Stereo Head Unit suggestions/SX190

[Yeary4]

Just replaced all 4 speakers with DB652s, now looking for a better stereo head unit. Would prefer to keep the round type for easier placement as I don’t want to cut on dash display. Any suggestions?

 

[Maillis]

If you want to mount using the existing 3” circular hole your best bet would be one of Kicker’s head units or the Wetsounds WS-MC-2. Any of those would give you a little extra power over the stock unit and make it easy to add an amp down the road. Just make sure to measure the space for clearance of the rectangular faceplates but you should have plenty of room.

 

[stevenk2]

Be aware that if you go from a round-faced head unit to a rectangular-shaped one like the WS-MC-2, there will likely be screws to secure the corners (in addition to the C-clamp on the back of the unit that clamps it to the back of the helm, of course). Relatively minor concern, but if you ever go back to a round-faced unit, you'll have 4 screw holes showing in your dash.

I went from the stock Clarion (round) head unit in my AR195 to the Wetsounds WS-MC-2, and there were 4 screws. Rest of the unit fit into the factory-drilled hole in the helm without modification - fit perfectly into the hole. I don't ever plan on going back to the factory unit again, so the 4 screw holes won't be an issue for me per se. You may also want to check the dimensions of the helm where you'll be mounting the new head unit to ensure that the face will fit in that area. In my case, the WS-MC-2 fit great, but there isn't a lot of room to spare, especially to the left and above the face (the "brow" of the helm is pretty close to the edges of my head unit). If the face of the head unit was much larger, it would not have fit and I may have had to adjust by drilling out the hole more down and to the right.

The Kicker and Wetsounds units mentioned by Maillis both have the round gauge-type bodies and should fit into the stock location without any cutting. Only the face of the head unit is rectangular. There may be other brands/models out there where that is not the case, just check the specs on someplace like Crutchfield and you should be able to get the info you need to make a purchase decision on the specific unit(s) you're looking at. Also, if you have any questions or concerns, Crutchfield has a chat tool on their website that's really helpful - you can get help from a tech to help answer those. Not necessarily shilling for Crutchfield, but they've always been able to help out with anything I've had questions on, even if it didn't result in a purchase from them. They're just a good resource with good people is all.

 

[SamN44]

Glad you got the Polks in. How did it go?

I considered swapping the head unit in my SX 190, but I could not find a round head unit with any more power than stock (a pitiful 14watt RMS). I ultimately decided to add a small Kenwood marine amp since I would have to re-wire the harness anyway. I really wanted to avoid cutting into the stock wiring harness in case I want to change the amp, so I'm waiting on a wiring harness plug to wire to the amp so I don't have to permanently solder.

Amp and installation material:

Kenwood KAC-M3004: Amazon.com: Kenwood KAC-M3004 Compact 4 Channel Digital Amplifier: Electronics

Amp install kit: Amazon.com: KnuKonceptz Kolossus 8 Gauge OFC Amplifier Installation Kit: Electronics

Ground wire to mount amp under helm: Amazon.com: InstallGear 8 Gauge Black 25ft Power/Ground Wire - OFC (99.9% Oxygen-Free Copper): Automotive

NOT confirmed as the correct harness plug yet because it's still in transit, but this is the one I ordered: Amazon.com: Molex -1 Complete Set - (12 Circuit) w/14-20 AWG, Wire Connector - 2.13mm D, Latch Lock, MLX: Industrial & Scientific

Barrel terminal tool: IWISS Open Barrel Terminal Crimper Plier Tool for Molex Style DELPHI AMP TYCO Terminals Crimper Open Barrel 24-14 AWG - - Amazon.com