Beatsonic harness vs. Alternatives?
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Beatsonic harness vs. Alternatives?
I'm replacing my stereo head unit (HU) because it's given me the dastardly "Error 4" a few hundred too many times and is now forever stuck. I tried resetting the ECU and have pulled the fuse and replaced it to reset the HU, all to no avail. A Beatsonic rep told me that our North American models only have 2 channels, which caught me off-guard because we have 2 axes of control for volume bias, which would indicate 4 channels. Is the Beatsonic rep correct?
So that being said, it seems that Beatsonic is basically the ClubLexus standard for harnesses, but do you guys know how the alternatives stack up against it? I'd like to retain Front-Rear fade function, because I prefer to bias my volume slightly to the rear. I don't know if Metra and Axxess are the same, but how do they compare to Beatsonic? And are there other manufacturers that I should consider as well?
So that being said, it seems that Beatsonic is basically the ClubLexus standard for harnesses, but do you guys know how the alternatives stack up against it? I'd like to retain Front-Rear fade function, because I prefer to bias my volume slightly to the rear. I don't know if Metra and Axxess are the same, but how do they compare to Beatsonic? And are there other manufacturers that I should consider as well?
#2
That is correct. The head unit only puts out left and right. The head unit also sends a signal to the amplifier...this signal tells the amplifier how loud to make the volume and which speakers to send it to (ie. right, left, front, back). So in other words...the amplifier is doing all the work.
#3
On another note...It would probably be cheaper to find a used OEM unit on ebay. OEM looks better anyhow. Also...Maybe consider getting an iPod interface. I use the Media Bridge from Dice electronics. It is nice because it has a USB port, so you can use it with devices other than Apple. I don't remember the last time I used an actual CD.
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Highly recommend the Beatsonic Harness there is something to be said about doing it right the first time. I haven't heard any complaints on the Beatsonic harness but I have heard some people having to tweak the Metra harness to get it to work.
True the Beatsonic harness can't fade front to back but I have found the sound is very good even with out that feature.
True the Beatsonic harness can't fade front to back but I have found the sound is very good even with out that feature.
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I've purchased the Axxess AX-ADBOX1, AWSC-1, and TYTO-1. I will try these out first, because I'm a purist and can't get past the idea of paying more to lose something I once had, especially with a significantly cheaper option. That being said, I'm soldering everything up with eutectic silver solder, so I'm doing things as right as can be (even though the rest of my system doesn't warrant going with that solder).
#6
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I know I haven't been on here regularly as I use to but when I did my setup over a year ago, I thought I did my due diligence but found out afterwards there were different options.
The beatsonic also has a steering wheel module that's included, but the reason why I also bought the axxess steering wheel control is because I didn't want to lose most of the options that I've become accustomed too with the factory wheel. At the time, Axxess was the only one that was self programable and easy to set up. I'm a computer tech not a car installer so I didn't want to get too deep in a realm that I was not that familiar with.
I documented my steps and the reason why is that I found others had did the same before me, which helped me out a great deal and gave me the confidence to do it myself and to know what I was doing and if something went wrong I have a better idea how to fix it or what needs to be fixed.
I encourage those who choose to do an install yourself to do the same for someone else.
The beatsonic also has a steering wheel module that's included, but the reason why I also bought the axxess steering wheel control is because I didn't want to lose most of the options that I've become accustomed too with the factory wheel. At the time, Axxess was the only one that was self programable and easy to set up. I'm a computer tech not a car installer so I didn't want to get too deep in a realm that I was not that familiar with.
I documented my steps and the reason why is that I found others had did the same before me, which helped me out a great deal and gave me the confidence to do it myself and to know what I was doing and if something went wrong I have a better idea how to fix it or what needs to be fixed.
I encourage those who choose to do an install yourself to do the same for someone else.
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sbryant324 (05-10-19)
#7
I've purchased the Axxess AX-ADBOX1, AWSC-1, and TYTO-1. I will try these out first, because I'm a purist and can't get past the idea of paying more to lose something I once had, especially with a significantly cheaper option. That being said, I'm soldering everything up with eutectic silver solder, so I'm doing things as right as can be (even though the rest of my system doesn't warrant going with that solder).
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One thing I can tell you the Beatsonic harness does fit and work but... I just found out one must set the fade, treble bass and other tweaks to 0 or neutral before unplugging the factory radio. Also the volume must be set at 50%. Apparently the factory amp "remembers" those settings. This may be why my mids and tweets are much lower volume than the door woofers.
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ho0n, I have the same exact parts getting ready to go into a 2008 RX400h using the AVS-X3500BHS for a HU. I've been trying to find the Beat-Sonic RX-82 unit but man the price is through the roof. Have you completed the job yet? were there any significant issues? What did you loose if anything? Thanks for any help you can throw my way.
One thing I can tell you the Beatsonic harness does fit and work but... I just found out one must set the fade, treble bass and other tweaks to 0 or neutral before unplugging the factory radio. Also the volume must be set at 50%. Apparently the factory amp "remembers" those settings. This may be why my mids and tweets are much lower volume than the door woofers.
#10
I'm thinking I will probably replace my head unit as well, and in that case should go for the amp and speaker change-out at the same time.
Good call on the CD loading problem; that's something to consider when buying a hu...
My question is, where specifically is the factory amp located (2007 RX350, no nav or ML)? Is it impossible to remove it and put the new after market amp in the same place, and decipher which wires can be used for the new equipment?
Thanks.
Good call on the CD loading problem; that's something to consider when buying a hu...
My question is, where specifically is the factory amp located (2007 RX350, no nav or ML)? Is it impossible to remove it and put the new after market amp in the same place, and decipher which wires can be used for the new equipment?
Thanks.
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I'm thinking I will probably replace my head unit as well, and in that case should go for the amp and speaker change-out at the same time.
Good call on the CD loading problem; that's something to consider when buying a hu...
My question is, where specifically is the factory amp located (2007 RX350, no nav or ML)? Is it impossible to remove it and put the new after market amp in the same place, and decipher which wires can be used for the new equipment?
Thanks.
Good call on the CD loading problem; that's something to consider when buying a hu...
My question is, where specifically is the factory amp located (2007 RX350, no nav or ML)? Is it impossible to remove it and put the new after market amp in the same place, and decipher which wires can be used for the new equipment?
Thanks.
#12
Thanks.
So, how hard is it, once you have a hu, the metra/beatsonic steering wheel control adapter, the double din faceplate, and a new amp and speakers, to just trash everything existing and wire all new? Sounds like there are a lot of people adding iPod, XM, etc controls to existing hu and it sounds like a big PITA... would it be that much harder to put all the above-mentioned items in? Is there another mysterious circumstance I should know about??? Thanks
So, how hard is it, once you have a hu, the metra/beatsonic steering wheel control adapter, the double din faceplate, and a new amp and speakers, to just trash everything existing and wire all new? Sounds like there are a lot of people adding iPod, XM, etc controls to existing hu and it sounds like a big PITA... would it be that much harder to put all the above-mentioned items in? Is there another mysterious circumstance I should know about??? Thanks
#13
Thanks.
So, how hard is it, once you have a hu, the metra/beatsonic steering wheel control adapter, the double din faceplate, and a new amp and speakers, to just trash everything existing and wire all new? Sounds like there are a lot of people adding iPod, XM, etc controls to existing hu and it sounds like a big PITA... would it be that much harder to put all the above-mentioned items in? Is there another mysterious circumstance I should know about??? Thanks
So, how hard is it, once you have a hu, the metra/beatsonic steering wheel control adapter, the double din faceplate, and a new amp and speakers, to just trash everything existing and wire all new? Sounds like there are a lot of people adding iPod, XM, etc controls to existing hu and it sounds like a big PITA... would it be that much harder to put all the above-mentioned items in? Is there another mysterious circumstance I should know about??? Thanks
http://www.cartoys.com/cartoys/webpa...tion/storepref
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...a-dnx6960.html
#14
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If you are near one of the Car Toys stores in CO you can talk to them about the installation. They can handle all that for you. Carver used them for his install. You do not want to go in and just remove everything as that may cause such items at the HVAC and security to not work proper.
http://www.cartoys.com/cartoys/webpa...tion/storepref
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...a-dnx6960.html
http://www.cartoys.com/cartoys/webpa...tion/storepref
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...a-dnx6960.html