Time to replace the stock HU- questions?
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2018
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
Time to replace the stock HU- questions?
Have a 2012 Street Glide with the Hertz HCX 165's in the fairing and a Soundstream PN4.1000 amp and want to replace the stock HU to get Bluetooth and USB playback & charging functionality. I also understand that most aftermarket HU's will result in a cleaner signal/better sound quality than the stock HU can provide.
I just got off the phone with Crutchfield and the tech asked me a few specific questions about what options I'm looking for and asked if I would be using an amp (I said I was) and he steered my to a base model Sony unit- the Sony MEX-4200BT, discounted to $89. He also recommended I added the hands-free module they sell so I can retain my handlebar controls, which I want.
I don't need a bunch of fancy features on the HU, I just want Bluetooth and USB playback/charging functionality, as I mentioned above. My question is by going to a higher end (and pricier) model will I be able to gain a significant increase in sound quality from that base model Sony unit that was recommended? Money is not that big of an issue so if by spending more now I am able to get significantly better performance out of the amp and speakers I currently have I am more than willing to do so. I know the Kenwood 998 is popular on this forum and Crutchfield has it for $200- is it worth spending the extra $ and will it give me better SQ? Thanks in advance for all of your feedback.
I just got off the phone with Crutchfield and the tech asked me a few specific questions about what options I'm looking for and asked if I would be using an amp (I said I was) and he steered my to a base model Sony unit- the Sony MEX-4200BT, discounted to $89. He also recommended I added the hands-free module they sell so I can retain my handlebar controls, which I want.
I don't need a bunch of fancy features on the HU, I just want Bluetooth and USB playback/charging functionality, as I mentioned above. My question is by going to a higher end (and pricier) model will I be able to gain a significant increase in sound quality from that base model Sony unit that was recommended? Money is not that big of an issue so if by spending more now I am able to get significantly better performance out of the amp and speakers I currently have I am more than willing to do so. I know the Kenwood 998 is popular on this forum and Crutchfield has it for $200- is it worth spending the extra $ and will it give me better SQ? Thanks in advance for all of your feedback.
Last edited by AZBadgerFan; Jun 18, 2019 at 03:56 PM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
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From: Southern Virginia
One thing to consider also is do you want weather resistance? No car or "marine" head unit will stand up to downpours like the stock head unit except for the Aquatics and the new Rockford Fosgate unit (if anyone knows of any others please chime in).
Since you seem to live in AZ that may not be much of a concern for you. I would suggest getting a cover though if you do decide to get a cheaper unit. You never know when those two or three storms a year may drop by.
If I had a street glide instead of an Ultra Classic I would be really tempted to try the new RF unit. On paper it looks pretty nice although the lack of AVC would be a bummer for me.
Since you seem to live in AZ that may not be much of a concern for you. I would suggest getting a cover though if you do decide to get a cheaper unit. You never know when those two or three storms a year may drop by.
If I had a street glide instead of an Ultra Classic I would be really tempted to try the new RF unit. On paper it looks pretty nice although the lack of AVC would be a bummer for me.
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 14
Likes: 2
From: Minnesota
I would check out fatheadcycles.com. They have many different Sony decks and they come with everything already wired up so its plug and play. I called and they helped me pick right stereo and amp combo.
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2018
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
I received my new HU from Crutchfield (the Sony MEX-N4200BT) and in reading the specs I noticed the Preamp Voltage of the unit is 2 volts while the preamp voltage of some of the higher end HU's by Sony, Kenwood and Pioneer or 4 and 5 volts. How will this limit me and manifest itself (if at all) in sound quality and loudness? Will be using with a Stinger SPX700 x 4 amp and Hertz HCX 165 speakers in the fairing only. The Sony is NIB and I can return for a higher-end HU if needed. Thanks!
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
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From: Southern Virginia
AZ I am running a similar Sony head unit in one of my old trucks and it sounds really good. It has 2V preamp outputs as well, but those are class A amps in the truck, I don't think that would really matter much though.
The nice thing about that Sony is you should be able to download the SongPal app on your phone which really adds to the features and control capabilities of the unit.
Hopefully someone with a Stinger on a 2v input can chime is and tell their experience with the combo. I know some of the RF amps really want fat input signals, but I don't know about the Stinger. If you ever get in a jam and need a higher voltage input signal for your amp you can always get a cheap PAC LD-10 line driver and tweak it to your liking. I had to do that for a while when I was running the RF amp.
The nice thing about that Sony is you should be able to download the SongPal app on your phone which really adds to the features and control capabilities of the unit.
Hopefully someone with a Stinger on a 2v input can chime is and tell their experience with the combo. I know some of the RF amps really want fat input signals, but I don't know about the Stinger. If you ever get in a jam and need a higher voltage input signal for your amp you can always get a cheap PAC LD-10 line driver and tweak it to your liking. I had to do that for a while when I was running the RF amp.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 221
Likes: 53
From: Scottsdale, AZ
AZ I am running a similar Sony head unit in one of my old trucks and it sounds really good. It has 2V preamp outputs as well, but those are class A amps in the truck, I don't think that would really matter much though.
The nice thing about that Sony is you should be able to download the SongPal app on your phone which really adds to the features and control capabilities of the unit.
Hopefully someone with a Stinger on a 2v input can chime is and tell their experience with the combo. I know some of the RF amps really want fat input signals, but I don't know about the Stinger. If you ever get in a jam and need a higher voltage input signal for your amp you can always get a cheap PAC LD-10 line driver and tweak it to your liking. I had to do that for a while when I was running the RF amp.
The nice thing about that Sony is you should be able to download the SongPal app on your phone which really adds to the features and control capabilities of the unit.
Hopefully someone with a Stinger on a 2v input can chime is and tell their experience with the combo. I know some of the RF amps really want fat input signals, but I don't know about the Stinger. If you ever get in a jam and need a higher voltage input signal for your amp you can always get a cheap PAC LD-10 line driver and tweak it to your liking. I had to do that for a while when I was running the RF amp.
Hoyt, I ended up ordering the Kenwood Excelon KDC-X303, which has a 5v preamp output and only cost $30 more than the Sony, which I will be returning.
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