Aftermarket receivers

[cameo]

A female neighbor of mine wants me to install an after-market receiver
in her '94 Accord EX, mainly because she wants one that can play CDs,
instead of casette tapes. Crutchfield's carries a bunch of models that
would satisfy that spec but I would like to get her one that has a few
other features as well that the old factory model lacks. Such as HD
AM/FM radio, USB and aux inputs, as long as the cost is under $150.

I found 3 models on the Crutchfield site that fit the bill and I wonder
if any of you happen to use one of them and could give me a feedback.
I'm kinda' undecided on which one I should get. One thing the reviews
don't talk much about is the simplicity of handling the controls. I
found from my own experience that they can be pretty complex and hard to
remember.

Here are the 3 models I am looking at right now:

Kenwood KDC-HD552U,
Kenwood Excelon KDC-X596,
and Pioneer DEH-X5500HD.

[Patty Winter]

I've been browsing the Crutchfield site myself recently, in
preparation for buying a navigation receiver for my upcoming
Outback. So 'fraid I can't help you with those specific models,
but I am curious what HD channels your friend wants to receive.
Are there some good ones in your area?


Patty

[JRStern]

On Fri, 18 Jan 2013 20:20:53 -0800, cameo <ca...@unreal.invalid>
wrote:

I remember CDs, they were kind of like floppy disks, right?

J.

[cameo]

On 1/19/2013 8:46 AM, JRStern wrote:
> I remember CDs, they were kind of like floppy disks, right?
>

I know, and I even mentioned that CDs are almost gone to the same grave
yard as the tape casettes, but she insisted on it. She is retired and
probably has some devotional stuff on those CDs, because she is very
religious. But, just in case she finds out about USB thumb drives, I
figured I might as well future-proof her so she won't bug me with an
upgrade again.

[cameo]

There are several FM HD stations in the Seattle metro area which I can
receive well. I think there also are some AM HD broadcasts, but I don't
remember receiving one yet. One must be pretty close to the broadcast
tower for that, I guess.

[Patty Winter]

Okay, I was just wondering why your friend was so concerned about
getting an HD-capable receiver. She didn't say?


Patty

[cameo]

On 1/22/2013 5:06 PM, Patty Winter wrote:
> Okay, I was just wondering why your friend was so concerned about
> getting an HD-capable receiver. She didn't say?

You did not read well my original post about that. I was the one to
suggest HD radio as a way to future-proof her.

[SMS]

I would look for one that also has Bluetooth. Something like the JVC
KD-HDR71BT (not at Crutchfield (out of stock) but it got good reviews
when Crutchfield had it and it is still available elsewhere for $155
<www.amazon.com/dp/B0079LGMJQ>). I think the JVC unit is last year's model.

The least expensive full-featured unit at Crutchfield is the Alpine
CDE-HD137BT for $180, so with the Crutchfield coupon code of 3A745 it
would be $170.

You definitely don't want to buy anything that lacks HD Radio, it's the
future of radio and the extra content is terrific if you like genres
that the main analog stations deem to be not as profitable as top 40. In
my area (the San Francisco Bay Area) the extra content on HD Radio
almost makes it a requirement if you want to listen to jazz, classical,
or oldies. Almost no one would buy a new car without HD Radio these
days, and for a 1994 Accord, having HD Radio would probably double the
resale value!

The built in Bluetooth is very nice to have especially in states that
require hands free for cell phones. But it's also really nice for
streaming music from a phone or iPod touch. Worth going $5 to $20 over
the $150 limit, IMVAIO.

The USB input is great as well, you don't have to carry all those CDs
around, just rip them to MP3 files and put them on a USB stick.

One thing I've noticed in some after-market receivers is that when you
use the AUX input with a cell phone that is charging from the car's
electrical system you get an induced hum that you don't get when you're
streaming over Bluetooth.

There is definitely a learning curve to these fully featured models with
so many functions.

[SMS]

On 1/19/2013 8:46 AM, JRStern wrote:

> I remember CDs, they were kind of like floppy disks, right?

I read about them in a history book, but they're hard for me to picture.

[SMS]

AM HD doesn't have additional sub-channels, the main channel just sounds
better (or at least different, I love FM HD but don't care for AM HD).

[SMS]

On 1/23/2013 8:25 AM, SMS wrote:

<snip>

> I would look for one that also has Bluetooth. Something like the JVC
> KD-HDR71BT (not at Crutchfield (out of stock) but it got good reviews
> when Crutchfield had it and it is still available elsewhere for $155
> <www.amazon.com/dp/B0079LGMJQ>). I think the JVC unit is last year's model.

Don't know where you are located, but Fry's sells the JVC KD-HDR71BT for
$159.

Still, since Crutchfield includes the install kit, and doesn't collect
sales tax, I think the Alpine CDE-HD137BT for $170 (with the $10 off
coupon code 3A745 is a better deal.

[cameo]

On 1/23/2013 8:29 AM, SMS wrote:
> AM HD doesn't have additional sub-channels, the main channel just sounds
> better (or at least different, I love FM HD but don't care for AM HD).

Yes, but doesn't AM HD also display the station name, too, and the
program being broadcast? It just looks so much cooler than just seeing
the frequency display.

[cameo]

On 1/23/2013 8:25 AM, SMS wrote:

> I would look for one that also has Bluetooth. Something like the JVC
> KD-HDR71BT (not at Crutchfield (out of stock) but it got good reviews
> when Crutchfield had it and it is still available elsewhere for $155
> <www.amazon.com/dp/B0079LGMJQ>). I think the JVC unit is last year's model.
>
> The least expensive full-featured unit at Crutchfield is the Alpine
> CDE-HD137BT for $180, so with the Crutchfield coupon code of 3A745 it
> would be $170.

Thanks for the tip. I'll ask her how much money she is willing to spend
on it.

> You definitely don't want to buy anything that lacks HD Radio, it's the
> future of radio and the extra content is terrific if you like genres
> that the main analog stations deem to be not as profitable as top 40. In
> my area (the San Francisco Bay Area) the extra content on HD Radio
> almost makes it a requirement if you want to listen to jazz, classical,
> or oldies. Almost no one would buy a new car without HD Radio these
> days, and for a 1994 Accord, having HD Radio would probably double the
> resale value!

That was my thinking, too, when I installed a receiver in my '94 LX a
few years ago. It was a Dual brand which is not that great,
unfortunately. Crutchfield doesn't even carry it any longer as I can tell.

> The built in Bluetooth is very nice to have especially in states that
> require hands free for cell phones. But it's also really nice for
> streaming music from a phone or iPod touch. Worth going $5 to $20 over
> the $150 limit, IMVAIO.
>
> The USB input is great as well, you don't have to carry all those CDs
> around, just rip them to MP3 files and put them on a USB stick.

I am with you on that one, too.

> One thing I've noticed in some after-market receivers is that when you
> use the AUX input with a cell phone that is charging from the car's
> electrical system you get an induced hum that you don't get when you're
> streaming over Bluetooth.

Hm ... Interesting.

> There is definitely a learning curve to these fully featured models with
> so many functions.

I agree and those preset buttons tend to be pretty samll, too.

As to your suggestion about Fry's or even Amazon, I don't think they
carry the kind of easy install kits specific to the car model, as
Crutchfield. I could not install it without such a kit. Especially the
wire harness adapter. But there is a Fry's store about 8 miles from me.

BTW, one thing I really don't like about my own Dual brand radio is that
it is only illuminated when you turn the radio on. I like the way the
factory radio did it: its display illuminated when you turned on the
car's lights, even if the radio was off. Any of these after-market
receivers behave like that?

[SMS]

On 1/23/2013 9:12 PM, cameo wrote:

> That was my thinking, too, when I installed a receiver in my '94 LX a
> few years ago. It was a Dual brand which is not that great,
> unfortunately. Crutchfield doesn't even carry it any longer as I can tell.

I have two Dual XHD7714 receivers in two of our older vehicles. They're
not the best, but they sound fine to me, and I think the HD-FM sounds
really good (though reception of HD stations is spotty sometimes). The
Bluetooth phone function isn't that great because the microphone is
built into the receiver so the placement is sub-optimal.

> As to your suggestion about Fry's or even Amazon, I don't think they
> carry the kind of easy install kits specific to the car model, as
> Crutchfield. I could not install it without such a kit. Especially the
> wire harness adapter. But there is a Fry's store about 8 miles from me.

Actually Fry's does sell quite a few harnesses (at least the stores near
me), but they are not cheap. Even Walmart sells some harnesses
<http://www.walmart.com/ip/Scosche-86-07-ACURA-HONDA-Car-Stereo-Connector/1863071>.
It's rather amazing to me that their is still such a market for
aftermarket car receivers. I guess it's because people are keeping their
vehicles a lot longer.

> BTW, one thing I really don't like about my own Dual brand radio is that
> it is only illuminated when you turn the radio on. I like the way the
> factory radio did it: its display illuminated when you turned on the
> car's lights, even if the radio was off. Any of these after-market
> receivers behave like that?

Good question, but I don't know.

One other annoyance I found with the Dual receivers is that they put up
the power antenna even when playing a CD or using USB or AUX. The stock
Toyota radio was smart enough to not raise the antenna unless the radio
was being used.

[cameo]

On 1/24/2013 5:00 AM, SMS wrote:
> I have two Dual XHD7714 receivers in two of our older vehicles. They're
> not the best, but they sound fine to me, and I think the HD-FM sounds
> really good (though reception of HD stations is spotty sometimes). The
> Bluetooth phone function isn't that great because the microphone is
> built into the receiver so the placement is sub-optimal.

I have the Dual XHD6425 model and find its speaker volume not as great
as the original factory model. This model only has the BT option in it,
with an extra accessory providing the actual BT feature that I did not get.

> Actually Fry's does sell quite a few harnesses (at least the stores near
> me), but they are not cheap. Even Walmart sells some harnesses
> <http://www.walmart.com/ip/Scosche-86-07-ACURA-HONDA-Car-Stereo-Connector/1863071>.
> It's rather amazing to me that their is still such a market for
> aftermarket car receivers. I guess it's because people are keeping their
> vehicles a lot longer.

That's a surprise to me. Do those adapter kits include not only the
harness adapter, but the entire, car-specific install kit? Such as the
mounting brackets, face plate and the pocktets under the radio, just
like what Crutchfield includes?

>> BTW, one thing I really don't like about my own Dual brand radio is that
>> it is only illuminated when you turn the radio on. I like the way the
>> factory radio did it: its display illuminated when you turned on the
>> car's lights, even if the radio was off. Any of these after-market
>> receivers behave like that?
>
> Good question, but I don't know.
>
> One other annoyance I found with the Dual receivers is that they put up
> the power antenna even when playing a CD or using USB or AUX. The stock
> Toyota radio was smart enough to not raise the antenna unless the radio
> was being used.

Actually, even the factory radio raised the antenna if you just used the
casette player, so there is no difference that way. That feature is
built into the factory harness. My biggest problem was in freezing
winter temps when the antenna-moving plastic ribbon tended to freeze due
to the moisture that got in there and then when the servo motor was
trying to force the antenna up or down, it would break that ribbon and
thus ruin the antenna. So after the last such incident and replacement
of the antenna, I hacked into the radio wire harness and added a toggle
switch that can prevent the radio moving the antenna. This way I don't
have to worry about ruining it in winter time again and I still can use
the radio with my favorite FM stations, as they don't seem to need the
antenna as much as AM.

[SMS]

On 1/24/2013 11:52 AM, cameo wrote:

> That's a surprise to me. Do those adapter kits include not only the
> harness adapter, but the entire, car-specific install kit? Such as the
> mounting brackets, face plate and the pocktets under the radio, just
> like what Crutchfield includes?

No.

[cameo]

That settles it for me then.

[Patty Winter]

Plus Crutchfield has such great customer service, both before and
after the sale.


Patty

[Seth]

"Patty Winter" <pat...@wintertime.com> wrote in message
news:5102e684$0$80114$742e...@news.sonic.net...

Yes!

Pretty much anyplace that sell aftermarket car stereos also sells the
various adapters (mounting, wiring, even streering wheel controls, etc...).
Almost none of them include them with each stereo sale. Crutchfield
includes the mounting kit and wiring harness in each sale. They also
include vehicle specific instructions (dash removal and assembly and
wiring). They have lifetime tech support on the products they sell.

Can you find a stereo a few bucks cheaper elsewhere? Sure can. But if you
need the adapters that difference is eaten up real quickly. The service and
support are of great value too.