Best head unit bang-for-buck with CarPlay?

ped · 01-28-2020, 04:51 PM

What are the best units for form factor, sound quality, and features? I see this “Joying” units - are they the best? Or do JVC, Kenwwood, Pioneer and other better-known companies have better offerings that are more reliable?

asht · 01-31-2020, 04:01 AM

I have a Pioneer Dual Din CarPlay head unit in my CLK and it is awesome....

But I’m sure there are better ones as I was always an Alpine

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Raidernation · 01-31-2020, 01:59 PM

You get what you pay for. I have the older alpine ILX107 and it is awesome. The carplay feature is 95% reliable. I have had a few times where i had to turn off the car and phone to reset the head unit. Other than that it syncs/pairs with out a hitch. The head unit sounds nice and has an app so you can adjust the levels.

RonRizz · 01-31-2020, 05:38 PM

I recently installed a JVC unit in my Titan (for carplay purposes). Sound quality is very good, and it has EQ and Time Alignment as well. I think it was around $250.
Very pleased with it.

runwhatyabrng · 02-03-2020, 12:21 PM

I have installed a JVC last year in mine. Even though Android Auto has been great, the radio is so low in the dash that to make good use of WAZE or anything like that makes it iffy at best. I personally found that it was not worth the money because of that (my opinion).

asht · 02-03-2020, 07:59 PM

Do you need Car Play? I’m using the standard Bose and stream from my iPhone. It will read my texts out. Could do with an update on the Sat Nav though

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RonRizz · 02-04-2020, 10:51 AM

I use carplay mainly for Waze. The radio in my titan is high up on the dash, so it works perfectly. the old Jensen unit had GPS, but Waze is sooo much easier to use, and no updates are needed. There were other issues I had with the jensen that helped me make the move. Aftermarket units with GPS are kind of falling to the wayside with the new smartphone apps available, IMO

willbutler757 · 02-16-2020, 06:35 PM

I got my head unit in December and love it!

Kenwood DDX5706S 6.2" Double Din A/V Multimedia DVD Receiver with Wired Apple CarPlay

Here’s the link ��
Kenwood DDX5706S 6.2" Double Din A/V Multimedia DVD Receiver with Wired Apple CarPlay https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NF61C48..._-8DsEbMV2ZAVY

It’s wired carplay and not Bluetooth but for less than $300 I love it. It also has a ton of customizable options for display and audio. Hope this helps!

bigaudiofanat · 02-17-2020, 06:53 AM

You can't really beat the alpine ILX-207 if you don't need cd playback. The Sony XAV-AX1000 is another great option. Now sound quality, you would skip carplay and android auto all together rip all music in a uncompressed format and buy a RSX-GS9 for the best audio quality possible.

asht · 03-28-2020, 01:38 PM

Interesting that CarPlay now supports 3rd party navigation with iOS 13.4

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01-28-2020, 04:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
ped Enthusiast Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 258 Drives: 2013 370Z Rep Power: 11	Best head unit bang-for-buck with CarPlay? What are the best units for form factor, sound quality, and features? I see this “Joying” units - are they the best? Or do JVC, Kenwwood, Pioneer and other better-known companies have better offerings that are more reliable?

01-31-2020, 01:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
Raidernation Base Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: San Jose, Ca Posts: 174 Drives: 2016 GM Base 7AT Rep Power: 8	You get what you pay for. I have the older alpine ILX107 and it is awesome. The carplay feature is 95% reliable. I have had a few times where i had to turn off the car and phone to reset the head unit. Other than that it syncs/pairs with out a hitch. The head unit sounds nice and has an app so you can adjust the levels. __________________ 2016 7AT GM Base: Fast Intentions CBE 18" Res, Z1 Rear Diff Cover, Quaife LSD, Nismo S-Sport Suspension, Nismo Body Brace Kit, White Line Front Sway Bar, SPL Front End Links, Energy Rear Bushing, Z1 Post MAF Silicone Tubes w/ K&N Drop-in Filters

01-31-2020, 05:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
RonRizz A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Pine grove, Pa Posts: 2,132 Drives: 2 feet, 3 pedals Rep Power: 6774	I recently installed a JVC unit in my Titan (for carplay purposes). Sound quality is very good, and it has EQ and Time Alignment as well. I think it was around $250. Very pleased with it. __________________ P99rs Head Unit--- Amps- 2 Pioneer Prs800d --- Zapco ST1000MX---Zapco ST-4XSQ---- SI BM mk5 Subs---SI TM65v2 Midbass--- SI M3 mids--- SI M25 xbl2 tweeters ----- 2016 MECA street class 3rd place at world finals

02-04-2020, 10:51 AM	#7 (permalink)
RonRizz A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Pine grove, Pa Posts: 2,132 Drives: 2 feet, 3 pedals Rep Power: 6774	I use carplay mainly for Waze. The radio in my titan is high up on the dash, so it works perfectly. the old Jensen unit had GPS, but Waze is sooo much easier to use, and no updates are needed. There were other issues I had with the jensen that helped me make the move. Aftermarket units with GPS are kind of falling to the wayside with the new smartphone apps available, IMO __________________ P99rs Head Unit--- Amps- 2 Pioneer Prs800d --- Zapco ST1000MX---Zapco ST-4XSQ---- SI BM mk5 Subs---SI TM65v2 Midbass--- SI M3 mids--- SI M25 xbl2 tweeters ----- 2016 MECA street class 3rd place at world finals

02-17-2020, 06:53 AM	#9 (permalink)
bigaudiofanat Car Audio Installer Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Magnolia DE Posts: 8,342 Drives: 2012 Infiniti G37x Rep Power: 852	You can't really beat the alpine ILX-207 if you don't need cd playback. The Sony XAV-AX1000 is another great option. Now sound quality, you would skip carplay and android auto all together rip all music in a uncompressed format and buy a RSX-GS9 for the best audio quality possible. __________________ Need help with car audio or electronics? Let me know!! Need Help Let Me Know Direct email address reimermatt@gmail.com Owner of: Dynamic Mobile Audio Follow me below https://www.facebook.com/Dynamicmobileaudio/ Last edited by bigaudiofanat; 02-17-2020 at 06:58 AM.

01-31-2020, 04:01 AM	#2 (permalink)
asht Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Essex, UK Posts: 494 Drives: 2010 370z Roadster Rep Power: 117448	I have a Pioneer Dual Din CarPlay head unit in my CLK and it is awesome.... But I’m sure there are better ones as I was always an Alpine Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

02-03-2020, 12:21 PM	#5 (permalink)
runwhatyabrng Base Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ottawa Posts: 67 Drives: 2011 370Z 6Mt Rep Power: 10	I have installed a JVC last year in mine. Even though Android Auto has been great, the radio is so low in the dash that to make good use of WAZE or anything like that makes it iffy at best. I personally found that it was not worth the money because of that (my opinion).

02-03-2020, 07:59 PM	#6 (permalink)
asht Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Essex, UK Posts: 494 Drives: 2010 370z Roadster Rep Power: 117448	Do you need Car Play? I’m using the standard Bose and stream from my iPhone. It will read my texts out. Could do with an update on the Sat Nav though Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

02-16-2020, 06:35 PM	#8 (permalink)
willbutler757 Base Member Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 3 Drives: 2020 370z Black M6 Rep Power: 5	I got my head unit in December and love it! Kenwood DDX5706S 6.2" Double Din A/V Multimedia DVD Receiver with Wired Apple CarPlay Here’s the link �� Kenwood DDX5706S 6.2" Double Din A/V Multimedia DVD Receiver with Wired Apple CarPlay https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NF61C48..._-8DsEbMV2ZAVY It’s wired carplay and not Bluetooth but for less than $300 I love it. It also has a ton of customizable options for display and audio. Hope this helps!

03-28-2020, 01:38 PM	#10 (permalink)
asht Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Essex, UK Posts: 494 Drives: 2010 370z Roadster Rep Power: 117448	Interesting that CarPlay now supports 3rd party navigation with iOS 13.4 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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