Pioneer Double Din Head Unit Reviews – Best Options
As the technology for double DIN car stereos has improved, so have the options. While this is undoubtedly a good thing for most people, it does tend to make finding the right model for your needs a bit more complex. With all the options on the market swirling around, it’s entirely possible that you end up buying a double DIN unit that either isn’t all you expected it to be or is way more than you need, costing you a lot more money for features you don’t ever intend to use.
Your basic Bluetooth models alone can easily run a hundred more dollars apiece than their contemporaries, a bit expensive if you don’t ever plan on using a Bluetooth device.
Fortunately, Pioneer’s 2015 extensive catalog of high-quality double DIN units can easily be broken down by features and price, so you can get exactly what you’re looking for in an aftermarket stereo head at a price you’re willing to pay.
Below, we’ve got a few solid examples of their best products, as well as the niches that they were designed to fill.
#1 – Pioneer FHX-720BT
An easy way to get a boost on your stock stereo head, the Pioneer FHX-720BT gives you a no-nonsense interface and combines it with full two-way Iphone connectivity. Just like on your stock stereo head, you’ve got your basic terrestrial radio tuner and CD player, as well as a handful of pre-outs for an expanded speaker system so that real audiophiles can get the most out of their car’s sound system.
Of course, the big draws on this model are definitely going to be full Iphone integration and full Bluetooth capability, letting you play your Iphone’s music (both stored and streaming) and control it directly through the push-button interface on your stereo head. In addition, the Bluetooth connectivity means that you don’t even need to plug your Iphone in to enjoy all the benefits either; as long as you’ve got a Bluetooth ready device, the FHX-720BT can find it and play its audio wirelessly.
For the commuting businessman, the Bluetooth setup also allows for hands-free calling and, thanks to the Wideband Speech Handsfree Profile 1.6, can give you excellent quality receiving and transmission. Throw in the voice recognition capabilities, and you’ve got all the makings of a top-notch music player for a fraction of the cost of most other aftermarket units.
Don’t let its simple interface fool you; the FHX-720BT is probably the most affordable Bluetooth setup on the market today. Combine that with the full Iphone integration and support for voice control, and you’ve got an exceptionally solid music system, perfect for both music junkies on a budget and, as we mentioned before, the businessman with a hectic commute. It’s no-fuss, no-frills, and it does Bluetooth just as good as models that cost twice as much. If Bluetooth’s your only requirement, you can save yourself a lot of money and a lot of headaches by getting the FHX-720BT.
Check out our full review of the 720BT unit by Pioneer here.
#2 – Pioneer AVH-1600DVD
[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”297″ identifier=”B00GN5K88U” locale=”US” src=”https://www.bestdoubledinheadunit.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/516p5xfvyL.jpg” tag=”bestdoubled04-20″ width=”500″]A video player that can do so much more than play DVDs, the AVH-1600DVD comes with an integrated 6.1 inch WVGA touch screen that makes control over your music as intuitive as possible. In addition to all your stock stereo duties, this Pioneer stereo head comes with Mixtrax, Pioneer’s proprietary music mixer that strings your music together with new DJ effects and transitions.
Combine that with your color changing visual interface, and you’ve got a pretty impressive mix of all your favorites built right in, helping you fall in love with all your favorite tracks all over again. On the video side, you’re getting a DVD player, as well as a platform for any visual media your Iphone or Android can dish out; thanks to the AVH-X1600‘s direct USB connection, your mobile device works seamlessly with your car stereo, letting you run even streaming audio and video services with solid two-way control and no drop in quality.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00GN5K88U” locale=”US” tag=”bestdoubled04-20″]—> Click Here to Buy the Pioneer AVHX1600DVD Unit[/easyazon_link]
But the big kicker is this stereo head’s onboard support for Appradio, a full driver-assistance suite that gives you a huge library of apps you can play right through your stereo head, giving you a GPS, a fuel efficiency tracker, a traffic watch, and a host of other features designed to make traveling a little less hectic. Part entertainment center, part driver’s assistant, and all easy to use, the AVH-X1600 can be a little bit of everything to any consumer.
Not surprisingly, this stereo head is the go-to model for anybody who ever considered buying a GPS; thanks to your smartphone, you’ve got one already, so it’s absolutely worth it for anybody who even considered a standalone GPS for their car. The onboard support for Android devices is a nice touch as well, perfect for anybody who might feel left out in a market that seems to favor Apple products. Even if you just want to get the most out of your apps, the AVH-X1600 is a great buy, and it’s worlds safer than trying to search on your smartphone while driving.
#3 – Pioneer AVH-X4700BS
[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”375″ identifier=”B00O8B7BT0″ locale=”US” src=”https://www.bestdoubledinheadunit.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/512PUJM463L.jpg” tag=”bestdoubled04-20″ width=”500″]An exceedingly comprehensive package, the AVH-X4700BS has everything you’d need to turn your car into a complete mobile media setup. Not only does this model bump up everything you would normally use on a stock stereo head, giving you touch screen control, a 13 band equalizer, and high-voltage preouts for subwoofers and additional stereo power, but you’re also getting the benefits of a Bluetooth setup, video player, and hard-wire connection for your Apple and Android devices.
Additionally, like a handful of Pioneer’s other products, you can also install an Idatalink Maestro RR setup, giving you an in-depth analysis of everything that’s going on in your car; from user selectable gauges to tire pressure, as well as an expanded media suite, you can easily make your X4700BS even better.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00O8B7BT0″ locale=”US” tag=”bestdoubled04-20″]—> Click Here to Buy the Pioneer AVH-X4700BS DVD Receiver[/easyazon_link]
If price isn’t an object and you want as many features as you can possibly get, then the AVH-X4700BS is the complete package. While the price may initially be a concern, you can rest assured knowing that you’re going to get your money’s worth; this Pioneer stereo head does, in fact, do everything and does it quite well. Find our other specific details of this model here.
#4 – Pioneer AVH-X2600BT
[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”B00GN5K5WO” locale=”US” src=”https://www.bestdoubledinheadunit.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/51a7Yzb80PL.jpg” tag=”bestdoubled04-20″ width=”500″]What you’re getting on the AVH-X2600BT is a solidly optimized music and video player with an intuitive touch screen, Bluetooth, and Iphone/Android integration. In addition, this model is optimized for Mirrorlink, allowing pretty much any smartphone to connect to the stereo head and run certain driving assist apps, so even people with third-party smartphones aren’t missing out on all the great options a solid double DIN receiver can give them.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00GN5K5WO” locale=”US” tag=”bestdoubled04-20″]—> Click Here to Buy the Pioneer AVH-X2600BT 2-DIN Display[/easyazon_link]
Other than that, you’re going to be getting a lot of the same features as the newer X4700BS, just in a scaled-down form, perfect for people who want a little bit of everything but don’t want to shell out the extra money for the absolute cutting edge. With this model, you can do pretty much everything you’d want in a slightly older, slightly more affordable package.
Whatever your choice may be of these fine Pioneer double DIN stereo head units, each one of them is designed to do their jobs incredibly well. Simply take some time, pick out what you’re looking for in a stereo head, and we guarantee you won’t be disappointed by what you buy.