Is there a decent single din head unit?

cdgatti · 08-22-2015, 06:42 AM

Wondering if there is a decent single din head unit that integrates well into a non-nav car? I don't have the need for a screen on my head unit especially since I think the mounting location is too low for safe operation.

Thinking about something that looks oem-ish but has better audio quality.

ctuna · 08-22-2015, 11:07 AM

The Head Unit is not the weakest link in SQ.
Mostly its the speakers and the amp.
That being said there are more high end single
head units out there with more features.
But nowdays even Ford has head units that are so
tightly integrated with the rest of the car its a pain
to change them out. So there can be side effects
and the worst ones are that BMW cannot perform updates
to the software or run diagnostics to repair the car
without the original head unit installed.
Most people that want sound quality change speakers
and amps (amp/processors here)
If you want more specific information you need to identify which
of the three BMW systems you have .
Go read the audio build sticky.
The only things that look OEM are the dynavin and dynavin clones and
they are full nav/radio double din radios.
Pioneer 80prs is a audiophile head unit sometimes mentioned.

cdgatti · 08-22-2015, 02:52 PM

Ctuna after being on this forum for 4 years and posting frequently in the audio forum you still don't know who I am?

ctuna · 08-22-2015, 03:40 PM

It surprises s me that you would be asking for a single din head unit
after that amount of time. Or anyone else that has been around here
that long. I didn't look at who was posting I just responded.

Ali-E90 · 08-25-2015, 07:24 AM

Are you trying to improve sound quality, or add functionality?
If sound quality, as ctuna said, the HU is not the weakest link. You can keep your OEM HU and upgrade amp/speakers. Tons of threads here.

BUT, if you want functionality you currently don't have (Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, USB, etc), then HU may be the easiest ( or possibly only) way forward.

Ultimately, to answer your Q, I'm not aware of any specific single din units that blend and integrate well.

Personally, I installed a pioneer avic, and hear lots of great things about the dynavin units. Both double din, but dynavin looks pretty OEM.

08-22-2015, 06:42 AM	#1
cdgatti Colonel 255 Rep 2,547 Posts Drives: e90 328i Join Date: May 2011 Location: KY iTrader: (4)	Is there a decent single din head unit? Wondering if there is a decent single din head unit that integrates well into a non-nav car? I don't have the need for a screen on my head unit especially since I think the mounting location is too low for safe operation. Thinking about something that looks oem-ish but has better audio quality. __________________ OEM Black grill and Blackline tails - LCI halogens with Lux V2 coded as DRL - 3M Crystalline - BMS PBX - OEM Euro Airbox with K&N - Hardwired CTEK - Bilstein B6 w/OEM springs and SP perches - Conti DWS06 - HiFi-Helix DSP - JLAudio HD/XD-Morel - CD changer trim - AE optical out
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08-22-2015, 11:07 AM	#2
ctuna Lieutenant General 1911 Rep 13,103 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	The Head Unit is not the weakest link in SQ. The Head Unit is not the weakest link in SQ. Mostly its the speakers and the amp. That being said there are more high end single head units out there with more features. But nowdays even Ford has head units that are so tightly integrated with the rest of the car its a pain to change them out. So there can be side effects and the worst ones are that BMW cannot perform updates to the software or run diagnostics to repair the car without the original head unit installed. Most people that want sound quality change speakers and amps (amp/processors here) If you want more specific information you need to identify which of the three BMW systems you have . Go read the audio build sticky. The only things that look OEM are the dynavin and dynavin clones and they are full nav/radio double din radios. Pioneer 80prs is a audiophile head unit sometimes mentioned. Last edited by ctuna; 08-22-2015 at 11:55 AM..
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08-22-2015, 02:52 PM	#3
cdgatti Colonel 255 Rep 2,547 Posts Drives: e90 328i Join Date: May 2011 Location: KY iTrader: (4)	Ctuna after being on this forum for 4 years and posting frequently in the audio forum you still don't know who I am? __________________ OEM Black grill and Blackline tails - LCI halogens with Lux V2 coded as DRL - 3M Crystalline - BMS PBX - OEM Euro Airbox with K&N - Hardwired CTEK - Bilstein B6 w/OEM springs and SP perches - Conti DWS06 - HiFi-Helix DSP - JLAudio HD/XD-Morel - CD changer trim - AE optical out
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08-22-2015, 03:40 PM	#4
ctuna Lieutenant General 1911 Rep 13,103 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	It surprizes me that you would be asking for It surprises s me that you would be asking for a single din head unit after that amount of time. Or anyone else that has been around here that long. I didn't look at who was posting I just responded.
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08-25-2015, 07:24 AM	#5
Ali-E90 Colonel 379 Rep 2,365 Posts Drives: 2007 E90 323i (Cdn) Join Date: May 2013 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (3) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [8.00] 2007 BMW 323i [8.50]	Are you trying to improve sound quality, or add functionality? If sound quality, as ctuna said, the HU is not the weakest link. You can keep your OEM HU and upgrade amp/speakers. Tons of threads here. BUT, if you want functionality you currently don't have (Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, USB, etc), then HU may be the easiest ( or possibly only) way forward. Ultimately, to answer your Q, I'm not aware of any specific single din units that blend and integrate well. Personally, I installed a pioneer avic, and hear lots of great things about the dynavin units. Both double din, but dynavin looks pretty OEM. __________________ Check out my Mod Thread Here
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