I want to change my head unit so I can play tracks direct from a usb dongle, sick of losing or damaging CDs. I want the display to be green so that it matches the rest of the dash. I have narrowed it down to thhe following but can't make up my mind which would be best as I'm no expert, can anyone offer some advice from the technical details of the following...

Pioneer DEH-22200UB - http://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/product_m-pioneer-deh-2220ub_p-25781.htm

JVC KD-R412 - http://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/product_m-jvc-kd-r412_p-25908.htm

JVC KD-R511 - http://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/product_m-jvc-kd-r511_p-25921.htm

Kenwood KDC-4047UG - http://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/product_m-kenwood-kdc-4047ug_p-26340.htm

Personally I think the Pioneer or the Kenwood look best, but I am leaning towards the JVC R511 in terms of I "think" it will be the better unit.

Any advice appreciated

I'd spend a lil more and go for this one My link Not being funny but the others look really cheap with the aux in hole in the front. Had an alpine years ago and it impressed me

But that unit has slighlty less power, and the ipod/bluetooth features that I wont be interested in.

I would suggest going into a store and having a play with the units, that way you can see and use them in the flesh, and should make your mind up pretty fast.

Don't just look at the max power the stereo pumps out, you also need to look at the rms out put which is what the stereo will happily sit at without distorsion.

Are you changing your speakers aswell??

I would suggest going into a store and having a play with the units, that way you can see and use them in the flesh, and should make your mind up pretty fast.

Yeah thats the problem with online shopping. Think I'll go check some out though as you say, and make sure they have features I want eg shuffle option.

Don't just look at the max power the stereo pumps out, you also need to look at the rms out put which is what the stereo will happily sit at without distorsion.

Are you changing your speakers aswell??

I will be looking to change the speakers next year. My wife's getting me a headunit for Chrismas, my birthday's in April so will be asking for speakers then. Def changing the fronts, will look into the rears too, but not sure on how easy they will be, or if even worth it.

Geez, just googled rms. What a can of worms that's opened lol. I just want to have a decent stereo in the car that I can turn up reasonably loud without it distorting, but not looking to go mental and entertain the whole street!

I used to have mine in my Bora before the Furb, (Dual illumination Red and Green )

I think it really suits the Fabia Dash. USB on the front and compatible with formats

MP3, WMA, AAC, and ATRAC it also plays MP3 discs although I use a 8GB mini USB stick

most of the time. It also fully supports my little Sony MP3 walkman

It's a Sony Xplod CDX GT1616U and is probably quite old now but somewhere might have 1 in stock.

Got mine from Argos The Grey Front is almost a perfect match for the dash and the green illum is spot on.

I'm like you, I just want better sound quality without making my numberplate buzz.

The CD player itself has excellent sound quality on this unit.

EDIT... I just noticed where your links were. I just bought a stereo from there yesterday on behalf

of a mate without Paypal. It was in my hand in under 24hours from ordering on their ebay shop.

Got to say, I was impressed by their prices in general and very impressed by their service.

Edited 28 October, 201015 yr by grr666

Well funnily enough this is the one I was originally looking at http://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/product_m-sony-cdx-gt434u_p-24116.htm which looks very similar to yours.

So Sony stereos are ok then? I have always been impressed with them as a brand but when it comes to headunits then Pioneer, Alpine, Kenwood, JVC always spring to mind hence looking at alternatives.

Bit of a coincidence you have current experience of the company I'm looking at. yeah their prices seem to be the best, will check out their ebay shop

Edit: whats that "thing" under yours, some kind of drawer? If so then I want one!!

Edited 28 October, 201015 yr by saint1d

I have nowt bad to say about sony stereos what so ever had two (both got nicked :( ) They are brill was running a 1200w amp for the sub and a 600w amp for the speakers. No distorsion and were really reliable. Changed to a kenwood after the second one got nicked and it didn't sound right.

So Sony stereos are ok then? I have always been impressed with them as a brand but when it comes to headunits then Pioneer, Alpine, Kenwood, JVC always spring to mind hence looking at alternatives.

Bit of a coincidence you have current experience of the company I'm looking at. yeah their prices seem to be the best, will check out their ebay shop

Edit: whats that "thing" under yours, some kind of drawer? If so then I want one!!

My mate has an 02plate 3 litre A4 Quattro and his factory HU has given up the ghost.

He suffers from extreme techno fear and has asked me to source and fit some new ICE

on his behalf. I'm putting one of these in his car-----> http://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/reviews_m-sony-cdx-gt33u_p-25204.htm

I've had two Sony Stereos over the years, the one you linked looks like a newer version of mine.

Based on my experience I'd say go for it. I originally bought a Sony to be compatible with my Sony MP3

player but I'm not sure I'd but any other brand anymore, nothing but good reports here.

The drawer is from the Elegance Fabia I believe, you can get one from the main dealer for around £35

no part number I'm afraid. While you are in there you'll need a facia adaptor too. That's the strip that

runs above my Sony in the pic. They are about £3.50 or so. Makes up for the difference in size of the

front of the OE stereo to a standard DIN E one.

As for the supplier, they seem to have a halloween sale on at the moment, I actually paid more than the

price in my link on their ebay store.

I'm going to get the Sony one, and want one of those drawers too.

Is the headunit just plug and play?

How easy is the drawer install?

Found you a part number for the drawer 6Y0 858 332 47H (Onyx) 

It just sort of clips into position if I recall.

My sony was plug and play but the red and yellow wires needed switching

around when it was first fitted to a vag car (My bora) there are usually bullet

connections built into the aftermarket stereos loom to facilitate this.

I fitted mine slightly proud to allow for the curved dash.

Its a bit tight behind there when you have the drawer installed

as its mechanism takes up more space than the original shelf.

Tempted by a Parrot? Good SQ and full of features.

I have a brand new one for sale if you're interested:

Link

Steve

Just had the Pioneer delivered yesterday

The price of the Sony unit went up to £95 so figured a £30 saving for the Pioneer made sense, all I want is for it to play from a usb and to look good. Have to say that it looks great in the flesh and I cant wait to get it installed.

Ordered my usb, 16gb Lexar Echo ZE, it's so small, but a little pricey at £26. Would rather pay a little more for a decent brand rather than a £5 item from Hong Kong.

Edited 12 November, 201015 yr by saint1d