Good evening, SF. It's been a very long time since I did any geeking with the car stereo goods, and I'll admit that a lot of the current technology is beyond my knowledge. Heck, my newest vehicle is almost 12 years old....

That said, I'm toying with the idea of replacing the stereo in a 2012 Passat. Why? The factory unit is okay, but it's got issues. Let's start with the built-in nav, which is way out of date. The currently available update is a couple of years old, and over a hundred bucks. Not doing it. The system reboots several times when a phone connects to it, for no apparent reason. There are other issues, but that's not the point. The point is, I think I want to replace it.

That of course leads to some internet shopping, primarily at (long-time favorite) Crutchfield and then at the nearby Best Buy. Budget is certainly an issue -- the money tree didn't bloom yet. I don't need crank-em-up contest level equipment, but I want something that works well, sounds good, and offers the Android Auto toys.

Today's surfing filtered down to three -- well, four -- seemingly reasonable choices.

• JVC KW-M560BT, $280 (link)
• Kenwood DMX4707S, $300 (link)
• Sony XAV-AX3250, $320 (AX3200 link)
• Alpine ILX-W650, $350 (link)

That last one sneaked up on me after I thought I was finished surfing. Anyway...
I'm naturally drawn to Crutchfield, because they're a) relatively nearby and b) a longtime supplier of mine, both personally and for work. However, the even more nearby Best Buy offers free installation. It's been a long time since I installed one, and I'm at the point in life where I'd rather have the pros tackle something like that.

So. What features really matter? The main thing I'm after is the Android Auto convenience. That feature would solve my sucky-OEM-nav problem quickly. I do want to retain my steering wheel controls, and I do want the satellite radio functionality. I recognize that likely requires an additional module.

While surfing today, I noticed mention of external microphones -- does that mean these units don't work with whatever mic the existing system has? Come to think of it, I don't know where the existing system's mic really is. I don't think I need a camera input. I don't necessarily need CD/DVD playing capability; I mostly listen to satellite channels while on the road.

So far I'm leaning toward the Alpine -- the intro video on Crutchfield's site is very convincing and the swipe interface is pretty cool -- but I'm open to alternate opinions. It's probably at the top of the budget, given that I know I'll have to add the satellite module and probably some trim/adapters/etc.

What are your thoughts? Thank you.

- - - - - - -
ETA: Alpine price

This message has been edited. Last edited by: vthoky,

No help on the topic, but you're finally back in the Passat?
What was tour total time in the shop?

Yessir, got it back this morning -- fifteen and a half months, altogether. Funny story on that, by the way: I learned last week that it was misdiagnosed when I dropped it off.

(Well, funny for me. Not so funny for my dealer, nor for their now-former technician.)

Short version: Not turbo failure, but rather the cold air side of the turbo's charged air pipe had come apart.

quote:

Originally posted by vthoky:

Alpine ILX-W650 (link)

That last one sneaked up on me after I thought I was finished surfing. Anyway...


So. What features really matter? The main thing I'm after is the Android Auto convenience. That feature would solve my sucky-OEM-nav problem quickly. I do want to retain my steering wheel controls, and I do want the satellite radio functionality. I recognize that likely requires an additional module.

While surfing today, I noticed mention of external microphones -- does that mean these units don't work with whatever mic the existing system has?

So far I'm leaning toward the Alpine --

What are your thoughts?

{snipped}

FWIW, I have the ILX-207 which is/was pretty close if not identical to the ILX-650.

It does Android Auto well but you need a USB cable aka not a wireless connection.
That is fine except when you use that connection you cannot directly play FLAC (or other music files) at the same time.
But you can use any streaming service that is on your phone ~ Spotify, ect ... I use Qobuz or play music that is already on your phone.
Mine came with an external Mike that I ran the cable up to the headliner so it was out of the way.

I only use the Android Auto when I want to use the NAV or if I want to stream music.

Otherwise I just plug in a USB stick with my music files to a USB port that I mounted in the cigarette lighter hole.
The USB port I got on Amazon for $10 or so and took out the Cigarette Lighter but it also came with mount (not used) or you could make a hole in your dash if so handy.
Then attach the port cable to the back of the Alpine (better looking than having a cable hanging..
I did get the steering wheel control cable but never got around to installing it.
Never did the satellite radio but play the hell out of my ripped CD's (USB drive).
Vehicle is a Nissan Titan.
Very pleased with the Alpine.

I put that very Alpine in my wife's car. It's a great unit.

Our only complaint is that the on screen volume buttons are teensy.

I also had pros install it, and they wired the USB port in through the cigarette lighter port.

Have always been pleased with Sony equipment.

Both daughter’s cars were well served.

Crutchfield HQ will install the purchase.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
{snipped}

Thank you, smschulz, for the "real-world review." I think I'm not worried about FLAC files -- heck, I just learned yesterday they exist -- and so far I don't even store music on my phone. Most of my listening is via the satellite channels, honestly. I like your idea of concealing the USB cable. I put an entire afternoon into "burying" charging cables and running them up to the storage box ahead of the shifter.

quote:

Originally posted by Oregon:
I put that very Alpine in my wife's car. It's a great unit.

Good to know!

quote:

Originally posted by 4MUL8R:
Crutchfield HQ will install the purchase.

I wondered if they still do installation in C'ville. The Best Buy option is a lot closer, but I'm a longtime Crutchfield fan and surely open to a visit there.

Of your choices I personally like the Alpine the best. Factory mic's didn't used to work but forums might lead you to a way to make it possible. The last one few I did had the mic in the overhead and I snaked the new mic into it's location because I hate when they're just stuck on the steering column or convenient dash location. Decent sound will most likely require at least a front speaker change too but that's inexpensive and usually pretty easy. I've used the Maestro units for steering wheel controls and they've worked well.

I have the Sony with a larger screen and a couple extra options. I looked at the Alpine as well but chose the Sony.

The Sony has a better equalizer and stronger amp. It also has a true A/V input along with camera input where the Alpine only has camera inputs.

Though the Crutchfield site does not mention it the Sony (I believe, at least mine does) has the swipe touch screen as well. If you see those two dots above the Sony logo on the bezel that shows there is another screen of options. You will have multiple screens available for for station presets in Satellite radio and terrestrial radio mode and I am not sure how you would change screens with just the buttons.

I also prefer the raised tactile buttons of the Sony over the smooth face buttons on the Alpine.
I have an Android unit in my Silverado and those smooth face buttons aren’t as responsive and sometimes more difficult to find while keeping eyes on the road.

If you want to simply add a small amplifier the Alpine has a simple plug and play piggy back amp available.

As for the microphone I can’t speak for VW but Toyotas have factory microphones that use super low wattage and weird wiring. It is a gigantic pain to use the factory mic and I found no one making converters. I just hid the Sony microphone. It actually has far better sound quality than the Toyota factory mic.

I have the added Sirius/XM module and it was a simple plug and play. It connected to my factory antenna not sure if an adapter is available for yours or not.

I was able to keep all factory options, antennas, steering wheel controls, USB connects, Aux inputs, etc.
Only thing I could not reuse was the factory mic.

I am very very pleased with the Sony. Screen quality is great for the backup camera. Mine has an HDMI input and the video from that is very good. Though the model you are looking at only has the mini A/V jack.

Can’t really go wrong with either the Sony or Alpine.

If all else is equal I will always choose Alpine. I was an Eclipse guy until they left the market. Alpine seemed to be the highest quality of those choices. The upper level Kenwood stuff was fine, just didn’t prefer the interface or styling. Sony and JVC seemed a level below the Alpine in all ways.

But this is based upon now antiquated personal experience.

quote:

Originally posted by thumperfbc:
If all else is equal I will always choose Alpine. I was an Eclipse guy until they left the market. Alpine seemed to be the highest quality of those choices. The upper level Kenwood stuff was fine, just didn’t prefer the interface or styling. Sony and JVC seemed a level below the Alpine in all ways.

But this is based upon now antiquated personal experience.

Sony has come up worlds in their Car/Mobile lines especially if you can find something in their ES line in the past few years.
I was hesitant to go Sony because I was of the same line of thinking as you. I had been out of the mobile audio/video world for a bit until I started researching for the upgrade in my Tundra a couple years back.
Always had Alpine or Kenwood Excelon before. Sony has truly upped their game and are a true contender now.

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:

quote:

Originally posted by thumperfbc:
If all else is equal I will always choose Alpine. I was an Eclipse guy until they left the market. Alpine seemed to be the highest quality of those choices. The upper level Kenwood stuff was fine, just didn’t prefer the interface or styling. Sony and JVC seemed a level below the Alpine in all ways.

But this is based upon now antiquated personal experience.

Sony has come up worlds in their Car/Mobile lines especially if you can find something in their ES line in the past few years.
I was hesitant to go Sony because I was of the same line of thinking as you. I had been out of the mobile audio/video world for a bit until I started researching for the upgrade in my Tundra a couple years back.
Always had Alpine or Kenwood Excelon before. Sony has truly upped their game and are a true contender now.

That’s good to hear. I always found it odd that such a big name had such poor product.

quote:

Originally posted by vthoky:
Yessir, got it back this morning -- fifteen and a half months, altogether. Funny story on that, by the way: I learned last week that it was misdiagnosed when I dropped it off.

(Well, funny for me. Not so funny for my dealer, nor for their now-former technician.)

Short version: Not turbo failure, but rather the cold air side of the turbo's charged air pipe had come apart.

Yikes, well at least you got to drive some new stuff in that time.
Keeping the VW for the time being?

quote:

Originally posted by thumperfbc:

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:

quote:

Originally posted by thumperfbc:
If all else is equal I will always choose Alpine. I was an Eclipse guy until they left the market. Alpine seemed to be the highest quality of those choices. The upper level Kenwood stuff was fine, just didn’t prefer the interface or styling. Sony and JVC seemed a level below the Alpine in all ways.

But this is based upon now antiquated personal experience.

Sony has come up worlds in their Car/Mobile lines especially if you can find something in their ES line in the past few years.
I was hesitant to go Sony because I was of the same line of thinking as you. I had been out of the mobile audio/video world for a bit until I started researching for the upgrade in my Tundra a couple years back.
Always had Alpine or Kenwood Excelon before. Sony has truly upped their game and are a true contender now.

That’s good to hear. I always found it odd that such a big name had such poor product.

I was big into car audio stuff in the late 90s when they had their Xplod line with the red speaker domes.
That stuff was so terrible and totally soured the company at least mobile wise for a long time for me.

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:
Can’t really go wrong with either the Sony or Alpine.

You're one of the people I knew would chime in here. Thank you for your review and advice. How did you mount/hide your mic? Got a picture handy?

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
Yikes, well at least you got to drive some new stuff in that time.
Keeping the VW for the time being?

Yes. As much as I'm drawn to having a new Outback in the garage, I'm going to hang on to the VW for a while. Life's pretty nutty** right now and it makes good economic sense to keep the VW until I can see how things are going to shake out.

(** In a good way, I think. It's a topic for an upcoming thread.)

My parents just bought an Onyx. My sister's CRV was turning into constant problems, so stepmom got an upgrade & my sister got her Camry.
I'll get to check it out today, but doubt it'll sway me from the Explorer.

Glad you're 'whole' again.
Not get the car audio sorted & get back to fun watches.

quote:

Originally posted by vthoky:

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:
Can’t really go wrong with either the Sony or Alpine.

You're one of the people I knew would chime in here. Thank you for your review and advice. How did you mount/hide your mic? Got a picture handy?

I was easily able to cheat as I have an aftermarket device mount in the center of my dash directly above the stereo so it hides underneath there.
Don’t have a picture at the moment.

If not there I would have likely run it up the A Pillar of to the steering column.

I put a Sony unit in our 2003 Silverado so I could run a backup camera. I got one with a small knob though. I love that. Easy push on and off and twist for volume.

I ran the mic cord up the A pillar and the little clip is at the top of that. It worked fine but I quit using it because the wind noise is so bad.

Crutchfield had some thing I had to plug in to replicate the door/seatbelt/warning chimes, maybe even turn signal since the factory unit or something ran those.

Well, friends, my new Alpine gets installed on Friday.

No use axing me, friend. In the family car we have Bose and on my runabout we have B&O.

.....and I'm deaf.