Phoenix Android Radio 12" touchscreen

jimbrown1 · February 16, 2019

4 minutes ago, Nasty said:

Why focal?

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Focal offers multiple lines with the upper being the K2s. I went with the mids and they carry no distortion and the component speakers offer great treble in the tweeters. I had components in the front and 2ways in the rear doors driven buy a Kenwood amp. The front door component speakers carry good bass but you'd want a separate sub if you want more bass, driven by a mono amp or 5 channel. Focal is the best speaker I have ever heard. They're not cheap but they have a great warranty.

Nasty · February 16, 2019

Focal offers multiple lines with the upper being the K2s. I went with the mids and they carry no distortion and the component speakers offer great treble in the tweeters. I had components in the front and 2ways in the rear doors driven buy a Kenwood amp. The front door component speakers carry good bass but you'd want a separate sub if you want more bass, driven by a mono amp or 5 channel. Focal is the best speaker I have ever heard. They're not cheap but they have a great warranty.

Every speakerhas some distorsion. Which then comes to tuning and staging. I myself will not use JL or focal (i havent in a ling time now) while i agree the upper lines are nice. With that known you need to buy the upper lines. I have heard mkst of the lower lines and for the price they want i looked away.

You are not wrong in your decision at all. Im just stating my opinion. But there is better for cheaper depending on what you want

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Darksky · February 16, 2019

Nasty, what type of separates do you recommend for our trucks, in a cost effective, non-competition, user grade system. That is as high fidelity as you can, without becoming too cost prohibitive.

Let me refine:

put together a system retaining the factory head unit, with amplification and separates. Using the rear (crew cab) doors for fill.

One version putting a better sub and enclosure in the center console (stock) location. And one using a single 12 shoehorned into a box in half of the rear under seat location (the smaller half) if possible.

Let me be clear, I am not challenging nor disagreeing with you. I am truly interested in your expertise for a system in my vehicle.

Darmichar · February 16, 2019

33 minutes ago, Darksky said:

Nasty, what type of separates do you recommend for our trucks, in a cost effective, non-competition, user grade system. That is as high fidelity as you can, without becoming too cost prohibitive.

Let me refine:

put together a system retaining the factory head unit, with amplification and separates. Using the rear (crew cab) doors for fill.

One version putting a better sub and enclosure in the center console (stock) location. And one using a single 12 shoehorned into a box in half of the rear under seat location (the smaller half) if possible.

Let me be clear, I am not challenging nor disagreeing with you. I am truly interested in your expertise for a system in my vehicle.

I'd be genuinely, thoroughly interested in seeing this build sheet myself (with the sub box under the 'small' half). I haven't messed with audio since I boxed a couple of Orion 10's behind the seat of my standard cab '92 silverado. I'd love to upgrade the system but don't have the time to invest in researching what's changed in 20+ years.

Edited February 16, 2019 by Darmichar

Nasty · February 17, 2019

1 hour ago, Darksky said:

Nasty, what type of separates do you recommend for our trucks, in a cost effective, non-competition, user grade system. That is as high fidelity as you can, without becoming too cost prohibitive.

Let me refine:

put together a system retaining the factory head unit, with amplification and separates. Using the rear (crew cab) doors for fill.

One version putting a better sub and enclosure in the center console (stock) location. And one using a single 12 shoehorned into a box in half of the rear under seat location (the smaller half) if possible.

Let me be clear, I am not challenging nor disagreeing with you. I am truly interested in your expertise for a system in my vehicle.

I need a budget and what power youre going to run to them (i just finished gathering all my equipment)

Darksky · February 17, 2019

That’s what and why I am asking you. I (like Darmichar) am way out of the mobile audio game. You put together what you would recommend for a decent mid level build, with amp(s), separates type speakers and a sub (both or either way) that I described. I need to keep as much of the under seat storage as I can. I have a dealer installed under seat storage tray. I could whack it in half as needed. As far as cost, just be somewhat budget oriented, or if you’ve got time, design one budget system and one high end for comparison.

I understand and your hesitation to try and layout a system without well defined constraints, but take a little license and give me your “best guess” for a stair ting point. Thanks, Dark.

Nasty · February 17, 2019

1 minute ago, Darksky said:

That’s what and why I am asking you. I (like Darmichar) am way out of the mobile audio game. You put together what you would recommend for a decent mid level build, with amp(s), separates type speakers and a sub (both or either way) that I described. I need to keep as much of the under seat storage as I can. I have a dealer installed under seat storage tray. I could whack it in half as needed. As far as cost, just be somewhat budget oriented, or if you’ve got time, design one budget system and one high end for comparison.

I understand and your hesitation to try and layout a system without well defined constraints, but take a little license and give me your “best guess” for a stair ting point. Thanks, Dark.

What about an under center console sub? If you just want nice better sound. I can definetely come up with what id do for about 1500 bucks

Hoover · April 3, 2020

These 12.1 are a waist of time 2015 GMC, have had the unit for 12months.I have nothing but malfunction after malfunction,1, it won’t hold the navigation app keeps booting back to cellphone mode.2 When connection to the internet still goes back to the cellphone.3 .when driving if it holds the navigation the speed fluctuates up and down 5-10 mph.4.speed limit red zone warning stays on and won’t go away until you stop and reboot.5.fitted apple car play dongle and won’t charge the cellphone. Radio reception on their radio is also crappie,very static .Cant wait to fit a Alpine or Pioneer...

superdave160 · April 12, 2020

I have the Alpine I209-GM and I am very happy with it. The sound quality is much better than the IO3 unit that it replaced. I wrote a very detailed post in another thread. I also installed the Denali cluster when I installed the Alpine unit. One thing to note is that the Alpine unit does not connect to the MOST bus in the truck. That means no music, navigation, or compass information on the Denali cluster from the Alpine unit. You can still connect to your phone for navigation and it does display on the Alpine unit.

Yotaman · January 13, 2025

Any improvement in these through the years? I am looking at a Phoenix 12.1 unit for a 2014 for about 650.00

Seems their ad says lotta improvement, but it is a ad. Just wondering if anyone bought a recent one and if any better?

Edited January 13, 2025 by Yotaman

jaysen · January 14, 2025

16 hours ago, Yotaman said:

Any improvement in these through the years? I am looking at a Phoenix 12.1 unit for a 2014 for about 650.00

Seems their ad says lotta improvement, but it is a ad. Just wondering if anyone bought a recent one and if any better?

I've no personal experience with this particular model but I can confidently say, if you've tried one you've tried them all. Sadly, they are all generic android tablets/hardware from China. Slow to respond and buggy at best. I'm in the market and considered these but honestly for the price, compared to the Pioneer DMH-WT3800NEX or Kenwood DMX1037S (MSRP is high but you can find them cheaper on ebay)

MikeBMW · January 14, 2025

19 hours ago, Yotaman said:

Any improvement in these through the years? I am looking at a Phoenix 12.1 unit for a 2014 for about 650.00

Seems their ad says lotta improvement, but it is a ad. Just wondering if anyone bought a recent one and if any better?

I've tried four different "big screen" replacements.
1 was a Phoenix, two were different versions of the Linkswell (great customer support)
Finally settled on the AutecPro and customer service helped me on a software upgrade a few months ago.
Connects quickly to wireless Apple Car Play and I still have all of the functionality of my stock radio.

Edited January 14, 2025 by MikeBMW

Yotaman · January 14, 2025

What makes the Autotec one better for you? How long have you owned it?

MikeBMW · February 1, 2025

On 1/14/2025 at 3:06 PM, Yotaman said:

What makes the Autotec one better for you? How long have you owned it?

It just works and I have access to the stock radio screen for my BTDiesel Autosync updates as well as just running the nav system for the fun of it (I use Apple CarPlay for maps, normally).
I've had it since April of 2023 and I'm hesitant to try any other upgrade without assurance I can bring up the stock radio.

Edited February 1, 2025 by MikeBMW

Yotaman · February 1, 2025

i just got one in 2 days ago for my 2014 Sierra SLE. It is very nice but I am struggling to have carplay connect and have audio at times. I sure I hope I can figure it out cause I really like it. All the steering wheel controls, AC and reverse camera work great. Mine is the new Android 13 and the canbus is built into the unit now so very few wires to hook up. Any tips to help me is appreciated. I don't want to send it back but the sketchy hook up is aggravating.

Yotaman