Members Thunderbroom Posted February 12, 2010 Members Share Posted February 12, 2010 The factory stereo in my Element has to go. I was spoiled with the head in my van...USB/Aux In on front. I'd switch it to my Element but it won't fit. Is Best Buy the only place in the Chicago area to buy a new head unit and have it installed? I used to go to Circuit City. I'm not looking for a fancy system; I just want something like I had with the USB/Aux In on the front and am also thinking maybe one that has bluetooth built in. Do any of you know of places in the Chicago area that are reputable and provide same-day service (ideally)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Thunderbroom Posted February 12, 2010 Author Members Share Posted February 12, 2010 I think I'm going to order from Crutchfield and do it myself. I've narrowed it down to the following units based on essential features (front USB, aux it and built-in bluetooth) that I want/need: Pioneer DEH-P6100BT Kenwood KDC-BT742U They are similar in all regards; however, the Pioneer is listed at 14w per channel and the Kenwood at 22w. Also, the SNR on the Pioneer is 94db and the Kenwood is 105dB. I'm leaning Kenwood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members zachoff Posted February 12, 2010 Members Share Posted February 12, 2010 Pioneer FTW! Do you not have Ultimate Electronics or Car Toys in Chicago? I got my last system from Car Toys and they did a great job with it. **eidt That's s/n for CD playback though. Not really going to matter if you're listening to an iPod most of the time. They also don't list thd, which is strange... Usually they'll rate the power handling at like 20W at .05%THD or something. Hmm. The biggest plus to the Pioneer system is the 4 volt preamp outs. If you ever add another amp, 4V is better than 2.5V Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Thunderbroom Posted February 12, 2010 Author Members Share Posted February 12, 2010 Pioneer FTW!Do you not have Ultimate Electronics or Car Toys in Chicago? I got my last system from Car Toys and they did a great job with it. Not near me... What kind of volume difference can I expect between 14w and 22w inside my car? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members zachoff Posted February 12, 2010 Members Share Posted February 12, 2010 Not near me...What kind of volume difference can I expect between 14w and 22w inside my car? Depends on your speakers. If you're keeping the stock speakers, I'm guessing they're not rated for much over 20W but I can't say for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Kindness Posted February 12, 2010 Moderators Share Posted February 12, 2010 Not near me... What kind of volume difference can I expect between 14w and 22w inside my car? None. Crutchfield is great. When I lived in C-ville I used to go into the store and talk with the folks. Even the guys on the floor knew what the heck they were talking about. I'm definitely pro-Crutchfield. In Chicago, I once used Circuit City, but that doesn't help us now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members gspointer Posted February 12, 2010 Members Share Posted February 12, 2010 FWIW I haven't messed with a honda for many years. (newest was probably a 1990) but, if you can reach the back of the unit and feel a nut, it is most likely a 5 minute job to swap in a new stereo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Thunderbroom Posted February 13, 2010 Author Members Share Posted February 13, 2010 I'm leaning towards the Pioneer after reading way too much. I also thought that I may replace the stock speakers. There's not a whole lot to choose from in the 6.5" range from Crutchfield. I want to keep the speakers to $50 each or less. Rear:Pioneer TS-G1643R$50 pair30 - 28k Hz90 dB at 1 watt 30w RMS Front:Polk Audio db651s$99 pair50 - 22k Hz92 dB at 1 watt 55w RMS Will I notice a difference replacing the stock speakers?!? I would like to think so. We're only talking $150 here plus my time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mlwarriner Posted February 13, 2010 Members Share Posted February 13, 2010 I think I'm going to order from Crutchfield and do it myself. this. the cats at crutchfield are aces, and i've never had bad dealings with them. you order your stuff, it's the right stuff when you get it, and everything works. if it's not included, drop the extra jack for the wiring harness/adapter thingie so it'll all plug straight into your factory wires. having butchered more wiring inside a car's dash than i care to admit, i've wisened enough to know at least that much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Kindness Posted February 13, 2010 Moderators Share Posted February 13, 2010 if it's not included, drop the extra jack for the wiring harness/adapter thingie +1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Thunderbroom Posted February 13, 2010 Author Members Share Posted February 13, 2010 +1 I would +1 this but I don't know what it means. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Thunderbroom Posted February 13, 2010 Author Members Share Posted February 13, 2010 For the head, these are the included installation accessories: Honda/Acura/Suzuki Receiver Wire Harness For select Honda, Acura, and Suzuki models, 1998-up Honda Antenna Adapter Motorola Male to OEM Female Honda In-dash Receiver Kit Fits select 2002-up models Chassis sizes S and E Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Kindness Posted February 13, 2010 Moderators Share Posted February 13, 2010 Perfect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members misterhinkydink Posted February 13, 2010 Members Share Posted February 13, 2010 If you get one with a Bluetooth interface, you can stream your music from your iPhone to it without wires. On my E71 I can even stream internet radio to my car stereo. Plus it'll do the hands-free thing if you need it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Thunderbroom Posted February 13, 2010 Author Members Share Posted February 13, 2010 Do you think I should replace the stock speakers or just wait for now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members misterhinkydink Posted February 13, 2010 Members Share Posted February 13, 2010 Since you ask, I'd wait. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members J the D Posted February 13, 2010 Members Share Posted February 13, 2010 Change them. The speakers are the interface to the ear and will have much more imapct upon the quality of what you hear than a new head. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members misterhinkydink Posted February 13, 2010 Members Share Posted February 13, 2010 Change them. The speakers are the interface to the ear and will have much more imapct upon the quality of what you hear than a new head. My rationale for waiting is because your don't know how the new unit will sound. You can better gauge requirements by doing things incrementally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Oddsock Posted February 13, 2010 Members Share Posted February 13, 2010 Are there car stereo's out there that act like a DVR for the radio? I guess I'm spoiled from my TV, but I feel entitled to have the ability to pause the radio. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members gspointer Posted February 13, 2010 Members Share Posted February 13, 2010 Are there car stereo's out there that act like a DVR for the radio? I guess I'm spoiled from my TV, but I feel entitled to have the ability to pause the radio. I am constantly wanting to "back-up" my radio. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Thunderbroom Posted February 13, 2010 Author Members Share Posted February 13, 2010 Just curious...why is it that aftermarket heads seem to top out at around 22w RMS per channel? Is it a function of size of a single DIN stereo? What about a double DIN? It seems you could pack in a higher wattage digital amp in there and remove the need for all those external amps that people use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bleepo Posted February 14, 2010 Members Share Posted February 14, 2010 For most people, 22w is more than enough.That's why there are more than one set of pre-outs. If you need more, it can be had fairly cheaply. An external amp will be louder and cleaner if need be. $120+ wiring gets you about 50w per channel. Do you have the 4 or 7 speaker setup? In my truck, I have a JVC head unit (Avx-44, ~$400). It didn't do much for volume/clarity, but it gave me bluetooth, dvd mp3 disk, and a usb port in the glove box for additional audio. I use a usb thumb drive with mp3's on it for my day to day listening. Don't have to worry about the ipod getting stolen, cheap, and easy to swap music. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Thunderbroom Posted February 14, 2010 Author Members Share Posted February 14, 2010 I've got the 4 speaker version. I spoke with another rep at Crutchfield today and will likely go with the Pioneer head and the Polk/Pioneer speakers. He thought that this setup would work well for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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