head unit suggestion/question

[The Rigger]

Originally Posted by ElementalDragon

Well..... when i change the head unit, i'll probably see if anyone local would be willing to buy it for maybe $200, since it's the Radio 10 after all.

Ummmm, look around here and on eBay. People are generally lucky to get $50 for a Radio 10. The market is glutted. Sorry... You'd be better off hanging on to it; in case you ever sell your car you can re-install it and keep the high-zoot system you're designing now.

FWIW, I chose your second path for my car; a dedicated "music" head unit (Pioneer AVH-P4100DVD with the iPod interface) and a separate stand-alone GPS (Garmin 2610 that I've had for a little while already).
No matter how good the electronics may be, if you start stuffing eleventy-seven different functions into one double-DIN box, you have to compromise something somewhere.

To my mind, even if Kenwood does get their nav works from Garmin, it can't be as good as a dedicated unit (and the 2610, albeit discontinued, is a *VERY* good GPS unit, indeed). And I've been a very happy Pioneer user for quite a few years now (I have a DEH-Something-or-other-I-can't-remember-what in my pickup truck), and I'm really looking forward to installing the AVH in my car next week, just in time for the big road-trip, but everyone hears a little bit different. I'm pretty certain, though, that you'd be happier with the sonic quality of a dedicated "music" system than of an all-in-one rig.

p.s. FWIW, I believe the OEM sub gets its feed from both the door speaker circuit *and* the dash-mounted tweeters; it's either left door & right dash or vice-versa that get sent to the sub. In any case, I'm with John: if you're going to the time and expense, dump the OEM box.

[The Rigger]

Originally Posted by ElementalDragon

The only downside to the 5140 that i've seen so far compared to the more high end ones, or to a nice high end standard single-DIN CD player is that it only has a 3-band EQ..... unless i'm missing something there.

I'm not familiar with the unit, but if it's a 3-band parametric EQ, as many 3-banders are, you're not losing anything; in fact, you're getting a better, more flexible equalizer.

[NCC1701]

Well, I like the in dash NAV v.s. the dash tack on. Personal preferences.

About the Radio 10, yeah, you're right about that I guess. I've got one here I would like a home for. I'd probably part with it for the cost of shipping plus $10 token. The trip to the post office and my time in packaging are worth more than that. If nobody wants that deal, I'll dump it in the garbage can.

[smartHHO]

I put in the AVIC -F900BT by Pioneer. I do love it but it had an issue with nav. I found that the North and South of the main freeway here in Austin was backwards. Pioneer did confirm it for me and said it would be fixed in the next map release. I did up grade my speakers to Infinitys, which do sound really good with it and put out the base. I left the under seat woofer and only feel it when I have the base really going. Feels like my seat vibrates. I don't see a reason to pull it just yet unless I go and put in some rear speakers which I don't see in my future just yet. I paid $700 for it and with install kit doing it myself, ran maybe $800.

Good luck.

[jwight]

Originally Posted by NCC1701

Well, I like the in dash NAV v.s. the dash tack on. Personal preferences.

About the Radio 10, yeah, you're right about that I guess. I've got one here I would like a home for. I'd probably part with it for the cost of shipping plus $10 token. The trip to the post office and my time in packaging are worth more than that. If nobody wants that deal, I'll dump it in the garbage can.

Have you posted it in the Marketplace? Doubt if anyone will see a post buried here. If you don't get any interest I'll take it off your hands.

[nonuro]

I have the Kenwood dpx503,it has enough power for the door speakers(Polk 651s) that the Radio 10 didn't have.Installed the underdash sub from 4smartcar with a 2 channel amp under the passenger seat.All together it gets loud enough to make your head hurt and the sub hits hard enough to make your 'inerds move.
Next month the rears go in!

[John_H]

What I found amazing was a system that was so loud your head should hurt. But it didn't. I've never had such all-encompassing sound that felt so "open."

I have true respect for people who can properly tune an audio system.

[ElementalDragon]

Well.... i went with the one at Best Buy.... the DNX5140. didn't need all the stuff the other ones provide, and it was right there. Could have bought one on eBay..... but i like the no interest financing. Now i just gotta wait for the installation kit and such, since i went to the installation part of Best Buy, and asked if they had a kit and such for an '09 Smart Fortwo, and the guy looked at me and said "uuuuuh........ no".

Figured getting it there..... if there's something wrong after i install it, or if something somehow turns up broken..... it's right there.

[NCC1701]

I got some of my stuff from here
Smart Car Audio Upgrades
You'll need a wiring harness, dash kit, and antenna adaptor. I had a bit of a panic when my installation appointment loomed and I realized I hadn't purchased the antenna adaptor. But, I found one at Best Buy. Not on the shelves, but in the store's installation bay. Cost me something like $18 for the adaptor. 4smartcar has one for half that.

Enjoy your new stereo!

[ElementalDragon]

yea.... ordered my stuff from 4smartcar.com too. Was really thinkin about getting the silver dash kit.... cause i think it looks nice, and suits the silver air vents and such just above the radio nicely.... but i figured if i really wanna do that, it'd cost much less than the $35 difference to just paint it myself, which is exactly what they say it is..... painted.