Audio Installer Recommendations - Auckland

[1randomkiwi]

Hi all,

Anyone got any car audio installer recommendations in Auckland.

Wanting to replace headunit, retain steering wheel controls and add reversing camera.

Cheers

[preim]

I have always done installs myself but I can at least say the people at driving sound in Mt Eden have been friendly and said the right things when I have bought some stuff there. Chat to them and see if they seem onto it. 

 

Wouldn't go to sound around but that's my personal experience. 

 

Sound Tech NZ in new Lynn would be the budget option, super sketch, great price. I would take my own product there to get installed not use theirs.

 

Rapid radio have a good reputation I think but are probably expensive as their work is marketed at high end. 

 

Never tried hot wire but they could be good option price depending? 

 

Or do it yourself! It's pretty easy once you get into just take your time, disconnect the battery first, and don't break any plastic 😁

 

[1randomkiwi]

After spending many hours doing research last night, I found that it is much simpler than first feared.

A lot of the higher end headunits that support Android Auto also have built-in steering wheel control decoders which means you don't need a 3rd party device to interpret.

 

Thanks for the suggestions

 

[preim]

Yep the wire or wires should be pretty clearly labelled. 

[1randomkiwi]

22 minutes ago, preim said:

Yep the wire or wires should be pretty clearly labelled. 

Yeah I did the stereo install in my BE Legacy with ease. Stuff has sure changed though. USB inputs, aux inputs, reversing cameras, steering wheel controls, tiltable double din headunits

 

[Dairusire]

On that note, what headunit are you looking at getting? If I keep the legacy it'll need an update.

[1randomkiwi]

30 minutes ago, Dairusire said:

On that note, what headunit are you looking at getting? If I keep the legacy it'll need an update.

 

High end, double DIN, Android Auto compatible.
Looking at Sony, Pioneer, Kenwood.

Something similar to these: Sony XAV-AX5000, Kenwood DMX8018S, Pioneer MVH-Z5050BT

I'd love a headunit with the tilt function as without it double DIN headunits are quite recessed at the base:

[Andy_Mac]

So you’re keeping the Legacy for a while then?

[1randomkiwi]

8 minutes ago, Andy_Mac said:

So you’re keeping the Legacy for a while then?

Not sure tbh. Depends on work and a couple other things.
I figure I can always take the headunit out if I sell it and put the OEM one back in.

[sobanoodle]

Do it yourself.

 

Headunit will be plug and play, just make sure you get some harnesses.

Get a 2DIN kit. 

SWC should not be an issue with the latest HU as they can "understand" Subaru's signals. Failing that you can always get a decent SWC  control unit off amazon/ebay cheaply, wiring is not that hard.  

Cameras are cheap too and are easy enough to install, just find a wiring diagram and find out what/where reverse gear signal wire is so you do not have to run the wiring all the way from the taillights. 

[1randomkiwi]

Anyone bought an Android headunit off AliExpress?
Can get one for $600~ shipped vs paying $1000 for a decent head unit here for something like: https://www.pioneer.com.au/shop/car/avh-zl5150bt/

[thewabbit1]

On 4/04/2019 at 12:16 AM, 1randomkiwi said:

Anyone bought an Android headunit off AliExpress?
Can get one for $600~ shipped vs paying $1000 for a decent head unit here for something like: https://www.pioneer.com.au/shop/car/avh-zl5150bt/

 

There's so many choices. I've been considering one, but with the range of ~$200-~$600 there's a lot of room to choose the wrong one