Help me decide on head unit please

[Noddycar]

It actually blends in quite well (subtle blue lighting with the dimmer turned on). I needed to get a 1.5 din cubbyhole to fill the space left by the factory cassette/CD, but apart from that it was fine. As my car is an LE, I have kept all of the original parts so I can put it back to factory in future years... For now, I want better sound quality, so the factory radio can take a rest. My car now has new wheels, tyres, suspension, soft top, radio and speakers and I am confident I don't want to change anything else (apart from a respray in a couple of years).

[snshami]

Sounds awesome.

[NMX516]

I did not use Dynamat because I don't anticipate that my 6.5" Alpine bass drivers will be able to cause significant resonance in the door panels to justify the cost of the Dynamat.

Dynamat will make a big improvement regardless of what speakers you use. A lot of the resonance in the doors is from road and wind noise. I installed an Alpine h/u in my NB8A with the stock speakers, and fitted Dynamat to inner and outer skins of both doors, and the difference was very noticeable. I then didn't bother with new speakers as the stock ones were enough for what I wanted at the time. Dynamat is only $100 or so for an Extreme Door Kit, which is just enough for inner and outer panels of an MX5 door.

[snshami]

I am actually leaning towards the Pioneer, mainly because it is black with less chrome on it. I really want it to blend in well and not cause any attention. I was even planning on blacking out the Pioneer logo and the knob so it blends in even better.

[snshami]

I did not use Dynamat because I don't anticipate that my 6.5" Alpine bass drivers will be able to cause significant resonance in the door panels to justify the cost of the Dynamat.

Dynamat will make a big improvement regardless of what speakers you use. A lot of the resonance in the doors is from road and wind noise. I installed an Alpine h/u in my NB8A with the stock speakers, and fitted Dynamat to inner and outer skins of both doors, and the difference was very noticeable. I then didn't bother with new speakers as the stock ones were enough for what I wanted at the time. Dynamat is only $100 or so for an Extreme Door Kit, which is just enough for inner and outer panels of an MX5 door.

I might try a few sheets of resomat. It appears to be significantly cheaper.

Trust me you will notice a difference that upgraded speakers make. It is the only thing I have changed so far (the headunit will go in this weekend) and the difference is very very noticeable. The sound is definitely clearer and has more bass and a cleaner midrange. I'll let you know how I go with the headunit.

[Mr Morlock]

I would not change the oe unit. Very rarely do we bother with CD's when one has a great little car to drive- still I prefer talk programs if it gets flicked on. Quality sound in an open car is a bit of stretch. So we all have different views and what is important to one person is not to another. So choose what you want.

[Entice]

well I installed an Alpine CDE 126BT on wednesday. Easy as pie to install, no cut wires (Alpine harness terminates in ISO, so you just need a Mazda to ISO patch harness), and easily reversible. Mounted the mic in the header bow above the windscreen. Why did I choose this unit? Green illumination, iPod/phone control, and, most importantly,a parrot bluetoth control for teh phone. BT Phone function is brilliant, but not as brilliant as my VW RNS510.

Now I'm just waiting for my 1.5Din Cubby to arrive to complete the install

[dave2221]

i wont touch a Ipod unit unless it has OLED display...

NEVER get one with an intergrated Mic....... EVER!

for $400 here is a decent Parrot based bluetooth Pioneer unit
http://www.soundmaster.com.au/Pioneer-MVH-8250BT-Bluetooth-Digital-Media-Receiver-with-3-inch-Screen/MVH8250BT.asp

[Entice]

I looked at that Pioneer unit.

Sadly, Green illumination is a must in my case...
the older the "look" the better in my case also. Nak MD45 would have beenideal if it had a parrot BT, but sadly it doesnt, it's hard to get and it isnt cheap.

Pioneer unit is good, but blue illumination.

[RawSouth]

Have you considered the Clarion CX609A?

It has bluetooth, handsfree, MP3, USB etc. You are also able to change the colour of the backlight so it matches your dash... Ive got one and I have no complaints.

http://www.clarion.com/au/en/products/2010/audio/source_unit/2din/index.html

It also looks almost factory and has pretty sturdy buttons.

Just my 2c

[bear2230]

Have you considered the Clarion CX609A?

It has bluetooth, handsfree, MP3, USB etc. You are also able to change the colour of the backlight so it matches your dash... Ive got one and I have no complaints.

http://www.clarion.com/au/en/products/2010/audio/source_unit/2din/index.html

It also looks almost factory and has pretty sturdy buttons.

Just my 2c

I really liked the look of this unit and fits right in beautifully. You can make it about a million different colours. I went for the Alpine unit because of the parrot. It supposedly is a much better system to the Clarion bluetooth. So I am told by several Installers who have no reason to lie.
One guy even said don’t touch them you will get so frustrated with connection issues you will smash it with a hammer.
Please anyone advise me if this is wrong because I really dont like the look of a single Din in mine.

[RawSouth]

You are more then welcome to have a look at mine mate. I live in the St George area in Sydney.

Bluetooth isnt too bad, it is a little clunky as you have to reconnect via your phone each time you want to use it. But I dont keep bluetooth on my my phone anyway as it drains the battery very quickly.

I have a 4GB usb kept in my glovebox so most of my music is stored in that. It is also able to plug your Iphone/ipod in. It charges whilst playing too (although the ipod interface is hard through the limited display on the head unit).


Josh

[bear2230]

You are more then welcome to have a look at mine mate. I live in the St George area in Sydney.

Bluetooth isnt too bad, it is a little clunky as you have to reconnect via your phone each time you want to use it. But I dont keep bluetooth on my my phone anyway as it drains the battery very quickly.

I have a 4GB usb kept in my glovebox so most of my music is stored in that. It is also able to plug your Iphone/ipod in. It charges whilst playing too (although the ipod interface is hard through the limited display on the head unit).


Josh

That would be great Josh. Im at work untill about 6.30 most days maybe you could drop by on your way home one night.
Wednesday Im in Canberra next week but any other time is fine.
3 Production Ave Kogarah
Richard

[snshami]

An update: I bought a Pioneer DEH-1350. The reason I went with this is because it is all black and has green illumination with white lettering on the screen.

http://www.pioneer.com.au/Products/Car% ... 50MPG.aspx

It looks simple and hopefully being a Pioneer will sound great. I have the ISO harness and plan to install it this weekend. I'll let everyone know how I go.

[snshami]

Ok everyone here it is. I finally got it in and working. Everything turned out to be rather easy. The only thing is I discovered a torn shift lever boot in the process and one more thing one of the vents hit me on the back of the head when I was pulling it off

Here is what it looked like before


Here is what it looks like.



and a closeup



I actually think it looks better now and more integrated in appearance. Anyway I know I got what I wanted out of it a discreet appearance and a great sound and enough of the modern convenience that allows me to play my ipod and phone through my car stereo. What more could someone ask for