[tpilat]

Are high priced head units worth it? ("high" is relative so lets use $200-1000 on amazon/ebay, not MSRP)


When i got my last head unit i got the least expensive one i could find that had 3 (4V) outputs on it. I got a pioneer for $125 online and its msrp was $200.


Now that my system has continued to grow, I am wondering if my HU is one of my weaker links.


When i am driving all of my audio originates in my android cell phone either off my microSD card or streaming through pandora, soundcloud, etc.




Would a better head unit have better audio features and quality? I do not see a need for navigation, HD radio, bluetooth, on board hard drive, XM radio, DVD or anything iPhone related.




Is my audio quality already maxed out because I am streaming pandora off a cell phone through a 3mm aux jack?




Would connecting a cell phone via bluetooth for playing music have higher or lower quality than using a 3mm jack? I have tried to compare the USB hook up to the AUX but no success... the USB doesnt seem to function with my android phone, i think it only works with apple products.

Are there any head units that dont have a CD slot? I honestly do not think i have touched a CD since 2004...

 

[chiph]

Are you playing over Bluetooth? Because Bluetooth has a lower sound quality than a direct connection. This is because the bandwidth available cannot transmit full quality (MP3, much less CD).

Chip H.

 

[tpilat]

I am currently playing through a 3mm AUX cable. I was wondering if bluetooth was better. Now i know to not bother with bluetooth. Thanks Chip.

While we are talking head units, do you use high and low pass filters on your amps, speaker cross overs or on the head unit?

I was using the filter on my headunit for high and low. I also set my 4 channel amp and mono amp filters, I tried to set them the same as my head unit roughly 63Hz for both... is using both filters bad or good?

I ordered my first pair of speakers with external crossovers and they are arriving this week. (JL audio C5-650x) Any tips on how to set the external speaker crossovers? Or is it not needed if i use the filters on amp or head unit?

 

[chiph]

Re:crossover frequencies. It depends on the system. But generally in the past I have bought amps that have crossovers and let them do the job. So the headunit sends full-frequency sound out the LF/LR/RF/RR channels, and the amp(s) are then responsible for directing the correct frequency out to the correct speakers.

If you are multi-amping, you can have your headunit act as the crossover, and then the amps only see frequencies appropriate to their jobs (sub amp only sees low frequencies, etc)

A good starting crossover frequency for subs vs. regular speakers is 80 Hz. It's below vocal range, and high enough that your sub has something to work with, given the high amount of compression used in today's recordings.

So far as setting frequencies and levels, JL Audio has good instructions in their manuals & on their site. In my opinion & experience, not enough people read the instructions.

If you want a good recording to test your system, buy both of these (on CD, not MP3)

Amazon.com: The Sheffield / A2TB Test Disc - "My Disc": Various Artists: Music

Amazon.com: Spies: Music of Espionage: Music

The first was used as the IASCA test disc for many years in competitions, and has many tracks to help you set up your system (speaker identification, test tones, etc). The second is one of the best quality recordings ever made - be careful on tracks 3 & 4 so you don't break anything.

Chip H.

 

[chiph]

So far as your external passive crossovers - go ahead and listen to them for a couple of weeks to let the components burn-in (figuratively, not literally!) and to let your ears get used to how they sound. After that, you can think about moving the jumper to increase/decrease the brightness of the sound.

Make sure you wire them correctly! Inputs should come from the amp, outputs should go to the speakers. Watch the polarity.

Chip H.

 

[82801BA]

There are several units that are without CD player. AFAIK Pioneer App Radio 2 is the only one that officially supports Android and iPhone but I am not sure how exactly does it work. All others, like Alpine IDA-X305S, supports direct playback with iPhone only.

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car/AppRadio/AppRadio+2+(SPH-DA100)

 

[tpilat]

thanks for the filter info chip, i ordered both of those CDs. I am excited to test them out. I will also try bumping up my filter from 63 to 80Hz when i start to tune my system in. I will also turn off my filters on the amps and allow my HU to do all the work.

thanks 8280 for the App radio info. App Radio 2 does work with some android. My cell phone is one of them however the HU currently only has 2 RCA outputs and that is not sufficient for my system build. But it is something to keep an eye on in the future to see what they do with the unit.

 

[josby]

Yes and no.

I believe that if you listen to a song streamed from Pandora (even with Pandora's high quality over cell network enabled), then listen to that same song via CD, it will sound better from the CD. So, your Pandora source material is a limiter on your sound quality, no matter what head unit you get.

On the other hand, the adjustments possible with a more expensive head unit can make any source material better than it would without those adjustments in most cars. For example, when I first listened to my new system with Pioneer DEX-P99RS H/U, I was really disappointed in the sound. After playing with its crossover points and slopes, letting it do its automatic time alignment, and using an RTA to adjust its 31-band EQ, I am much happier with the sound. I listen from an iPod, but I'm certain that Pandora would also sound better with those customized settings in place than it would with them turned off (the equivalent of using your H/U). So, yes, a higher price head unit could give you better sound than you have now.

 

[tpilat]

that is a very fancy head unit josby. im jealous.

 

[82801BA]

I have P99RS too...not too happy with it

 

[watchdogg]

How about a really good low priced one?

Dual 8150 $55.oo no cd, built in bluetooth, Iphone craddle, USB/SD card slots, sub out, sub level, preamp out, low pass filter adjustable 80-160hz, enhanced bass, mid and treble tuning, android support. Installed in my 99 Maxima with converter to factory Bose (individually amplified) speakers sounds incredible. Would bet sounds better than the OEM HU in my Honda. If I did not own it would not believe a 55 dollar HU could sound so good.

 

[josby]

that is a very fancy head unit josby. im jealous.

It's pretty nice, though in my next car I think I'll get a cheaper HU with a separate processor instead. But, the same speakers in my previous car (with Android phone running direct to amplifier) sounded much better than when I first put them into this car, and the tweaks in this HU let me fix that. Also, the time alignment is great for making the bass from the sub in the trunk sound like it's coming from the front speakers.

I have P99RS too...not too happy with it

A little off-topic, but what do you dislike? My complaints with mine are that the Auto-EQ does a rotten job, and the Sirius display wastes an entire line blank so it can't show both artist and track title simultaneously, while the iPod display uses that line and does show both.

 

[82801BA]

A little off-topic, but what do you dislike? My complaints with mine are that the Auto-EQ does a rotten job, and the Sirius display wastes an entire line blank so it can't show both artist and track title simultaneously, while the iPod display uses that line and does show both.

AutoEQ is bad of course. Then the accessory HD radio tuner that sucks. It also can't display multiple languages.



Sent from my iPhone using AutoGuide.com App

 

[Entity37]

AutoEQ is bad of course. Then the accessory HD radio tuner that sucks. It also can't display multiple language.

Interested in selling your p99rs?