Alpine vs. Sony vs. Pioneer Double Din Head Units

If you are on the market for an excellent digital multimedia receiver you can use in your car, you are right. By reading through this guide, you will learn all about three of the best receivers – from three of the best brands – which will allow you to figure out which one offers what you need.

Double Din Head Units Comparison


This website is supported by readers. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

What Does The Alpine iLX-W650 Offer?

The Alpine iLX-W650 is one of the simplest and most affordable digital multimedia receivers you can purchase. Due to its affordability, it lacks certain features and functions that many other receivers offer. But, at the same time, it offers plenty of useful features of its own while providing a fantastic multimedia experience.

Alpine iLX-W650
Alpine iLX-W650

Right away, it’s important to note that this receiver does not come with a CD player. So, if you have CDs that you would like to play in your car, this is not the receiver to purchase.

Even though this digital multimedia receiver does not play CDs, it does come with a wide variety of other handy features. Many of these features pertain to the kinds of media you can play. Due to these features, you can access different devices and many other media with great ease.

Alpine iLX-W650
Alpine iLX-W650

Through either Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, you can play music and podcasts – among other things – directly from your phone. But, along with that, you can use a USB connection to connect a device directly to this receiver so that it can play your music now without relying on BlueTooth connectivity.

Within this receiver, there is an AM/FM tuner. Using this tuner allows you to listen to radio stations that are on either frequency. You can also access SiriusXM if you are subscribed to that premium radio service.

Alpine iLX-W650 Digital Multimedia Receiver with...
  • digital media receiver with AM/FM tuner (does not play CDs)
  • shallow-mount chassis design (2-7/16" deep)
  • touchscreen swipe controls

Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

What Does The Sony XAV-AX5000 Offer?

The Sony XAV-AX5000 is filled to the brim with useful, and novel, features and functions. Just like the Alpine digital multimedia receiver that we just looked at, however, it does not have a built-in CD player, and it is not capable of reading CDs.

Sony XAV-AX5000
Sony XAV-AX5000

More often than not, while using this receiver, you will be relying on either Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Both of these applications are excellent. With this digital multimedia receiver, they do more than play music. Instead, they also allow you to take calls, send messages, receive messages, and access a map of your area. These features make the entire driving process more accessible and convenient since these applications are almost entirely hands-free.

Sony XAV-AX5000
Sony XAV-AX5000

Right underneath this receiver’s monitor, there are two USB ports. You can use these two USB ports to connect various devices to this receiver. Doing so will give you immediate access to the media library on those devices, forfeiting the need for BlueTooth or Wi-Fi connectivity.

Sony XAV-AX5000 7” Apple Car Play, Android Auto,...
  • Apple car play: Apple car play allows users to get directions, make calls, send and receive messages, and...
  • Android auto: connect your compatible Android Device to display applications on your vehicle's screen. Enjoy...
  • See and control everything on a flush 6. 95" (diag. ) touchscreen : Bring up maps, sort through playlists, and...

Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

What Does The Pioneer MVH1400NEX Offer?

The Pioneer MVH1400NEX is the most elaborate digital multimedia receiver that we’re going to look at. Since it offers so many features, it is also the most expensive digital multimedia receiver in this guide. So, keep that in mind, especially if you are on a budget.

Pioneer MVH1400NEX
Pioneer MVH1400NEX

Just as you would expect, this receiver allows you to connect your Android or Apple phone to the digital multimedia receiver. You can do so directly, with a USB connection, or through BlueTooth connectivity. Both are just as valid.

By making use of this connectivity, you can access all of your music and different functions, such as calling and sending/receiving messages. Each of these features works very well and provides a fantastic experience.

Pioneer MVH1400NEX
Pioneer MVH1400NEX

The features that make this digital multimedia receiver a true standout all have to do with compatibility. You see, this receiver is directly compatible with CD and DVD players. Because of this, you can play music CDs, but you can also play movies and other videos. This is truly a multimedia receiver since it supports many formats and can work with many different media types.

Beyond those features, this digital multimedia receiver offers the same features you would expect. You will find the phone mentioned above connectivity and USB ports, apps for SiriusXM and Spotify, among other such features. But, if you need versatility while also desiring the essential elements that many other digital multimedia receivers offer, then the Pioneer MVH1400NEX is a great purchase!

Pioneer MVH-1400NEX Digital Multimedia 6.2"...
  • Works with Apple CarPlay - 800 x 400 resolution, clear-resistive touchscreen, 24-bit True color panel, display...
  • Multilanguage display (attention/SP/Fr/chi), hands-free calling & audio streaming, Dual phone connection,...
  • WMA/WAV/MP3/AAC/FLAC audio playback, 1.5A USB port, aux input, composite A/V input, backup-camera input, wired...

Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Double Din Head Unit | Recommended

Last update on 2024-04-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API


Double Din Head Unit | Recommended

Last update on 2024-04-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API


This website is supported by readers. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.


For questions, please use the comment section below

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.