NorCal (Bay Area) OFF-TOPIC Chat Thread

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Finally found a HU that's actually good and still has a volume knob! Lots of features for the price.



Went to install the Bazooka at the same time only to find out that they forgot to include the harness that taps into the OEM wires. So for now, I have the RCA hooked up, but no power or remote wire.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Popped in a Friends DVD from my DVD box, put the ebrake down with the engine running, and it plays. LOL. Not sure how to navigate the DVD menu, but at least it plays the episodes.

[Clipdat]

Does it display GPS?

Originally Posted by Kaotic Lazagna

Finally found a HU that's actually good and still has a volume knob! Lots of features for the price.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Originally Posted by Clipdat

Does it display GPS?

The comparable eXcelon with GPS would be the DNX693S. That is 2.5x more expensive than the eXcelon DDX594. Being the Yaris, I didn't fell like spending that kind of money on a HU. lol. Plus, I have a standalone Garmin GPS I use if I have to.

The DDX594 has all the features I'd need, and then some. I just wanted something that had good radio reception, USB, HD radio, a volume knob, and BT.

This HU has 5v pre-amps for front, rear, and sub. That's crazy since everything else in the price range has 2.5v and only 2 to 4 channels at most vs 6. This also has cross-overs for the front, rear, and subs, along with other sound staging tuning. 13-band EQ tuning is nice too.

[driggity]

Originally Posted by Kaotic Lazagna

Finally found a HU that's actually good and still has a volume knob! Lots of features for the price.

It's sad how few HUs have volume controls that are actually easy to use while driving. I've been considering getting the Sony XAV-AX100 https://www.crutchfield.com/p_158XAV...XAV-AX100.html because it has a volume knob and Android Auto. I can't think of when I last used physical media in a car so the lack for CD/DVD support doesn't bother me.

[finch1750]

Originally Posted by driggity

It's sad how few HUs have volume controls that are actually easy to use while driving. I've been considering getting the Sony XAV-AX100 https://www.crutchfield.com/p_158XAV...XAV-AX100.html because it has a volume knob and Android Auto. I can't think of when I last used physical media in a car so the lack for CD/DVD support doesn't bother me.

I have a Pioneer bluetooth player in the mr2 and havent missed not having CDs at all. I didnt even hook up the antenna (mostly to avoid the RC car look of a 4ft tall antenna but still, Spotify is all I use now it seems

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Originally Posted by driggity

It's sad how few HUs have volume controls that are actually easy to use while driving. I've been considering getting the Sony XAV-AX100 https://www.crutchfield.com/p_158XAV...XAV-AX100.html because it has a volume knob and Android Auto. I can't think of when I last used physical media in a car so the lack for CD/DVD support doesn't bother me.

The first HU I got for the Yaris was a Sony. I returned it after a week. It was garbage. Didn't sound good, BT calls were terrible, reception sucked, and it wouldn't play any music off my USB. I'm never getting another Sony. It was in a similar price point as the Kenwood I got now.

[Clipdat]

I still have a JVC-KD SH99 and an Alpine CDA-9811 that I was going to use for previous car audio projects that fizzled out. The JVC was known for it's excellent sound quality (and good looks).





I've always wanted a CDA-7878 for that awesome bouncing EQ but they're pretty rare and prone to issues:



I suppose I could try to put the JVC in the FR-S but I'd be giving up BT, aux in in the dash, etc, etc.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Originally Posted by Clipdat

I still have a JVC-KD SH99 and an Alpine CDA-9811 that I was going to use for previous car audio projects that fizzled out. The JVC was known for it's excellent sound quality (and good looks).





I've always wanted a CDA-7878 for that awesome bouncing EQ but they're pretty rare and prone to issues:



I suppose I could try to put the JVC in the FR-S but I'd be giving up BT, aux in in the dash, etc, etc.

I had a JVC single din in my first Yaris some years ago. No BT, but it had HD radio. Great sound and radio reception.

[Clipdat]

Can we talk amps, too? I used to have two of these, still holding onto one for sentimental reasons, not sure if it even works anymore. JBL GTQ-400



Pretty unassuming in design, but made in USA and rated @ 75x4 @ 4ohms. Although bench tested to be more like 90x4.

[spike021]

I think eventually I'll replace the one in my BRZ with something more modern.

The stock one is usable but it's so frustrating to use.

[driggity]

Originally Posted by finch1750

I have a Pioneer bluetooth player in the mr2 and havent missed not having CDs at all. I didnt even hook up the antenna (mostly to avoid the RC car look of a 4ft tall antenna but still, Spotify is all I use now it seems

Yeah, I had an Alpine Bluetooth receiver without a CD player in my Jeep and have never used the CD player in my FRS. Google Play Music and Pocketcasts is pretty much all I ever listen to these days. Even if I'm listening to live sports I often end up doing it via Bluetooth and an app instead of AM or FM.

Originally Posted by Kaotic Lazagna

The first HU I got for the Yaris was a Sony. I returned it after a week. It was garbage. Didn't sound good, BT calls were terrible, reception sucked, and it wouldn't play any music off my USB. I'm never getting another Sony. It was in a similar price point as the Kenwood I got now.

That's disappointing. After using Android Auto in some rental cars I don't think I would get a new stereo that didn't support it. Unfortunately I don't know that I could live with the tiny volume buttons on all the other Android Auto compatible receivers. That's the one reason I'm interested in the Sony.

[FirstWinter]

Originally Posted by spike021

I think eventually I'll replace the one in my BRZ with something more modern.

The stock one is usable but it's so frustrating to use.

Don't the '17s have a updated HU?

[spike021]

Originally Posted by FirstWinter

Don't the '17s have a updated HU?

I think it's the same one as the 2016, which is when they were updated (unless I'm thinking of 2015).