Recommend a head unit. Now fitted

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dhobbs

Senior member
I want to replace my head unit for a mechless one with Bluetooth, USB and potentially DAB.

I've seen a JVC one,JVC KD-X561DBT, that looks good but not sure of the audio quality.
Anyone had any experience with JVC?

The Sony ones look too glitzy for my liking, and most of the others still look antiquated with the single line display.
I know looks aren't everything with a head unit but I still have to look at it every day.

Any recommendations?
 
I bought one of these for a previous car (still have it if interested).

https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/accessories-tyres/65467/pure-highway-h260dbi

It was just brilliant. Powerful. Crystal clear sound and fully featured.

I didn't fit it in the Z4 as I didn't want to loose the sat nav (already have factory fitted bluetooth), so went for a bolt on Pure 300 highway. This is also very good but not as good as the headunit above.

Pure aren't glitzy and flashy, hence why I went for it.

HTH
 
I went for a pioneer DEH-X8700DAB but haven’t quite got around to fitting it yet. I went for this one as it does everything you’d expect, it’s not too fussy and the orange lighting matches up well with the other interior switch lights etc.
 
Some of those pioneer units are really nice. Pioneer MVH-8300BT Looks really modern although I think it's an old unit as not many places selling it.
 
Finally went for a pioneer MVH-S520DA.
I did look at a JVC but couldn't get a steering wheel adapter.
 
Annoyingly the brackets supplied with the facia kit had to be trimmed as the air vents don't sit flush.
 

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Just wanted to ask how are you finding this after a bit of use compared to OEM? Also did you have to install a window aerial or was the OEM one ok for DAB?
 
Great work. I’m glad you have found the solution to the vent issue... although you have now given me another job :lol:
 
ZDNB said:
Just wanted to ask how are you finding this after a bit of use compared to OEM? Also did you have to install a window aerial or was the OEM one ok for DAB?
Click to expand...

Sound quality is far batter than OEM, much more bass and drive.

Good that I can do hands free phone calls now and the microphone is good even when the roof is down.

As for the DAB, I had to run an aerial to the windscreen, not perfect to be honest but I mainly listen to my USB so not too bothered.
 
Thanks mate, I have such a strange issue with my drivers side rear speakers. Seems if I listen to FM Radio, cd then I get very distored sound, but using AUX cable everything seems ok. Ive had the headunit out to double check wires around the back but no problems there. Thinking it might be faulty internally and a new head unit will resolve this, as well as add much needed features like DAB and Sub out :)

Regarding steering wheel controls, which harness did you get to make those work?
 
I shall try and dig out the harnesses that I used.
Got the normal ISO for the head unit, plus one for the steering wheel control. And not to forget the farka aerial adaptor.
 
Thanks for the info mate, i actually replaced the speaker behind drivers seat today (what a pig of a job that is) and thankfully its solved my crackling sound, so looking to purchase above bits soon, although i think i need to check in with connect2 as I have the sat nav system, non DSP and want to retain being able to use the screen for that and other settings.
 
I asked Dynamic Sounds for advice and they came up good.

As for the rear speakers, I disconnected the smaller ones and installed 6x9s where the cubby holes were. I saw it was a nightmare to replace those small top ones.
 
ZDNB said:
Thanks for the info mate, i actually replaced the speaker behind drivers seat today (what a pig of a job that is) and thankfully its solved my crackling sound, so looking to purchase above bits soon, although i think i need to check in with connect2 as I have the sat nav system, non DSP and want to retain being able to use the screen for that and other settings.
Click to expand...
I think you will struggle to find an aftermarket head unit and retain the use of the flip up screen and functionality of the original satnav and computer. It will stil flip up and down with the button next to it, but you are unlikely to be able to get the head unit to scroll through menus and select stuff on it.
 
Rich8 said:
I think you will struggle to find an aftermarket head unit and retain the use of the flip up screen and functionality of the original satnav and computer. It will stil flip up and down with the button next to it, but you are unlikely to be able to get the head unit to scroll through menus and select stuff on it.
Click to expand...

Right on thanks for that info and insight! I have ordered a PURE Highway 400 DAB box and will install that this weekend (come on postman!) Gives me what I need for now for £50.

dhobbs said:
I asked Dynamic Sounds for advice and they came up good.

As for the rear speakers, I disconnected the smaller ones and installed 6x9s where the cubby holes were. I saw it was a nightmare to replace those small top ones.
Click to expand...

Think I'm going to look into purchasing official Z4 subs with brackets to fit in those holes, then take a feed from the top speakers and feed into RCA box and an AMP I have lying around. Wont be the best but it should be an improvement!
 
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