A month back, I pulled the trigger on the Power Acoustik PD-931NB. Now, it's been about a month and I'm ready to review it (and tear it out to install my stock unit back in)
Power Acoustik PD-931NB (PD931NB) In-Dash 9.3" Inteq Car Receiver
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History: My research has concluded that the company that made this head unit has also branded the same model under the name of SoundStream and Farenheit, same model# 931NB or 931NBT.
The NBT has a TV turner.
The Install: Crutchfield and Sonic Electronix both claimed that this headunit fits in a 2012 Tundra. It does fit, but not with the Scosche Tundra dash kit. I had to trim off the opening for the head unit to fit. This is where I spent most of the install time. I think if I used the Metra tundra kit it would have been easier because Metra has a bigger opening. The head unit also sticks out since it has an over sized 9.3" screen. Thus, I also had to trim the wider trim bezel that came with the unit. Again, more time spent adjusting the little things. Wiring was easy, and straight forward. This unit also has RCA speaker outputs which I used since I have an amp for the speakers and an amp for the subwoofer.
The Screen: 9.3" inch screen - size is nice, big. But wait! There is a BAD glare on this screen! Thus, I can barely see anything during the day. At night, it is fine. I have stock tint in the rear windows, none on the front. I think if I had tint on the front windows the glare would not be so bad.
The Software: The unit responses to each tap of the screen is OK (and I say OK very lightly). It could be better and faster. Versus Pioneer or Alpine units, which I've played around with at BestBuy and Fry's, the screen response sucks. There is some sort of film that makes it almost feel like you're pushing a button on every tap. There no customization with the unit (at all). The settings are all very basic, elementary. In other words, if you have no idea how to adjust a head unit, and have never used a decent head unit before in your life, this is the head unit for you. Everything is basic, almost like a child's training toy on how to use head unit. (Seriously)
The Features: SD card reader only recognizes 25% of my videos. All the formats are exactly as stated in the manual, yet still no explanation why the 75% of the videos cannot be played. iPhone4 compatible, you have to use the IC3 cable to connect the phone to the unit - However, since the connection is on the side of the screen, it is an eye sore to me to see wires hanging off the side of the screen to my phone. Versus the stock USB port is close and low to the center console where I place my phone. Playing videos (that do work) are good, loads quick for an hour long show. However, the names of the videos (for example TV shows from iTunes) don't always display. Sometimes, it displays the name of the episode, other times the name of the TV show. Radio is basic, does not tell you the name or title of the song playing or radio station, etc. The reception is weak, versus the stock head unit where I could get many stations clearly without any static. The bluetooth connects auto or manual, but when using bluetooth for audio, there is no title of songs or artist on the screen. Just a play, stop, forward, and back button. Making/Receiving calls is OK (not great) - you can actually see your last dialed numbers, phone book, but it is not easy to use, and you can't use the remote for that, you have to touch the screen.
The Remote: You can only use it for certain functions and features. For example, if I wanted to go to the home screen, I'd have to use the touch screen to navigate to it... Making the remote about 75% useless for me.
Other notes (more complaints): I bought the 931NB model, without the TV turner. However, when I navigate thru the available sources, i.e. DVD, Raido, iPhone, etc, I have the option to go to TV Turner... I thought I bought the model WITHOUT it... I'm not sure why they would have it available on this model.
I haven't used the navigation because you need the NaviBox additional component. Which retails about $200-$300... which means the price of the head unit... I passed on the navi for now.
The unit also FAILS to turn on the amps about 20% of the time since I've had it. There have been a number of times when I have people in the truck, and the radio turns on but no sound. So I turn off the unit, turn it back on - NO sound. I remove the screen, put it back in - NO sound. It isn't until I arrive at my destination, turn off the car and back on - the amps finally turns on. And YES I did correctly install the ACC, +12v, amp turn on wires, etc. Trust me, I checked!
Conclusion: I could go on and on with how HORRIBLE this piece of junk is... I'm not sure if this will help anyone or if I just needed to vent on how stupid and dump on the little to no engineering went into this head unit. I cannot believe any of the good reviews on SONIC or anywhere. They are all full of it. Or they all have no idea of what a quality piece of car audio equipment really is.
Overall, I'd recommend to STAY FAR FAR AWAY from this brand/company for head units. I know some of us use their amps, speakers - which I'm sure are OK since there isn't much user interface with amps/speakers.
My advice to them - (1) Hire some REAL car audio enthusiast to design the user interface (2) Test your products, and test them thoroughly (3) Think logically, not like a baby. This thing is just JUNK.
Power Acoustik PD-931NB (PD931NB) In-Dash 9.3" Inteq Car Receiver
History: My research has concluded that the company that made this head unit has also branded the same model under the name of SoundStream and Farenheit, same model# 931NB or 931NBT.
The NBT has a TV turner.
The Install: Crutchfield and Sonic Electronix both claimed that this headunit fits in a 2012 Tundra. It does fit, but not with the Scosche Tundra dash kit. I had to trim off the opening for the head unit to fit. This is where I spent most of the install time. I think if I used the Metra tundra kit it would have been easier because Metra has a bigger opening. The head unit also sticks out since it has an over sized 9.3" screen. Thus, I also had to trim the wider trim bezel that came with the unit. Again, more time spent adjusting the little things. Wiring was easy, and straight forward. This unit also has RCA speaker outputs which I used since I have an amp for the speakers and an amp for the subwoofer.
The Screen: 9.3" inch screen - size is nice, big. But wait! There is a BAD glare on this screen! Thus, I can barely see anything during the day. At night, it is fine. I have stock tint in the rear windows, none on the front. I think if I had tint on the front windows the glare would not be so bad.
The Software: The unit responses to each tap of the screen is OK (and I say OK very lightly). It could be better and faster. Versus Pioneer or Alpine units, which I've played around with at BestBuy and Fry's, the screen response sucks. There is some sort of film that makes it almost feel like you're pushing a button on every tap. There no customization with the unit (at all). The settings are all very basic, elementary. In other words, if you have no idea how to adjust a head unit, and have never used a decent head unit before in your life, this is the head unit for you. Everything is basic, almost like a child's training toy on how to use head unit. (Seriously)
The Features: SD card reader only recognizes 25% of my videos. All the formats are exactly as stated in the manual, yet still no explanation why the 75% of the videos cannot be played. iPhone4 compatible, you have to use the IC3 cable to connect the phone to the unit - However, since the connection is on the side of the screen, it is an eye sore to me to see wires hanging off the side of the screen to my phone. Versus the stock USB port is close and low to the center console where I place my phone. Playing videos (that do work) are good, loads quick for an hour long show. However, the names of the videos (for example TV shows from iTunes) don't always display. Sometimes, it displays the name of the episode, other times the name of the TV show. Radio is basic, does not tell you the name or title of the song playing or radio station, etc. The reception is weak, versus the stock head unit where I could get many stations clearly without any static. The bluetooth connects auto or manual, but when using bluetooth for audio, there is no title of songs or artist on the screen. Just a play, stop, forward, and back button. Making/Receiving calls is OK (not great) - you can actually see your last dialed numbers, phone book, but it is not easy to use, and you can't use the remote for that, you have to touch the screen.
The Remote: You can only use it for certain functions and features. For example, if I wanted to go to the home screen, I'd have to use the touch screen to navigate to it... Making the remote about 75% useless for me.
Other notes (more complaints): I bought the 931NB model, without the TV turner. However, when I navigate thru the available sources, i.e. DVD, Raido, iPhone, etc, I have the option to go to TV Turner... I thought I bought the model WITHOUT it... I'm not sure why they would have it available on this model.
I haven't used the navigation because you need the NaviBox additional component. Which retails about $200-$300... which means the price of the head unit... I passed on the navi for now.
The unit also FAILS to turn on the amps about 20% of the time since I've had it. There have been a number of times when I have people in the truck, and the radio turns on but no sound. So I turn off the unit, turn it back on - NO sound. I remove the screen, put it back in - NO sound. It isn't until I arrive at my destination, turn off the car and back on - the amps finally turns on. And YES I did correctly install the ACC, +12v, amp turn on wires, etc. Trust me, I checked!
Conclusion: I could go on and on with how HORRIBLE this piece of junk is... I'm not sure if this will help anyone or if I just needed to vent on how stupid and dump on the little to no engineering went into this head unit. I cannot believe any of the good reviews on SONIC or anywhere. They are all full of it. Or they all have no idea of what a quality piece of car audio equipment really is.
Overall, I'd recommend to STAY FAR FAR AWAY from this brand/company for head units. I know some of us use their amps, speakers - which I'm sure are OK since there isn't much user interface with amps/speakers.
My advice to them - (1) Hire some REAL car audio enthusiast to design the user interface (2) Test your products, and test them thoroughly (3) Think logically, not like a baby. This thing is just JUNK.
