UPDATE – Link to Car Stereo Chick’s 2014 Double Din Navigation Review
Hello everyone! After a few weeks of selling and playing with the various features of the navigation systems I currently sell (Kenwood DNX6990HD, Kenwood DNX9990HD, Pioneer AVICX940BT, Pioneer AVICX140BH), I have come to the conclusion that the DNX9990HD from Kenwood is the best pick for a double din navigation system currently on the market. I’ll revise and revisit this when the new Alpine Navigation systems are in (end of June early July is my best guess at this point).
Garmin navigation rocks
Split view navigation and source control is convenient
Processing speed is pretty good, doesn’t get as bogged down as most advanced navigation systems do
iPod control is easier to use than other options on market
iDatalink Maestro interface will allow consumers to easily, and cost effectively, retain OEM features like steering wheel controls, Satellite radio, Sync, U-Connect and Onstar (coming soon)
Awesome Equalizer section with excellent sound quality and precision control
Superior Bluetooth sound quality and function
Appealing 7″ display with reverse tilt option and flat black finish on buttons
Looking for the best double din car stereo head unit for your car?
Every customer is unique and their needs are all very different. My customers come into my shop looking for double din head units for a variety of reasons. They often feel that double din car stereos:
Have a cleaner look, fit and finish
Are easier to use thanks to a nice large touch screen
Have attractive features like Bluetooth handsfree, Bluetooth audio streaming, USB, Aux, Nav capabilities, DVD playback, App integration, easy iPod integration, large bright controls, customizable displays and more.
So what makes one double din head unit better than another?
Simply put, the answer is features. For the purposes of familiarity, I will focus on the models that I sell in my store so that I can give you honest, tried and true information as if you were with me in my showroom. First up, Pioneer.
The Pioneer AVH-P2400BT is a nice entry level, but full featured, double din head unit.
So what do you get for your money with the Pioneer AVH-P2400BT? Quite a bit actually.
This head unit is a great option for people looking for a nice large touch screen that will make it easy to access the music in their iPod/iPhone or other USB based MP3 player. It also has Bluetooth Audio streaming. So if you have an Android, Blackberry, iPhone or other smart phone you can pair your phone to the stereo and wirelessly stream music from your cell phone to the stereo. This is a great feature if you like to listen to a lot of music apps.
I often suggest to customers to use their cell phone apps for things like their favorite radio stations that may not come in clear in the area that they drive in. Using a cell phone app, you can listen to virtually any radio station in the world! As long as you have cell coverage, you will have 100 percent clear sound quality. Imagine that. No static on your favorite AM talk radio station. Of course you would need a smart phone, a pretty good data plan and good cell service for this to work.
With Pioneer’s CD-IU51V iPod cable, you can use your iPhone for advanced apps. Enjoy Pandora radio on your iPhone? Simply use this optional cable and connect it to the front USB/Aux on the stereo and connect your iPhone. Then launch Pandora from your iPhone. Your stations and all artist and song title information will appear on screen along with a thumbs up and thumbs down icon. Full Pandora radio control from your iPhone on screen! How cool is that?
Additional cool features include a backup camera input, it’s satellite radio ready (although who really needs that if you have a smart phone), an 8 Band equalizer and 3 preouts (2 volt). This stereo also has a wired remote input for steering wheel control integration and a wireless remote control.
One additional cost to be aware of with all Pioneer double din head units is that they do not come with a mounting sleeve or trim ring. Most installation kits will not require this, but some cars will and this is an additional cost. If your vehicle requires a mounting sleeve and trim ring, you will need to buy the ADT-VA133 in addition to any installation kit, wiring harness or antenna adapter.
Who is this stereo NOT for?
For anyone looking to build a high fidelity audio system. The low voltage on the RCA preouts will effect your sound quality should you ever decide to add additional amplifiers. If you are planning on upgrading speakers, adding and amplifier and/or subwoofer. Check out the Pioneer AVH-P4400BH or the Kenwood DDX419.
Pioneer’s AVH-P4400BH gives you a nice large easy to use touch screen
So what does the Pioneer AVH-P4400BH offer?
Additional features over the AVH-P2400BT include:
A larger touch screen 7″ vs 5.8″
The screen is also motorized and offers 5 different viewing angles.
Higher voltage preouts 4 Volt over 2 Volt
Build in HD Radio
Rear USB (cleaner look, no cables dangling from the front of the stereo)
Not a fan of Pioneer? Check out Kenwood’s DDX419 for a nice double din car stereo head unit.
Kenwood’s DDX419 is a great option for a Double Din Car Stereo
So what does the Kenwood DDX419 have to offer?
For one, they look awesome in European cars. Check out the matte black finish. The Pioneer’s have a shiny black. The illumination options also really capture the Red, Blue and Amber lighting of the European cars very well.
6.1″ touch screen (entry level Pioneer had a 5.8″)
Bluetooth handsfree and audio streaming
4 Volt preouts (good for aftermarket amps!)
Front USB/Aux
App mode with Pandora control for iPhone, launch any audio/video app from your iPhone and hear and view playback with the including Garmin Stree Pilot App with optional KCA-ip22F
SiriusXM Ready
Back up camera input
Wired remote input for steering wheel remote integration
Multicolor illumination
Volume Knob (as opposed to Volume Rocker with Pioneer)
Comes with mounting sleeve and trim ring
3 Band EQ (Pioneer had an 8 band)
So for the cash this will set you back (if you were to also purchase the app integration iPhone cable), you get a LOT of features for the money. Remember, this head unit comes with the mounting sleeve and trim ring. The entry level Pioneer had a more advanced EQ, but a lower voltage preout. When you add in the trim ring, mounting sleeve and App cable with the entry level Pioneer, you’d be spending about the same amount of money.
So the DDX419 gives you a few features over the AVH-P2400BT
Higher voltage preouts
A volume knob
Larger screen
Going for the latest and greatest in cool features? Then you have to check out Pioneer’s AVH-P8400BH.
Pioneer’s AVH-P8400BH offers MIXTRAX and Advanced App Mode
MIXTRAX was all the rave at the Pioneer booth during CES2012. What the hell is MIXTRAX? Besides being a great excuse for Pioneer’s CES organizers to hire a hot girl in short shorts and give her her very own DJ stage to entertain CES attendees and Pioneer employees, I’m not really sure who MIXTRAX would appeal to and why they would want it. You don’t get the cute girl in the short shorts when you buy the AVH-P8400BH and I certainly don’t think it will attract any cute girls in short shorts volunteering to be your own personal DJ while you drive around town listening to your car stereo.
It’s kind of like Pandora in that you tell it that you like what it’s playing and it will continue to search your music to play music with similar beats per minute. I think you can even select the beats per minute and it will find songs that match. It’s definitely geared towards customers that are into the club scene. According to Pioneer’s website:
“MIXTRAX is an innovative Pioneer technology that creates a non-stop mix of your music library complete with a range of DJ-inspired effects. Drawing from Pioneer’s rich DJ heritage with our passion for music, MIXTRAX delivers a unique DJ infused listening experience to listeners in the car. MIXTRAX takes the music from an iPod, iPhone, or USB device and plays it back with added transitions and effects, creating a virtual DJ inside the AVH-P8400BH.
MIXTRAX works by first having the MIXTRAX PC software automatically analyze a track’s BPM, bar, beat position, vocal position and mood, then adds the analyzed data to the music file. The AVH-P8400BH reads the embedded MIXTRAX data from your audio device as you enjoy precise, full featured non-stop mixes in your vehicle complete with album art that dances to the beat! You can also experience MIXTRAX as an app for the iPhone 4/4S or iPod Touch (4th Gen) and using Advanced App Mode to control the MIXTRAX app through the receiver’s touchscreen display.”
So, yeah, it’s a cool feature. Worth the additional cost? Probably not. The advanced app mode however probably is worth it.
Advanced app mode on the Pioneer AVH-P8400BH
Using the optional CD-IU201S iPod/iPhone cable you can essentially turn your double din head unit into a double din navigation unit. The advanced app mode is advanced control over select apps like MotionX GPS Drive, INRIX traffic, Rdio, and hopefully many more as developers turn out more apps.
The major difference with the preceding models app mode is the control feature. With the AVH-P4400 and the AVH-P2400BT you are launching the app from your iPhone and still controlling and entering information on your iPhone. Whatever your iPhone is doing is then reflected on screen and the audio is heard throughout the speakers in your car. Advanced mode means you’ll actually be able to control the navigation (using a specific app such as Motion X GPS).
Once you add in the additional cost of the advanced app mode cable (and don’t forget your mounting sleeve and trim ring if you need it), this stereo ends up costing quite a bit more for just a few features. That’s just my opinion anyways. I don’t ever go anywhere where I really need GPS and I don’t listen to the type of music you would hear playing in a club. For customers that own an iPhone and can appreciate the GPS app feature (or for those that listen to a lot of dance, dub step, house, etc.) it’s probably well worth it to spend the extra dough.
Now that you know what your choices are and what each model has to offer, it’s up to you to weigh what features are most important and decide what is the best double din car stereo for YOU.
Need more help making your decision? Please make a comment or email me with any questions. I’ll do my best to guide you in the exact same personalized manner that I do with my customers at my shop every day.
Looking for the best car stereo head units available this year? Look no further. The Car Stereo Chick will show you her top 3 picks for single din head units in 2012. At my store, I carry Alpine, Kenwood and Pioneer. I feel these are extremely strong brands in car audio and provide consumers with a great mix of features, sound quality and reliability.
Best Single Din Head Unit from Alpine for 2012
By far, the CDE-HD138BT will be my number one selling single din head unit from Alpine this year.
Buy the CDE-HD138BT on sale!
It’s packed with features every consumer will benefit from:
3 preouts, 4 Volt rating
5 or 7 Band Parametric EQ adjustable per source (Media Xpander Pro)
Built in crossovers
SiriusXM ready
Built in Bluetooth
Bluetooth Audio Streaming
Bluetooth Plus for easier phone pairing, text message alert for select devices, call waiting functionality and Android & Blackberry Pandora control through Bluetooth Audio connection
iPhone Pandora control through USB connection
Built in HD Radio with iTunes tagging
Steering wheel control ready
Front USB/Aux
Optional passenger iPod control mode
For customers that demand great features, excellent sound quality and ease of use, I always recommend Alpine. So what is this head unit missing?
Multicolor illumination. Your choice is either blue or blue.
Front only USB. Not everyone has a nice little storage pocket above or below their stereo for their iPod or iPhone.
Lacks digital time alignment.
So your only color option is blue and your USB connection is only through the front of the stereo. What features are more important to you? Ease of use, price and pretty colors are often determining factors for my customers. I’ll tell you the same thing I tell my customers: don’t feel bad about being picky on color choice. Seriously, you’re the one that has to look it every time you drive your car.
Thinking about buying the CDE-HD138BT online? Buy from an authorized reseller! Don’t get duped by rock bottom prices. Alpine has a strict dealer agreement that every authorized reseller has to sign, including dealers like me. Part of this agreement is we agree not to advertise their products below the minimum advertised price. Did you find this head unit priced way below that mark? Guess what. It’s not legit, which means as far as Alpine is concerned they’ve never heard of you, the retailer or the warranty that you claim you have. Only authorized resellers can guarantee you’re receiving A-stock product backed by the manufacturer’s warranty.
So what if you want all that and pretty colors?
Check out Kenwood’s Excelon KDC-X996. Not only does the KDC-X996 add variable color illumination, it also adds some pretty advanced audio control features.
The KDC-X996 from Kenwood Excelon is on sale now!
3 preouts, 4 Volt rating
13 Band Parametric EQ adjustable per source
Built in crossovers adjustable slope settings 0, 6, 12, 18 or 24 DB per octave adjustable individually for Front, Rear, Sub and Tweeter
Digital time alignment for Front, Rear and Sub
Cabin selection and speaker size selection for additional audio customization
SiriusXM ready
Built in Bluetooth
Bluetooth Audio Streaming
Android & Blackberry Pandora control through Bluetooth connection
iPhone Pandora control through USB connection
Android Music Control via USB with Kenwood’s Music Control app
Built in HD Radio with iTunes tagging
Steering wheel control ready
Rear USB/Aux
Variable Illumination
Optional passenger iPod control mode
If you know how to use an iPod Classic you can figure out how to use the KDC-X996
So what’s the catch? Well, for some people, Kenwood stereos can be difficult to use. I feel that if you have an iPod and if you’re comfortable using an iPod, then you will be able to figure out the controls on this deck. They’re set up very similar to an iPod Classic.
You have a center select button. Your volume knob circles around the selection button and then you have your track up and down buttons to the sides, and your menu button on top and play button below. Look familiar?
I’ve always been a huge fan of the advanced audio control features that Kenwood Excelon head units have. Many of these features are not well explained either by the person/website trying to sell you it or by the manufacturer themselves. Take for example, the wonderful feature of time alignment. You may be wondering, what the hell is time alignment and why do I need it?
Time alignment is freaking awesome. Basically, when you’re sitting in your car, typically the left speaker is going to hit your ears first. Then the next closest speaker, like the rear driver’s side. Next is usually the front passenger speaker and last is probably the passenger side rear speaker. You might not have realized it up until this point, but the slight delay in when the sound waves actually reach your ears greatly effects your sound stage and your overall listening experience.
Digital time alignment allows you to digitally delay the closest speakers so that every speaker reaches your ears at the same time. It’s awesome. When set up properly, you can sit in the driver’s seat, close your eyes (not while driving) and you will NOT be able to pinpoint where the music is coming from. It will envelop and surround you creating a truly sublime listening experience.
Digital time alignment is freaking awesome. Sound travels slowly. This is why you need it.
Other awesome audio tuning features include advanced crossover settings. Sometimes when doing a full audio system with aftermarket amplifiers, I prefer to use the crossover adjustments within the Kenwood over the crossovers on the amp. They’re that good quality and fully adjustable with 6/12/18/24 DB per octave adjustments separate for Front, Rear, Sub and Tweeter. And don’t forget the 13 band EQ. The KDC-X996 has massive amounts of audio tuning capability. On the flip side, if you have no clue what you are doing you can make it sound really, really, really bad. So choose wisely.
What about Pioneer?
Pioneer is generally well known for their successful line of AVIC GPS head units, maybe not so much for their single din options, but this year, they’ve stepped up their game.
Meet the DEH-80PRS. Pioneer calls it Audiophile Grade. They’re comparing it to their Stage 4 head unit which features a 31 band EQ and copper chassis. The Stage 4 head unit also sells for around $1200. At just $349.95, the DEH-P80RS is presumably a bargain.
Pioneer’s new Audiophile Grade Head Unit
Check out some of the great features:
24 Bit Burr Brown DAC
A-hem, correction, THREE 24 Bit Burr Brown DAC’s. One for high, mid and low frequencies.
3 preouts, 5 Volt
Built in crossovers adjustable slope settings 0, 6, 12, 18 or 24 DB per octave adjustable individually for Front, Rear, Sub and Tweeter
Auto time alignment and Auto EQ
Manual time alignment mode
16 band EQ adjustable for left and right channels
Front Aux
Dual Rear USB
Built in Bluetooth
Bluetooth audio streaming
iPhone Pandora Control
Variable color illumination
Steering wheel remote ready
When compared to the competition, this head unit leaves me wanting a little bit more for my money. It’s not satellite radio ready and it does not come with HD Radio. However, it does have a nice display and a nice heavy volume knob. At least the prototype I saw at CES had one. As far as ease of use goes? Personally I think Pioneer single din head units are often the more difficult of the bunch. But it does have 3 DAC’s.
Let’s forget features, who has the best sounding single din head unit for 2012?
Based on the specs, I assume the Pioneer will have superior detail and clarity over the Kenwood and Alpine, but the true test will have to wait until all three have shipped and are on display at our store. Should you believe the Pioneer hype? I don’t know, we’ll see (or should I say hear) soon!
For all you Android users out there, Kenwood has released the Kenwood Music Control App. The Kenwood Music Control APP will allow Android users to connect their phone via USB to any Kenwood head unit with a USB port (see compatibility list here) and access the music stored on their phone through the stereo controls.
The free app, that can be downloaded from the Android Marketplace, allows any USB equipped Kenwood CD receiver to charge, control, and play Music stored on an Android device. The USB connection will allow Android users far superior sound quality over the typical stereo headphone jack that most users have had to settle with when listening to their Android in their car. Kenwood Music Link for Android will automatically manage all stored music and enable users to play, browse and search music by artist, album, playlist and even mood. Yep, you read that right. The Mood feature analyzes beats per minute, tempo and other variables to assist in creating 13 categories that listeners can choose from. This feature is similar to iTunes Genius Playlist, but is a reportedly more sophisticated and intricate in its calculations.
The Kenwood Music Control App currently works with Android versions 2.2.X and 2.3.X
Kenwood has a whole new line of attractive models coming out soon that will nicely integrate the Android app. Look out for the KDC-X796 which will be jam packed with features such as built in Bluetooth handsfree and A2DP audio streaming, USB and Auxiliary, Pandora link control for both iPhone and Android, 4 Volt Front, Rear and Subwoofer preouts, Built in HD Radio, variable illumination, SiriusXM ready and of course, it comes with the 2 year Kenwood Excelon Warranty….all for $220. Expected release date is February 2012.
Packed with features like Bluetooth, Pandora Link, Android control for only $220
Also look out for their new line of Double Din navigation units like the DNX6990HD which promises to be faster than the disappointing and sluggish line of double din navigation units we saw from Kenwood in 2011. The 2012 model Kenwood navigation systems still use Garmin for their mapping system, but they also come equipped with a 1 core processor which should hopefully eliminate that 5 second delay or the much hated screen freeze that Kenwood users seemed to receive after pressing any command on their screen. Along with revved up processing speed, you will find a 5 Volt preamp, Built in HD Radio, Bluetooth, Pandora link for iPhone and Android, built in NAVTEQ traffic integration as well as an App mode.
