Differences between 2013 and 2014 HU

[Maritime Storm]

Beyond the obvious touch screen, is their a sound quality difference between these two HUs?

[Maritime Storm]

I've heard members on here complain about the susposedly "crappy" unit in the earlier models. I'm trying to figure out why the later model is more liked.

[oldpueblo]

They're both 300w I believe. I've actually had both (lease 2013/buy 10 series) and I don't recall noticing any difference once both were set to the same settings. A lot of people have complained about crappy sound, and I firmly believe they all sit in two camps.


One, audiophiles that think anything less than a $1000+ system sounds like crap. To those guys I say they lack perspective. This was free and it's damn good for free. They also probably have some hearing loss. :P


Two, those that didn't tune the head unit. Changed head unit to FR-S mode, mess with the natural/hear/feel equalizer, then boost treble and bass accordingly. For me the Feel setting combined with about 3-4 on the treble and bass, with volume up to about 30~ sounds fine.


The radio can sound very different depending on what you set it to and how high you turn it up. All I did was add a 10" sub and to me it sounds great for the price. If you have the chance, see if you can sit in one at the dealership and play with the radio. For me the later model is just easier to use, has more features like better bluetooth profiles (I think), etc. Remember, head units can always be upgraded/replaced.

[Maritime Storm]

Thanks that's more or less my thoughts on the 2 as well. I was trying to figure out why people were complaining about the older one. Personally, I don't care for the touch screen model.

[Mister]

Bringing back a thread that is a couple weeks old but wanted to share my experience..

I had a 2013 based HU and just bought a 2014 touchscreen base HU off someone here. I noticed a very good improvement in sound quality without spending any time fiddling with the controls yet. I had issues with the 2013 at higher (25+ range) volumes where it was just not clear and speakers clicking, even spending time playing with the controls.

I did not buy the 2014 HU for improved sound, I bought it because I hate the aesthetics of the 2013 base HU, and I wanted an OEM look. I find the 2014 very easy to use and pretty basic, and the major controls are all physical, so it is probably one of the better designed OEM touchscreen HU I have used. The better sound was a pleasant surprise.

[viking]

Swapping from basic head unit to touch screen was it all plug and play?

[viking]

And buy touch screen are u talking about th le bespoke head unit?