Audio/Electronics Stereo System Installation Info, Amplifiers, Subwoofers, Radar Detectors, Police Scanners, and CB Radios for the Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Innova

Which DD Headunit

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 17, 2019 | 08:31 AM
  #1  
bigsapper's Avatar
bigsapper
Thread Starter
Drifting
Supporting Lifetime Gold
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,768
Likes: 297
From: Plano TX
Default Which DD Headunit

I'm putting in a DD HU in my (new to me) C5. Requirements are ...
1) Hands free mobile phone
2) Android Auto (Waze, Spotify, iHeartRadio)
3) Rearview camera
I don't care for nav, satellite, cd/dvd. However, I won't dismiss a HU if it has one or more of those as well as my requirements.

Here's my short list ...
Kenwood DDX9704S Kenwood DDX9704S

Sony XAV-AX100 Sony XAV-AX100

Pioneer AVH-4201NEX Pioneer AVH-4201NEX

Any preference for one of these? Or stay away from? Something else?

(I'll be using the Vettenuts DD console. I have the JL Audio speakers and
Axxess XSVI-2004 Axxess XSVI-2004
interface.)

What say ye?

Last edited by bigsapper; Jan 17, 2019 at 08:32 AM.
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2019 | 11:17 PM
  #2  
madsonp's Avatar
madsonp
Le Mans Master
Supporting Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 5,428
Likes: 2,309
From: Billings Montana. Out in the wild west
Default

I've been buying Pioneer systems for many years and never had any issues with any of them, the only reason I've needed to replace them is to keep up with technology, so for this reason, I suggest you go with the Pioneer system.
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2019 | 06:34 PM
  #3  
Pete Schweaty's Avatar
Pete Schweaty
Advanced
 
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 80
Likes: 17
From: Maryland
Default

I bought the 9704s and installed it last week. Backup camera went in today. So far I’m really happy with it. It’s seems responsive and full of features.
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2019 | 06:33 AM
  #4  
bigsapper's Avatar
bigsapper
Thread Starter
Drifting
Supporting Lifetime Gold
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,768
Likes: 297
From: Plano TX
Default

What are your thoughts regarding the buttons on the bottom? I kinda like the volume **** placement on the Sony.
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2019 | 07:49 AM
  #5  
Pete Schweaty's Avatar
Pete Schweaty
Advanced
 
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 80
Likes: 17
From: Maryland
Default

Originally Posted by bigsapper
What are your thoughts regarding the buttons on the bottom? I kinda like the volume **** placement on the Sony.
I know some people like a physical ****, but it isn't that big of a deal to me since I use the SWC's 90% of the time.
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2019 | 02:05 PM
  #6  
bigsapper's Avatar
bigsapper
Thread Starter
Drifting
Supporting Lifetime Gold
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,768
Likes: 297
From: Plano TX
Default

Went with a
Kenwood DDX9904S Kenwood DDX9904S
. Install is Monday.
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2019 | 02:48 PM
  #7  
Pete Schweaty's Avatar
Pete Schweaty
Advanced
 
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 80
Likes: 17
From: Maryland
Default

Originally Posted by bigsapper
Went with a Kenwood DDX9904S. Install is Monday.
Good choice ... I'm very happy with mine so far. Installed the backup camera yesterday, really simple.
Reply
Old Jan 21, 2019 | 04:28 PM
  #8  
rjwvetttt's Avatar
rjwvetttt
Pro
Supporting Gold
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 611
Likes: 415
From: Sarasota, Florida
2025 C7 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
2019 C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Default

Originally Posted by bigsapper
I'm putting in a DD HU in my (new to me) C5. Requirements are ...
1) Hands free mobile phone
2) Android Auto (Waze, Spotify, iHeartRadio)
3) Rearview camera
I don't care for nav, satellite, cd/dvd. However, I won't dismiss a HU if it has one or more of those as well as my requirements.

Here's my short list ...
Kenwood DDX9704S

Sony XAV-AX100

Pioneer AVH-4201NEX

Any preference for one of these? Or stay away from? Something else?

(I'll be using the Vettenuts DD console. I have the JL Audio speakers and Axxess XSVI-2004 interface.)

What say ye?
I use the AVH-4200nex and love it with.
$399 at Newegg.
Not sure what the difference is between the 4200 and the 4201 but the 4200 is great even with the top down.
Great dimming so it's not to bright for night driving and plenty bright and anti glare for when the top is down.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Jan 21, 2019 | 06:11 PM
  #9  
Callaway DrDon's Avatar
Callaway DrDon
Pro
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 517
Likes: 163
From: Oxford Maryland
Default

Consider a front camera while you have things already apart
Reply
Old Jan 21, 2019 | 06:52 PM
  #10  
rjwvetttt's Avatar
rjwvetttt
Pro
Supporting Gold
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 611
Likes: 415
From: Sarasota, Florida
2025 C7 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
2019 C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Default

That's a nice feature of my Pioneer too. Ready for 2 cameras.
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2019 | 01:42 AM
  #11  
bigsapper's Avatar
bigsapper
Thread Starter
Drifting
Supporting Lifetime Gold
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,768
Likes: 297
From: Plano TX
Default

Well, this went sideways. Waiting to see how the installer wants to resolve this, before I provide my experience.
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2019 | 06:55 AM
  #12  
Pete Schweaty's Avatar
Pete Schweaty
Advanced
 
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 80
Likes: 17
From: Maryland
Default

Originally Posted by bigsapper
Well, this went sideways. Waiting to see how the installer wants to resolve this, before I provide my experience.
That doesn't sound good.
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2019 | 03:35 PM
  #13  
RICH 28's Avatar
RICH 28
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,206
Likes: 66
From: Orlando Florida
Default

Reply
Old Jan 22, 2019 | 06:43 PM
  #14  
Vet Interested's Avatar
Vet Interested
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,652
Likes: 2,106
From: Left Coast, San Diego
Default

Originally Posted by Pete Schweaty
That doesn't sound good.
No it does not!
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2019 | 07:12 PM
  #15  
bigsapper's Avatar
bigsapper
Thread Starter
Drifting
Supporting Lifetime Gold
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,768
Likes: 297
From: Plano TX
Default

It's getting worked out. Primary issue is they didn't install the rear view camera. After an 8+ hour install.

I paid for a DDX9904S. They installed a DDX9903S. I've been offered a DDX9905S.

As best I can tell, the 9905 doesn't have wired Android Auto. A replacement 9904 would be a demo unit. The 9903 appears to be NOS, but unsure. The apparent difference between the 9903 & 9904 looks to be support for iPhone7 vs iPhone8. I don't use iPhone, so...
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2019 | 07:30 PM
  #16  
bigsapper's Avatar
bigsapper
Thread Starter
Drifting
Supporting Lifetime Gold
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,768
Likes: 297
From: Plano TX
Default

All's well that ends well, I guess. Sure could have used my time back and having this all done right the first time. Apparently it *is* the DDX9904S model. They just had it packaged in a DDX9903S box for some odd reason. Camera is installed now, too. I'm definitely liking the new head unit.

Spotify...


Waze...


Camera...


Last edited by bigsapper; Jan 24, 2019 at 07:37 PM.
Reply
Old Jan 25, 2019 | 10:17 AM
  #17  
rjwvetttt's Avatar
rjwvetttt
Pro
Supporting Gold
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 611
Likes: 415
From: Sarasota, Florida
2025 C7 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
2019 C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Default

Glad it all worked out for you.
Looks great too.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Which DD Headunit

Old Jan 30, 2019 | 06:09 PM
  #18  
bigsapper's Avatar
bigsapper
Thread Starter
Drifting
Supporting Lifetime Gold
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,768
Likes: 297
From: Plano TX
Default

So a week later, the Android Auto USB connection stops working.


Researching the hell out of this. I see my HU software is 4 minor versions off. Tried updating based on the instructions provided by Kenwood support website and it won't read my FAT-32 formatted USB drive for the update. Tried both ports, on/off, every combination I can think.

Tried factory USB cable and didn't work. Which is a bullshit suggestion because it was working with my Anker cable. Just out of the blue started reporting "unsupported device".
(edited to add) Just tried a thumb drive with music loaded and it works just fine.

Guess it goes back to the installer for resolution.

Last edited by bigsapper; Jan 30, 2019 at 06:27 PM.
Reply
Old Jan 30, 2019 | 06:29 PM
  #19  
bigsapper's Avatar
bigsapper
Thread Starter
Drifting
Supporting Lifetime Gold
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,768
Likes: 297
From: Plano TX
Default

OK, just looked up my USB drive that has the updates on it and it looks like it's a 3.0 which isn't supported. &^%#$&*@*&^@(&%!!!!

Found a 2.0 USB and still didn't work.

Last edited by bigsapper; Jan 30, 2019 at 06:53 PM.
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2019 | 08:48 AM
  #20  
bigsapper's Avatar
bigsapper
Thread Starter
Drifting
Supporting Lifetime Gold
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,768
Likes: 297
From: Plano TX
Default

Got Android Auto working on the head unit again. Uninstalled AA from my phone. Rebooted my phone, then re-installed AA. Made sure I had it plugged in and the app running when I turned on the HU. Voila'!

Still not seeing the USB with the firmware update.
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:54 AM.

story-0
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-1
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-2
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE