 fartnesscomputersoc dot comPremium
join:2003-03-25
Look Outside
1 edit | New head unit/speakers? For a 2001 Ford Ranger XLT (2.5L) and 2012 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Premium, I want a new head unit.
For the Ranger, I want bluetooth calling, DVD/videos, ipod connector (or something to put a USB or SD card into, I can leave the ipod in the Legacy, rather than move it around each time)
For the Legacy, I just want DVD/video since the car already has hands free Bluetooth and an ipod connector. It would have to keep these functionality. Also, I have two phones, one for work and one personal. I have my personal phone paired with the car now. I would like my work phone paired with the new head unit, if possible.
GPS is a plus but not needed. I already have a Garmin nuvi that I lug around.
I plan on upgrading the Ranger first and seeing how I like the head unit. I will put new speakers in both vehicles too, but not sure what. I get conflicting reports on what size speakers the Legacy takes (some sites and B&M stores say 5 1/4 and some say 6 1/2).
Anyway, what unit would you suggest? How about any of these headunits:
$174.85 - »www.amazon.com/Power-Acoustik-PT···d_cp_e_0
$259.99 - »www.amazon.com/Pioneer-AVH-P2300···duct_top
$164.99 - »www.amazon.com/BV9560B-7-Inch-Wi···68&s=car or Amazon says this is the newer unit, for $10 cheaper:
»www.amazon.com/Boss-Audio-BV9561···title_ce
For the Ranger, what about any of these speakers? Do I need an amp? What would that cost?
$49.87/pair »www.amazon.com/Infinity-Referenc···speakers
$67.99/pair »www.amazon.com/Pioneer-TSD6802R-···speakers
$75.50/pair »www.amazon.com/Infinity-6829CF--···speakers |
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 HallPremium,MVM
join:2000-04-28
Dayton, OH
kudos:2 | At Crutchfield, for 5-1/4. 6-1/2. and 6-3/4 in the front door, they say they all fit "with bracket" or "with alteration". For the rear door speakers, they all say "with alteration". Subaru must do weird things...
I'd first try the speakers without an amp. If you want more volume, consider adding a subwoofer of some sort and *then* include an amp. |
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| stay far away from boss audio and power acoustik.....pure junk |
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 lew_bPremium
join:2003-05-11
Poughkeepsie, NY
 ·Verizon FiOS
| reply to fartness
Go to crutchfield.com and see what they say.
I just got done installing a new HU in my car and was quite pleased with them. You can probably get a better price somewhere but not the support. You can chat online to someone who is knowledgeable, they will provide instructions on how to do the install as well as any necessary install kits, adapters, etc.
The first HU I got from them had a cosmetic defect, I was able to arrange to have a new one shipped with one chat with one person in about 10 minutes.
Yeah, I'm a Crutchfield fan-boy.
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Roadkill 2015 |
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HallPremium,MVM
join:2000-04-28
Dayton, OH
kudos:2 | said by lew_b:Go to crutchfield.com and see what they say.
You can probably get a better price somewhere but not the support. You can chat online to someone who is knowledgeable, they will provide instructions on how to do the install as well as any necessary install kits, adapters, etc. They're very competitive -- maybe not the cheapest, mind you -- but as soon as they throw in things like wiring harnesses that adapt the aftermarket stereo to your specific car model, a mounting kit (if necessary), and similar items related to speakers, they are very likely to come out ahead of the place that sells the head unit cheaper.
On a related note, I called a local shop for a 5-1/4-to-6-1/2 speaker adapter. They wanted .... $49 !! Crutchfield wants around $10... |
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robbinPremium,MVM
join:2000-09-21
Leander, TX
kudos:1 | reply to fartness
Another vote for Crutchfield. Personally I have been very happy with an Alpine that I installed in my van about 5 years ago. |
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 chmodPremium
join:2000-12-12
Lockport, IL | reply to fartness
+1 on Crutchfield you get all the install accessories needed and a nice detailed install guide. I've bought almost all my head units from them. I've used mid level Pioneer and Clarion hu's with no issues. I've heard nothing but good things from Alpine also.
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Some people are like Slinkies. Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs. |
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fartnesscomputersoc dot comPremium
join:2003-03-25
Look Outside | reply to fartness
Why is everyone so happy about Crutchfield??
Amazon - »www.amazon.com/Pioneer-AVH-P2400···-P2400BT
Crutchfield - »www.crutchfield.com/p_130P2400BT···tp=20217
Amazon is about $90 cheaper. |
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HallPremium,MVM
join:2000-04-28
Dayton, OH
kudos:2 | said by fartness:Why is everyone so happy about Crutchfield?? It's a shame you don't read the comments many of us have made.... Go for the unit from Amazon. |
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fartnesscomputersoc dot comPremium
join:2003-03-25
Look Outside | Isn't that part of the installation fee if I take it somewhere? |
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HallPremium,MVM
join:2000-04-28
Dayton, OH
kudos:2 | reply to fartness
Re: New head unit/speakers? No idea.... Looking at Best Buy's car-installation service options, they all say "(Hardware Not Included)". Unless the place charges hundreds of dollars to install, in which they pad that price with any extra "parts" they might need, shops are going to charge you extra. |
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 JackarinoPremium
join:2006-12-28
Allendale, NJ
kudos:1 | reply to fartness
I like Pioneer |
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| reply to Hall
I would never use bestbuy after what they did to my nephew's car.
Just changing the headunit in his 2002 Accord they managed to blow a variety of fuses for interior lights parking/tail lights and cause the SRS system the show error. |
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| reply to fartness
I just ordered a Kenwood DDX-419 from Crutchfield for my Scion xB. I had narrowed it down to that, the JVC KW-AV60BT or Pioneer AVH-P4400BH. Not a fan of a couple specs and features of the Pioneer.
It was a last minute decision on the Kenwood. It looks like the interface is just a little more refined than the JVC and the front facing USB and Aux is beneficial. JVC and Kenwood are pretty much one and the same, so it comes down to the little things, IMO.
It should be here Friday.
I could've ordered from a seller on Amazon and saved $60, but I have no idea who Legacy Stereo is, but I do know who/what Crutchfield is.
I'm actually debating getting the KW-AV50 for my wife's truck to replace the KW-HDR720 I installed just last year.  I can re-use the BT adapter on it, and give her a rear facing camera too. |
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lew_bPremium
join:2003-05-11
Poughkeepsie, NY Reviews:
·Verizon FiOS
| I got the DDX-319. I believe that the only difference is that the 319 does not have bluetooth support.
I'm loving the 319 so far, also got the SiriusXm adapter which allowed me to get rid of my XM Onyx and clean up my dashboard.
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Roadkill 2015 |
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| Yes, the 419 has BT. I will be using it, both for the phone and audio streaming. My car's small, a rear-view cam will be pointless, so I didn't bother tapping the reverse wire. I did ground the parking switch wire though.
The only thing that I noticed is when viewing titles on USB, it shows the actual file name rather than the ID1/2/3 tag data. It doesn't matter at all when shuffling, but it makes it harder to search for a song. The file name is usually track number-artist -album-track name rather than just artist-track name.
The easiest workaround is to use MP3tag and rename with ID3 data. Unless there's some setting I can change in the search window. |
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lew_bPremium
join:2003-05-11
Poughkeepsie, NY Reviews:
·Verizon FiOS
| I copied my CDs using Windows Media Player and ripped them as .wav files. I see a structure something like:
Artist -> album name -> songname.wav
Yup, grounded the parking brake wire also. Don't think I'll be playing too many DVDs (moving or not). That display is distracting enough, thank you 
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Roadkill 2015 |
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fartnesscomputersoc dot comPremium
join:2003-03-25
Look Outside | reply to fartness
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HallPremium,MVM
join:2000-04-28
Dayton, OH
kudos:2 | Go for it |
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