Best Budget BT Head Unit

[Courage]

Hey guys, looking for recommendations for a good Bluetooth head unit in the sub $150 range. I have a Pioneer MVH S21BT in my F250 and am happy with it, but it can't change display colors. My Ford has a red interior theme, so that's just fine. I'm looking to switch to something with Bluetooth capabilities in my 94 Ram 2500. It currently has a cd only Pioneer head unit and Kewood speakers in it. I like how it sounds, but it's a little on the quiet side if I have the windows rolled down. It has a blue and green theme aside from the radio (red) so I'm hoping to be able to match.
Looking forward to hearing from y'all!
Thanks in advance!
Courage

 

[Deiimos]

I’d suggest looking at current Sony models during your searching.

People tend to skip Sony, but my 12 year old Sony has any color I want (can adjust RGB colors individually to blend to anything nearly), USB still connects to my phone fine (not a Bluetooth model), and otherwise works great. Also has 7 band EQ, selectable high pass filter for the front / rear RCA preouts, subwoofer preout / x over, sub level adjustment which can shut the sub off as well, and AUX in for the rare occasion I want to use that. It’s a bit older, but it has been a very solid head unit and my favorite for a cheaper unit. Some of these features will be usless to some people, but the crossovers are very handy when I run older amplifiers on occasion. The Sony has been nicer than any Pioneer's I had prior, and even a slightly newer Pioneer touch screen I put in my truck.

I don’t think any decent head unit brand will be louder than one another as far as built in power, you’d need an amplifier to get a little more volume with the windows down, and of course speakers to handle it if the current Kenwood can’t.

Anyway, just my 2 cents, hope whatever you get works well for you, a lot of options to pick from.

 

[HardofWhoring]

bluetooth and color changing display, are pretty standard. $150 is more than enough to find one. I like Kenwood Excelon head units. They have bluetooth with color changing display, and 3preouts at 5v each. You can get with cd player, or save $20 and get a digital media one. You can choose to have a full screen that looks cool, or buttons that are functionally easier to navigate with a front facing USB, (both will also have rear USB.

This is something you can figure out for yourself if you just put in a little time and search.

 

[Courage]

Thanks guys! I was actually looking at a couple Sony units. I like the modern yet simplistic look.
Anyone know the difference between these 3? I've looked, but can't figure it out.
Sony MEX-N4300BT
Sony MEX-N5300BT
Sony MEX-N4380BT
At some point I might add an amp, so I want to keep that in mind.
Thanks!
Courage

 

[spokey9]

They're all pretty similar imo...but they're all 2v preouts from what I can find...if you're adding amps later something with a 4v or better rca preout would be a bit better

 

[Courage]

They're all pretty similar imo...but they're all 2v preouts from what I can find...if you're adding amps later something with a 4v or better rca preout would be a bit better

Thanks! Really appreciate the help!

 

[spokey9]

JVC KD-X38MBS

Digital media receiver for Jeep, powersports or marine applications (does not play discs)

www.crutchfield.com

This don't look too shabby by the specs

 

[dsw1204]

I’m looking at a couple of Kenwood headunits:

Kenwood Excelon KDC-X304
Kenwood KDC-BY782HD

Both are 5 volt units and fairly affordable.

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[Deiimos]

Also wanted to add, I much prefer a "volume knob" over the push button type, so another feature to keep in mind while browsing, and I also still like to play CD's at times, some modern head units don't have a CD player, which is all personal preference / what you need from it. So you really need to go through the list of features.

I don't want to recommend any specific models as I have zero experience with them. Just go through the list of features and see what will work for your requirements.

I agree the higher preamp voltage is good. That said, the 2v mine puts out hasn’t been an issue for me and has driven my amps with no problems. I still have an old Audiocontrol Overdrive line driver from the 90’s and have found no need to use it.