Doube DIN CD player: So many choices - Page 1

Site Notices

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Doube DIN CD player: So many choices

Posted: 12/6/2018 1:56:06 AM EDT

Help with selection... anything under $500
Need to pick doubleDIN receiver, prefer a VOLUME KNOB rather than touch screen.
do not need multimedia, navigation, no bullshit.
Play CD, radio, pandora/bluetooth.
Must have integral amplifier, no huge power required..
. Looking at Pioneer, JVC, Alpine. dont really know what is good anymore.
. Thanks for any tips.

Posted: 12/6/2018 9:24:33 AM EDT

[#1]

I've been looking at the Kenwood DDX374BT for my 05 Silverado. Lotta good stuff plus reverse camera.

Posted: 12/6/2018 10:43:43 AM EDT

[#2]

I just installed a Sony XAV-AX100 in my FJ Cruiser last weekend. I got it from Crutchfield, was only $329. I really like it so far. It has a volume knob which I wanted as well but also a touch screen. I was drawn to it because it has a very nice, elegant appearance, almost like an OEM headunit. Not cheesy looking like so many headunits are nowadays. I have an iPhone and the XAV-AX100 works with Carplay which is pretty cool. It also works with the Android version.

It does not have a CD player though. I got rid of all my CD's years ago and have all of my music on a thumbdrive that I plug into the USB port. I can also play my music through my iPhone as well (Bluetooth or USB connection).

Sony XAV-AX100 at Crutchfield

Attached File

If you must have a CD player then there is the Sony XAV-AX200 but it is priced right at your $500 limit.

Sony XAV-AX200 at Crutchfield

Posted: 12/6/2018 12:25:01 PM EDT

[#3]

I yanked the stock RAV4 double din, CD player, out of the wife's car and replaced with a Sony XAV-AX-100 from Crutchfield...had them do all the wiring for +$24.

With Apple Carplay it is fantastic. We don't miss CD's. I'm guessing Android play would be similar. Good luck in your search.

Heck, I don't even use my CD player in my Tacoma any longer...I built a wood sun visor for my OEM unit and stuck it in the CD slot.

Attached File

Posted: 12/6/2018 1:27:51 PM EDT

[#4]

I just put a jvc in my sierra. I think it was $180 from crutchfield, with the adapter kit for the blinkers and chimes. Crutchfield was actually cheaper than ebay or Amazon on the install accessories for the head unit if you buy the head unit from them.

I have bluetooth, front and rear usb, and radio preset buttons which I like. I like jvc also because you can change the display colors.

Posted: 12/6/2018 1:44:59 PM EDT

[#5]

Just got and email from Crutchfield...

Here is a JVC for $120...CD player.
Crutchfield has the BEST customer service, Virginia based, live, English speaking folk...

Posted: 12/12/2018 1:01:40 PM EDT

[#6]

Kenwood 396 from Crutchfield,in transit. Had to retain cd playback capability. We'll have a demo/report after install.

Posted: 12/12/2018 1:31:07 PM EDT

[#7]

Edit.

Posted: 12/12/2018 1:52:30 PM EDT

[#8]

@Fullpower

this one? Kenwood Excelon DDX395, Looks nice

Attached File

Posted: 12/12/2018 2:21:25 PM EDT

[#9]

Yeah, pretty close.
buttons stacked on Left hand side, volume KNOB prominent.. For wife's daily driver.

Posted: 12/12/2018 5:40:06 PM EDT

[#10]

I just put one of those in the wifes car ( VW Tiguan ), it's not bad at all. Nice EQ, setups for crossovers and time delay for each speaker.

Sun washes out the screen fairly easy but I haven't had a chance to sit with it in the sunlight and play with the settings for viewing angle and contrast ( blacks ).

Being able to setup the order on the home screen makes it so the 3 main inputs you use are always on top of the screen for the play modes.

Crutchfields pre-done wire harness was ALMOST perfect, the antenna plug did not completely match the one on the wifes car but it was close enough that 30 seconds with a razor blade trimming some key tabs down had it working perfectly.

I haven't received my backup camera from Amazon yet so I can't tell you how well that works yet, not looking forward to running those wires through the car. The HU installation took me about 40 minutes total.

Posted: 12/12/2018 7:21:48 PM EDT

[#11]

I have a Kenwood in my daily driver. It's an older one and like you I wanted the volume knob. You can press on the knob to attenuate the volume, very handy.

Posted: 12/13/2018 3:11:21 AM EDT

[#12]

i guess it doesnt meet your requirements for lack of a knob but i chose the pioneer nex series specifically because it has a detachable face plate and was more or less the only one I could find that did.

Posted: 12/14/2018 12:37:27 PM EDT

[#13]

So my Sony XAV-AX is two months old and it will not pair with Iphones now...connects via cable for Apple Carplay but not Bluetooth. Android just fine.
Crutchfield called Sony and found out they might release a firmware update...but not certain when

Crutchfield said that's not good GB, pick a new unit. I did (@ +$100) and they are boxing it up with full harness setup and all accessories necessary. They said it would ship Monday and to send the old unit back within 14 days. They included the harnesses, harness work, trim, mounts at no cost...just the $100 cost for a nicer unit. Their customer service is awesome.

New unit, Kenwood DMX7705S
Retains all OEM controls and console inputs

Attached File

@Dynamo if you have any issues with the XAV-AX100 there is a firmware update if necessary. Just an FYI and there is YouTube on how to.

Posted: 12/14/2018 12:46:36 PM EDT

[#14]

Quote History

Quoted:
So my Sony XAV-AX is two months old and it will not pair with Iphones now...connects via cable for Apple Carplay but not Bluetooth. Android just fine.
Crutchfield called Sony and found out they might release a firmware update...but not certain when

Crutchfield said that's not good GB, pick a new unit. I did (@ +$100) and they are boxing it up with full harness setup and all accessories necessary. They said it would ship Monday and to send the old unit back within 14 days. They included the harnesses, harness work, trim, mounts at no cost...just the $100 cost for a nicer unit. Their customer service is awesome.

New unit, Kenwood DMX7705S
Retains all OEM controls and console inputs
https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/74443/g113DMX7705-o_other3_jpg-771759.JPG

@Dynamo if you have any issues with the XAV-AX100 there is a firmware update if necessary. Just an FYI and there is YouTube on how to.

View Quote

Interesting, thanks for letting me know. I have not had any iPhone connection issues *knock on wood* and it has the latest firmware. The other day though I did have an issue where the USB connection kept cutting out. I normally have a thumbdrive plugged in that has all of my music and it would randomly cut out and say device not connected or something like that. I ended up pulling the unit out that evening and checking all of the connections. Everything looked ok and I haven't had any issues since so I dunno what the problem was. If it keeps happening I will call Crutchfield.

ETA: Was it working fine and then just quit connecting to your iPhone out of the blue? Or did it happen after a firmware update or some other change? @ORARGB

Posted: 12/14/2018 1:14:35 PM EDT

[#15]

@Dynamo

kind of strange...connected the first part of November when new to Bluetooth on iPhone. last half of Nov and up until last week it was intermittent. I would do a factory reset on the unit, unpaired the phones, after many attempts I could get it to connect Bluetooth. But, it would never auto connect when I got in and started the car. Wife's car and she was getting pissed.

Updated our iPhone to 12.1.1 this week. No connection now at all. My Android connects right away. Remember, I bought the 1000 and you have the 100 so there is a difference.

With the new Kenwood I get back my console connectivity, a bigger screen, and Android play along with Apple Carplay. Waze also but I've read some bad reviews about this...will check it out.

Posted: 12/14/2018 2:22:29 PM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:
@Dynamo

kind of strange...connected the first part of November when new to Bluetooth on iPhone. last half of Nov and up until last week it was intermittent. I would do a factory reset on the unit, unpaired the phones, after many attempts I could get it to connect Bluetooth. But, it would never auto connect when I got in and started the car. Wife's car and she was getting pissed.

Updated our iPhone to 12.1.1 this week. No connection now at all. My Android connects right away. Remember, I bought the 1000 and you have the 100 so there is a difference.

With the new Kenwood I get back my console connectivity, a bigger screen, and Android play along with Apple Carplay. Waze also but I've read some bad reviews about this...will check it out.

View Quote

@ORARGB

Ah, didn't realize you have the 1000. My iPhone is on 12.1, hesitant to update it now.

I was able to retain my factory USB outlet as well. There is an adapter (PAC USB-TYP2) that worked for my FJ. I got it from Crutchfield when I ordered my Sony unit. Their system did not show it working with my FJ but I got it anyway and it works.

Posted: 12/14/2018 6:06:34 PM EDT

[#17]

Nice you got that to work. I will have all with the Kenwood... Crutchfield spent some time with me on the phone to ensure everything is GTG. Great service.

Posted: 12/17/2018 8:03:56 PM EDT

[#18]

Quote History

Quoted:
So my Sony XAV-AX is two months old and it will not pair with Iphones now...connects via cable for Apple Carplay but not Bluetooth. Android just fine.
Crutchfield called Sony and found out they might release a firmware update...but not certain when

Crutchfield said that's not good GB, pick a new unit. I did (@ +$100) and they are boxing it up with full harness setup and all accessories necessary. They said it would ship Monday and to send the old unit back within 14 days. They included the harnesses, harness work, trim, mounts at no cost...just the $100 cost for a nicer unit. Their customer service is awesome.

New unit, Kenwood DMX7705S
Retains all OEM controls and console inputs
https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/74443/g113DMX7705-o_other3_jpg-771759.JPG

@Dynamo if you have any issues with the XAV-AX100 there is a firmware update if necessary. Just an FYI and there is YouTube on how to.

View Quote

Just FYI - That Kenwood unit has been marked down to $399 at Crutchfield.

@ORARGB

Posted: 12/18/2018 9:22:50 AM EDT

[#19]

Ordered the Kenwood 574 yesterday, figured I'd get the HD radio. Looks like I'll also add the XM radio module for $30. Probably won't activate it, but for $30 putting it in from the start is the smart thing to do.

ETA: radio was $245 on Amazon

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Doube DIN CD player: So many choices

General » Cars, Bikes, and Trailers

Warning

Confirm Action

About AR15.COM

Stay Connected

Newsletter

Contact Us