[Prodigy07]

Hi,

Can someone suggest a good Pioneer DVD headunit in the price range 12-16K ?

[Haroon]

Hi,

I am upgrading from a Swift to a Nissan Terrano XL Plus (the full option version in 85ps Diesel), which unfortunately does not have a DVD player.

I am not an in-car music freak, but just need to have a good entertainment system in the car at the relatively economical package. Ideally I am looking at the following 2 options:

OPTION-1
Is there a stand alone compact size DVD player (without monitor) that I can fix permanently somewhere and WIRE IT INTERNALLY to the head unit as well as the 2 headrest monitors (that I will replace from my old car).

IF THIS OPTION NOT AVAILABLE, ONLY THEN



OPTION-2

1. Upgrading(buying) to a music system (head unit) thats got a built in DVD player, Bluetooth, Aux/USB port & Monitor(possibly only for a reverse camera IN FUTURE)

2. Upgrading(buying) the 4 speakers on the 4 doors to some good branded OE-size 4-way speakers.

3. Adding a tweeter (I already have the old fashioned 200w Pioneer one with me)

4. Connect the 2 Headrest monitors to the head unit (already have those from my Swift)

-Is such a set up possible on the Nissan console?
-If so what are the specs of the head unit and 4-way speakers needed.
-Finally what budget am I looking at in India

I thank the gurus in advance for their time and kind advice.

Regards,
Haroon

[hiren.mistry]

Hello gurus,
I'm not sure if this is right section for my query, mods kindly move it to the correct section if so.
I have a 2012 Fiat Punto Emotion (top end). I was never happy with the stock sound system be it the sound quality or the features (lack of). So I upgraded the entire system to this:
Head unit: JVC KD-X50BT
Front components: Focal Performance series 165 AS 6.5"
Rear: Focal Integration series universal 6.5" coaxial
Amp: Powerbass 4 channel (2 channels for the front and 2 for the rears)

I earlier had Powerbass speakers and used it for quite a while but was not happy with them so changed them with Focal speakers. This set up is miles better but I am still not happy. I can't feel any bass whatsoever. Also after the installation the radio reception is very poor with lots of interference. This is suppose if due to different connector for the radio from the stock, so would appreciate help in getting this better too. The installer told me to get a woofer installed but I dont want to use up the boot space...

I somehow feel that the headunit is a weak link here. Can you please suggest a decent headunit? Since this is a Fiat, so 2 dins are out of question. Also with this rather modest setup a Pioneer P90RS or any such high end HU would not suit. I was thinking of Pioneer DEH-X6590BT.

Can you please help me improve the SQ of my setup?

Many thanks

[cooldude1988765]

Originally Posted by hiren.mistry

. I can't feel any bass whatsoever.

You don't have any equipment that is made to produce bass IMO. If you don't want to get a subwoofer you could either get 6x9s on a plank or a pair of 6.5" woofers in the rear doors.

Originally Posted by hiren.mistry

. I somehow feel that the headunit is a weak link here. Can you please suggest a decent headunit? Since this is a Fiat, so 2 dins are out of question. Also with this rather modest setup a Pioneer P90RS or any such high end HU would not suit. I was thinking of Pioneer DEH-X6590BT.

Can you please help me improve the SQ of my setup?

Many thanks

I recommend you get 6x9s or 6.5" woofers before changing the HU. I think you mean the P80Prs which is about 24k if i remember correctly.

[hiren.mistry]

Originally Posted by cooldude1988765

I recommend you get 6x9s or 6.5" woofers before changing the HU. I think you mean the P80Prs which is about 24k if i remember correctly.

Yes p80rs that's the one i meant.
I get what you're saying but wouldn't the coaxials in the rear provide any bass?
My brother just picked up a new dzire zxi and it has a fairly decent bass.
Any ideas on how to improve the radio reception?

Thanks

[DerAlte]

Originally Posted by hiren.mistry

... wouldn't the coaxials in the rear provide any bass? ...

Yes the 6.5" coaxials in the doors will, but nothing as compared to 6x9 coaxials.

Originally Posted by hiren.mistry

... Any ideas on how to improve the radio reception? ...

Get a better antenna - either an external retractable one (there is a wire to be connected to the HU that commands the antenna to expand out, or collapse), or a T-antenna behind the rear view mirror (between mirror and windshield).

[DerAlte]

Originally Posted by DerAlte

Yes the 6.5" coaxials in the doors will, but nothing as compared to 6x9 coaxials.

Get a better antenna - either an external retractable one (there is a wire to be connected to the HU that commands the antenna to expand out, or collapse), or a T-antenna behind the rear view mirror (between mirror and windshield).

Originally Posted by cooldude1988765

... a pair of 6.5" woofers in the rear doors. ...

Err ... did you mean the kind that comes in lower end home theatre woofers? There are none commonly available for automotive use. @hiren.mistry already has 6.5" Focal coaxials in the doors - where will he mount additional drivers?

[raj_5004]

I am based in Dubai and I am looking for a new double DIN head unit for my Lancer GT.

My basic priorities are:

* Should have USB port (that is sort of a given these days!)
* Should be able to link to my Note3 and stream Google Maps
* If possible, play YouTube videos as well (through my phone)

Is the above possible? Also, is there any way I can do this without losing my steering mounted controls?

[cooldude1988765]

Originally Posted by DerAlte

Err ... did you mean the kind that comes in lower end home theatre woofers? There are none commonly available for automotive use. @hiren.mistry already has 6.5" Focal coaxials in the doors - where will he mount additional drivers?

Yes I meant 6.5" woofers. There are some decent sounding ones out there if you look exodus anarchies for example. Should be able to get a pair for 10k if you search. For someone who is not to keen to spend hours tuning his system then 6x9s are the way to go undoubtedly

EDIT: For the focal coaxials tbhp classifieds . Even if he does get 6x9's i would definitely recommend removing the speakers in the rear door.

[VintageSree]

Hello guys,

I've decided to upgrade the ICE setup in my TATA Indigo CS TDI LX to commemorate 5 years of ownership. Want to spice up the drives for an anticipated ownership of further 5 years.

Need your help and advice.

My current setup:
HU: Pioneer DVH 3190UB
Front: JBL GT5-S204
Rear: JBL GTO947 (limited edition)

I'm not for replacing any of the stuff above unless absolutely necessary and only if such replacements add substantially to the equation of SQ. However, I'm open to adding stuff like an amp or a sub.

The problem with the current setup is the sound is dominated by the rear coaxials totally and hence the sound stage is from behind me. Here, bass is good but quality suffers.

If I shift the balance to the front, the quality of sound seems to improve a bit, but bass is not good.:(

Hey gurus, please suggest me what I can do to achieve maximum bang for the minimum buck.

Budget: not sure what would be the right amount, will 10-20k would suffice?

[599gto]

Originally Posted by raj_5004

I am based in Dubai and I am looking for a new double DIN head unit for my Lancer GT.

My basic priorities are:

* Should have USB port (that is sort of a given these days!)
* Should be able to link to my Note3 and stream Google Maps
* If possible, play YouTube videos as well (through my phone)

Is the above possible? Also, is there any way I can do this without losing my steering mounted controls?

Hi, raj_5004
1. USB port is a given these days, like you said, so no worries on that part.
2. Look for an HU with App Mirroring technology, that way whatever is on your phone's screen is displayed on the HU's screen. There are quite a lot of options these days from most manufacturers, Pioneer HUs being my choice.
3. See point number 2 !
4. Most modern day HUs are steering control ready or at max need an interface for the steering controls to work. Gone are the days when switching HUs meant losing the steering controls, and they are definitely a boon.

Being in Dubai, you should go in for an all out-all in ICE set up! Not only is equipment cheaper there, you get more options and neater installs as compared to India!

[599gto]

Originally Posted by Haroon

Hi,

I am upgrading from a Swift to a Nissan Terrano XL Plus (the full option version in 85ps Diesel), which unfortunately does not have a DVD player.

I am not an in-car music freak, but just need to have a good entertainment system in the car at the relatively economical package. Ideally I am looking at the following 2 options:

OPTION-1

A few options might be available, but all chinese stuff, no such offerings from reputed brands. I wouldn't take this route, but that's just my opinion!

Originally Posted by Haroon

OPTION-2

1. Upgrading(buying) to a music system (head unit) thats got a built in DVD player, Bluetooth, Aux/USB port & Monitor(possibly only for a reverse camera IN FUTURE)

2. Upgrading(buying) the 4 speakers on the 4 doors to some good branded OE-size 4-way speakers.

3. Adding a tweeter (I already have the old fashioned 200w Pioneer one with me)

4. Connect the 2 Headrest monitors to the head unit (already have those from my Swift)

-Is such a set up possible on the Nissan console?
-If so what are the specs of the head unit and 4-way speakers needed.
-Finally what budget am I looking at in India

I thank the gurus in advance for their time and kind advice.

Regards,
Haroon

1. Lots of HUs available with all these features, prices starting at about 12-15 thousand rupees.

2. Since you said you're not too much of an ICE person, I suggest you go in for 2 pairs of decent 6 inch 2-way Co-axials, should suffice for your needs and will definitely be an improvement over your stock ICE when powered off an aftermarket HU. 4-5k for a pair of very good co-axials, from brands like Ground Zero, Hertz, Rockford Fosgate, Kicker. 3-3.5k will buy you a pair of JBLs. 6-7k will buy you a set of Focals.

*2-way speakers should suffice, as they cover a major part of audio frequencies and in this price range and segment, 3-ways and 4-ways are just marketing gimmickery!

3. Not needed at all. They are a thing of the past, and I still fail to find logic behind them ever being sold!

4. Most touch screen Head Units with DVD playback capability have one Video input and one or two video output options.
Reverse camera goes to the Video input, and the external screens are powered through the Video outputs!

Other points-

Any standard 2 DIN size touchscreen HU should be a neat fit on the Terrano's console.

I cant comment on the fitment of the headrest screens, for obvious reasons.

Price talk is the troublesome part of the ICE section, but still as mentioned above,

Roughly 15-20k for a good HU, depending on your feature requirements. For around 30k you can buy the Pioneer 8690 BT, which has everything one would want and then some, except crossover networks which you don't need.

10-14k for two pairs of co-axials, one pair for the front and another for the rear. Few thousands more would buy you a pair of components, but then they would demand an amplifier and complicate things.

3-5k for the HU bracket and harness and other installation knick knacks like spacer rings, wiring, crimps etc.
I will let you do the math!

[599gto]

Originally Posted by hiren.mistry

Head unit: JVC KD-X50BT
Front components: Focal Performance series 165 AS 6.5"
Rear: Focal Integration series universal 6.5" coaxial
Amp: Powerbass 4 channel (2 channels for the front and 2 for the rears)

Also after the installation the radio reception is very poor with lots of interference....
The installer told me to get a woofer installed but I dont want to use up the boot space...

I somehow feel that the headunit is a weak link here....

Can you please help me improve the SQ of my setup?

1. I don't see anything wrong with your set-up, just that this set up will not provide you with the bass your looking for. For real punch, thump, bang, whatever you call it, a Sub woofer is a must.
*please check the setting on the amplifier too, the frequency settings must be at full or all pass, i.e. HPF and LPF should be bypassed, that way the speakers will cover maximum frequencies and will reproduce whatever they can!
* Also, are your doors damped? Proper damping will let the Mids sound and kick better!

2. Changing the HU wont help either, your current JVC is a decent HU and I really don't think the Pioneer DEH-X6590BT will offer too much over the JVC X50BT. And you definitely don't need an 80 PRS in this set up.

3. Radio FM signals are not the best source of audio to judge a set up's SQ, radio will always sound bad no matter what equipment you plonk in, to properly judge a set up you need a minimum of 320 Kbps Mp3 music preferably ripped in a CD or a USB pen drive, that is if you are unable to source WAV and FLAC files.

[zulfi hansi]

Guys came across Boston, any idea how is it? How is it compared to the likes of JBL, Focal, Rockford etc. They don't have HUs in their range though.

[raj_5004]

Originally Posted by 599gto

Hi, raj_5004
1. USB port is a given these days, like you said, so no worries on that part.
2. Look for an HU with App Mirroring technology, that way whatever is on your phone's screen is displayed on the HU's screen. There are quite a lot of options these days from most manufacturers, Pioneer HUs being my choice.
3. See point number 2 !
4. Most modern day HUs are steering control ready or at max need an interface for the steering controls to work. Gone are the days when switching HUs meant losing the steering controls, and they are definitely a boon.

Being in Dubai, you should go in for an all out-all in ICE set up! Not only is equipment cheaper there, you get more options and neater installs as compared to India!

Hi, thank you for replying.

As mentioned here, I have already upgraded the HU.

The only thing which worries me right now is -

* The audio just does not feel right as before.
* Some rattling because of the bass, which was not there before.

With the older HU, the bass was pretty tight and crisp, now it is very boomy and all over the place!