New guy here looking for your advice on Single DIN vs Double DIN head units

[JaredSD]

Hello community! I am hoping some of you are able to help me out. There is so much info out there; I currently have 30 tabs open and keep going in circles haha. I am trying to find a head unit for my 2013 Hyundai Sonata. I am not a complete audiophile so I am not going to be that picky to be honest (with home audio I am). I drive about 1 hour each day. I really don't use the hands free calling in my car as it is, and I understand that most bluetooth calling ***** anyway. I am not looking to spend a ton of money, but it seems that decent head units can be had for cheap enough. Below I will list what I have as far as equipment. Keep in mind, I went the budget route originally. It sounds fine to the average guy like me. I am just a guy who like to use apps and pandora via USB for the most part.

My debate here is whether I should get a Single or Double DIN head unit. I can be swayed either way perhaps. I have been doing my reasearch and it seems that Double DIN head units are not that loaded with features, whereas Single DINS like the Pioneer 80prs Pioneer DEH-80PRS Audiophile CD/MP3/USB Car Stereo w/ Bluetooth are. However, I just feel like the single DINS look so old and archaic sometimes due to UI being so small and basic. At the same time, it seems that Double DINS (maybe even Single also) nickel and dime you for so many extra add-ons. I do like the look of the http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_43523_Pioneer-DEH-80PRS.html as it is a touch screen and may be easier to work with while driving. Yeah it has a DVD player. Cool I guess. I doubt I would ever watch a DVD....I just like the bigger screen for the UI. I also like the 5600 model in that series.

Sorry you had to deal with all the rambling, but are those 2 head units above decent for the average person who just wants to hook up his amp and subs that have been hanging out in a spare room for a year? Thoughts on either one? Would the Pioneer 3600 be decent enough for my needs? Feel free to chime in on whatever and'or suggest things I have not thought of perhaps. Thank you for any help at all.

Head unit I used to use (not hooked up now): JVC KW-XR810 In-Dash Double DIN Car Stereo w/ Bluetooth

Subs: Pioneer TS-W259S4 (TSW259S4) 10" Single 4 Ohm Champion Subwoofer

Amp: Rockford Fosgate R500-1 (r5001) 500W Max PRIME Series Monoblock

Head units I am considering: See above

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[UGHH]

80prs. A LOT of people use them. They have arguably the best sound at the price, even better sound than more expensive units. Don't skimp on the head unit. A good head unit came make s***ty speakers sound good (which is what the 80prs can do). Hook it up, use the auto EQ and enjoy. Or fine tune after the auto EQ if you wish. A bad head unit can make good speakers sound bad too.

 

[JaredSD]

Is that to say the Pioneer Double DIN is a bad head unit? It is certainly not as loaded, I get that.

 

[blazian87 10+ year member]

Is that to say the Pioneer Double DIN is a bad head unit? It is certainly not as loaded, I get that.

Double din is usually for the extra toys like touch screen, GPS navi, and Dvd player. When it comes to sound quality, the 80prs will take the crown for the price. It has everything you need in a small package. If you're looking for double din AND the best sound quality, then you need a dedicated Digital Signal Processor like Audison Bit one, Rockford fosgate 360.3, JBL MS-8, Alpine pxa-h800.. They are expensive though so if you don't wanna spend that kind of money then 80prs is the best deal. Another option is the Alpine CDA-9887 which has pretty much the same features as the 80prs but it is now discontinued so you gotta find it used.

 

[JaredSD]

Double din is usually for the extra toys like touch screen, GPS navi, and Dvd player. When it comes to sound quality, the 80prs will take the crown for the price. It has everything you need in a small package. If you're looking for double din AND the best sound quality, then you need a dedicated Digital Signal Processor like Audison Bit one, Rockford fosgate 360.3, JBL MS-8, Alpine pxa-h800.. They are expensive though so if you don't wanna spend that kind of money then 80prs is the best deal. Another option is the Alpine CDA-9887 which has pretty much the same features as the 80prs but it is now discontinued so you gotta find it used.

Good feedback, thanks to you both. I suppose from this point I should ask, would the average person like me, who is using stock speakers, be able to tell the audio difference between the two? I just wish those single DINs were more attractive haha.

 

[blazian87 10+ year member]

Good feedback, thanks to you both. I suppose from this point I should ask, would the average person like me, who is using stock speakers, be able to tell the audio difference between the two? I just wish those single DINs were more attractive haha.

Yea I know what you mean.. I just like the look of a double din too.. Any headunit upgrade will make your stock speakers sound better.. The difference is the 80prs has ALOT more tuning capabilities than even the most expensive double dins. And what separates the 80prs from a lot of units is that it comes with Active capabilities. You would need a separate amplifier for that though. If you don't care for that then there's a ton of headunits that would suit you fine actually. I personally like alpine single dins because they are all about sound quality and they actually look pretty cool. If you plan on keeping your stock speakers in there forever, then really you won't hear a difference with 80prs or a double din.. If you do somehow upgrade your speakers and add an amp though, 80prs is your best bet. Whatever you do though, make sure it has a 24 bit processor built in it. Don't get a $100 headunit.. they are crap

 

[Jepalan]

I think you are going about this the wrong way. You need to figure out what your feature/performance priorities are first. You can have a high SQ system with DD or SD HUs.

If priority is highest SQ on a budget, or running active on a budget (or both) then 80PRS wins hands down.

What are your AUDIO related must-haves?

Running active?

Time alignment?

Auto-EQ?

Manual EQ?

High SQ? High SPL?

File type support (FLAC, etc)?

Other?

What are your FEATURE related must-haves?

DVD Video?

Other Video?

iPhone goodies (carplay, app radio, etc)

Android related goodies?

Navigation?

Other?

Work through the answers to some of those ^^^ first and you can greatly narrow down the field.

ALSO - What is your BUDGET?

 

[JaredSD]

Yea I know what you mean.. I just like the look of a double din too.. Any headunit upgrade will make your stock speakers sound better.. The difference is the 80prs has ALOT more tuning capabilities than even the most expensive double dins. And what separates the 80prs from a lot of units is that it comes with Active capabilities. You would need a separate amplifier for that though. If you don't care for that then there's a ton of headunits that would suit you fine actually. I personally like alpine single dins because they are all about sound quality and they actually look pretty cool. If you plan on keeping your stock speakers in there forever, then really you won't hear a difference with 80prs or a double din.. If you do somehow upgrade your speakers and add an amp though, 80prs is your best bet. Whatever you do though, make sure it has a 24 bit processor built in it. Don't get a $100 headunit.. they are crap

I will be using the subs and amp (listed in first post), so yes there will be an amp running in all this. I really don't plan to upgrade the stock speakers to be honest. I suppose with that in mind I could go for either one of the headunits. Hell, I thought it sounded good with my old JVC head unit haha (listed above as well).

 

[blazian87 10+ year member]

I will be using the subs and amp (listed in first post), so yes there will be an amp running in all this. I really don't plan to upgrade the stock speakers to be honest. I suppose with that in mind I could go for either one of the headunits. Hell, I thought it sounded good with my old JVC head unit haha (listed above as well).

No I mean a SEPARATE 4 channel amplifier for the speakers.. to run active that is.. If you're not asking for much except a nice sound, then you don't need to go that route. It's only for serious audiophiles. 80prs is cheap enough to go that route if desired though. That's the beauty of that headunit. It has good resale value since everyone talks about it so much.. I'm sure any HU upgrade would satisfy you.. It just depends if you want the extra bells and whistles that come with it or not..

 

[JaredSD]

I think you are going about this the wrong way. You need to figure out what your feature/performance priorities are first. You can have a high SQ system with DD or SD HUs.
If priority is highest SQ on a budget, or running active on a budget (or both) then 80PRS wins hands down.

What are your AUDIO related must-haves?

Running active?

Time alignment?

Auto-EQ?

Manual EQ?

High SQ? High SPL?

File type support (FLAC, etc)?

Other?

What are your FEATURE related must-haves?

DVD Video?

Other Video?

iPhone goodies (carplay, app radio, etc)

Android related goodies?

Navigation?

Other?

Work through the answers to some of those ^^^ first and you can greatly narrow down the field.

ALSO - What is your BUDGET?

Good points. To be honest, I really have not messed with some of the stuff you mention (Running active, Time-Alignment, EQ's)....as I am an average guy who just likes music going down the road. I do think SQ would be great to have improved, and anything would be better than the stock Hyundai unit. I think DVD is a novelty for sure, but the Double DINS do have nice looking, big screens that come hand-in-hand I suppose. I use an iPhone and won't be changing that anytime soon. My phone has Nav, and I think that is good enough. I suppose some of the Double DINS will let your phone do the Nav via your phone. If you see above, I was used to my old JVC head unit. I would think either of the two I am asking about now would be better than that. My old JVC kind of looks old now too.

To sum it up, I use the Digitally Imported Radio app a lot (great sound), some Pandora, Podcasts, and XM Radio. I suppose most of them come with bluetooth, which I would really only for calls as they usually have crummy sound conversion. Yes, some EQ's would be nice to have for sure. My old JVC had a decent little set on there. My rationale for a Double DIN is they look so nice and big, and would be easy to mess with even while driving. Touchscreen is cool too.

My budget is around the $350 or less mark, give or take a little. I know that does not put me in the tier for the best stuff, but I don't need the best stuff either. Bang for the buck I suppose.

 

[blazian87 10+ year member]

Good points. To be honest, I really have not messed with some of the stuff you mention (Running active, Time-Alignment, EQ's)....as I am an average guy who just likes music going down the road. I do think SQ would be great to have improved, and anything would be better than the stock Hyundai unit. I think DVD is a novelty for sure, but the Double DINS do have nice looking, big screens that come hand-in-hand I suppose. I use an iPhone and won't be changing that anytime soon. My phone has Nav, and I think that is good enough. I suppose some of the Double DINS will let your phone do the Nav via your phone. If you see above, I was used to my old JVC head unit. I would think either of the two I am asking about now would be better than that. My old JVC kind of looks old now too.
To sum it up, I use the Digitally Imported Radio app a lot (great sound), some Pandora, Podcasts, and XM Radio. I suppose most of them come with bluetooth, which I would really only for calls as they usually have crummy sound conversion. Yes, some EQ's would be nice to have for sure. My old JVC had a decent little set on there. My rationale for a Double DIN is they look so nice and big, and would be easy to mess with even while driving. Touchscreen is cool too.

My budget is around the $350 or less mark, give or take a little. I know that does not put me in the tier for the best stuff, but I don't need the best stuff either. Bang for the buck I suppose.

Alpine Ive W530 Touchscreen Radio w Bluetooth Available App Mode 793276011947 | eBay

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

Good feedback, thanks to you both. I suppose from this point I should ask, would the average person like me, who is using stock speakers, be able to tell the audio difference between the two? I just wish those single DINs were more attractive haha.

If you are just using stock speakers and not planning on doing anything else ever again, just go with a good double din for the toys and looks. In the future if you are ever unsatisfied, then you can look into getting a DSP like the jbl ms8. It'll make your stock speakers sound like fancy aftermarket speakers.

 

[JaredSD]

If you are just using stock speakers and not planning on doing anything else ever again, just go with a good double din for the toys and looks. In the future if you are ever unsatisfied, then you can look into getting a DSP like the jbl ms8. It'll make your stock speakers sound like fancy aftermarket speakers.

That is kind of what I was thinking also. Now, one thing I am not knowledgable about is the volt output. For example, the double DIN I like has 3 sets of 2V amp output. Is that good enough? Can't be worse than what I have now haha. The thing is, I am not trying to be an audiophile or put together a champion sound system. As long as it sounds decent enough for the money then that is cool. I just love the looks of the double DIN. Too bad they are not as powerful as the single DIN for the price.

 

[Jepalan]

If you are just using stock speakers and not planning on doing anything else ever again, just go with a good double din for the toys and looks. In the future if you are ever unsatisfied, then you can look into getting a DSP like the jbl ms8. It'll make your stock speakers sound like fancy aftermarket speakers.

Based on OP's answers I agree with this advice ^^^^

 

[C1500martin 10+ year member]

for the average person that won't ever mess with their system and just go to a shop get it installed and never mess with it again, just get whatever seems nice to you and has features you'll like. there will always be bigger and better and you'll say crap i wish i got that instead but thats life. as for the volt outputs its to each there own some say they make no difference some say they do all they are is where your setting your gain on you amplifier to match your head units voltage output. the higher the HU voltage the lower the gain needs to be generally.