Head Unit -vs Head Unitless Install. Pro's and Con's.

LESLIEx317537 · 02-12-2004, 08:31 AM

I was deciding to go Head Unitless lately.
It's not a matter of room for a stereo, I have a double din and the DWW-7VGA in-dash pop out.
Also, I figure the 4Ch amp will sound much nicer than my Kenwood HU now, also my HU is getting old and I need to replace it soon.
I have a SB Audigy 2NX I plan on using for the 4.1 setup.

Can people with both types of installs tell me why you choose the method and what the pro's and con's are?

For ex. I heard that the amps make popping noises on boot. When the soundcard gets initialized and goes into windows. (I could add a switch that turns on the amps afte the PC is booted but I don't wanna do that. Even though I will have a toggle for turning on and off the amps.)

Thanks.

XxAndyxX · 02-12-2004, 11:14 AM

I'm Head Unitless and yeah it does make a loud popping noise in the booting process but it doesn't bother me because I have remote start on my car so by the time I get to my car, it's already loaded up and ready to go. As of right now I don't see any cons to not having a head unit except maybe that with my headunit I could feel the texture of the buttons and knobs so I can turn up and down the volume and change tracks without looking but now I have to look at my touch-screen. But once I get the feel of where my buttons are on the screen I may be able to do to it without looking again.

spectrrr · 02-12-2004, 02:40 PM

XxAndyxX, any cons to using windows to control your volume? I'm a little hesitant to hand over control of something like that to windows......was thinking of either a remote gain on the amp, or runnin the whole setup through an EQ somethwere up front..... you ever think of using a Griffen Powermate volume knob for that? might be a bit easier. (can get em over at thinkgeek.com for $45)

kram · 02-12-2004, 05:07 PM

i went w/o a head unit and will never go back. the sound quality alone i awsome, and i had a high end alpine before and it still sounds that much better

XxAndyxX · 02-12-2004, 05:39 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by spectrrr

XxAndyxX, any cons to using windows to control your volume? I'm a little hesitant to hand over control of something like that to windows......was thinking of either a remote gain on the amp, or runnin the whole setup through an EQ somethwere up front..... you ever think of using a Griffen Powermate volume knob for that? might be a bit easier. (can get em over at thinkgeek.com for $45)

I don't use windows to control my volume. I have a wireless Logitech keyboard that has a volume knob on it or when I'm using MediaEngine (which is most of the time) I just use that volume controls in that. I was also considering buying a remote. I'm going to do some research on Griffen Powermate, thanks.

LESLIEx317537 · 02-12-2004, 05:44 PM

I have a Powermate.

I don't care if I lose AM radio. - I really want to go headunitless now.

mutilator · 02-12-2004, 06:12 PM

im headunit less, i think i can get rid of the popping noise too... see attached.

jusatry · 02-12-2004, 07:01 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by mutilator

im headunit less, i think i can get rid of the popping noise too... see attached.

what are the specs on that relay?....

LESLIEx317537 · 02-12-2004, 08:15 PM

I don't see how that relay will solve the popping when the PC boots into XP.

My amp allready has soft turn on. It goes on softly when I turn on the headunit or car.

wi77iam · 02-12-2004, 09:14 PM

I am also head(unit)less and have a relay setup similar to what mutilator describes. The relay controls amp power and PC power. I do not get any popping.

eCar™ · 02-12-2004, 09:25 PM

I an going to be HU-less also.

I still want radio preset buttons on my dash. I think I'll be able to work that out by hacking into a keyboard/keypad so that each one of the buttons on my dash presses a keyboard key. Then I can use Girder to assign those keys a task, like change radio station. If you use number pad keys, then they each could have 2 functions by turning numlock on/off.

playyas4u · 02-12-2004, 09:41 PM

What type of sound card are you all using to get from the carputer to the amp. Do you all just use a headphone cable with two RCAs on the end to go into the amp and how do you control the treble, bass, and sub woofer. Most high end head units have sub woofer rca outs. I will be using two amps one for my sub and one for my mids.

Magnezium · 02-12-2004, 10:42 PM

I have a Pioneer 8500, and I have to say that it's the best way to go for me. I've gone head unitless and I've gone with the head unit... Let me be honest, it's easier and takes up less space to go with out a head unit. However, I was using crappy head units before. This head unit is much better. It has a very good EQ and volume control. Not to mention I use AM for news and traffic. Also, I don't have to completely go through the PC to listen to CDs when sometimes it's just easier to go through the head unit. Most importantly, my unit has Super Tuner III so I get MUCH better FM quality than any other FM I've ever heard. I don't even have an antenna.

One more thing... In my car, the shifter in 3 inches away from my head unit. On the head unit the buttons actually fold out and extend to my fingers on the shifter!!! I NEVER have to move my hand off the shifter. I'd NEVER give that up.

Mg.

Crav4Speed · 02-13-2004, 12:03 AM

headunitless... M10k, Opus 150 watt, laptop dvd, WD 120Gb hdd and lcd is going in the double din space... nothing in the trunk... that alone is worth it to me

kiztope · 02-13-2004, 01:38 AM

So, what does everyone use for a sound card?