". ." (xllx)
02/05/2014 at 18:00 • Filed to: advice
0
17|
". ." (xllx)
02/05/2014 at 18:00 • Filed to: advice | 0
| 17 |
Recently I've been thinking about getting a new head unit for my CLK.
Currently, I have a Blaupunkt New York RDM 127, and it's okay. The display is slightly shot (the number of missing lines depends on the temperature, currently it's only missing one, while during summer it gets worse), but readable and I managed to get used to its slightly mental interface. I also kinda like the look of it. I mean, it's ugly, but it's not vulgar and fits the car quite well. I think the original owner delibarately checked the radio delete option to fit this (extremely expensive in the 90's) head unit. Unfortunetaly, I don't have the extra equipment this radio should come with. I never got the mic that helps it adjust to the acoustics of each car or the remote you can put on your steering wheel, not to mention the optional GPS module (which would be useless anyway).
My biggest problem with this head unit is that I've never been able to adjust the sound to fully utilise my car's speaker setup. While the sound is pretty nicely detailed (especially for a late 90's 8 speaker setup), the base is somewhat lacking unless I really crank up the volume. While I'm far from a bass junkie, and I've been able to find a good settings for the kinds of music I usually listen to (classic heavy metal, rock, country), I'd kinda like to have an option to get more bass if I ever need it. The decent thump I get at high volume levels tells me that my car could potentially do that. The sound I currently get slightly reminds me of Creative GigaWorks T40 speakers.
Being able to pair my phone with a head unit for some Spotify goodness would also be nice.
My main issue with modern head units is how absolutely awful they look. They're all horrible, garish things, often with silver accents, flashy displays and other rubbish I will not allow in my car. Even modern Blaupunkts, while quite understated are far more jarring than what I already have. I just can't bring myself to ruin the cabin of my car with some piece of tat that looks like it's been designed for 9 year olds.
So, here are my questions:
1. Am I right to suspect that I may be able to extract more from my car's factory sound system by fitting a different head unit?
2. If so, are there any decent and well priced modern head units that would match the tasteful walnut/black leather interior of my CLK?
3. If I decide to get a new radio, what should I do with my Blaupunkt?
KB Garage
> . .
02/05/2014 at 18:08 |
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Depends if the factory amplifier is built into that head unit or if it's external.
What about a touchscreen with no buttons or knobs?
Craigslist?
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> KB Garage
02/05/2014 at 18:11 |
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1. No idea, I know little about car audio.
2. Nope. It'd probably be more expensive than it needs to be, I wouldn't use any of the functions, touchscreen radios are horrible to operate while driving, and I'm not sure about the look of it either.
3. Craigslist isn't a thing where I live. I could put it up on eBay, but I doubt it'd be worth the effort. It's just an old radio after all.
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KB Garage
> . .
02/05/2014 at 18:14 |
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My old one was $399 US, but if it's not your thing, then I understand. What about hunting a factory upgraded unit just like the one you have?
Boat anchor.
Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
> . .
02/05/2014 at 18:15 |
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Then shop around.
duurtlang
> . .
02/05/2014 at 18:18 |
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Personally I'd probably get something like this . Simple design, all the tech I need. I don't know if this one is acoustically sound though.
chicagoE36
> . .
02/05/2014 at 18:40 |
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Good luck with your search. I have yet to find anything decent looking myself, so I still have the stock head unit in mine and just play music from my iphone via a cheap adapter thingy that plugs into the cassette slot.
beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard
> . .
02/05/2014 at 18:40 |
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god it took me months to find an affordable and attractive head-unit.
I found the double-DIN units to be more attractive but prohibitively expensive.
the Blaupunkt New York 830 is probably the most attractive head unit for sale under $1000 at the moment.
offroadkarter
> . .
02/05/2014 at 19:05 |
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Is this where you put Pokémon Red into the game slot?
If you get a good headunit with a good internal amp, yes you can get more out of your factory audio. It looks like if you pulled the CD changer you would have a double din slot, so I would suggest getting a double din unit which IMO looks much nicer than a single din unit.
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> offroadkarter
02/05/2014 at 19:08 |
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Almost. It's for one of those:
And yup, I have the space for a double din, it's just that I don't think I need one.
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offroadkarter
> . .
02/05/2014 at 19:11 |
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What the hell does that do! haha
A double din sat nav unit looks way nicer, because they dont' cram as many buttons on it. I have a pioneer X930BT in my car and it makes it feel way more modern.
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> offroadkarter
02/05/2014 at 19:13 |
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You can lock the head unit by taking that keycard with you. It won't work unless you have it in.
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offroadkarter
> . .
02/05/2014 at 19:16 |
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That was going to be my next guess, right after hotel door key card.
This is the 1 model newer version of what I have in my car
http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-AVIC-X…
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
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> offroadkarter
02/05/2014 at 19:18 |
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I'm not sure I want something big and modern. Since I would never use most of the function on a unit like this, and I'm not fond of touchscreen interfaces I think I'd rather go for a nice, understated single-din, as long as it has Bluetooth.
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offroadkarter
> . .
02/05/2014 at 19:42 |
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Problem is I haven't seen a simple single din in a very long time. I'm partial to alpine single dins but I know for some people they are to busy. Nobody makes a clean one anymore.
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> offroadkarter
02/05/2014 at 19:47 |
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I've been kinda thinking about one of those .
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
They're not the classiest, but far from the most jarring.
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offroadkarter
> . .
02/05/2014 at 19:49 |
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that looks pretty good to me
Reigntastic
> . .
02/05/2014 at 19:59 |
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Kenwood DNX9140, if I'm not mistaken.