a car stereo with two knobs

stuartinmn · Post by **stuartinmn** » Nov 03, 2009 9:55 PM

I got a catalog from the local stereo store in the mail today, and noticed that Kenwood has a couple car stereos that actually have two big knobs on the front panel, just like in the old days:

http://www.kenwoodusa.com/Car_Entertain ... KDC-HD942U
http://www.kenwoodusa.com/Car_Entertain ... KDC-MP642U

They sell in the $250 range. I have no idea about how good they are, but at least they would look halfway appropriate in old cars like ours.

Retro Rust · Post by **Retro Rust** » Nov 03, 2009 10:13 PM

i know nobody asked me, but i hate having a head unit with all kinds of crap to mess with and with graphics and stuff. All the head units now are like miniature mainframe computers with buttons for miniature fingers. How are you supposed to pass people on blind curves going 90 while operating something like that?

BMWgiant · Post by **BMWgiant** » Nov 03, 2009 10:17 PM

I think that kenwood headunit looks like crap. The blue would throw off the beautiful amber lighting of the bmw interior lights. That digital display is just way too modern in my opinion. If the lighting color was amber, I might have a different opinion, but looking at the photo given on their website, I wouldn't have one in my car.

Snakeyestx · Post by **Snakeyestx** » Nov 03, 2009 11:08 PM

Retro Rust wrote: How are you supposed to pass people on blind curves going 90 while operating something like that?

I'll field that question. 99% of aftermarket headunits have very ergonomic handheld remotes. My Pioneer Premier DEH-P850 (this model is several years old and had the 'egg' remote which I kept and use on their newer headunits). Basically after about a week or two, you can pick it up in your hand when you have a free 2 or 3 seconds from out of your lap where you chucked it in prior to crushing your kidneys in the bends, feel which side is up with your index finger, and push whatever buttons to access the functions you desire without ever moving your eyes off the road. Once you're done, just drop the egg back in your lap and crush your spleen on the next set of twisties

wkohler · Post by **wkohler** » Nov 03, 2009 11:55 PM

I can't get on board with blue. I could see that working if you could change the key illumination color.

BMWgiant · Post by **BMWgiant** » Nov 04, 2009 12:06 AM

wkohler wrote:I can't get on board with blue. I could see that working if you could change the key illumination color.

Thanks for simplifying what I said.

slammin_e28 · Post by **slammin_e28** » Nov 04, 2009 1:23 PM

BMWgiant wrote:
wkohler wrote:I can't get on board with blue. I could see that working if you could change the key illumination color.
Thanks for simplifying what I said.

That's why I re-installed the factory head unit. Also why my e46 still has the factory head unit. I want all the lights to match up. It just looks crummy when it's 3 different colours.

Mr. E28 · Post by **Mr. E28** » Nov 04, 2009 3:26 PM

I'm all for matching illumination, but I can't go as far as sacrificing sound quality over it. I LOVE music far too much!

Post by **Jeremy** » Nov 04, 2009 4:40 PM

If you shop around, you can find good matches. This Clarion doesn't match up perfectly in terms of style, but at least the illumination is the correct color.

KillerPM · Post by **KillerPM** » Nov 04, 2009 4:51 PM

I never really cared what my head unit looked like as long as the interface was easy to use and the sound quality of the thing was amazing.

The one I had in my E28 was a Pioneer Premier DEHP-860MP

It was a little bling. I had all the dumb visulations turned off and after its auto adjusting auto tuning (it has a microphone that you hook it up to and it tunes itself for both distance and EQ).

It was awesome and if my E39 didn't have all its stupid navigation and stuff built in, it would be in that car.

PMA · Post by **PMA** » Nov 04, 2009 5:03 PM

I agree blue won't match, but I know one of the high-end kenwood decks with 2 big knobs allows the user to choose from a ton of different backlight/screen colors.

stuartinmn · Post by **stuartinmn** » Nov 04, 2009 5:06 PM

KillerPM wrote:I never really cared what my head unit looked like as long as the interface was easy to use and the sound quality of the thing was amazing.

This was my whole point. Once you have the stereo adjusted to your liking, how often do you do anything besides adjust the volume? That was the beauty of old style radios with two giant knobs on them - you'd turn the volume up or down, and once in a while you'd change the station. Every car on the planet had the same two knobs, so it was easy.

edit: I checked the owner's manual for these radios and you can set the display to your choice of blue, red or green. So there.

Karl Heinz · Post by **Karl Heinz** » Nov 04, 2009 6:44 PM

Kenwood actually made a series of radios a few years ago that look quite good in our e28s - the EZ300, EZ500, EZ700sr, and the EZ900. Red buttons for controls, two knobs, and white LCD backlighting did not look like ass compared to the blue bling that is out there now. Pic of the EZ500:

Since they discontinued these and I had Best Buy gift card at the time, I snagged an Alpine 9884, which will work just perfectly, as it will allow me to select the button colors and has an ipod hookup. Pic of the Alpine:

VW+bimmer=bliss · Post by **VW+bimmer=bliss** » Nov 04, 2009 7:52 PM

This is a very classy headunit, and great sound, have one in my 535

wkohler · Post by **wkohler** » Nov 04, 2009 7:58 PM

stuartinmn wrote:
edit: I checked the owner's manual for these radios and you can set the display to your choice of blue, red or green. So there.

I looked at the feature page and it only said blue. Knowing that, then it's a pretty nice looking option.

Karl Heinz · Post by **Karl Heinz** » Nov 04, 2009 8:50 PM

And it even allows for different shades of blue, green, and red. Crutchfield, which is where I do my initial research, shows these two to be white display and blue key button color. Dang it, don't they know that there is a group of anal retentive folks out there upgrading stereos that want to match their interior lighting?

Karl Heinz · Post by **Karl Heinz** » Nov 04, 2009 8:55 PM

Just went back to look at the manual once again for the Kenwoods and it notes on the pages involving illumination that feature is a "Function of KDC-X993/KDC-X693", which are also covered in the same manual. Crutchfield's info is then correct for all four radios. My bad.

Mike W. · Post by **Mike W.** » Nov 04, 2009 10:25 PM

Two knobs really is what works best. I know the industry has changed since long ago when 2 knobs were standard, but I'm sure it has to do with production costs and styling, not perfomance. Even if you're actually tuning digitally, a knob works better. A linear pot is better on volume than a stepped knob even if it can get noisy in time. But especially on lower end stuff, half the time you (or at least I) can't get the volume just right, it's either too little or too much. I know all about the precision of digital, but how about the infinite choices of linear?

And I'm not nearly as style concious as many here, but blue on a car stereo looks tacky in anything besides a slammed Honda Civic with a coffee can muffler driven by a 17 year old.

wkohler · Post by **wkohler** » Nov 05, 2009 12:03 AM

Mike W. wrote: And I'm not nearly as style concious as many here, but blue on a car stereo looks tacky in anything besides a slammed Honda Civic with a coffee can muffler driven by a 17 year old.

Is that just because the whole car is tacky?

I'm just bummed they had to go with blue for everything. I can't stand it. I bought a Clarion DB-235 years ago for my Volvo (ordered from the factory WITHOUT a radio, which was really weird). It has a digital knob. I guess the removable faceplate kinda kicked out the analog pot. I completely agree that it is much better. Even with some of the finely-tuned digital knobs on higher-end AV gear, I still get that Goldilocks feeling.

There are some nice-looking headunits out there these days - when they're off. One of the more annoying things about aftermarket head units is that they did away with RDS. It was all the rage in the late '90s and then the stock radios started in with them. Then aftermarket left.

briansmith · Post by **briansmith** » Nov 05, 2009 8:04 PM

For 2009, buying something new, I think this JVC unit is great for an e28: http://signature.crutchfield.com/s_105K ... ml?tp=5684

It works super well for us, and fulfills my requirement of illumination color matching. There are 4 or 5 stock orange illimination colors, and a user customisable option. You can also select different colors for "all headlights off" switch position and "lights on" position. Super radio reception, and front mount USB port with decent navigation ergonomics. I'm a satisfied customer.

carnutdallas · Post by **carnutdallas** » Nov 05, 2009 8:26 PM

I am rolling with the JVC Arsenal 805 and it is sweet. Ipod, Blue tooth phone and music, 3 set of RCA's etc, etc. Display is a little small, but looks great at night and color is dead on. Alpine has turned to crap. They were sold and they are junk now, sorry. Kenwood use to be great as well, but they too have jumped the shark with overly complicated menu system. The second knob is a joke. I really think the good radios/head units went away in the early 2000's Back in the day Alpine was great and Kenwood rocked. Then again you have Eclipse, etc. I would have never thought I would go JVC. But I wore out Crutchield and Cartoys. Bought 6 units over a 3 month period looking for the best sound, features and illumination. I was working on my e34 and went straight for the same JVC unit in the e28. I know a lot of this is subjective and opinion. My buddy at Cartoys said he would never use a new Alpine for for a custom system anymore, just junk to tune with and make work - his opinion. Anyway, other than JVC small display on A805, it is great. Sound is great, signal is great and a great start for my eventual system. Link below to my unit. Rock On!

http://signature.crutchfield.com/App/Pr ... 0&skipvs=T

ross1 · Post by **ross1** » Nov 06, 2009 1:08 PM

A very good idea
Too many tiny buttons and menus on most new radios that require you to divert your attention from the task at hand.
I miss the days of being able to change channels or volume without having to look, and without having to negotiate half a dozen menu choices should I press the wrong button.
I printed out the owners manual for my not quite current, not too sophisticated by todays standards HU and it weighs a pound or more.

Karl Heinz · Post by **Karl Heinz** » Nov 06, 2009 2:04 PM

Kind of surprised no one has made mention of the uber classic Nakamichi head units. Just went to look at the Nakamichi website and was surprised to see that the CD300 still looks like the same unit offered back in the 80's.

Anyone using one of these, or any of the other Nak HUs? Are they still worth the extra floose, or have they fallen the way of Sansui and Fisher? Sad to see once decent, even great, brands go to the dogs.

misha · Post by **misha** » Nov 06, 2009 9:36 PM

http://signature.crutchfield.com/s_113K ... ereo&ssi=0

My buddy just bought this one for his E30 and it is very nice. Since the color is adjustable to whatever you want it is almost a perfect match. Has all the features that most of us use and is great for ipods. I am thinking that is going to be my choice for a new head unit in my car soon.

ncpaladin · Post by **ncpaladin** » Nov 07, 2009 7:02 PM

I have this:

http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/products/Mc ... player.asp

or I could put in this:

and of course these:

a/d/s/ 642CSi crossover

a/d/s/ PH12 6 channel amp

a/d/s/ PH15 six channel amp

a/d/s/ PQ20 four channel amp

a/d/s/ bass controller for the 642CSi

a/d/s/ 200i plates for the front

a/d/s/ 300is plates for the parcel shelf

a/d/s/ 320is separates option for the parcel shelf

a/d/s/ S7 bass drivers for the parcel shelf

That's about a third of my old school collection of car audio.

God forbid I ever actually figure out what to do with it.

ncpaladin · Post by **ncpaladin** » Nov 08, 2009 9:17 PM

Karl Heinz wrote:Kind of surprised no one has made mention of the uber classic Nakamichi head units. Just went to look at the Nakamichi website and was surprised to see that the CD300 still looks like the same unit offered back in the 80's.

Anyone using one of these, or any of the other Nak HUs? Are they still worth the extra floose, or have they fallen the way of Sansui and Fisher? Sad to see once decent, even great, brands go to the dogs.

If we jump into the Wayback Machine, I remember drooling over the Nakamichi tape decks in the mid eighties. I have a TD-700 in inventory, this head unit was used in more Car Audio Nationals winning cars than any other tape deck. It still kicks ass. The last version that Nak made was the 100TD and 1000TD (depending on the market sold in.) It was a TD-700 with CD changer controls built in. Currently, the Nakamichi CD 700II is their top model CD/tuner. None of that removable faceplate BS. It has a genuine analog volume knob, the way God intended it to be.

If you know what a Nakamichi Dragon is, then the TD-1200 series is something to look at from the past. It was a Dragon playback only machine for the car. Unfortunately, the TD-1200 series suffered troubles due to the very heavy tape drive flywheels, the poor creatures did not live long in a car with a hard suspension. Nakamichi has had their ins and outs in the stereo world, but they have hit some serious home runs over the past few decades. If I didn't already have a McIntosh MX406 CD/tuner, I would get the CD 700II.

wkohler · Post by **wkohler** » Nov 08, 2009 9:27 PM

The problem with Nak CD headunits is the CD transport. Also, a close, trusted source says that they won't even service them. I'd love a CD700 MkII. I have a TD500 in my storage unit. I've got a Blaupunkt Toronto in the car now with crappy wiring and my premium sound "amp" pops and crackles, which is fun. Good 'nuff for me. I mostly listen to AM anyway. When I want to listen to music, I fire up the Audio Research tube system.

ncpaladin · Post by **ncpaladin** » Nov 08, 2009 9:59 PM

Ah, yes, the Nak transport. The single biggest problem ones were the MusicBank systems (Cd changers). Stay away from them like the bloody plague. However, the CD 700II should offer no troubles. As for service, yes Nak has bailed on the US market. It sucks. But since a buyer of a head unit of this caliber would probably get it from a reputable dealer in another country, they would be wise to send it to that dealer for a service return. Another reason I like my MX406, I can send it up to McIntosh for service.

Chris, the fact that you have a tube home system to enjoy makes me even more proud of you!

I still lament selling my last bit of tube equipment: A very early production McIntosh MC240 (Serial number: 240D1) How I enjoyed listening to voices like Diana Krall played through those old tubes. I'm gettin' all nostalgic. I am down to a class A Tandberg amp for my primary system's power now. However, if you EVER get your hands near an Infinity Hybrid Class A amplifier, kill for it. (I'm only somewhat joking.) I still have dreams about how that amp sounded when I had one.

I worked for years in the high end audio/video/home theater/car audio business, and I've played with many a nice amp. Mark Levinson, The Gryphon, Krell, McIntosh, etc. and nothing has ever matched that damn Infinity amp for total sound quality. I want it back!

Murfinator · Post by **Murfinator** » Nov 08, 2009 10:45 PM

ncpaladin: You ever going to install that audio gear? As I've said before: doesn't do any good sitting in a box somewhere collecting dust. Looks like the beginnings of a nice system.

Here's my solution to endless tunes and suitable audio control without undue distraction from the 'ultimate driving experience'

:

Alpine headunit with iPod interface and satellite radio. Huge selection knob that's easy to locate without taking your eyes off the road and big display. Internal crossover with multiple RCA outputs perfect for running multiple amplifiers. Also, the lighting and display settings are configurable. As you can see, it blends fairly well with the rest of the cockpit. Note the coaxial center-channel speaker behind the center vent on top of the dash. These are powered by a dedicated amplifier and has its own volume and effects knob to the right of the front/rear foglight switch (not pictured). An AudioControl ESP-3 provides the signal processing. Very nice for reproducing an accurate front sound stage. Left of the headunit is an LED linked to the alarm and right of the headunit is the WAR selector switch.

MyE28.com

MyE28.com

a car stereo with two knobs

a car stereo with two knobs