Aftermarket CD Player for Gen 5 - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

thapranksta · 04-20-2006, 02:17 AM

I've been seriously considering changing out the headunit of my Gen 5. First, I was thinking about CD/DVD/Nav but I lack the funds for some features I'm not going to use very much anyway.......just bling mainly. So I am really debating on whether I should just purchase an aftermarket double-din CD player so that I can have more control over my music and better sound. So what are some good options for an aftermarket double-din CD player? I've been looking at Eclipse, Kenwood, and Pioneer mostly. The Pioneer and Eclipse seem like they are really designed for non-US cars because the volume control is on the right side. I ran across a Sony that appears to be discontinued and I am wondering if anyone knows about it.

Sony WX-4500X
CD/Cassette Receiver with CD Changer Controls

I had a single-din Sony Xplod headunit in my Gen 3 and it seemed to perform pretty well. The main reason I am abandoning my stock is because I only have control over my highs and lows. Does the stock radio offer any advantages over aftermarket? Thanks for your replies.

white3ch0c0late · 04-20-2006, 02:56 AM

Sony Xplod = not good car audio equipment, IMHO. Plus, every single non-navi aftermarket double-din unit has been fugly. If you want better sound, put in some kickass door speakers, some tweeters, and a sick ass amp.

thapranksta · 04-20-2006, 03:04 AM

The main reason I am abandoning my stock is because I only have control over my highs and lows. Speaker upgrades will come later. And yes I did see some pretty ugly units. Some were OK though.

white3ch0c0late · 04-20-2006, 03:12 AM

The Pioneer double-din one was hideous IMO.

sumptimwong · 04-20-2006, 03:18 AM

Isn't the HVAC controls and HU integrated into one unit on the gen5? What kits are available to replace the unit, with a slot for single or double din? Is there a Metra kit for the Camry?

Webb26 · 04-20-2006, 04:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sumptimwong

Isn't the HVAC controls and HU integrated into one unit on the gen5? What kits are available to replace the unit, with a slot for single or double din? Is there a Metra kit for the Camry?

NO the HU just sits there. THe HVAC unit is below that. YEs there is a metra kit, but nothing like the acord where a whole new unit is needed to replace. Like white chocolate said, The double din's are fugly, Upgrade with better component speakers. YOu wont be contrlling much of the sound if the speakers aren't of good quality anyways.

thapranksta · 04-20-2006, 10:54 AM

I just want to be able to control my lows, mids, and highs and have good output. Any extra features are welcomed. If I do replace the speakers, I will still need another headunit.

My current radio only controls lows and highs.

Aren't the speakers in the doors coaxial? How about the back? I know that there are tweets in the front. (Camry LE)

Webb26 · 04-20-2006, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thapranksta

Aren't the speakers in the doors coaxial? How about the back? I know that there are tweets in the front. (Camry LE)

Coaxial? Hmm i don't think so. Co axial is when tweeters are mounted on the speaker right? Well you are right that the tweeters are in the front, i believe they are on top of the dash board. As for the back, not rally sure. i haven't had a chance to remove them to see. Oh how was the retrofit by the way?

thapranksta · 04-20-2006, 03:02 PM

Ran into a little trouble with my wiring. Haven't really had a chance to get back to it since its the end of the semester at school. I'm working on landing some nice shrouds right now too. I'll be sure to PM whenever I get back to it so you will know how it turns out. Plus, I might post pics on a thread.

Is it possible to swap one of those CD changing factory units for my single CD player or is there issues with the amp and such?

sorry mod.

thapranksta · 04-20-2006, 06:44 PM

Here's another unit that plays DVDs. This one is JVC. I always thought JVC was garbage. Is it really garbage or do I have the wrong idea?

Webb26 · 04-20-2006, 08:23 PM

Sorry i can't say because i never went that route. I would recomend the bigger names. What are you looking for exactly? I mean what are you looking to get in place of the stock head unit? Just out of curiousity...why do you want a double din head unit? Well whatever it is i'm sure its on its way to being pretty clean.

thapranksta · 04-20-2006, 08:34 PM

I just want a very clean OEM look that entertains well. I am tired of my stock and want something to enhance my car's interior as well as function better than my stock headunit. Personally, I really want a Nav/CD/DVD Unit (preferably Eclipse). Those are pretty high so I might not be able to get one of those in price range. Plus the Nav unit is pure bling factor though it might be useful every now and then. Then there is CD/DVD Unit. Still pretty high but I could settle for one of those. My last choice is a CD Unit with all the accessories(Mp3, Satellite Radio, etc.). The CD units are only an option because my stock headunit does not give me very much control over my music. I can only adjust bass/treble/bal/fad and that's about it. There is no mid control or preset equalizers. I still love my stock radio but it is time to upgrade it. As I mentioned before, speakers will be upgraded sometime after the headunit.

Edit: Also double-din looks more OEM-style than the single din.

Webb26 · 04-21-2006, 01:43 AM

Agreed. Double din does look more oem'ish. I liked the kenwood navi/dvd unit, but a lot of people seem to go towards the eclipse. Myabe just preference...but then again i never had treid eclipse before.

xpeed · 04-21-2006, 02:30 AM

Honestly, IMO, I would spend extra for a Pioneer Carrozzeria.

Best thing, it plays almost all codecs,

Widescreen, DVD-Video, DVD-R, DVD-RW, MD, MDLP, CD, CD-R. CD-RW, MP3, FM/AM

thapranksta · 04-21-2006, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Webb26

Agreed. Double din does look more oem'ish. I liked the kenwood navi/dvd unit, but a lot of people seem to go towards the eclipse. Myabe just preference...but then again i never had treid eclipse before.

If I'm not mistaken, Eclipse is the closest match to our Toyotas since they make the Toyota and Lexus factory Nav systems. Besides being the manufacturer's choice, it is probably one of the best fits.