New Head Unit Recommendations

I think my Clarion unit is on its last legs. It's lasted well, but it's time to replace it.

I need DAB and bluetooth or aux input to play music from the iPhone. Hands free isn't a necessity (no interruptions please, I'm driving my Coupe!)

I have looked at Pioneer ones at Halfords which seem ok, such as
http://www.halfords.com/technology/car-audio/dab-car-stereos/pioneer-deh-x8700dab-car-stereo

What can you guys recommend?

Thanks in advance
Simon

Hi Simon, I was advised to get an Alpine head unit and have had 2 over 15 years. They are excellent for the price, good features and sound quality. I'm sure you could find something in your price bracket. For example This Alpine DAB unit.

Thanks Gunzi.

I'm no expert at fitting this kind of thing and so may need to go with something that I can purchase and get installed locally.

I'm sure I read some recommendations for Pioneer units here on the forum, but I may be mistaken...

Any modern headunit will be a huge improvement in sound quality over the original equipment, good luck in your search

Yes, Pioneer have some pretty good head units at the moment. If that is all that you can get locally, you should still be fine.

Just as an aside. Some say DAB is not as good in the sounds department as good old FM. A lot of stations do not give enough bandwidth, so the sounds comes out somewhat robotic. Maybe someone could confirm?

I've not bothered with DAB. You can have the same effect by using Bluetooth streaming and connecting your phone (via the BBC / commercial "radioplayer" app - Android) to the station. This will make use of phone data as it is how it streams over the tinternet. I have tested and at 69.9 MPH (or just above ) on the motorway, it streamed fine over 4G. You get text over bluetooth, so will display radio details, etc.

I could stream a station in Cumbria when driving in London (should you want to, of course ).

All good points, especially regarding DAB.

Thanks for all the advice!

I love my DAB, not had any issues with sound quality, you do have to set them up according to what speakers you have. But I'm certainly no audiophile, so as for bandwidth etc I wouldn't know.

I've currently got a Sony from halfords, I do not recommend their dab offerings, will be swapping it on warranty hopefully as it keeps losing the presets and sound settings, which is most annoying.

Usually I buy Pioneer or clarion, they tend to have excellent quality but sometimes bass isn't as strong as other brands.

Installation of the dab set up in a coupe is actually quite easy, theres a how to on here somewhere.

I hope modern Clarions are better because the standard pair fitted to UK coupes were a pile of shite. I spent ages sound deadening, changing speakers, adding amps and subs to little effect. Fitted a cheap modern Sony and the improvement was dramatic.

So, after much deliberation, I just bought a Pioneer MVH-X580DAB from Halfords. £107 + £50 to fit. We are installing a DAB aerial splitter to use the existing built in FM aerial.

It sounds amazing! I can stream music from my iPhone, make hands free calls, with a full display. It's another world compared to my Clarion unit which recently shuffled off. You can plug in a memory stick full of MP3 tracks too.

In this instance I can highly recommend the Halfords install dude; he did a great job and was careful with the Coupe!

Thanks for all the advice and suggestions from my fellow forum visitors

Very pleased to hear it, enjoy your new sound!