Car Audio RFI: Boss Audio

[mtnbkr]

I'm no audiophile and this is going into a seldom-driven 4x4 that is quite noisy, especially at highway speeds.

That said, I'm considering a Boss Audio multimedia head unit.  It has no CD or cassette capability, just AM/FM and inputs for digital media (SD/USB/BT/Aux).  This is perfect for my needs since I can load up my entire music collection on an SD card and leave it in the receiver or stream music/podcasts from my phone (BT, USB, or Aux cable).  The USB port will charge my phone as well.  Price on Amazon is $27 with Prime.  Single DIN, no screens, just a basic receiver with somewhat standard controls.

Reviews are mixed, but I stopped trusting car audio reviews years ago.  They're rife with pedantic purists who turn their noses up at anything not produced by a boutique manufacturer and not capable of shaking your fillings out.  I just need something to bridge the gap between my phone and the speakers.  My current head unit is at least 15-16 years old (was already installed when I bought the truck in 2002).  It works fine, but the Aux connection I require is not enabled by default and requires a run through the config menu whenever I disconnect the battery (leave it disconnected when not driving it for more than a few days).

So, has anyone heard of Boss Audio and what is the general consensus on quality/durability?

Chris

[zxcvbob]

I have heard of them, but have no opinion.  For $27, I'd take a chance.  DIN units are easy to install.  You might need an adapter kit to your car's speaker wires connector.

[mtnbkr]

zxcvbob, that's kind of where I stand, at $27 it's not much of a risk.  As far as the adapter kit, all I need is a wiring harness unless I decide to reuse the one that's in place for my current head unit (Pioneer).  I might just buy a new one so I can keep the Pioneer as a spare without rewiring everything all over again.

Chris

[Doggy Daddy]

You might want to check the limit on memory size for the SD card.  I had to break my collection down into 4 or 5 USB sticks or the receiver in my car wouldn't see the whole collection.  Also, it lists the files in the order they were copied to the USB, not by album/song.  I had to run each stick through a little free utility that changes each files copy timestamp so that they'll list like I want.

[mtnbkr]

My music collection isn't too big and I can fit most of what I'd want on any given day in 16gb.

I took a look at Crutchfield and found if I buy a nicer head unit from them, they toss all of the installation bits in for free ($26 value).  I'm looking at a JVC unit that gets great reviews and is a more trusted brand IMO.  Additional to the free installation bits, Crutchfield is offering 50% off select JVC speakers.   The receiver has a 2yr warranty and 60day Crutchf7ield money-back guarantee. 

Chris

[zxcvbob]

My music collection isn't too big and I can fit most of what I'd want on any given day in 16gb.

I took a look at Crutchfield and found if I buy a nicer head unit from them, they toss all of the installation bits in for free ($26 value).  I'm looking at a JVC unit that gets great reviews and is a more trusted brand IMO.  Additional to the free installation bits, Crutchfield is offering 50% off select JVC speakers.   The receiver has a 2yr warranty and 60day Crutchf7ield money-back guarantee. 

Chris

I think the headunit I put in my truck a few years ago is a Kenwood.  I got it from Crutchfield pretty cheap, with all the installation stuff.  I never got around to installing the speakers because the factory speakers sounded so much better with the new receiver.

[mtnbkr]

I ended up with a JVC headunit, JVC component front speakers, and JVC 2-way rear speakers.  Damn Crutchfield and their deals.  Instead of $50ish for a head unit and installation bits, I spent $160 for the HU, install bits,  and speakers.

I may not keep the speakers depending on what's installed in my truck.  The previous owner went through the trouble to install a nice HU and run wiring for a rear Sub (not included with the truck),  I'd be surprised if they didn't replace the door speakers as well.  They don't sound bad.  If I pull the panels and what is there is good quality, I may just leave them alone and return the speakers to Crutchfield.  If they're factory or low end stuff, I'll install the new ones.  What's in there now is at least 15 years old though (we bought it in 2002).  Might be worth replacing in any case.

Chris

[K Frame]

Given that I know absolutely nothing about car stereo stuff...

What the hell is a head unit?

[zxcvbob]

Given that I know absolutely nothing about car stereo stuff...

What the hell is a head unit?

Fancy-talk for the radio, especially if it's stereo.

[K Frame]

And here I thought Chris was buying some sort of sex toy for his truck.

[p12]

I bought one similar to this only a Pyle. Been pleased mostly. Only aggravating thing is the Bluetooth will start playing via by phone on its own at start up. 


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mtnbkr]

So, I ordered the stereo on Friday and had the stuff in my grubby mitts today.  I went ahead and installed the head-unit/receiver/sex-toy today.  Between my familiarity with the vehicle's wiring, the previous owner having done the install properly, and Crutchfield's excellent instructions, everything went together without drama. 

I still have the speakers to do, but I'll tackle that on a weekend.  The rears will come first as they're either shot or crap to begin with.  If I adjust the fader to the rear, the sound is muddled and low.  The fronts still sound good, so I *might* not install the front speaker kit and return it for a refund.  It depends on how much the rear install annoys me.  The front will be a bit tricky because it's a component speaker set (like the factory set up), but with a different X-over network.  I'll have to find a space for the little X-over box.  The factory did it with a small capacitor on the tweeter.

Chris

[41magsnub]

This is interesting to me.  My land cruiser has a ridiculously over complicated Kenwood head unit in it.  It is a PITA just to change sources, the buttons are small, and it is too easy to go into weird menus it won't get out of until I hit the tiny little exit button.

Looking for something simple to replace it with.

[mtnbkr]

If you don't want physical media interfaces (CD/Cassette), the new digital media receivers are nifty.  Mine has a lot of smallish buttons, but it appears the main ones I need to interact with are the larger ones.  I'll have a better idea in a few days if mine is tedious or not.

Chris

[mtnbkr]

Ok, so I got everything installed.  It sounds GREAT.

The rear speakers need to be redone.  I used the supplied mounting brackets and don't like how they worked out, so I'm going to make some of my own to clean things up a bit.  The rear speakers were factory, no surprise there.  The fronts went in much easier and cleaner to install.  Someone had installed Polk woofers, but left the factory tweeter in place.  I replaced both with my new speakers (woofer and tweeter) since the newer Polk woofers are still at least 15 years old.

I'm happy with the results, especially for the price.

This is what I bought:
JVC KD-X340BTS Digital Media Receiver
JVC CS-DR600C 6-1/2" Component System
JVC CS-DR620 6-1/2" 2-way Speakers

Chris