Questions about buying a new stereo and what I need

[pete6032]

I want to replace the stock stereo in my civic with one that will allow me to play music from my android phone. I know there are several ways to connect but I don't understand them all.

I know you can connect via Aux input or via Bluetooth, but now there are stereos out there with USB ports on them. Why would I want to connect via USB rather than bluetooth or Aux input?

Also I know that everyone really likes buying from crutchfield, but some of the radios I'm seeing are much cheaper elsewhere. Crutchfield says they include all these awesome extras - installation gear and "custom" installation instructions.

Will I need these things or can I buy from a cheaper seller like Amazon without a problem?

$110 Crutchfield
$97 Ebay

 

[nerp]

Direct USB has better sound quality (I'm pretty sure) and you can charge at the same time you play music. On many cars it also enables album art, track descriptions, voice control and more.

 

[Kaido]

So you basically have 3 input options:

1. Bluetooth
2. USB Direct (also charges the phone)
3. AUX jack (headphone-style jack)

The USB is only really useful if you want to charge your phone, but most people already have chargers in their cars, or have relocated USB ports that allow for easier input (my '13 Civic has a USB port in the center console for charging & audio). Otherwise you have to have a USB cord hanging off the front of your dash instead of hidden away somewhere.

However, I don't like controlling the audio through the USB port, it's too much of a pain in the neck for how I use audio off my cell phone. I prefer Bluetooth, which also ties into my steering wheel controls. So if I want to do MOG or a podcast (apps on my iPhone), I can set it up on the onscreen controls on the phone before I leave the parking lot and then control it via the steering wheel controls. The Bluetooth wireless via A2DP and a lot of them have a mic for voice calling too. If you don't need a CD player, you might want to look at DMR's or "Digital Music Receivers" which only have Bluetooth/USB/Memory card instead of a CD slot - a lot of them are only $99 or so and have tons of features.

You typically need:

1. Stereo receiver
2. Dash insert
3. Wire kit

Unless your car has a standard-size stereo, you need the plastic faceplate surround. Crutchfield will tell you what you need for your year/make/model car. The wire kit interfaces the new stereo to your existing car wires, so it's basically a plug with wires that you crimp into the new stereo. You can buy the tool online. Crutchfield is nice because they give you all the extras for a reasonable price. So basically, you wire the kit onto your stereo, remove the old stereo, put the new one in (with dash insert if necessary) and plug in the wire adapter plug and radio antenna. Make sure to read the instructions about what to do with your car battery, what do to with your car alarm, etc. during installation.

 

[olds]

Crutchfield includes all adapters (mount or wiring) and instructions that you need for the car. Amazon doesn't.

 

[deadken]

I recently changed over to an Alpine HU from a cheaper Sony HU. They both have USB ports. I don't notice any sort of loss of sound quality between the Bluetooth and the USB plug. Having said that, I find that the USB port is GREAT for using a flash drive with your music, rather than plugging your phone into it. I can't get my new phone to charge (or connect) via the Alpine USB port right now (I haven't messed with it too much). I do get a screen on my phone (Nexus 4) that asks what kind of connection I want to make, but the radio never makes the connection and eventually 'times-out' and displays a error message. I really need to try to connect to my old phone (Samsung Exhibit 4G) and see how that works. That will let me determine where the problem is (radio or phone).

Crutchfield has great customer support, includes the adapters, and is guaranteed to give you a factory warranty. Some of the sellers at places like Amazon aren't 'authorized resellers' so you don't get a warranty. My rule of thumb is, if the savings are almost %50, then I'll buy elsewhere. I bought my Infinity speakers from Amazon, but only because I could replace them again if one failed and still be near the original Crutchfield price (so the warranty didn't matter any more).

Ohh, I just saw your links now. Let me tell you that I don't suggest buying such an inexpensive car stereo. The reason I changed out the Sony for the Alpine was because I should have spent more money the first time around. I bought a Sony with 2 Sony 'Xplode' speakers. After installing it, it sounded 'okay'. So, I bought Infinity front speakers. It sounded better, so I then bought a 4 channel amp and Infinity rear speakers. It sounded great, but was lacking bass. So, I bought a Sub-woofer, Mono amp, and Alpine HU. Now the system sounds AWESOME. It connects to my phone almost as fast as I can get in and start the car. I can control the music from the HU or the phone (VERY important if you live in a State where using your phone (even as a music player) can get you a ticket)!

Take a look at this Alpine:
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_500CDE147B/Alpine-CDE-147BT.html#details-tab
While it is almost twice the price from Crutchfield, it is a much better stereo. It features 6 Pre-amp outputs (vs. 4 from the Sony you picked). I think you are likely to want to upgrade the stereo system more as time goes by (like I learned). Not having 6 outputs could limit your choices later. The Alpine also has 4 Volt preamp outputs (vs. 2volt from the Sony). Simply put, having 4 volts gives the amp a better signal to amplify, because, amplifying crap just gives you more crap. As an added benefit, the Alpine will have a bit of resale value. I don't think the Sony will hold up nearly as well. As a bonus, you get a 8GB free flash drive from Crutchfield. You might very well find you don't use your phone nearly as much, once you start playing songs from the flash drive. Just be sure to set the stereo to 'random' play the music. In the beginning, my stereo would always play the songs in the same order. Then I learned that you have to select 'random' play....

EDIT: I should mention that a co-worker had problems when he was installing an amp that he bought from Crutchfield. On a weekend, he called the free tech support and they walked him through the problem. Just another thing to consider.