units. At 2k this was well worth the money.
2020 MK7.5 GTi DSG
2012 AMAROK BiTDi HIGHLINE 4MOTION 6MT

EX:2013 MK7 TDi HIGHLINE DSG
EX:2010 MK6 GTI 6MT
EX:2006 Ibiza Cupra TDi
EX:1993 Golf 3 Gti
EX:1970 Beetle 1600 Twinport
JosephSeed
Enlisted
Posts: 1
Registered for: 4 years 7 months

Re: Pick a head unit

Post by JosephSeed »

Anyone has the Kenwood DDX9703S double DIN?
I want to buy the Kenwood DDX9703S head unit, because it's the best rated on many sites.
Does anyone have experience with installing it?
Thanks
Post Reply