Need Advice - Are Pioneer Head Units really bad?

[cornerbax]

Thanks again for all the input. The thing is, I am not trying to justify having any kind of noise at all..i'm just being honest. I was getting frustrated because I was thinking the bluetooth noise had something to do with the alternator whine. I upgraded my software on my blackberry and it (at least so far) sounds crystal clear on both ends! I hope nothing changes. : )

So now i'm left with a very very SMALL NOISE...when I say small....I mean you only hear it when the volume is set to 2 or less on my Pioneer Deck. I've since talked to the guy and he said that is virtually no noise at all...and that his truck has 2x more whine then my car....he has a rockford fosgage and focal setup....he's right..it does. The thing is, when my volume is at 3 or above....you can't hear a thing....it's a very very slight whine....

even with this...he agreed to swap out the unit since it's only been 2 weeks if that's what I want....but he said that is virtually nothing when referring to engine noise as some people get migraines from their engine noise. I love the Pioneer Unit and I love the way my system sounds. With that being said....it doesn't bother me at all now since I know the bluetooth issue was totally unrelated....the question would be whether or not this would get worse in the future....but it is under warranty for 1 year as mentioned so i'm thinking i'm good...

but even with this very FAINT whine at 0-2 volume....would most still replace the unit or not sweat it?

[Jimi77]

Whine at 2 on the volume control is nothing. Basically unless you're parked, engine off and listening for it, you probably wouldn't notice it (right? ). An ground loop isolator is fine and would completely eliminate the noise, but it really isn't necessary IMHO. Just stop listening for the faintest hint of noise - it's car audio.

FYI, don't know if you/they have tried it, but running a ~12awg ground from the HU ground to the amp ground may eliminate the noise.

FYI #2, whoever suggested that running the RCAs next to the power wire is source of noise doesn't know what they're talking about. It's next to impossible to induct noise off the power wire - I actually tie my excess RCA cable to my power runs.

[bassfreak]

bad ground....
pioneer sucks.

[cornerbax]

Jimi,


right, unless the volume is at basically ZERO to 2 you won't hear this faint whine at all.....I was getting frustrated because I just got the unit and I was assuming the bluetooth noise was related. The bluetooth noise sounded TERRIBLE...it was like crackling wood in a fireplace! Now that the bluetooth issue seems to be resolved....the faint whine is something that doesn't bother me at all.

The only time I even notice it now is when im talking on bluetooth and accelerate...but even then it's SO faint....I wish I could post up a sound clip....from the sounds of it though i'd get laughed at for calling this "engine noise"...lol.

But it is...and it is some kind of noise...even though it's faint.

@bassfreak,

I wonder what others here will think about your "pioneer sucks" comment...you have thousands of posts too. But interestingly enough that is what both Senior techs said at my install shop too....LMAO. Besides this faint noise..I love the functionality and sound of my AVH-P3100DVD....Love it...best unit i've ever had by far.

[Jimi77]

Originally Posted by cornerbax @bassfreak, I wonder what others here will think about your "pioneer sucks" comment...you have thousands of posts too. But interestingly enough that is what both Senior techs said at my install shop too....LMAO. Besides this faint noise..I love the functionality and sound of my AVH-P3100DVD....Love it...best unit i've ever had by far.

Everybody has their opinion. Really the only problem with Pioneer is the issue they have with blowing the pico fuse that protects the pre-amp ground. Other than that, they're great units. I do have to admit it's really frustrating that Pioneer has fixed this problem, which could simply be solved by installing a ~100ohm resistor in place of that pico fuse.