[MobilePioneer]

It’s been a while since I’ve gone to a car stereo shop. My factory stereo had one speaker left and my daughter who is three told me it sounded really bad. So I figured it was time to do the whole stereo system. I went to a shop and left with nothing.

Every single din was in a red and white box, I could barely tell them apart, all had a single knob on the left side and a bar type LCD display. They all look the same the most expensive one had similar specs to the radios of the mid to late 90s and looked the part too. 2 pairs of RCA’s, 2v RCA’s, ugly small LCD display, no timing adjustments, no individual wide band EQ.

No SQ.

The best looking single din I could find was a JVC with a 3” LED screen for crying out loud. It sounded weak. So so weak. What happened? Are we now limited to buying NOS or used stereos from 10-15 years ago if we want SQ in a single din with any kind of quality aesthetic?

The ONLY radio I could find in stock that I liked the look of (and I don’t like it all that much):

The radio I want:

the radio I used to have:

1992 or 2022? Pathetic

 

[Thomasluke7899]

The single din market sucks.
But....have you checked out the dsp that is available for the price of a new alpine and 4 door speakers.

Equalizers, Signal Processors, & DSPs - Crutchfield

Shopping for Car Equalizers & Signal Processors? Our Virginia-based experts love helping folks find the right gear. Get FREE 2-day shipping and free lifetime tech support with your order.

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Also...look at the flip out market is pretty ok.
A single din opening with a huge 10 inch display.
Thats the way the market is going. Sucks

 

[chuyler1]

My Alpine UTE-73B is basically just a device for me to have volume and FFWD on my dash for Bluetooth/USB. It has no CD player, cost me $100 but at least has a 24-bit DAC. I didn’t need swimming dolphins on the screen and no matter how many features they try to pack into head units there is always something missing so just plan to buy a DSP too…or in my case, go retro.

 

[MobilePioneer]

The dash is the ugliest ever made (pic from google).

I have a couple aftermarket bezels. I also have a collection of gear but it’s been so long I’m still really trying to learn what’s new and better in 2022 vs ~2002-2008.

A DEH-P01 or DEX-99PRS is looking 🔥. I don’t have one of those. The highest end US Pioneer head unit of my time was probably the DEH-P9600MP or the DEH-P880 or 88PRS . I do have a 9600, 8600, and a 7600. Also a sweet Hitron single din EQ from the mid 90’s. We never got the p01 here thst was Japan only. But I can order it on eBay NIB with all the wires and the 6 channel amp

Thank you all for the help you are giving me.

 

[Sounds_Insane]

Have you looked into Kenwood or Apline decks? They haven't changed much in styling over the years.

EDIT: Sorry, it looks like you are looking for a deck with a display screen, won't find those in the link below.

Single-DIN Car Stereos at Crutchfield

Shopping for Single-DIN Car Stereos? Get FREE 2-day shipping, free lifetime tech support, discounted installation gear, and free vehicle-specific instructions.

www.crutchfield.com

 

[MobilePioneer]

Have you looked into Kenwood or Apline decks? They haven't changed much in styling over the years.

Single-DIN Car Stereos at Crutchfield

Shopping for Single-DIN Car Stereos? Get FREE 2-day shipping, free lifetime tech support, discounted installation gear, and free vehicle-specific instructions.

www.crutchfield.com

That is my problem. I really am not excited one bit about any bar type lcd display. I have a 6800BT in my truck. I hate it. I truly hate it. They look like all the radios from the 90’s, we just didn’t have the technology/price point to make look better back then but we do now.

The OEL and LED displays from 2000-2010 allow for a much better ability to fine tune sound and an overall more enjoyable experience in my opinion.

An exception for me would be a 5+v older Denso Ten (eclipse)


The DEX-P01 has a 24 bit DAC on each output IIRC.

**oh, I’m also a pioneer junkie for life but that needs to be a whole other thread

 

[Sounds_Insane]

Maybe you can find something here:

JDM Head Units for Sale | Croooober

Get your next Head Units directly from Japan with our worry-free Worldwide Shipping. We currently have [ADDZEST DMX6655Z], [Carrozzeria FH 9300 DVS DVD Tuner], [KENWOOD DDX375] in stock.

www.croooober.com

 

[MobilePioneer]

Thanks for the link I haven’t seen that website.

It looks like I’m leaning towards a Pioneer DEH-P01 from Japan. My ONLY issue I see (besides a few words in Japanese) is the tuner is the wrong frequency. Other then a phone app for FM, how can I get local stations?

thank you all very much

 

[chuyler1]

Have you checked whether something like this will fit without blocking your HVAC controls? This is the direction of the industry for single-din units. There is such little demand left, they are going to take their double-din and factory integration models and slap them on the front. Most of them allow you to adjust height so it clears stuff above or below the mounting point. I mean, you want a modern head, and in 2022 that means CarPlay and a touch screen. It's just sad that so few offer a volume knob.

Pioneer DMH-WT8600NEX

Digital multimedia receiver (does not play CDs)

www.crutchfield.com

 

[azmcrae]

Have you ever considered a single din flip up / motorized screen?
Like this,
Pioneer AVH-3500NEX DVD receiver at Crutchfield

 

[Selkec]

Why single din?

 

[Angrywhopper]

From someone who works in the industry, the reason single din stereos suck is because that market/category is dead.

Most Customers who still shop/want a single din head unit are shopping solely by price for their old car. That's it. Does it have bluetooth and cost $100? I'll take it. That's the mentality.

Enthusiasts and people spending real money in this hobby are driving new cars and/or using DSPs.

 

[kiklop32]

I have same problem... I ended up with pioneer sph-10bt at least it can hold Fiio.....

 

[M_Mark28]

From someone who works in the industry, the reason single din stereos suck is because that market/category is dead.

Most Customers who still shop/want a single din head unit are shopping solely by price for their old car. That's it. Does it have bluetooth and cost $100? I'll take it. That's the mentality.

Enthusiasts and people spending real money in this hobby are driving new cars and/or using DSPs.

Pretty much

 

[M_Mark28]

Thanks for the link I haven’t seen that website.

It looks like I’m leaning towards a Pioneer DEH-P01 from Japan. My ONLY issue I see (besides a few words in Japanese) is the tuner is the wrong frequency. Other then a phone app for FM, how can I get local stations?

thank you all very much

I wouldnt suggest the deh-p01 unless you understand Japanese. I went that route cause i found one half price of a p99rs and never completely figured out the deck. In terms of the tuning frequency, you would need to buy an fm extender.

 

[Theslaking]

Other then a phone app for FM, how can I get local stations?

FM Radio Band Expanders & Converters | Domino Electronics

FM Band Expanders & Converters made for Japanese imported cars. We make a large range of solutions for many makes and models. Browse our range online today.

dominoelectronics.com

 

[nauc1]

Alpine cde-172bt...

Alpine CDE-172BT In-Dash 1-DIN CD/USB Stereo Receiver with Bluetooth

<ul> <li>CD receiver with AM/FM tuner</li> <li>Plays USB drives loaded with MP3, WMA, and FLAC music files (See Details tab for model compatibility)</li> <li>1-line high-contrast LCD display with variable color illumination</li> </ul> <p><strong>Smar

www.woofersetc.com

 

[ItsonlyaHONDA]

Why not just keep it stock and stream, tune, through an AMP/DSP. Nothing says "period correct" more than your stock HU. Hidden conductor or similar to make adjustments on volume.

Just a thought. That's what I would do if I had an old school I wanted to keep looking old school, and I still wanted to put a dope sound system in it.

 

[MobilePioneer]

My factory 8 watt cassette player is dead and not worth the time adding the worst sound quality line in (by fm modulator), DSPs, and Bluetooth. It’s ugly as can be too.

The comment about single dins being dead is disappointing. What about classic cars? What about the next generation of gear heads collecting old cars that have single dins? We need high end single din SQ options.

I just want the best quality sound, a simple install, and something aesthetically appealing. It’s not asking a lot. It’s really not.

Guess I’m learning Japanese 🤣

 

[ItsonlyaHONDA]

My factory 8 watt cassette player is dead and not worth the time adding the worst sound quality line in (by fm modulator), DSPs, and Bluetooth. It’s ugly as can be too.

The comment about single dins being dead is disappointing. What about classic cars? What about the next generation of gear heads collecting old cars that have single dins? We need high end single din SQ options.

I just want the best quality sound, a simple install, and something aesthetically appealing. It’s not asking a lot. It’s really not.

Guess I’m learning Japanese 🤣

I think you misunderstood what I meant. Keep the stock and not use it. Then stream directly into the DSP/amp hidden somewhere.

Or maybe put something pretty in the place as a head unit just for show.

You'll get the best sound quality going directly into the DSP.

It was just a thought.