XTRONS aftermarket head unit install / review thread

[DjMossM42]

Hi,

I just joined the E38 world and have been looking into the Xtrons units. I notice most of the manufacturers of these units state (as well as members here) that if you have DSP you have to buy a cable to bypass it. My question is are you really losing much in sound quality? Has anyone done a comparison? My guess is the new DSP tech in these units is better than the old BMW DSP. For me the main reason for me to try and keep it would be to utilize the OEM cables and not have to run additional wires. Is there any other reason to keep it that I am missing?

Thanks,
Bryon

[Greygoose82]

Not attesting to the Xtrons unit since I don't have one of those, but as far as these android platform based units, I didn't notice any improvement or loss as far a sound quality goes. They highlight mostly the bells and whistles of video quality, processing power, gps, bluetooth and all that other stuff but not one have I seen go into detail about audio quality, any sound processing, s/n ratio or anything verifiable to that nature. The one thing I do miss about the factory unit is the radio signal. So much clearer and better than the aftermarket units, again not sure about the Xtrons stuff.
What's more important to you? Audio quality because you like listening to music or do you want a little of everything that these android based units offer including video, bluetooth, wifi and such?

[DjMossM42]

Not attesting to the Xtrons unit since I don't have one of those, but as far as these android platform based units, I didn't notice any improvement or loss as far a sound quality goes. They highlight mostly the bells and whistles of video quality, processing power, gps, bluetooth and all that other stuff but not one have I seen go into detail about audio quality, any sound processing, s/n ratio or anything verifiable to that nature. The one thing I do miss about the factory unit is the radio signal. So much clearer and better than the aftermarket units, again not sure about the Xtrons stuff.
What's more important to you? Audio quality because you like listening to music or do you want a little of everything that these android based units offer including video, bluetooth, wifi and such?

Thanks for the reply,

I'm definitely going to get one of these units since it keeps our cars modern for a very low cost considering. It just seems from what I've been reading that the DSP is a deciding factor for others but maybe just from the connectivity aspect. Just want to make sure I don't loose any major functions when bypassing it.

Based on what you mentioned nothing is lost in terms of quality and now I'm assuming the weak link in the sound system is probably the paper drivers. I don't listen to local radio much but have seen some units with DAB, do you have this on your unit?

Thanks,
Bryon


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[franco90]

Thanks for the reply,

I'm definitely going to get one of these units since it keeps our cars modern for a very low cost considering. It just seems from what I've been reading that the DSP is a deciding factor for others but maybe just from the connectivity aspect. Just want to make sure I don't loose any major functions when bypassing it.

Based on what you mentioned nothing is lost in terms of quality and now I'm assuming the weak link in the sound system is probably the paper drivers. I don't listen to local radio much but have seen some units with DAB, do you have this on your unit?

Thanks,
Bryon


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My unit had DAB


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[kahlilj]

I really have to get the money shots up for this thread. My life is always a mess and some stuff is missing but the full project has all new speakers (8) and the android unit is killing it. Sounds great and looks great and now my 97 750 is streaming spotify while navigating and taking phone calls. The boot time is super fast as mentioned. These units do have little bugs and hiccups here and there but if it can last 4-5 years I'm happy!

So where are the pics??

[franco90]

So where are the pics??

I also want to see the set up


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[ibumpers]

I also want to see the set up

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Franco90 did you have a Xtrons too

[franco90]

Franco90 did you have a Xtrons too

No I have a different set up.

[kahlilj]

No I have a different set up.

Why doesn't xboss show pics of his install? Is he ok? Did something happen?


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[franco90]

Why doesn't xboss show pics of his install? Is he ok? Did something happen?


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I know he has being sick and stuff and working long hours


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[kahlilj]

I know he has being sick and stuff and working long hours


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Oh ok. Hope he gets better


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[xboss]

Hey guys, tx,

Yeah, I have been a wreck. I probably need brain surgery for the cluster headaches some day. They keep getting worse every year and I will be chronic soon. A new device came out to help them though so I need to get it and see if my life is better.

[kahlilj]

Hey guys, tx,

Yeah, I have been a wreck. I probably need brain surgery for the cluster headaches some day. They keep getting worse every year and I will be chronic soon. A new device came out to help them though so I need to get it and see if my life is better.

Oh wow dude! Sorry to hear this. Yeah if you got headaches looking at computer screens is probably not the best thing for ya. Get well soon and stay off of here! . ... til you get better


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[Jamos]

Finally got around to installing mine. Still have to do things like wire up the GPS and reverse camera, but that's no biggy.

The important stuff is done: Custom bracket and primary wiring.

In short, I ordered a nav frame from latvia (seems most E38's have ended up there) and chopped it up. Basically just used the top part of the frame to mount the top of the radio, and the bottom part to mount the radio TO and mount the hvac to.


For some reason I didn't take pictures of anything while doing the work so what I DO have is the following:

The back of the frame has a lip that sticks out above the hvac, so I mounted an angle bar (aluminum) to it and mounted the angle bar to the back of the nav unit.

006_zpsbzrn56m9.jpg

005_zps926hr9iz.jpg

I had to shave off a bunch of material from the sides of both the frame, and the nav unit. I've seen units that come with these parts already cut out, but I did some quick testing with a cutoff tool and it worked (looks better now that I've cleaned it up)

001_zps1hk7zvyt.jpg

002_zpsfuifnlk1.jpg


And presto, unit is installed!
004_zpsncjtm9ce.jpg

Recorded some junk but hope this helps someone:

[Jamos]

Here's a shot of the box after it was moved over:

012_zpsy6btdvnu.jpg

[kahlilj]

Here's a shot of the box after it was moved over:

012_zpsy6btdvnu.jpg

Sooo no DVD player?

[Jamos]

Correct. I have YouTube for that - or netflix if I want, or basically any other means of playing a video, DVD's are too big and bulky for cars anyway!

[xboss]

Very nice Jamos!

My unit is killing it so far besides the speakers not being finished. I found an awesome launcher for our units. For only one dollar in the play store and it makes the head unit more car radio like.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...es.carlauncher


My girls do most of the driving and they enjoy the ease of just getting in the car with an android phone and boom, internet, bluetooth, nav, spotify all streaming on demand and auto connected to the phones hotspot. I will have to add pics soon. TY!

[Aitch]

My unit is killing it so far besides the speakers not being finished. I found an awesome launcher for our units. For only one dollar in the play store and it makes the head unit more car radio like.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...es.carlauncher

Damn, that is pretty cool. Saving that for future reference if I ever get around to doing an Android unit in mine.

[Jamos]

Oh wow I didn't even think about launchers! Thanks for that!!

[franco90]

Nice looking unit


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[franco90]

lol I had this one Car Launcher

[Jamos]

Hahah that's what I thought!

[ibumpers]

lol I had this one Car Launcher

What you think about it, why don't you still have it?

[xboss]

What you think about it, why don't you still have it?

Franco has one of everything. It's his style