Which bluetooth head units do people recommend?

[JoskeJTD]

I currently have a touch screen motorised Clarion dxz948mp head unit in my car.

Specification

However since the introduction of Bluetooth head units, i am liking the idea of connecting my phone to my radio for MP3's aswell as to make and receive phone conversations.

Now i like the look of the

Kenwood KDC-BT6544U

and

Sony MEX-BT5700U

Now these are my personal favourites, but I was wondering what other people have and what would they recommend.

I would ideally like sound quality to be of most importance.

Out of curiosity would anyone be interested in my Clarion dxz948mp head unit which is in very good condition, i still have the original box, fascia box, removal keys, manuals, receipts etc. Open to offers.

 

[Bushboy]

I have never used a Kenwood (parrot) bluetooth unit but from experience, the Sony units arent great. They work well but because the mic is built into the unit, they pick up alot of background noise and are generally quiet.

Quality may improve on the higher spec models. The ones I have used were the basic sony units (2600 and another I think). If they make one with an external mic they I would recommend them. Simple and good quality units to use but the BT on the lower spec ones were a let down due to the built in mic.

One other option is the Mutant MT2200BT head unit. Doesnt look anything special but has USB, SDcard, aux in and bluetooth with an external mic. I bought one for my missus as an alternative to the cheaper sony units. I had had a play around at work with one for a while and decided that for the price, I couldnt really go wrong.

over 6 months later and its still working perfectly. She uses it everyday for making calls whilst driving around at work. The only downside we have found so far is that the Bluetooth "connection" can be a bit rubbish sometimes. You need to have the phone within about a foot of the unit itself or it cant stream music or make calls. More likely a problem with the actual phones rather than the unit though. Sound quality is good and you can mount the mic anywhere.

Other than that, Parrot (kenwood) are supposed to be very good although quite pricey for the full kit.

 

[mehstg]

I had an Alpine CDE-104BTi which used Parrot circuitry and it was very good. I now have an Alpine CDA-9887r with the Parrot bluetooth addon and again the quality is spot on.

In my old Mk2, I had a Parrot CK3000 car kit installed, again spot on!

I have also had a sony head unit with built in microphone for handsfree that was total w*nk! It picked up every little noise made in the car and nobody could hear you. Total waste of money!

P

 

[ben]

Dunno about sound quality, but that Sony you've posted looks badass!

 

[gorkemonat]

well i think a dedicated kit works way much better than a bluetooth integrated headunit.I'm using nokia ck-4w connected to a pioneer 6050ub it cuts the music when a call is being made or being received and it continues to play after the call has been finished also while using the voice recognition it turns it off again so if you are interested really using bluetooh kit seperate units would be better in my opinion

 

[mehstg]

The kenwood and Alpine Parrot HU's are integrated handsfree....but are far better than most integrated offerings. They use all the Parrot technology and are updateable. Crucially...they use the Parrot noise reduction...which is really good! - Cuts out road noise massively.


Got to agree with Ben though, although the bluetooth will probs be lame, and i have never thought of Sony as SQ...it does look smart!

P