audio set-up for beginners [continued]

[Sleepcare]

Willing to travel in the central MM area :D

JCs, Mickeys, QC area are all fair game.

Also saw sa Pioneer PH website, meron nang AVIC 7302... seems to be a capacitive unit.

Too bad parang hindi pa ata holiday ang Nov2...

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Sorry very late reply galing baksyon

For me yung AVIC parang low-end tignan compared sa AVH 5xxx-8xxx models.

I guess you have already bought/installed?

[artsky]

is it easy to self-install a subwoofer? I have a JBL SB400 at home and ok sakin yung bass ng subwoofer nya. I wonder what would be the equivalent if I were to install one in a car? Not necessarily loud and battery draining, just enough to have that "gapang" bass even at low volumes. To add, I do not want big boxes as we need the trunk space as well. Shall I consider an underseat sub? Thanks.

[Sleepcare]

is it easy to self-install a subwoofer? I have a JBL SB400 at home and ok sakin yung bass ng subwoofer nya. I wonder what would be the equivalent if I were to install one in a car? Not necessarily loud and battery draining, just enough to have that "gapang" bass even at low volumes. To add, I do not want big boxes as we need the trunk space as well. Shall I consider an underseat sub? Thanks.

If you are willing to install it yourself, i don't see any problem pero it would much be better if ipapagawa sa accessories shop/audio place yung wiring.

Sa totoo lang boss, it's better to have the "real" car subwoofer than yung mga ginagamit sa bahay.

Underseat sub is ok but don't expect to perform like your SB400

[mda]

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Sorry very late reply galing baksyon

For me yung AVIC parang low-end tignan compared sa AVH 5xxx-8xxx models.

I guess you have already bought/installed?

Not yet... still collecting loose change for the upgrade haha!

Also considering other capacitive touchscreen models from other manufacturers with android auto etc.

Also am deciding between speakers/tweeters over the stock Head unit. Iba parin kasi ganda ng integrated stock HU dash hehehe.

Morel Maximos + Stock HU or New HU with android auto + Stock Speakers...

[Sleepcare]

Not yet... still collecting loose change for the upgrade haha!

Also considering other capacitive touchscreen models from other manufacturers with android auto etc.

Also am deciding between speakers/tweeters over the stock Head unit. Iba parin kasi ganda ng integrated stock HU dash hehehe.

Morel Maximos + Stock HU or New HU with android auto + Stock Speakers...

Joying comes to mind as an alternative sa mainstream brands as it is also good but i'm not sure if they support android auto.

To be realistic i'll go with the new HU first kasi baka sa upgrade with few tweaks, pwedeng maging better ng konti yung sound with stock speakers.

But really, i'm pretty sure na kapag one way or the other sa option mo, mag-upgrade ka din. Trust me, been there done that.

[mda]

Joying comes to mind as an alternative sa mainstream brands as it is also good but i'm not sure if they support android auto.

To be realistic i'll go with the new HU first kasi baka sa upgrade with few tweaks, pwedeng maging better ng konti yung sound with stock speakers.

But really, i'm pretty sure na kapag one way or the other sa option mo, mag-upgrade ka din. Trust me, been there done that.

Napapangitan lang kasi ako sa interface ng mga aftermarket head units...

1. The touchscreens are resistive, medyo mahirap ioperate lalo while driving plus lack of tactile feedback.
2. Went with an aftermarket HU din on one of our cars that had a sucky stock sound system. Barely noticed the difference. Granted, this was not the reason why we replaced the head unit din in the first place... (nasira yung stock HU).

Okay since we're here na rin...

Can I ask the main difference in head units for the uninformed aside from the screen size and "obvious" features such as car play and android auto?

Let's say I get a Pioneer 295BT... how will this differ compared to say, a Z5050BT?

Is the 5050BT more responsive?

Doing a paper specs comparison between the 295BT, 2050BT and the 5050BT...

Screen:
6.2 vs 6.2 vs 7
The 2050 and 5050 supports:
FLAC audio
MKV and H264 video format
control with some android phones
appradio
mixtrax
autoEQ
advanced sound retriever
time alignment

Sa totoo lang, the last 4 I don't really understand.

Based on a quick O L X check, the prices are:
295BT - 9-12k
2050BT - ~25k
5050BT - ~28k

Based on this, the 2050 is quickly out. It's just a 2k difference between the 2050 and the 5050 for a bigger screen.

Pero how much 'better' is the 5050 compared to the 295?

Re: FLAC audio support... If I play FLAC files over bluetooth from a cellphone, will the head unit support matter? Technically yung phone yung nag pplay ng music diba?

I really don't have any intention for a sub or an amp... I'm not enough of an audio fanatic to do this.

Looking at the Kenwood DDX917 units na rin pala.. parang interesting hehe.

[Sleepcare]

Napapangitan lang kasi ako sa interface ng mga aftermarket head units...

1. The touchscreens are resistive, medyo mahirap ioperate lalo while driving plus lack of tactile feedback.
2. Went with an aftermarket HU din on one of our cars that had a sucky stock sound system. Barely noticed the difference. Granted, this was not the reason why we replaced the head unit din in the first place... (nasira yung stock HU).

Okay since we're here na rin...

Can I ask the main difference in head units for the uninformed aside from the screen size and "obvious" features such as car play and android auto?

Let's say I get a Pioneer 295BT... how will this differ compared to say, a Z5050BT?

Is the 5050BT more responsive?

Doing a paper specs comparison between the 295BT, 2050BT and the 5050BT...

Screen:
6.2 vs 6.2 vs 7
The 2050 and 5050 supports:
FLAC audio
MKV and H264 video format
control with some android phones
appradio
mixtrax
autoEQ
advanced sound retriever
time alignment

Sa totoo lang, the last 4 I don't really understand.

Based on a quick O L X check, the prices are:
295BT - 9-12k
2050BT - ~25k
5050BT - ~28k

Based on this, the 2050 is quickly out. It's just a 2k difference between the 2050 and the 5050 for a bigger screen.

Pero how much 'better' is the 5050 compared to the 295?

Re: FLAC audio support... If I play FLAC files over bluetooth from a cellphone, will the head unit support matter? Technically yung phone yung nag pplay ng music diba?

I really don't have any intention for a sub or an amp... I'm not enough of an audio fanatic to do this.

Looking at the Kenwood DDX917 units na rin pala.. parang interesting hehe.

Boss i'll put my andwered on red. Ganito mga gusto ko na discussion.

Napapangitan lang kasi ako sa interface ng mga aftermarket head units...
You can install “skins” that are fully customizable for android. That’s the beauty of the android system.
1. The touchscreens are resistive, medyo mahirap ioperate lalo while driving plus lack of tactile feedback.

I’m sure yung Joying is ok even if the screen is resistive kasi napansin ko lately sa mga head units na hindi na kailangan diinan yung pag-pindot/operate

2. Went with an aftermarket HU din on one of our cars that had a sucky stock sound system. Barely noticed the difference. Granted, this was not the reason why we replaced the head unit din in the first place... (nasira yung stock HU).

May I know what aftermarket HU it is? Actually case to case basis parin yung ganyan kaya some are still sticking to the mainstream brands just to be safe

Okay since we're here na rin...

Can I ask the main difference in head units for the uninformed aside from the screen size and "obvious" features such as car play and android auto?

Let's say I get a Pioneer 295BT... how will this differ compared to say, a Z5050BT?

You’ll get your money’s worth with the 5050BT. Premium looking talaga ang 5050BT compared sa 295BT and from that palang, you know where your money went already.

Is the 5050BT more responsive?

Yes, very responsive ang 5050BT compared sa 295BT because I believe na upgraded ang internals para makasabay mag-play ng FLAC as it is process intensive.

Doing a paper specs comparison between the 295BT, 2050BT and the 5050BT...

Screen:
6.2 vs 6.2 vs 7
The 2050 and 5050 supports:
FLAC audio
MKV and H264 video format
control with some android phones
appradio
mixtrax
autoEQ
advanced sound retriever
time alignment

Sa totoo lang, the last 4 I don't really understand.

mixtrax – Pioneer feature na non-stop music that makes you feel na nasa bar/club ka
autoEQ – By using the microphone, the head unit analyzes the acoustics ng kotse para maging flat frequency which they (sound experts) say it should be.
advanced sound retriever – boost low and high frequency for compressed audio files
time alignment – this is very important for SQ people as this is used to delay the sound of the speaker.

Based on a quick O L X check, the prices are:
295BT - 9-12k
2050BT - ~25k
5050BT - ~28k

Based on this, the 2050 is quickly out. It's just a 2k difference between the 2050 and the 5050 for a bigger screen.

Pero how much 'better' is the 5050 compared to the 295?

Sa totoo lang, yung 5050 I know that aabot sa 2nd car na pwedeng pag-gamitan unlike the 295 na parang hindi aabot sa 2nd car na pwede ulit gamitin

Re: FLAC audio support... If I play FLAC files over bluetooth from a cellphone, will the head unit support matter? Technically yung phone yung nag pplay ng music diba?

No, if playing from Bluetooth the HU support won't matter

I really don't have any intention for a sub or an amp... I'm not enough of an audio fanatic to do this.

It’s ok kasi some people are also like you na no intentions sa subs/amplifying but head unit upgrade really brings up your driving experience kaya if you’ll notice some car review discusses the head-unit or the ICE (In Car Entertainment) of the car they’re reviewing.

Looking at the Kenwood DDX917 units na rin pala.. parang interesting hehe.

Boss, this is another topic pero open for discussion parin.. Let me know if tutuloy ba natin about Kenwood kasi worth another post ito.

[artsky]

Siguro nga too basic lang yung stock HU nung Vios ko kasi nung kinabitan ng X595BT ang layo ng tunog even when using the stock speakers. Now, I can hear real stereo image siguro dahil sa 13band equalization and the loudness correction and other enhancements.

Just a note to get your unit from an authorized dealer. Yan ang hindi ko natanong agad kaya yung box ng unit ko walang official Pioneer PH warranty, then pag check ko almost same lang ang price kung dun na ako pumunta at nagpa install sa authorized dealers.

I am also not sure kung may kasamang auxiliary cable out of the box dapat yung unit kasi yung calibration mic sa likod ang kabitan for X595BT so need pang baklasin now HU just to utilize the feature. Ang kinabit lang nung installer is the USB cable routed sa glove compartment.

[Sleepcare]

Siguro nga too basic lang yung stock HU nung Vios ko kasi nung kinabitan ng X595BT ang layo ng tunog even when using the stock speakers. Now, I can hear real stereo image siguro dahil sa 13band equalization and the loudness correction and other enhancements.

Just a note to get your unit from an authorized dealer. Yan ang hindi ko natanong agad kaya yung box ng unit ko walang official Pioneer PH warranty, then pag check ko almost same lang ang price kung dun na ako pumunta at nagpa install sa authorized dealers.

I am also not sure kung may kasamang auxiliary cable out of the box dapat yung unit kasi yung calibration mic sa likod ang kabitan for X595BT so need pang baklasin now HU just to utilize the feature. Ang kinabit lang nung installer is the USB cable routed sa glove compartment.

595BT is actually a good new model. I have bought one last summer and i can't believe how responsive it is compared sa 5850/5750.

You got a bumbay unit pero it's ok kasi parang wala ako masyado naririnig na nag-RMA ng 595BT.

No AUX cable included for pioneer head units. Yung calibration mic is also used for handsfree feature. If you do not find the need for the BT handsfree feature, pwede naman ikabit yung mic for the auto EQ and TA but don't screw the head unit yet sa proper mounting place. Then after the auto EQ and TA tanggalin lang din yung mic. If your car is a Toyota, pwede bumili ng USB port for the blank switches but if you want stealthy look, glove compartment is ok.

[mda]

snip

Hehe pag dumadami tanong and humahaba yung post ko, mas nagiging seryoso na rin hehehe. Hindi kasi mura yung setup na ganito. Also, at least you are getting good entertainment/discussion and marami rin ako natututunan at the same time. Thank you for the info so far! )

May I know what aftermarket HU it is? Actually case to case basis parin yung ganyan kaya some are still sticking to the mainstream brands just to be safe

It's a Pioneer X9650BT. I was deciding between this and the cheapest 2DIN unit (both were in the 8-15k) price at this time. My only requirement at that time was to have bluetooth, since I was just replacing the defective OEM head unit. *At the time*, I may have noticed a slight increase in sound quality, pero it's nothing compared to having the stock speakers replaced on the Civic FD even with the stock head unit. Well, I suppose bulok lang talaga yung stock speaker system ng kotse na yun... hindi lang yung head unit..

In hindsight, mas mahirap gamitin ang 1DIN head unit because they crammed all the feature commands into 1DIN. If I were to make the decision again, I would have gone with the 2 DIN head unit simply for ease of use (Hindi pa uso yung sobrang laking phones at this point).

I am actually a little hesitant to try Joying kasi hindi ko rin alam saan ako makakakuha ng support for that hehe. Don't see many local sellers on the FB/OLX market. Sa totoo lang I don't see much local advertising for Kenwood or Alpine din, I think those plus JVC are not bad naman, so napapadpad ako sa Pioneer default choice.

<rest of the post on the 5050BT>
plus
It’s ok kasi some people are also like you na no intentions sa subs/amplifying but head unit upgrade really brings up your driving experience kaya if you’ll notice some car review discusses the head-unit or the ICE (In Car Entertainment) of the car they’re reviewing.

Boss, this is another topic pero open for discussion parin.. Let me know if tutuloy ba natin about Kenwood kasi worth another post ito.

Thanks for the info! Laki ng tulong! Actually dahil dito, I'm thinking of a semi-complex plan involving the vehicles owned by family members para hindi sayang yung mga spare parts (some of which are half decent, while those on the older cars are downright bad). Yung plan is to upgrade the head unit + head unit of our newer vehicles and pass on the not-so-bad tech (HU/speakers if compatible) to older vehicles para meron akong across the board upgrade. Wastage is never a good thing :D

I'm thinking of either a 5050BT or Kenwood + Morel Maximos (I think I prefer warmer/easier sounding kesa sa brighter sounds of the also-recommended Focal 165AS's), although the Morel Tempos did tempt me for a while din. I have not heard any of these in person. Slightly off topic, I only have auditioned a set of 4-6K Polk DB651s and a set of 2.5K Pioneer G Series (yung pinaka mura). Even between those 2, ang layo ng difference ng Stock < G Series < DB651.

Doon sa Kenwood, main selling points for me are:
1. Capacitive Touchscreen - more responsive
2. Wifi Mirroring (seems less clunky to do screen mirroring vs the Pioneer units)

As it may be apparent, I'm not a big fan of the 'aftermarket' HU look and am not looking for a giant corner-window blocking A Pillar tweeters, giant sub or crazy sized speakers. Ideally I'd like a close to stock looking installation. Yung gusto ko are tweeters and a set of speakers that can generally fit in the stock locations for them. I'm also medyo OC with the install, I bought speaker harnesses for both the head unit and the speakers para walang ni ssplice sa stock sound system. Yung mga banawe and trusted car audio stores, normally may ready harness for HUs... yung for the speakers, parang they don't stock any. Have to get from elsewhere pa.

Some of the local installers I talked to try to upsell me for 'future' upgrades, deadening, provisions for amp, pero tingin ko yung realistic maximum upgrade ko is really just a HU for features and simple speaker+tweeter upgrade, ok na ako. Just for reference, I am already very happy with my 3-4 year old 3K PHP headphones (Sennheiser HD439) so I know hindi ako maghahanap ng mas okay pa in the near future.

[Sleepcare]

Hehe pag dumadami tanong and humahaba yung post ko, mas nagiging seryoso na rin hehehe. Hindi kasi mura yung setup na ganito. Also, at least you are getting good entertainment/discussion and marami rin ako natututunan at the same time. Thank you for the info so far! )

I understand your situation kasi i was also on your shoes before kaya alam ko yung feeling

It's a Pioneer X9650BT. I was deciding between this and the cheapest 2DIN unit (both were in the 8-15k) price at this time. My only requirement at that time was to have bluetooth, since I was just replacing the defective OEM head unit. *At the time*, I may have noticed a slight increase in sound quality, pero it's nothing compared to having the stock speakers replaced on the Civic FD even with the stock head unit. Well, I suppose bulok lang talaga yung stock speaker system ng kotse na yun... hindi lang yung head unit..

Yes, Civic FD stock speakers are really nothing to write about. X9650 is actually a good model and loaded with features na din for a 1 din HU.

In hindsight, mas mahirap gamitin ang 1DIN head unit because they crammed all the feature commands into 1DIN. If I were to make the decision again, I would have gone with the 2 DIN head unit simply for ease of use (Hindi pa uso yung sobrang laking phones at this point).

For me mas gusto ko yung 1 din HU because of control. Sobra liit lang ng touch points kaya mas easier to control. But now 2 din na yung uso for multimedia.

I am actually a little hesitant to try Joying kasi hindi ko rin alam saan ako makakakuha ng support for that hehe. Don't see many local sellers on the FB/OLX market. Sa totoo lang I don't see much local advertising for Kenwood or Alpine din, I think those plus JVC are not bad naman, so napapadpad ako sa Pioneer default choice.

Joying.. Sa ali**press ka kumuha ng unit as i see na may support naman from them. But local importers are also ok but better buy from "well-known" suppliers. Yung alpine has already become a niche brand while yung kenwood since then i would consider them na katapat talaga ni pioneer. But late releases of their HU became very good kasi the one problem with kenwood is their user interface. Yung mga older head units nila ang pangit talaga tignan honestly but it's good na kenwood and pioneer are already focusing sa UI. JVC, used to have it but in 6 years na nakabit sa kotse parang 3 years ko lang nagamit kasi palaging pinapawarranty. Sakit na nga sa ulo and told myself not to buy JVC units anymore


Thanks for the info! Laki ng tulong! Actually dahil dito, I'm thinking of a semi-complex plan involving the vehicles owned by family members para hindi sayang yung mga spare parts (some of which are half decent, while those on the older cars are downright bad). Yung plan is to upgrade the head unit + head unit of our newer vehicles and pass on the not-so-bad tech (HU/speakers if compatible) to older vehicles para meron akong across the board upgrade. Wastage is never a good thing :D

Actually that's a good idea. For me yan ang advantage ng "higher-end" HU units kasi kapag nilipat mo sa ibang cars hindi magmumukhang luma agad.

I'm thinking of either a 5050BT or Kenwood + Morel Maximos (I think I prefer warmer/easier sounding kesa sa brighter sounds of the also-recommended Focal 165AS's), although the Morel Tempos did tempt me for a while din. I have not heard any of these in person. Slightly off topic, I only have auditioned a set of 4-6K Polk DB651s and a set of 2.5K Pioneer G Series (yung pinaka mura). Even between those 2, ang layo ng difference ng Stock < G Series < DB651.

For me go with kenwood+morel combo. Recently ganyang builds na nakikita ko for morel speakers. G series speakers are for budget type na upgrade lang from stock speakers. Actually they sound good for rear fill but hindi maganda kapag gagamitin as front speakers. As for tempo, it is the "king of budget SQ speakers" and for me worth na upgrade from maximo but if hindi ma-push yung wallet ng konti, i think maximo will suffice

Doon sa Kenwood, main selling points for me are:
1. Capacitive Touchscreen - more responsive
2. Wifi Mirroring (seems less clunky to do screen mirroring vs the Pioneer units)

This! I think malaki contribution ng FLAC compatibility sa ganyang functions kasi as i've said earlier, processing power nowadays is also important now aside sa sound quality itself.

As it may be apparent, I'm not a big fan of the 'aftermarket' HU look and am not looking for a giant corner-window blocking A Pillar tweeters, giant sub or crazy sized speakers. Ideally I'd like a close to stock looking installation. Yung gusto ko are tweeters and a set of speakers that can generally fit in the stock locations for them. I'm also medyo OC with the install, I bought speaker harnesses for both the head unit and the speakers para walang ni ssplice sa stock sound system. Yung mga banawe and trusted car audio stores, normally may ready harness for HUs... yung for the speakers, parang they don't stock any. Have to get from elsewhere pa.

Almost all speaker nowadays are stock location compatible. As for the wiring, car speakers wiring are ok for splicing basta well secured lang yung connection (soldered, shrink-tubed and etc.).

Some of the local installers I talked to try to upsell me for 'future' upgrades, deadening, provisions for amp, pero tingin ko yung realistic maximum upgrade ko is really just a HU for features and simple speaker+tweeter upgrade, ok na ako. Just for reference, I am already very happy with my 3-4 year old 3K PHP headphones (Sennheiser HD439) so I know hindi ako maghahanap ng mas okay pa in the near future.

Deadening is actually a "good" investment. Brings a lot more from your speakers. Dati hesitant din ako sa deadening but once you tried it, halos lahat ng cars na meron ka gusto mo na din palagyan Just to warn you, the higher budget na willing to pay sa speakers, the higher the chances that you will want an amplifier to bring out the best sa speaker upgrade. I've learned this the hard way. :tounge:


I'm just trying to answer all i know. Some inputs may be wrong to some but i'm just basing my responses from experience.