Car Audio

[monkey333]

Sorry if this is in the wrong place, but here goes.

Looking to replace my stock stereo in my 05 Camry LE, single disc player.

My goal, a usb connection to a hard drive in say the center console. anyone got suggestions on head units?

I believe I would need a double din or at least a spacer to properly fit. not looking to go crazy price-wise.

thx

 

[rudeguy]

JVC all the way. They make very affordable units that have front or rear usb. Of course you would need an inverter to power the HDD.

Don't worry about double DIN, just get a kit.

 

[yh125d]

With or without JBL audio?


I'll assume without since LE (not sure if that is a higher end trim or lower)



Personally I have an Alpine CDE-102. Front USB and aux, and came highly recommended when I bought it


Generally speaking, anything from Alpine, Eclipse, JVC Arsenal or Pioneer Premiere ought to be pretty good.

 

[QueBert]

rudeguy, not sure what the power output is on a USB port on a head unit, but it's possible OP could use a 2.5 HDD and not need to use an inverter to power it. And another + notebook HD's are designed to withstand shock much better than a 3.5. Even if a 2.5 would need power I'd definitely recommend 1 over a 3.5. Hell depending on how much space/money he wants to spend. An SSD would be even better

 

[rudeguy]

lol...JVC Aresenal and Pioneer Elite? The guy said he didn't want to go crazy price wize.

Sigh....this is why I hate car audio threads.

 

[yh125d]

lol...JVC Aresenal and Pioneer Elite? The guy said he didn't want to go crazy price wize.

Sigh....this is why I hate car audio threads.

?

JVC arsenal starts at like $150, Pioneer Premier starts at like $125...


When you assume, you make an ass out of u, and me is over here all :hmm:

 

[rudeguy]

?

JVC arsenal starts at like $150, Pioneer Premier starts at like $125...


When you assume, you make an ass out of u, and me is over here all :hmm:

And he can get a regular JVC that does exactly what he needs for $100. Less if he gets it from ebay or some other place. Are you sure that the bottom level Arsenal or Premier decks will do what he needs?

I'm not assuming anything. I know just a tad about car audio (I was a manager for a major car audio company for 8 years). But this kind of stuff is why I hate car audio threads. Just tell the kid to get and Alpine and some JL's and call it good. What do the pros know?

 

[yh125d]

And he can get a regular JVC that does exactly what he needs for $100. Less if he gets it from ebay or some other place. Are you sure that the bottom level Arsenal or Premier decks will do what he needs?

I'm not assuming anything. I know just a tad about car audio (I was a manager for a major car audio company for 8 years). But this kind of stuff is why I hate car audio threads. Just tell the kid to get and Alpine and some JL's and call it good. What do the pros know?

Going from crutchfield, The cheapest JVC with front USB is $140, and the $150 arsenal has it as well


Sheesh, all I did was mention a couple brands that I hear are good. And I wouldn't call a $150 HU anywhere near crazy in price. You don't have to approach me like I'm an idiot just because you have worked in the business and I haven't...

 

[zerocool84]

I personally don't like JVC headunits cus they lack many basic front buttons. They are good for the price but to change radio stations is a pain on the unit cus there's no front number buttons like on most headunits so I went Kenwood.

 

[rudeguy]

I personally don't like JVC headunits cus they lack many basic front buttons. They are good for the price but to change radio stations is a pain on the unit cus there's no front number buttons like on most headunits so I went Kenwood.

Car stereos have radios? :hmm:

I only mentioned JVC because he wanted something reasonable with USB. I think Kenwood is still making some decks with rear USB. I'm not sure how well a front USB would work for his needs...

 

[jtusa]

I just got a Pioneer Premier deck and I love it. The DEH-P710BT to be exact. It has 2 USB ports, Aux input, built-in bluetooth w/ mic, iPod control, plus all the standard features you'd expect from a headunit. Bought it for under $300 through Amazon.

 

[hanoverphist]

Car stereos have radios? :hmm:

I only mentioned JVC because he wanted something reasonable with USB. I think Kenwood is still making some decks with rear USB. I'm not sure how well a front USB would work for his needs...

the front usb works fine on kenwoods, i have an older 432 unit. i can put a thumb drive with mp3s in there and listen to them, but without any real control over the track that is playing. it is meant for ipod control primarily, and mine is old enough to not support the itouch. as far as the quality, i have an alpine in my cadillac, had jvc in my impala and have a kenwood in my truck. they all sound good. the shop i use is owned by a good friend of mine, and he sells primarily kenwood with jvc in second. he recommends the kenwoods overall tho.

one thing i hate about it is not having a one touch button to see what station/ track im listening to, then pops back to the time. thats annoying.