Hey Folks,

Just wondering what kind of aftermarket head units are installed on your A4's (Show 'em if you got 'em and your experience).

I have a B7 and was looking to see my options out there. So far i'm looking into the Alpine INA-W900's,

Alpine Electronics of America, Inc.

What you guys think?

 

I migrated the audio system from my Jetta Diesel into my 07 A4 a couple of weeks ago. It was one hell of a project to say the least. I've got a number of years of car audio install experience under my belt and 15 years of electronics experience and it was still a daunting task for me. I am all about "super clean" and "slow and steady" installs, it took me 20 hours end to end.

My equipment list is extensive for an average joe, but kind of "modest" for a car audio enthousiast. I am currently running:

- Alpine V-power Amps (kinda cheapies) - 1x 4 channel and 1x mono block
- Factory Door speakers (they are surprisingly good - non bose)
- 12" Alpine Type-R Sub in a 2x2x2' ish enclosure, ported
- Kenwood DNX8120 Navigation Headunit
- Pac Audio C2R-Audi Harness
- Axxess Electronics ASWC steering wheel control interface

The install was a BITCH in this car. I had no idea the A4 had a subfloor under the front footwells until I got in there... I suddenly realized why it felt like my feet were 2 inches or so higher than I felt they should be. Managed to get all my RCA Cables, speaker wires, navi wire, sirius antenna wire, etc up the right side of the car along the door trim - totally hidden with no buldge which was nice. Power wire up the left side, took a while to figure out where and how to punch through the firewall though.

This is probably way more information/somewhat off topic but I figured I'd throw it in this thread. I can post pictures of my install if anyone wants. Maybe do a DIY or something if I'm bored.

Now as far as head units....

I did pick the Kenwood DNX8120 (I think its now replaced by the 9240 or something) because of the 5V preouts. I personally think 4V+ preouts are mandatory for good audio quality when you're amping and that's why I never went alpine (still think their best double din navi unit is only 2 or 3 volts).

I do NOT recommend Kenwood at this point though... audio quality is fantastic but the user interface is the worst **** I have ever used.

Want to play Divx files? Sure can, but only from single layer dvd's... no dual layers or USB sticks (why kenwood... why??!)

Want to use a 16GB Mp3 usb stick? Sure can! But don't expect to be able to navigate it without 15 seconds of lag and multiple interface errors.

Menu layout? Horrible, makes no sense at all and violates pretty much every rule when it comes to simple user interface layout.

Kenwood support? Pretty much non-existant. Don't expect firmware updates either, few and far between and only when there are serious issues.

Fast forward through MP3 tracks? Nope.

Anyway, the list goes on and on, stay away from high end kenwood double din units. It does have garmin nav though, which is pretty good. Have heard mixed review on alpine and pioneer units.

If you're not gonna amp it and just use the factory crap you wont have a very difficult install ahead of you. I absolutely recommend the C2R-Audi harness from PAC Audio though, great harness/CAN bus module. That and a dash kit is all that you need, the Axxess ASWC works good for steering wheel controls although it is a bit laggy (at least it is with my Kenwood... and I wouldn't be surprised if it was because of the Kenwood).

I'll at least take a pic of the deck and post it in this thread later.

 

I had the same thoughts, I was going to buy a Pioneer AVC 3200BT or something similar... I also looked at the alpines they are very good, but as noted above, they have low voltage outputs...

My stumbling block comes down to looks, and none of the car kits look right to me, and I don't want to mess around with sanding and repainting to get the right look.

I've decided to buy the RNS-E so at least I have some MP3 capability as well as the navigation, the stock look is the selling point... it's pricey tho.

As for the amp I picked up a Boston Acoustic GTA1005. it's a 5 channel amp with speaker level inputs, and before anyone jumps all over this as being horrible for sound quality, I've used this method in a Golf before with a PPI amp with no issues, if the amp is set up/designed for the high level inputs, it's not really noticable... Yes the 5V preamps sound wayyy better, but not to the average joe.

I'll post pics once I complete this... I do have access to Mitchell online and any wiring diagrams so I'm hoping to get this all posted for others to look at.

My plan is to install the amp in the rear and splice into the bose amp connections... I'm on the fence to leave the center fill hooked up to the bose amp,but we'll see first, I don't think I'll miss it. I will also be trying to figure out if I am going to build a fiberglass spare tire sub box, or fashion something that uses the factory sub's area.

 

Oh and I agree, Kenwood is evil... and should be avoided... same goes with sony unfortunately...

Other decks to look at would be some of the JVC decks, they are packed with features and reasonably priced... umm, oh, Clarion is great, and don't forget Blaupunkt, the New Jersey double din is pretty sweet if you don't want navi or video.

 

oh speaking of JVC i found this product...any one out there have this? i was leaning more towards the alpine's and clarion's but this caught my eye...

JVC Mobile Entertainment \ KW-AVX830 - KW-AVX830 \ Introduction

post pics and review if you've got this product...

thanks all

 

Yeah, I looked at it too... you can buy that at Visions:
http://www2.visions.ca/Catalogue/Cat...productId=6303

I have a buddy that works there any he really has high praise for it... I thought it stuck out too much... just go see it in store and you may see what I saw.

Fairly great features, very user friendly. I can't say anything bad about it... I've had all 3 brands (Alpine, JVC & Clarion) and I'll say the Alpine was the highest quality, but broke down after 1yr... Both the JVC & the Clarion decks still work (JVC is 8yrs old, in an old car of mine that a friend still drives, and the Clarion in my Golf that is 4 yrs old) I know that they aren't video or the model, but I'm sure the build quality is the same. I say go for the JVC if it's depth doesn't bother you.

 

Any of you gentlemen know how to get my old K-Bus steering wheel audio controls to work with new CAN-BUS audio system I installed a few months ago?

Wish you had written and I had read your comments about early July when I installed a Kenwood DNX7160. I actually don't find user interface that bad, but the volume controls drive me insane! They are these little tiny touch sensitive dots (too small to call buttons) situated on the lower outside edge of the unit. Can't hit it blind while driving, nothing tactile about it. I really would like to get my 10 year old K-Bus based steering wheel audio controls working. Anyone have any ideas? Kromer radio says they can't do it and that they don't know if it can.

 

I have not much to say to this thread as I have been using Kenwood head units for 16 years and I have yet to have one fail on me! And if they do fail, its usually the guy installing it not knowing what they are doing.

Kenwood FTW!

 

Hey, I'm not knocking quality of the Kenwood, just that they didn't do enough research into customer needs and wants. My problem getting the steering wheel audio controls to work isn't a Kenwood problem, its "old car problem" as my car is 10 years old and uses K-BUS system for signalling data and newer cars are all CAN-BUS. Any new deck I would've installed would have provided the exact same problem. Some of you wiring/stereo gurus should be able to solve this problem - I hope.

 

There is a very simple fix for all kenwood Excelon units for the steering wheel control. If you still want the steering wheel control, you must buy the module and have it hooked up..

Kenwood is rated High for meeting customer demands beating JVC, SONY and Pioneer!