Audio head unit research...
Discussion
Always a tricky subject to research. I found the best advice came from independent retailers but you have to make sure they aren't just trying to flog you a certain model. You can't beat going into a shop and listening to the things though, and twiddling a few knobs to see how easy they are to navigate. I have a pioneer headunit that's a nightmare to get your head round, wish I'd tried it in a shop first.
After that, the next best comparative research is when a modding magazine does a group test.
Audio advice on here isn't normally very plentiful, and you'll get loads of comedians start trying to slag you off for even considering spending money on it. Some good advice will eventually seep through though.
Other than that, just cruise the few online car audio websites and see who sells what for how much. I normally end up buying old-stock models at clearance prices.
After that, the next best comparative research is when a modding magazine does a group test.
Audio advice on here isn't normally very plentiful, and you'll get loads of comedians start trying to slag you off for even considering spending money on it. Some good advice will eventually seep through though.
Other than that, just cruise the few online car audio websites and see who sells what for how much. I normally end up buying old-stock models at clearance prices.
Dont know where you are but give http://www.peter-doidge.com/ a ring.
They are well known in the area and have been suppling/fitting automotive installs for years.
They are well known in the area and have been suppling/fitting automotive installs for years.
I have no connection to them at all
Not sure if they do mail order but any audio work i need doing i go and see these guys. Very proffesional and really do know what there talking about.
http://www.sourcesounds.com/
http://www.sourcesounds.com/
Ok Tom,
It's very simple as I've been through this chore recently. It seems all the manufacturers used to make DAB head units and then decided to stop. The only ones that still do are the JVC KD-DB101 http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/jvc-kd-db101.html
or JVC KD-R901 with a DAB box http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/jvc-kd-r901.html
Have a look here http://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/category_m-dab-dig...
I think Sony do a built in one built was pretty cheap looking. Apline used to but now don;t and they said they don't intent on bringing it back. The choices I'm afraid are pretty limited.
It's very simple as I've been through this chore recently. It seems all the manufacturers used to make DAB head units and then decided to stop. The only ones that still do are the JVC KD-DB101 http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/jvc-kd-db101.html
or JVC KD-R901 with a DAB box http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/jvc-kd-r901.html
Have a look here http://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/category_m-dab-dig...
I think Sony do a built in one built was pretty cheap looking. Apline used to but now don;t and they said they don't intent on bringing it back. The choices I'm afraid are pretty limited.
Edited by R11ysf on Thursday 17th June 12:48
R11ysf said:
Ok Tom,
It's very simple as I've been through this chore recently. It seems all the manufacturers used to make DAB head units and then decided to stop. The only ones that still do are the JVC KD-DB101 http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/jvc-kd-db101.html[...
Have a look here http://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/category_m-dab-dig...
I think Sony do a built in one built was pretty cheap looking. Apline used to but now don;t and they said they don't intent on bringing it back. The choices I'm afraid are pretty limited.
Well that is what I have found, why do they not make DAB for cars surely it will become the only option soon. It's very simple as I've been through this chore recently. It seems all the manufacturers used to make DAB head units and then decided to stop. The only ones that still do are the JVC KD-DB101 http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/jvc-kd-db101.html[...
Have a look here http://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/category_m-dab-dig...
I think Sony do a built in one built was pretty cheap looking. Apline used to but now don;t and they said they don't intent on bringing it back. The choices I'm afraid are pretty limited.
Are JVC any good as back when I was a kid (I'm only 27 now mind) but they didn't have the best name - not that I'm a badge snob as formerly Peugeot, Renault.
I've only ever gone with Alpine but Becker are also very good and both have models which do all three things you want.
Does the HU need to have a CD unit built in or will a changer suffice? I would recommend any reasonable single DIN Alpine i-pod only unit and then add the DAB and CD changer on it. It'll give you a cleaner dish than some huge screen.
Does the HU need to have a CD unit built in or will a changer suffice? I would recommend any reasonable single DIN Alpine i-pod only unit and then add the DAB and CD changer on it. It'll give you a cleaner dish than some huge screen.
Tom H said:
R11ysf said:
Ok Tom,
It's very simple as I've been through this chore recently. It seems all the manufacturers used to make DAB head units and then decided to stop. The only ones that still do are the JVC KD-DB101 http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/jvc-kd-db101.html[...
Have a look here http://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/category_m-dab-dig...
I think Sony do a built in one built was pretty cheap looking. Apline used to but now don;t and they said they don't intent on bringing it back. The choices I'm afraid are pretty limited.
Well that is what I have found, why do they not make DAB for cars surely it will become the only option soon. It's very simple as I've been through this chore recently. It seems all the manufacturers used to make DAB head units and then decided to stop. The only ones that still do are the JVC KD-DB101 http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/jvc-kd-db101.html[...
Have a look here http://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/category_m-dab-dig...
I think Sony do a built in one built was pretty cheap looking. Apline used to but now don;t and they said they don't intent on bringing it back. The choices I'm afraid are pretty limited.
Are JVC any good as back when I was a kid (I'm only 27 now mind) but they didn't have the best name - not that I'm a badge snob as formerly Peugeot, Renault.
I spoke to the guys at Alpine and they said they had no intention of reintroducing DAB as it was a dead end. There will be MPEG4 coming up which means they can broadcast digital quality pictures so no need for DAB which is limited to radio only. The newer system will mean you can get freeview in your car etc.
If you have no urgency then wait for a year or 2 to get the latest method, or take the plunge now and get DAB with the idea of replacing it in a couple of years.
DAB is a dead technology only being developed by a few misguided BBC executives. Satellite radio is where the Japanese and Americans believe it is going and I would not buy a DAb head unit if I could find one. Your android phone will soon offer high speed broadband allowing you to listen to whatever style of music you desire anwhere in the world.
Get a decent head unit, decent amps and speakers...but don't scrimp on proper sound deadening and fitting.
Get a decent head unit, decent amps and speakers...but don't scrimp on proper sound deadening and fitting.
belleair302 said:
DAB is a dead technology only being developed by a few misguided BBC executives. Satellite radio is where the Japanese and Americans believe it is going and I would not buy a DAb head unit if I could find one. Your android phone will soon offer high speed broadband allowing you to listen to whatever style of music you desire anwhere in the world.
Get a decent head unit, decent amps and speakers...but don't scrimp on proper sound deadening and fitting.
Really?Get a decent head unit, decent amps and speakers...but don't scrimp on proper sound deadening and fitting.
Then whats all this talk about a 2015 switchover?
The Government and a select committee have been listening to a number of daft media folk who wish to switch off the FM broadcast frequency and push radio onto a digital platform.
From a consumer point of view this is just a cash cow....like the recent scrappage scheme. As a retailer how can we sell a huge number of new expensive £80 for a radio....and fool people that DAB is the future.
You can already get digital radio from Sky / Virgin and over the web....so why try and con more people into switching radios.
The DAB signal is not nationwide, and few in-car head units have DAB facilities. In addition to the head unit you need a new aerial too to receive the stations, and just look at the recent dis investment in DAB by UK broadcasters. They know that web radio via satellite is the future. DAB is not a Europe wide technology, has no following in the USA or Asia....and as usual the UK Government has no idea about what the people deserve.
Labour sold digital broadcast rights for big money and the new Government I believe will cancel this switchover and move onto a new platform.
From a consumer point of view this is just a cash cow....like the recent scrappage scheme. As a retailer how can we sell a huge number of new expensive £80 for a radio....and fool people that DAB is the future.
You can already get digital radio from Sky / Virgin and over the web....so why try and con more people into switching radios.
The DAB signal is not nationwide, and few in-car head units have DAB facilities. In addition to the head unit you need a new aerial too to receive the stations, and just look at the recent dis investment in DAB by UK broadcasters. They know that web radio via satellite is the future. DAB is not a Europe wide technology, has no following in the USA or Asia....and as usual the UK Government has no idea about what the people deserve.
Labour sold digital broadcast rights for big money and the new Government I believe will cancel this switchover and move onto a new platform.
Tom H said:
Are JVC any good as back when I was a kid (I'm only 27 now mind) but they didn't have the best name - not that I'm a badge snob as formerly Peugeot, Renault.
I have a JVC and I am very impressed with the quality - it is certainly up there with Alpine/Pioneer/Kenwood etc IMHO.The double-DIN units are especially good with DVD playback, 5.1 surround etc.
If DAB is your thing regarding listening to the radio, and you wish to install the additional aerial then go and get one. Otherwise buy a decent head unit, get an IPod / MP3 adaptor and use your phone for DAB radio.
I would not go mad on DAB, but I would spend good money on speakers, fitting and amps.
I would not go mad on DAB, but I would spend good money on speakers, fitting and amps.
I've been quite interested in DAB recently as I am going to be getting my own car again soon and I want to listen to "absolute 80s" on DAB or on the web!
Now, I don't really want to have to use my mobile full of tunes (I would if I had to!) to get my 80s fix I'd rather just use a standard (dab) headunit.
Having read through this thread, would I be wasting my time or would I be better off waiting for absolute 80s mp4?
Now, I don't really want to have to use my mobile full of tunes (I would if I had to!) to get my 80s fix I'd rather just use a standard (dab) headunit.
Having read through this thread, would I be wasting my time or would I be better off waiting for absolute 80s mp4?
I've bought a second hand Pioneer AVIC-F910BT (gps) and have it installed next week, I'll post back.
Read some bad reviews tough :s so I hope it isn't as bad as some claim.
I went to a dealer first who sold pioneer, JVC, Kenwood and alpine and said that if I wanted GPS in it (one of my main requirements), I'd be best off with the Pioneer, as they (iirc) have adopted the Garmin system for gps (whatever that means, but I like working with Garmins).
While being kind of a tech freak, I'm a complete newbie on car hifi, but I'll defo post a review on the F910BT because I only found a handfull "reviews" about it, most of which were "rants" about what doesn't work properly about it.
Read some bad reviews tough :s so I hope it isn't as bad as some claim.
I went to a dealer first who sold pioneer, JVC, Kenwood and alpine and said that if I wanted GPS in it (one of my main requirements), I'd be best off with the Pioneer, as they (iirc) have adopted the Garmin system for gps (whatever that means, but I like working with Garmins).
While being kind of a tech freak, I'm a complete newbie on car hifi, but I'll defo post a review on the F910BT because I only found a handfull "reviews" about it, most of which were "rants" about what doesn't work properly about it.
Morningside said:
belleair302 said:
DAB is a dead technology only being developed by a few misguided BBC executives. Satellite radio is where the Japanese and Americans believe it is going and I would not buy a DAb head unit if I could find one. Your android phone will soon offer high speed broadband allowing you to listen to whatever style of music you desire anwhere in the world.
Get a decent head unit, decent amps and speakers...but don't scrimp on proper sound deadening and fitting.
Really?Get a decent head unit, decent amps and speakers...but don't scrimp on proper sound deadening and fitting.
Then whats all this talk about a 2015 switchover?
Article said said:
The switchover will be announced two years in advance and not until digital listening accounts for 50% of total radio listening, but Lord Carter hopes this will be the case by the end of 2013.
They've always had this get-out clause. It won't happen.Gassing Station | General Gassing [Archive] | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff