Cheap DAB radio options

jase1

OK, I want to finally get around to installing DAB in my car, and am debating two options in my mind.

Before anyone says anything, I don't want this for the sound quality. It's just that a fair number of the radio stations I listen to (BBC R6 particularly, but Absolute 80s/90s and others as well) are DAB only and it would be nice to have them.

First would be to replace my head unit, but as I have a reasonable Sony stereo in the car, and something like the Clarity at Halfords is likely to be of lower quality (£99) I'm not sure about this. What are these head units like?

I've had a look at a couple of these add-on units as well. The Clarity CDAB7 (£44 on ebay) looks interesting because it is small and can be attached to the dash via a magnetic thing like the sat-nav.

The problem with all of this though is the antenna. There seems to be four options here:

1) A magnetic antenna that wires up to the inside of the windscreen, then an outside bit that fits onto the other side. Problem with this is I'd imagine it'd be an advert to thieves or vandals.

2) An internal antenna that glues onto the windscreen. OK, but are these any good?

3) An antenna splitter. This would be ideal -- no messing around -- but is an FM aerial good enough to give a decent signal with DAB?

or 4) go around to an electrical specialist with a wheelbarrow of money and get him to fit a proper antenna to the roof.

Has anyone been through this? I've tried the personal DAB radio plugged into the aux port trick but, while this works well with good sound quality, the signal dissipates into mush as soon as you move.

I don't especially want to spend more than £100, although I would probably get £70 for the Sony if I sold it so the budget is £170 tops, and I'd like something reliable.

penrhyn

The Pure Highway is well regarded, but I would be very wary of DAB being reliable in a car.

jase1

I get the impression that DAB reliability depends very much on the reception in the area (very good here -- lots of open space). I did look at the Pure Highway, but like the Acoustic Solutions one I bought cheaply a few years ago (and which worked well but was faulty -- sound level very low -- refunded) the main unit is quite large and indiscreet.

I suspect that reception won't alter massively between units -- it's the aerial that is the problem.

My thought is to buy a head unit (or the CDAB7 which is tiny compared to the Pure, and cheaper) and the DAB splitter, and then pay up for a pro install if that doesn't do the job.

I've had enough of cheap commercial local stations and the only analogue stations that appeal to me are R2 and R4.

Is the PC6 536 any good when used on a Focus?

tonycarew

Good post OP.I've been thinking about a DAB system for my Mk4 Mondeo for a while now but as your posts show it's still quite an ordeal to switch over.
Bearing in mind that I think 2015 is the year the FM signal is switched off I'm hoping the various manufacturers such as Ford start to offer DAB units/kits for sale enabling a straight swap with your original unit.
Here's hoping!

Kilty_2

Also interested in this, particularly head units with DAB now that they seem to be getting more affordable (would need Double DIN though personally). Don't want a 2nd aerial on my car though really.

:rotfl: @ option 4.

jase1

Why would you need double-DIN?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Kia-Picanto-08-CT24KI09-Din-Car-Stereo-Facia-Panel-/300481716190?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_FasciaPlates_SM&hash=item45f61b1fde

The Kia's radio looks much the same as the Focus one to me.

As for stereos, there seem to be five main options at the moment unless someone can recommend others:

1) Clarity CCE203DAB (£100) -- the cheap option, but seems to have a fair range of features at a good price.
2) Clarity CDAB7 (£45) -- ultra-cheap but is a two-box solution. Could set it up to work on both cars (not at the same time obviously) if the DAB splitters do the job well.
3) Sonichi SB50 (£130) -- as (1) but with bluetooth -- could be handy as although I have a small handsfree that can be plugged into the aux-in port and the other end clips on my shirt and gives excellent results, there are a few problems with this.
4) Philips CEM2000DAB (£130) -- getting into "reasonable brand" territory but I've had issues with Philips before regarding reliability.
5) JVC KD-DB101 (£150) -- this is more like it really -- a highly regarded unit from a good Japanese manufacturer and the preferred option in all honesty -- but it's expensive and doesn't have SD card reading facility which the others (apart from (2)) do have.

jase1

Actually there's a thing -- I can highly recommend the following little gadget:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BCK-08-Slim-A2DP-Stereo-universal-Bluetooth-Headset-new-/110607776846?pt=PDA_Accessories&hash=item19c0bcbc4e

It is intended as a personal bluetooth device, but because it has a headphone jack, rather than a built-in earphone, it lends itself well to handsfree car use.

Just get a cable from the headphone jack to the aux in on the car, and clip this on your shirt, and you have a handsfree system the sound quality of which (both listening and speaking) is the equal of anything else on the market. Just a little heads-up.

Norman_Castle

Bearing in mind that I think 2015 is the year the FM signal is switched off

That was the target date but it has been dropped due to lack of interest in digital radio

Arfa__

I think JVC are the only decent brand still making DAB headunits these days. Plus a few cheap brand names like the Clarity thing you saw in Halfords. Everyone else, gave up the DAB duck years ago. Might be worth hunting down an old Blaupunkt second hand from when they used to do DAB. Either way, if you do go down the DAB route and spend money on a decent new head unit, make sure it can be upgraded to (or already) support DAB+. This is the standard used on the Continent, using high quality AAC compression, rather than old MP2.

You might find things better looking at DVB - TV receivers, as most of the radio stations you like will be broadcast on that (and be of better quality). Plus you'll have a funky little screen to watch East Enders on (for when you're stopped with handbrake on, of course. Unless its piped to screens in back for others).

Wh05apk

I can recommend the Pure highway, but only with an external aerial, I have velcroed it in an unobtrusive place on the dash, hiding the wires, the aerial is fed behind trim panels an is an external stick on window design, not the cheapest set up at about £80 all in, but I now get rock solid reception.

Kilty_2

I think it's weird that the aftermarket are neglecting DAB when manufacturers are fitting it to more and more cars as an option now - I know Vauxhall do in the Astra J and Ford in the previous/new Focus.