audio set-up for beginners [continued]

[jhnkvn]

Get the 1DIN nalang. It's significantly cheaper on the basis that yo're looking for USB/iPod/Aux. Lower the better

[mda]

Any idea how much I'll be spending for this if ever?

Weighing the options kasi baka mas ok mag high-end na FM transmitter nalang. The low end ones aren't worth $*#*($ kasi.

[jhnkvn]

Hmm, if I remember the price difference between Pioneer models should be around the thousands lang.

If you can live with just the AUX and CD, the entry-level Pioneer 1300MP is around 3k. If you want the iPod connectivity, get the 2XXX (around 4k) if you don't plan on upgrading your stock sound system. Or in the event that you might want to throw a subwoofer in the future, the 3XXX models around 5k would be ideal due to the additional pre-out.

I got my mother the 1300MP just for her daily-driven Altis. I'm pretty content naman since talaga "less spending, the better" when I was looking for a head unit. It's not like my mother uses an Apple device or anything.

Pwede din actually mga FM transmitter but my experience with them has always been that of an annoyance (ex. changing FM channels everytime malabo yun signal), personally I'd still spend the extra thousand for a brand-new head unit. Even the 3.5mm AUX would sound WAY better than the FM transmitter which has around uhh... 96kbps worth of bitrate quality.

[mda]

Very informative sir jhnkvn. Might go with a new HU nalang kung ganun. I don't intend to upgrade sounds anytime soon, so no need for a sub out. Just want the AUX/iPod interface hehe.

Last thing holding me back - Usually ba may i-ssplice diyan or any wiring involved? Or plug and play installation mga HU? As much as I'd like to do this kasi, ayoko mangalikot ng car electricals.

Any place I should be visiting to get a good install? I'm willing to pay a <little> premium for good service, considering HU lang papalitan ko hehe.

Thanks!

[jhnkvn]

I don't think there's any splicing involved. In most cases, plug and play lang yan. I'm not sure what the head unit of a 2007 Prado looks like but I'd say that replacing the head unit is 99% worry-free so finding a good shop isn't hard as it looks. Just check your friendly suki talyer.. if not, tell me your general location and I could suggest shops that can do it for you (sadly, the shops I'm suggesting are those big-time shops.. just drop by Banawe anyday and everybody there can do it ;D)

[mda]

Hmm. I wouldn't mind going to the big time shops if the premium will not be so big. Mahirap din yung mga fly by night na shops. Di ko trip yung banawe unless kilala yung installer hehe.

A friend of mine suggested Mickeys sa may pasig. They any good or are there better shops for this job?

[jhnkvn]

If you're in the North, walang problema ang Banawe:
Nogz of Candyshop
Vince of Maspro
Ryan of Dawg Audio
Nesty of Ginza Audio
Jimmy of Jetcar
Benedict of Perfect Circle
Marky of Quest Audio
Adrian of ADsound in Tandang Sora

These are all car audio shops that are really matagal na and they do their job well. Heck, Winterpine has been installing gears since before my brother was even born..

Jack of Fuzed Mobile Audio if near White Plains

If near Araneta Avenue corner Sta. Mesa, Jeff Tan of Araneta Car Accessories or Winterpine (dunno if they do installs but.. might as well ask. They're the official DLS distributor in the country)

Ano pa ba..

Alex of Autoline in Makati (near CSB/DLSU actually)
Alvin of PhatAudio in Binondo
Eric of SunX in Cubao
Jeff of JC Car Audio in San Juan
Rocky of Mach2Audio in Pasig
Mickey of Mickey's Autosound in Pasig
Jonz of Simplesouds in Antipolo

For those in the South,
RJ of RJ's Sound Elite in Paranaque
Adrian of Blueprint in Paranaque

Ones in bold are the big four car audio installers in Metro Manila

[jedi]

Jon of tsikotshop taguig.

[mda]

Might visit Jeff / JC this weekend. Sila yung pinakamalapit eh.

Noob friendly kaya yung shop niya? i.e. won't rip people off if I don't know the SRP for the stuff I'm buying?

Sirs, any HU i should already have in mind?

Thanks.

[jhnkvn]

You shouldn't worry about these stuff. Unfortunately, instances of shops ripping off people is so remote that even I haven't heard of them especially in big-name shops. Think of it this way: some of the big known shops does installations and gears worth more than a million pesos. They won't rip you off a head unit ;)

And no, be at ease kay Jeff. Kilala yan ;) besides, sa kotse palang niyan alam mo big-time na eh :D As for the HU, whatever fits your budget. You can also say what you want and ask the installer for his advice.