Head unit recommendation
 

Greetings,

I have a '10 SS. The previous owner put a funky Sony head unit in it. Something must have gone right because I hear chimes and stuff, but the whole radio can be removed by hand, making it difficult to remove the faceplate only. It also does not work with my Note 4 phone.

So I would like a unit that keeps the car bits, plays with my Note 4, my lovely's iPod, and lets me use the steering wheel controls. Special requests include graphics that know when to stop and buttons that do not require a magnify glass.

I appreciate your help!

How much coin are you willing to fork out?

Here are my recommendations, granted I work at an audio shop so I get to mess with my fair share of HUs. If you are going to spend the coin get something that will look good. Here's my list

AVIC-8000NEX MSRP $1400

Pros- This is the big daddy of the Pioneer line up, this is the radio that is in my car. GUI is impeccable. It's smooth, transitioning from sources and Nav. The display is a HUGE plus, it is one of only two units on the market with a Capacitive touch screen (just like on your phone) if you don't count the crappy APPRadio. It is very easy to use so learning curve is pretty small.

Cons- $ its pretty expensive.

AVIC-5000NEX MSRP $750

Pros- Pretty much the same unit as the 8000, same gui

Cons- smaller screen, display is not as great as the 8000 but still a very good unit.

AVH-X4600BT MSRP $450

Pros- 7" Screen, simple to use, plays very well with apple products.

Cons- Android devices are not as compatible everything must be done through bluetooth but not that big of a deal if you ask me. (Will still charge android devices through usb but will not read contents)

My biggest advice is stay clear of Kenwood/JVC (Same product with different name) they are kind of difficult to use, bluetooth is kind of a nightmare to set up and it is a maze of menu upon menu to do even the simplest task. If you find one other than the ones ive mentioned let me know and i can try to help you with those.

Good Luck

I got a DNN990HD Excelon. I love it. Payed $1100 brand new when the y first came out. I think they have a new model now or one coming out.

Sounds like the AVIC-5000NEX is the one. I can't imagine spending $1400 on a radio for an economy car.

Next question : how do you fill out the sound? It has the Pioneer speakers, but it doesn't sound good until it's turned way up. Is it more speakers or better speakers or...?

Or you could just get an AVH-4000nex. Same screen size and capabilities as the 8000 but it doesn't have navigation and no capacitative touchscreen, but who cares. Current price is around $520-$550.

For the navigation just mirror link your note 4 and use whatever navigation app that you want.

I honestly don't understand why anyone would spend the money on the 8000. 2x the price for what exactly?

Edit: holy shit, my bad. The 8000nex is almost 3x the price of the 4000nex...

A good HU will help out alot with sound, I didn't replace my factory speakers for the longest time and they still sounded good. When I started all I did was add a better sub and set my high pass filters for the front and Low pass filter on the sub. Setting the filters make a world of difference. Just by replacing the HU you will notice a significant improvement in audio quality.

Also when you connect the new radio you HAVE to use the RCA outputs on the deck so you will have to solder some male RCA ends to the wires that come out of your harness to make it work. If not it will be really loud at low volumes.

If you have any more questions just let me know.

The processor in the 4000 as opposed to the 5000 is significantly slower. The 4000 is a bit sluggish that is why I did not mention it; and hey, I love my 8000 works like a champ and looks awesome.

Just got a Kenwood DDX7701HD, friend that does work recommended them over Pioneer. Actually said the opposite, to stay clear of Pioneer and the Alpine headunits are great but very pricy. For $430 it's a good pick up and works great with my Android phone through the HDMI input.

If I wouldn't have asked him I probably would have ended up with the AppRadio 3 which even as you mention is crap.

This is the first time I'm hearing this. Do you have a source for this?