car stereo advice

[BehindBlueI's]

Eff it, PF has an expert on everything else.

I'm strongly considering upgrading the stereo in my truck. I want to be able to use Amazon Music without having to touch my phone every time I get in the truck, to use voice commands through the stereo, and display navigation from my phone. I'd really prefer android auto wireless.

I do not care about built in nav, I prefer the cell based ones.

I'd like a small amp for the door speakers and maybe a 10" sub under the rear seat.

I don't have steering wheel controls, and while I have XM capability I haven't used it in years

So what's good? Who's the tits for head units these days? Pioneer?

[TOTS]

Year, make, model of truck? What look do you want, single din or permanent touch screen? From the info you have already given, I’m not thinking you care too much for CD capability or other outdated stuff. So, id look at media players that stream and Bluetooth. My next question would be are you an audiophile or not. If not, no need to go outside rack grade DACs, etc. I don’t think you can go wrong with Alpine products and would go with something like this as a minimum.

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_500ILXW650/Alpine-iLX-W650.html?tp=72381

For amplifier choices, the easy buttons are the Kicker Key lineups or Audiocontrol, with a nod towards the Keys for ease of setup and the fact they come with self tuning digital sound processing.

https://kicker.com/key-amplifiers

https://www.audiocontrol.com/car-audio/power-amplifiers/d-51300/

For head units, Kenwood and Eclipse are other brands I’ve had good luck with. JL Audio is best in business for amps and speakers (buying one of their amplified boxes is a great way to add bass) with a myriad of other good brands. Budget and features would dictate the exact components.

If you want to stay factory, adding amps etc would be easy with aftermarket parts but the phone integration on older vehicles is only easy by going with an aftermarket head unit.

[Simong]

Look at Sony XAVAX7000, Apple car play & android, NOT wireless, has a built-in real powerful 100x4 4 Ch amplifier, (45 RMSx4)

Very clean sound with 5-Volt and 3 RCA outputs, Dual USB, camera input.

https://www.crutchfield.com/S-JotW84tF1fw/p_158XAV7000/Sony-XAV-AX7000.html?XVINQ=GW3&XVVer=4W8&awcp=&awcr=388550829308&awdv=c&awkw=sony%20xav%20ax7000&awmt=p&awnw=g&awug=9004330&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIt5--uZmw9AIVQrGGCh1K5gBcEAAYAiAAEgKtr_D_BwE

Simong.

[dogcaller]

I suggest calling the friendly folks at Crutchfield. They are very knowledgeable, but they don’t brag about it—very approachable.

[donlapalma]

I suggest calling the friendly folks at Crutchfield. They are very knowledgeable, but they don’t brag about it—very approachable.Excellent suggestion. My experience has always been good and the folks who you will talk to have actual technical knowledge.

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

[BehindBlueI's]

Year, make, model of truck?

2012 Ram 1500, it's a double DIN opening. Maybe something like this: https://www.bestbuy.com/site/pioneer-6-8-amazon-alexa-built-in-android-auto-apple-carplay-bluetooth-multimedia-digital-media-receiver-black/6401083.p?skuId=6401083


I suggest calling the friendly folks at Crutchfield. They are very knowledgeable, but they don’t brag about it—very approachable.

...and also out of a *lot* of stock at the moment. I started there.


Look at Sony XAVAX7000, Apple car play & android, NOT wireless, has a built-in real powerful 100x4 4 Ch amplifier, (45 RMSx4)


I want wireless.

[LittleLebowski]

I suggest calling the friendly folks at Crutchfield. They are very knowledgeable, but they don’t brag about it—very approachable.

Edit, never mind, it’s all off of Long Beach apparently.

[Simong]

Remember your phone won't be charging with a wireless unit, using Waze or similar APP in wireless mode usually causes fast battery discharge.

At least with Pioneer most if not all new wireless units are bigger than normal double din size units and you will need a harder to get install kit.

Good luck finding something quality today.

Look online for MESA dealers they have the best access in the industry to quality headunits.

Simong.

[SD]

It had been a minute but have had two systems using this company, very happy.


https://soundstream.com/car-audio/

[TOTS]

Yes; if you like that product it seems to have what I’m looking for. Bluetooth connectivity, multiple preamp outs for the amps, and Android play. The above mention about battery drain is correct, but the receiver you are looking at has usb charging so it’s available if you need it. I second at least talking to the guys at Crutchfield. You can tell them you’re planning a build. They’ll understand why you aren’t purchasing from them; nothing in stock!

[paherne]

Sell your used RAM for ridiculous money and order a new RAM with all of the tech. Seriously, the used truck market is insane, locally. Used trucks are selling for more than new. Might be a good time to upgrade.

[BehindBlueI's]

Sell your used RAM for ridiculous money and order a new RAM with all of the tech. Seriously, the used truck market is insane, locally. Used trucks are selling for more than new. Might be a good time to upgrade.

Oh, it's nuts here as well but I really like my truck. It's barely over 70k miles, is exactly how I ordered it. I prefer the aesthetics of the 4th gen to the current trucks as well. Add in I have a lifetime bumper to bumper warranty with a $100 deductible that is no longer available and it's pretty hard for me to let go of mine. The closest I came was a dealership is offering TRX trucks for $5k under MSRP and if I sold my truck and my Camaro I'd be right at the point I could pay cash for one by draining my 'next car fund', but while the TRX looks super fun I just can't justify one and I don't want to get rid of my Camaro, either.

[BehindBlueI's]

Remember your phone won't be charging with a wireless unit, using Waze or similar APP in wireless mode usually causes fast battery discharge.


Sure. I use bluetooth now and that's not charging it, either, but it's not nearly as handy as Android Auto. If I am on a long trip I just plug it in to a charging cable.

I want wireless.

[farscott]

The Sony XAVAX1000 may fit the bill and BestBuy has stock at https://www.bestbuy.com/site/sony-6-2-apple-carplay-built-in-bluetooth-in-dash-digital-media-receiver-black/6283607.p?skuId=6283607

[paherne]

Oh, it's nuts here as well but I really like my truck. It's barely over 70k miles, is exactly how I ordered it. I prefer the aesthetics of the 4th gen to the current trucks as well. Add in I have a lifetime bumper to bumper warranty with a $100 deductible that is no longer available and it's pretty hard for me to let go of mine. The closest I came was a dealership is offering TRX trucks for $5k under MSRP and if I sold my truck and my Camaro I'd be right at the point I could pay cash for one by draining my 'next car fund', but while the TRX looks super fun I just can't justify one and I don't want to get rid of my Camaro, either.

You don't have a hair on your ass if you don't go all in, baller, for the TRX. Remember, after the next real estate crash, Camaros will be cheap.