Title says it all. I've been browsing and doing research on interfacing the stock HU with my iPhone 3GS.

I have a couple criteria:
1. MUST charge the 3GS.
2. MUST play audio (duh).
3. MUST NOT disable the ability to take calls.
4. MUST be able to change tracks from the HU (no steering wheel controls anyway).
5. MUST provide the best audio quality possible with the stock HU.

Anyone recommend one?

Also, where do you guys get your iPhone interfaces? And is there a thread on installing the interface on the stock HU? I don't wanna break any plastic trims so I wanna know how to do it properly.

 

your wasting your time and money if you want to get good sound from the OEM headunit. An aftermarket headunit will sound worlds better than give you many more options for working with an Iphone.

 

I'm trying to spend minimum money on stuff that don't decrease lap times.

Does swapping the HU make the stock speakers sound better?

 

No not really. It's pushes the stock speakers a little harder than the OEM HU will. If you want to change the sound, change the speakers.

 

I noticed an improvement in the sound from the stock speakers on my 02 with a new head unit. I still ordered some aftermarket components though. In my opinion, spend the money on an aftermarket head unit that is iphone compatible. It makes a world of difference. When I bought my S, it had a iphone adapter to the stock headunit, it was very unreliable and finicky.

 

If you go the aftermarket route, a head unit that does all of that would start around 150 retail. That's not to much if you ask me. And you'll add about 1/2 a pound in total weight difference

 

I use the USA Spec controller for my 3GS with stock stereo. I think it sounds pretty good myself, could it be better? Yes, but this works great for what I wanted.

 

I have to disagree. The SOURCE is the headunit. Crap in, crap out. The OEM headunit is pretty weak.

The OEM speakers are actually quite nice when matched with a headunit which can actually provide them with good power and quality sound.

It is actually counter productive to keep the OEM headunit and install aftermarket speakers which require more power than OEM speakers. The OEM headunit can barely power the OEM speakers to begin with.

Most halfway decent component speakers really need an amp to sound their best, what makes you think they would magically sound better on a low power OEM headunit?

 

then what HU do you guys recommend?

 

Well, after much consideration, thinking about the weight of the new HU, and plus the way the car is driven (it's a daily/track bitch), I decided to invest in an aftermarket HU afterall.

I just paid for an Alpine IDA-X305S at Crutchfield. $350 shipped to my door, and it comes with the harness and instructions and shit. Also comes with a set of speakers that are apparently worth $100. Will be selling those shortly for $80 since they don't fit the S. So I effectively paid $270 for it!

I also paid $120 for Modifry's wired DCI and Alpine PnP harness. That should make my life easier, and retain the stock dash controls.

My main beef with swapping aftermarket HUs is that the dash buttons won't work any more. I hate having buttons just sit there taking up space and weight (trust me I am anal about the weight. I clean the interior rather often to shave a couple grams!). Now that I've found Modifry's DCI, it made the choice much easier.

Looking forward to enjoying some Pandora on my town commute!