How to Choose the Best Double DIN Head Unit

Best Double Din Head Unit

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Are you on a quest to find the best double din head unit? Well, your search ends right here. We’ve got you covered with the names of the best double din head units available in the market, complete with double din head units reviews to back them up.

See the Top Rated Double Din Head Units – Click Here

We know that with all double head units available in the market today, such a quest can be daunting (  more on that below ); that’s the reason we’ve taken the initiative to make this buying guide for you so you would be making your choice from only the top-rated double din head units.

Here are our recommendations:

Clarion CX201

Clarion is a Japanese manufacturer of car audio and automotive navigation systems. They are one of the most authoritative brands in the mobile electronics industry. They have been in business for more than 70 years, and their products reflect their passion and commitment to excellence.

Clarion CX201

Clarion addresses the growing 2-DIN market demand by offering a few great models featuring larger displays and control buttons & switches for an OEM integration look.

The unit-linked above offers an OE (original equipment) fit with the newest refinements and features, including a large 2-line display with screensaver and demo mode, 6 large buttons, and a 4 Channel MOS-FET power amplifier. In addition, its ergonomic design provides great control while driving.

Clarion CX models have a great-looking, new sleek cosmetic design with convenient front panel inputs for plugging in a Dock & Play satellite radio, an USB storage device, an MP3 player, or any other portable audio player. In addition, the CX201 stereo will also play CDs loaded with MP3 or WMA files.

The CX201 stereo comes with two sets of preamp outputs, giving you extra flexibility and more control over your amps and subs. The built-in low-pass filter lets you control and adjusts the type of your bass, while a high-pass filter trims the extremely low frequencies out of your speakers so they can play more efficiently.

Other Features

  • CD receiver with AM/FM tuner.
  • Built-in amplifier (21 watts RMS peak x 4 channels).
  • Remote control.
  • SIRIUS satellite radio.
  • Outputs: 4-channel preamp outputs (2 volts front, rear/sub).

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Pioneer FH-X700BT

Pioneer is a Japanese multinational corporation specializing in all sorts of digital entertainment products since 1937.they have mastered the art of providing customers with products conforming to the highest standard in terms of quality and comfort at an affordable price.

Pioneer FH-X700BT

The Pioneer FH-X700BT is one of the best double din head units on the market. Most forums agree. We personally think it’s the best, all things considered. But, most importantly, this head unit comes with an exclusive “Illumination” system that provides over 210,000 colors to match the Pioneer’s display to your vehicle’s dash, as well as a pulsating multi-color display (MIXTRAX) that’s synchronized with your tunes, which will result in a touch of glamour and elegance added to your vehicle’s interior, and make it look as great as it sounds. And that’s what we love most about it this head unit.

The Pioneer FH-X700BT boasts some great features, including an excellent built-in Bluetooth® connectivity for hands-free calling and audio streaming. It will make your life easier as you can easily pair a Bluetooth-enabled phone to this head unit without having to enter pin codes or go through complicated settings. The head unit automatically detects the registered device nearby and pairs it to the unit.

Furthermore, the FH-X700BT features an In-dash control for Pandora, which is compatible with IOS Apple devices. So if you have an Apple device (iPhone, iPod Touch …), you can download the free Pandora Radio app, connect your device to your head unit, and take your music to the next level. Otherwise, you can use your front-panel USB input to enjoy the music stored on your device.

The Pioneer FH-X700BT showed a perfect set of advantages and great features, making it stand out above all the rest available in the market. Furthermore, when 388 people recommend it, you cannot simply ignore the fact that it’s actually a good head unit. On the other hand, vital factors and lots of excellent customer reviews have convinced us that this double din head unit is really the best one out there!

Other Features

  • CD receiver with AM/FM tuner.
  • Built-in MOSFET amplifier .
  • Built-in Bluetooth for hands-free calling and audio streaming.
  • MIXTRAX
  • Pandora control through iPhone
  • Remote control
  • Low-pass and high-pass filters
  • 5-band equalizer with seven preset tone settings
Pioneer FH-X700BT In-Dash Double DIN CD/MP3/USB Car Stereo Receiver w/ Bluetooth, Pandora Link, MIXTRAX & iPod Support
  • Built-In Bluetooth for Hands-Free Calling and Wireless Audio Streaming
  • Voice Control for iPhone
  • Enjoy Your Favorite Music in a Non-Stop Mix with MIXTRAX
  • 2 RCA Preouts (2V)

Kenwood DPX500BT

If you don’t want to get sucked into a flat, boring sound that your factory stereo delivers and want to breathe a new life into your sound system instead, Kenwood DPX500BT ought to be high on your list. This head unit boasts some great features that make it a forerunner among other head units in this category. Its sturdy design provides great control while driving. Ergonomically speaking, it’s really well-conceived.

Kenwood DPX500BT

Kenwood DPX500BT comes with plenty of features. It has a large single-line screen, Bluetooth® connectivity for hands-free phone calls, and wireless music streaming. It also has a very cool entertainment option (We will get into that later on).

This receiver’s built-in Bluetooth promotes safe driving by detecting and pairing registered phones near the receiver, allowing you to have a hands-free conversation while you are driving. You can also set your head unit to pick up incoming calls automatically. For outgoing calls, you can either use your smartphone’s voice dialing (if supported), or you can dial out by scrolling through your phonebook’s contact list on display. Additionally, the head unit can notify you when you receive an email or text message on your phone.

Furthermore, You can enjoy and stream music wirelessly from just about any device that supports Bluetooth connectivity.

This product holds up extremely well with its built-in MOSFET amplifier, which can put out up to 88 Watts RMS Power when it comes to power and performance. In addition, you have a full 3 sets of 2.5V preamp outputs for adding amplifiers and subs.

Drivers who have used the Kenwood DPX500BT double din stereo on their vehicles are in a better position to talk about the head unit’s performance. Having tested it in real-life circumstances, their experiences and feedback with the head unit are invaluable, and they are saying some really nice things about it. Furthermore, when many people recommend this unit, you can be quite confident that it’s truly worth it and makes a good product.

Other Features

  • Built-in MOSFET amplifier (22 watts RMS/50 peak x 4 channels)
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Pandora control with iPhone, Android, and Blackberry
  • App Mode
  • Steering wheel audio controls compatibility
  • Outputs: 6-channel preamp outputs
Kenwood DPX504BT Double DIN in-Dash CD Receiver with Bluetooth | Car Stereo CD Receiver with Amazon Alexa Voice Control | High-Contrast 3-line Display with Variable-Color Illumination
  • Kenwood DPX504BT features built-in Alexa with voice control. Alexa is a cloud-based voice control digital assistant developed by Amazon. You can ask Alexa to play music get weather reports, traffic information, control smart home devices, set reminders, and more. You'll need to install the Amazon Alexa app (for Apple iOS 11.0+ and Android OS 5.0+) on your compatible smartphone device to setup the Kenwood receiver for voice control
  • DPX504BT is equipped with built-in Bluetooth (ver. 4.2) allowing you to make and receive phone calls wirelessly through the receiver, as well as stream music wirelessly from your smartphone to the head unit. The head unit supports Bluetooth hands-free communication for your Bluetooth enabled mobile phone. The controls of the DPX504BT can be used to dial a number, answer an in-coming call, or end a call
  • DPX504BT allows you to access Pandora & Spotify online music services through your USB-connected or Bluetooth-connected iPhone, or Bluetooth-connected Android smartphone. Your Apple iPhone can be connected to the DPX504BT via USB or through Bluetooth. Your Android smartphone must be connected via Bluetooth. You can also access Apple Music Radio through your USB or Bluetooth connected iPhone
  • The unit features a single disc player that will playback CD-Audio and finalized CD-R/CD-RW audio discs. DPX504BT offers 8 EQ Presets for easy adjustment, a 3-band Easy EQ, a 13-band Manual EQ for customized tuning, a Drive EQ mode to overcome road noise, and a Stage EQ for better imaging. Separate EQ settings and EQ presets can be stored for each source or you can apply one EQ preset or curve to all sources
  • The DPX504BT is equipped with a 3-line LCD screen which lets you view the clock, source, and song/artist info all at the same time. You can select between English or Spanish text. It also features variable color display and button illumination. You can choose from one of 24 preset colors, have the unit scan through all 24 preset colors continuously, or customize your own color (RGB; 0-9)

Types of Head Units

Before you go online or to the stores to embark on your quest for a double din head unit, there are some things you need to be aware of. You’ve already read a few reviews of what’s deemed the best double din head unit in the market. Next in line is to know the different types of double din head units.

The two main types of head units are :

Single DIN car stereos

 They’re the standard car stereo size. The dimensions of a single DIN car stereo slot are 2-1/8” (50mm) height by 7-1/8” (180mm) width. If your vehicle is equipped with a single din head unit, it’s usually impossible to upgrade to a double din head unit. Double DIN head units aren’t necessarily better than single DIN head units. The main pros of double DIN head units are typically in the display. If that’s what you’re seeking, you can stop worrying; some great single DIN head units feature retractable or flip-out wide-screen touch displays. In your quest for a double din head unit, it’s important to remember one crucial fact: choosing one form factor over the other really boils down to personal preferences.

Double DIN car stereos

The second most common car stereo slot size is the double din stereo. These are typically twice as tall as the standard single din slots. Most of these double din stereos feature a built-in screen touch display as small as 3.5″ or as large as over 7″.If your vehicle is equipped with a double din head unit, then you have more flexibility to upgrade or replace it with an aftermarket double din stereo. The downgrade is also possible, but it’s not recommended; it’s usually done using a mounting bracket kit. Downgrading from a double din car stereo to a single din head unit will leave you with some available space on your dash, which can be used as a storage compartment or host additional components such as a graphic equalizer.

Which head unit fits my car – Single DIN and Double DIN ?

That’s an easy question to answer, and it’s actually pretty easy to figure out what you need. If your car has a single din head unit, the front faceplate should measure about 7 x 2 Inches, and you have to replace it with another single DIN unit. However, if it came with a double DIN head unit, the front plate will be twice as tall as the standard single din (about 7 x 4 inch – 180 x 100mm ), and you have the choice of replacing it either with a single or a double DIN car stereo. There is also a “1.5 DIN” size that falls in between, but it is rarely used.

>>Click here to see prices, specs, and reviews of double din head units<<

Double Din Head Unit –  What to Look For

Head units come in two varieties: double DIN and single DIN. We’re not going to get into the debate about which is better; they both clearly work, and it really boils down to personal preference.

With so many head units reviews on different models, brands, and types out there, it is natural to feel overwhelmed. However, making the wrong decision could cost you time, money and could even lower your sound system’s performance. So before you spend your money, make sure that you are getting what you pay for!

There are various points you need to be aware of when you are considering purchasing a head unit. In some situations, some of these points will be more important than others. In no particular order, they are:

Power

For audio enthusiasts, power is one of the most important factors to consider when building a car audio system. To put it simply, the more power you have, the better the sound, especially when you’re powering a component speaker system. In addition, high-end systems have more power, which allows the speakers to reach high volume levels with less distortion.

Audiophiles seeking big bass, louder and distortion-free sound usually build their sound system to bypass the built-in head unit amp, mainly using RCA line outputs and use the external amplifier for maximum results. Head unit’s power output is indicated in two ways, peak power and RMS power. Peak power refers to the maximum power output that a given head unit can put out in a short period of time. On the other hand, RMS is an accurate and reliable indication of a system’s performance; it indicates the maximum power sustainability continuously.

A high-power head unit will usually have enough juice to moderately drive up to four speakers. Still, for a high-end car audio system with multiple component speakers and subwoofers, you’ll certainly need to add an outboard amplifier. When you’re just starting (and you are on a budget), a good strategy is to build your car audio system piecemeal. In the very first place, you’ll need to find a head unit that has a good built-in amp and RCA line outputs and use it to power your front and rear speakers. That will allow you to enjoy good sound right off the bat while maintaining the ability to drop an outboard amplifier into the mix down the road.

Usability

Your head unit is the part of your sound system that you’ll use and interact with to control your entire sound system daily. That’s the reason why you should choose a head unit that feels good to you. A user-friendly head unit can be operated without becoming too much of a distraction for drivers. Furthermore, since many models in the same price tag are similar in terms of features and sound quality, usability is often deciding between models.

Pre-Amp Outputs

Preamp output refers to the signal before it’s been amplified. These outputs are a pretty common feature on most head units. In addition, some head units are equipped with multiple preamp outputs, up to three, which allows you to easily hook up more than one amplifier, which means you can adjust the levels of multiple amplifiers right from the head unit.

Pre-amp output is a must in any serious head unit. They allow you to drive an amplifier (or equalizer or crossover…) directly without the need for any conversion adapter. It’s always recommended to opt for a head unit with multiple outputs (keep in mind future expansion).
If your head unit is not equipped with pre-amp level outputs, you’ll need to buy an adapter that will convert your speaker level outputs to line level.

Theft Protection

Detachable head units are the most common theft prevention procedures today. They are two types, fully detachable and partially detachable. A fully detachable procedure consists of removing the whole head unit leaving behind a blank panel. In contrast, a partially detachable procedure leaves some features on the head unit, but it is still useless without its detached face. Some manufacturers went the extra step and came up with a new twist which consists of flipping the face around when the engine stops, so the head unit is completely hidden.

Additional Features

You might want to be aware of several other additional features or consider them before purchasing your head unit. Some of these are vital to the future extension of your sound system, like preamp outputs, and others will be immediately useful. These features include but are not limited to Bluetooth, Steering wheel controls, Remote control, Switchable illumination, Auxiliary inputs.

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Best Double Din Head Unit

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