HU sound quality upgrade? Pioneer AVIC 8100nex? - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

SteveGrillo · 10-01-2015, 11:19 AM

(Note, I have BRZ, but question still applicable I think...)

I'm wondering if a new head unit will have significant sound quality upgrades for my setup...

I have just completed major upgrades of the system, and am considering upgrading the HU to a Pioneer AVIC 8100nex, and am wondering about sound quality improvements, in analog FM (or HD if reception is more reliable), and SAT.

I have the sub from a OEM-audio (I was very unhappy with the OEM-audio system), Image dynamics ES woofers for doors, and CDT es2000-e for upper-mid/tweets. I'm using a Helix PP82DSP for amp/crossovers/time-alignment/EQ (which is awesome BTW).

I'm tired of HD fm cutting out, and would love to know if the AVIC pioneer has better regular FM or more reliable HD FM.

Any thoughts on the subject?

Steve

ajcarson11 · 10-01-2015, 12:48 PM

Hmmm. You're doing everything right if you've got the Helix in place. I don't think you'll see sound quality (as far as output goes) improvements, as the helix is already getting you there.

With that being said, reception could probably improved with a longer aftermarket antenna with stock HU. The pioneer head unit would probably plug into your stock antenna... so i'm not sure how the reception could improve, assuming stock antenna is in place.

SteveGrillo · 10-01-2015, 04:19 PM

Thanks. Can you suggest that improved aftermarket antenna that fits aesthetically?

ajcarson11 · 10-01-2015, 04:54 PM

I don't know a whole lot about the aftermarket antenna scene. I tend to stick with USB music library, avoiding radio/streams. Sorry about that. Someone else will know though!

SteveGrillo · 10-01-2015, 05:08 PM

And as to how the pioneer unit could improve reception, it would be dependent on the ability of the radio to pull in stations. I do not know what the stock head unit specs are, which is why I posted this for anybody who might have Done anupgrade and might have comments about any improvements. The antenna itself is only a part of the equation when it comes to sound quality.

mid_life_crisis · 10-01-2015, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveGrillo

And as to how the pioneer unit could improve reception, it would be dependent on the ability of the radio to pull in stations. I do not know what the stock head unit specs are, which is why I posted this for anybody who might have Done anupgrade and might have comments about any improvements. The antenna itself is only a part of the equation when it comes to sound quality.

The expression "pull in stations" is what confuses people. It isn't about pulling them in so much as isolating adjacent frequencies and filtering out noise. The more advanced the circuitry, the better a job it will do. Even a weak signal can sound good if it can be made clean.

Scoobybrz · 10-02-2015, 02:12 AM

I have a pioneer 4000nex in my brz, and the HD radio signal is pretty much the same as the stock headunit.

Aztec · 10-02-2015, 02:29 AM

I have the AVH2400bt. In mine, like others have said, why put all this money on speakers and a head unit and not play the music through a flash drive, bluetooth or AUX? Quality will always be better than HD FM radio lol

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

SteveGrillo · 10-02-2015, 07:54 AM

As to the question about why FM, it's because I like it. I use other stuff (BT, SAT, USB) too. But I've improved the FM sound by about 3x with the new speaker/DSP setup. But before I go and spend $1200 on a head unit, I want to find one that might improve separation and sensitivity (and overall sound quality) in the FM band since I use it often.

I have had high-end home audio for many many years, and once I find something nice, I stick with it. My ears have cost me many thousands of dollars over the years, unfortunately.

In this case, I'm very happy with what I've found with speakers, and especially the amazing Helix PP82dsp and how incredibly flexible it is at tuning the whole system.

But I really would like to know what kind of improvement from there I can get with FM with a new head unit.

That's why I was looking for folks who could tell me what to expect for differences.
Hope that helps.

10-01-2015, 11:19 AM	#1
SteveGrillo Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Drives: Brz Location: Mass Posts: 42 Thanks: 6 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	HU sound quality upgrade? Pioneer AVIC 8100nex? (Note, I have BRZ, but question still applicable I think...) I'm wondering if a new head unit will have significant sound quality upgrades for my setup... I have just completed major upgrades of the system, and am considering upgrading the HU to a Pioneer AVIC 8100nex, and am wondering about sound quality improvements, in analog FM (or HD if reception is more reliable), and SAT. I have the sub from a OEM-audio (I was very unhappy with the OEM-audio system), Image dynamics ES woofers for doors, and CDT es2000-e for upper-mid/tweets. I'm using a Helix PP82DSP for amp/crossovers/time-alignment/EQ (which is awesome BTW). I'm tired of HD fm cutting out, and would love to know if the AVIC pioneer has better regular FM or more reliable HD FM. Any thoughts on the subject? Steve

10-02-2015, 02:29 AM	#8
Aztec Lost in the twisties Join Date: Sep 2014 Drives: 2014 BRZ Dark Gray Metallic Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 661 Thanks: 436 Thanked 297 Times in 187 Posts Mentioned: 33 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	I have the AVH2400bt. In mine, like others have said, why put all this money on speakers and a head unit and not play the music through a flash drive, bluetooth or AUX? Quality will always be better than HD FM radio lol Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk __________________ NEW CAR!🚨🏎️⛽ 2014 BRZ: Edelbrock SC, CSG ZachTune, Jackson Radiator/Oil cooler, lightweight flywheel, CNT UEL, Berk OP/FP, Ark Grip Catback, Carbon fiber Driveshaft Aztec's Build Thread

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10-01-2015, 12:48 PM	#2
ajcarson11 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Drives: 2013 Subaru BRZ Limited (Black) Location: Indianapolis Posts: 511 Thanks: 253 Thanked 206 Times in 149 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Hmmm. You're doing everything right if you've got the Helix in place. I don't think you'll see sound quality (as far as output goes) improvements, as the helix is already getting you there. With that being said, reception could probably improved with a longer aftermarket antenna with stock HU. The pioneer head unit would probably plug into your stock antenna... so i'm not sure how the reception could improve, assuming stock antenna is in place.

10-01-2015, 04:19 PM	#3
SteveGrillo Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Drives: Brz Location: Mass Posts: 42 Thanks: 6 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Thanks. Can you suggest that improved aftermarket antenna that fits aesthetically?

10-01-2015, 04:54 PM	#4
ajcarson11 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Drives: 2013 Subaru BRZ Limited (Black) Location: Indianapolis Posts: 511 Thanks: 253 Thanked 206 Times in 149 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I don't know a whole lot about the aftermarket antenna scene. I tend to stick with USB music library, avoiding radio/streams. Sorry about that. Someone else will know though!

10-01-2015, 05:08 PM	#5
SteveGrillo Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Drives: Brz Location: Mass Posts: 42 Thanks: 6 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	And as to how the pioneer unit could improve reception, it would be dependent on the ability of the radio to pull in stations. I do not know what the stock head unit specs are, which is why I posted this for anybody who might have Done anupgrade and might have comments about any improvements. The antenna itself is only a part of the equation when it comes to sound quality.

10-02-2015, 02:12 AM	#7
Scoobybrz Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Drives: BRZ Location: SoCal Posts: 104 Thanks: 6 Thanked 23 Times in 16 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I have a pioneer 4000nex in my brz, and the HD radio signal is pretty much the same as the stock headunit.

10-02-2015, 07:54 AM	#9
SteveGrillo Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Drives: Brz Location: Mass Posts: 42 Thanks: 6 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	As to the question about why FM, it's because I like it. I use other stuff (BT, SAT, USB) too. But I've improved the FM sound by about 3x with the new speaker/DSP setup. But before I go and spend $1200 on a head unit, I want to find one that might improve separation and sensitivity (and overall sound quality) in the FM band since I use it often. I have had high-end home audio for many many years, and once I find something nice, I stick with it. My ears have cost me many thousands of dollars over the years, unfortunately. In this case, I'm very happy with what I've found with speakers, and especially the amazing Helix PP82dsp and how incredibly flexible it is at tuning the whole system. But I really would like to know what kind of improvement from there I can get with FM with a new head unit. That's why I was looking for folks who could tell me what to expect for differences. Hope that helps.

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