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Pioneer AVH-X5800BHS or Kenwood DDX773BH

2.8K views 2 replies 2 participants last post by  stungjoe  
#1 · (Edited)
Since you guys have an audio section I hope you don't mind me (a Sky owner)posing a question over here.

Back story (you can skip if you want): I had originally intended to get a stereo from an HHR (which is on it's way) and do the face transplant in order to get the USB capability. Upon further research I discovered GM had no love for the Android smart phone. So charging (if that even worked) was about all I could get by hooking my Galaxy S7 to that port. I was then going to just transfer my playlist over to a flash drive (for music)and hook my phone up via the AUX port (for streaming). I already installed an Onstar bluetooth module for phone calls. This was all because my XM was still working (I just bought the car about a month ago) Now the XM subscription is over so I'm exploring aftermarket options.

I've narrowed it down to two options the Pioneer AVH-X5800BHS and the Kenwood DDX773BH . Both have very similar options. One feature I like on the Pioneer is the ability to tilt the screen (which may or may not help when the top is down). For whatever reason Crutchfield is WAY over priced on the Pioneer ($430 vs. most everywhere else at $300) but CF is very competitive on the Kenwood. I know I'll be needing their tech support during installation so CF is an almost must.

Any thoughts on these two candidates?
 
#2 ·
Well, let me chime in here. I got a Kenwood (not your model, this was ~3years ago) and really wished I hadn't. Not because of reliability or audio quality, but just because the user interface truly SUCKS. Difficult to read, album images need to be encapsulated in EVERY track, arcane methods for navigating through the screens... it goes on and on.

I can only hope the Pioneer is better. But I would really suggest you go to a brick and mortar store and try using the decks first. Bring a thumb drive with MP3's on it to test navigating them and spend time using it for the day-to-day things you want to do.

Here's one example, there's no mute on the Kenwood, just attenuation. Meaning when you want to talk to someone you have angry bees buzzing in the background. Pressing the volume button attenuates. Pressing and holding turns off the radio, but completely, so reverse camera doesn't work (WTF?). If you want the rev camera operational, but the radio off, then you have to select "Standby" which you can only get to by pressing the Menu button and then pressing the Standby icon (which is more complicated that it seems when you're driving).

signed "Not happy from Maryland"
 
#3 · (Edited)
Thanks TS!
To be honest I had narrowed it down to just Kenwood and was trying to figure out if I even wanted the DVD/Touchscreen model or a regular style non DVD type. I figured the expandability that the touch screen offered may be worth the added price. Then one of the repetitive comments was the tediously slow navigation of the menu on the KW. A couple even mentioned the "No mute" oversight by KW. I then started looking at the Pioneer models. Although Android Auto is still confined to the higher end models these selections have AptX for a better bluetooth streaming protocol from an Andoid phone.

Per your suggestion (in a previous thread elsewhere) I did spend about an hour in Car Toys yesterday using the various models. Since I don't have an expansive purchased inventory of music (and my mood/taste for music changes) I usually use either XM or stream my music. But after my XM subscription abruptly ended the other day (and having to listen to broadcast channels) I have come realize that XM compresses their stream so much that their music quality suffers. I have yet to experience any HD live broadcasts but just regular stations sound much better than XM (of course the commercials drive me insane).

I would stick to my original plan of just hooking up my phone via the Aux to a factory radio but once the cable is plugged in the HU won't allow me to switch back to the radio without unplugging the cable.

Thanks again for your insights!