Finding yourself frustrated with outdated car technology – maybe dealing with static-filled radio, fumbling with your phone for navigation, or just lacking modern connectivity? I certainly know that feeling. Trying to manage directions and music while driving isn’t just inconvenient; it’s a safety hazard. An inability to integrate your smartphone seamlessly can make even short trips feel tedious and disconnect you from your digital life on the go. Solving this problem is crucial for a safer, more enjoyable driving experience, and failing to do so means missing out on the convenience and capabilities modern car audio systems offer.
Before You Buy: What to Look for in a Car Head Unit
Car head units, or car stereos, primarily serve to provide entertainment, navigation, and connectivity while driving. Someone would seek to buy a new one to replace an old, broken, or feature-lacking factory unit. The ideal customer for a modern, feature-rich unit like this is someone who wants seamless smartphone integration (Apple CarPlay or Android Auto), enjoys various media formats (CDs, DVDs, USB), values good sound quality, and might want to add future upgrades like a backup camera or satellite radio.
Who shouldn’t buy this specific type of unit? Perhaps someone who only needs a basic radio and Bluetooth for calls, doesn’t care about smartphone projection (CarPlay/Android Auto), or doesn’t need the visual features like DVD playback or a large touchscreen. For them, a simpler, single-DIN or non-touchscreen unit might suffice and save money.
Before diving into the market, consider these factors: compatibility with your vehicle (single DIN vs. double DIN), required features (Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, DVD, satellite radio readiness), sound quality options (EQ bands, preamp outputs), expandability (camera inputs, USB ports), screen type and size, and critically, whether you need an installation kit or wiring harness for your specific car model. Installation complexity is also a big one; some units are DIY-friendly with the right harness, while others might require professional help.
Meet the Product: The JVC KW-V660BT
The JVC KW-V660BT is a double DIN DVD/CD receiver designed to bring modern connectivity and media options to your car’s dashboard. Its core promise is to integrate your smartphone safely and intuitively while offering a versatile media experience and enhanced audio control. When you purchase the KW-V660BT, you get the head unit itself, wiring harness, mounting hardware, and necessary manuals.
This product is squarely aimed at drivers looking to upgrade from a standard factory radio to a touchscreen system with full smartphone integration, particularly Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as retaining DVD/CD playback capabilities. It’s less suited for someone needing only basic radio or Bluetooth, or those who want wireless CarPlay/Android Auto (this model requires a wired connection). Compared to previous basic JVC units, this offers a significant leap in screen technology (capacitive vs. resistive), smartphone integration, and audio processing power. While it might not have every single high-end feature of a flagship model from JVC or competitors like Pioneer, it aims to strike a balance between features and value.
Here’s a quick look at the ups and downs:
Pros:
* Excellent Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality
* Responsive 6.8″ capacitive touch screen
* Versatile media playback (CD, DVD, USB high-res files)
* Robust audio controls (13-band EQ, time alignment)
* Expandability options (camera, SiriusXM)
Cons:
* Requires wired connection for CarPlay/Android Auto
* Some reports of unit failure or static issues over time
* Volume buttons are quite small
* Screen glare can be an issue depending on dash angle
Deep Dive into Capabilities: Exploring the Features of the JVC KW-V660BT
Having spent considerable time with the JVC KW-V660BT, I can confidently say it’s packed with features designed to modernize your in-car experience. Here’s a breakdown of its key capabilities and the benefits they bring.
The Touchscreen Display
The centerpiece of the KW-V660BT is its 6.8″ capacitive touch screen display. Unlike older resistive screens that require pressure, a capacitive screen is far more responsive, behaving much like your smartphone screen. Swiping, tapping, and scrolling through menus or maps feels smooth and intuitive. This is a huge upgrade over older systems and makes interacting with the unit while driving much easier and less distracting (though always operate controls responsibly). The benefit is a more modern, user-friendly interface that enhances the overall experience, whether you’re navigating with CarPlay/Android Auto or browsing media files. While the resolution isn’t the highest available on the market, it’s sharp enough for typical in-car use and the touch sensitivity is where it really shines. A minor downside is that, like many screens mounted in cars, it can suffer from glare depending on the angle of your dash and the position of the sun, potentially making it harder to see at times, which is where a dash visor might come in handy.
Media Playback Versatility
This unit is a true all-rounder when it comes to playing your favorite media. It handles traditional formats like CDs and DVDs, which is increasingly rare in newer head units but still valuable for many. But it doesn’t stop there. The rear USB input is particularly useful, not just for smartphone connection but also for playing digital music files. Crucially, it supports high-resolution audio formats like FLAC and WAV up to 24-bit/192 kHz. For audiophiles or anyone who appreciates better sound quality, this is a significant feature. Playing high-res files directly from a USB drive allows you to enjoy music with greater detail and depth than compressed formats like MP3. This versatility means you can enjoy your media collection in almost any format you prefer, offering flexibility whether you’re rocking out to old CDs, watching a movie while parked (requires parking brake connection), or enjoying your carefully curated digital music library.
Seamless Bluetooth Connectivity
Bluetooth connectivity is standard on most modern head units, but the implementation here is solid. It offers both hands-free calling and audio streaming. Pairing your phone is quick and easy. The hands-free calling works well, allowing you to make and receive calls safely using the included microphone. Audio streaming is equally reliable, letting you play music, podcasts, or audiobooks from your phone wirelessly. This feature is fundamental for a modern car stereo and the JVC KW-V660BT delivers a dependable experience, ensuring you can stay connected and entertained without fumbling with wires (unless you need CarPlay/Android Auto).
The Power of Smartphone Integration: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
This is arguably the main draw of the JVC KW-V660BT for many users. It offers wired compatibility with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Connecting your iPhone or Android device via the rear USB port transforms the head unit’s display into a dedicated, car-friendly interface for your phone. This gives you safe access to core apps like navigation (Maps, Waze, Google Maps), music streaming (Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora), messaging (read aloud and dictated replies), and hands-free calls, all controlled via the touchscreen or voice commands (Siri or Google Assistant). The benefit here is immense: you can keep your eyes on the road and hands on the wheel while accessing essential phone functions. It solves the problem of needing to look at or interact directly with your phone while driving, significantly improving safety and convenience. While it requires a wired connection, many users find the stability and simultaneous charging provided by the cable worthwhile. However, some users have reported occasional disconnections, which can be a minor annoyance requiring unplugging and replugging the phone.
Advanced Audio Customization
Beyond just playing music, the KW-V660BT offers robust tools to fine-tune your audio experience. The 13-band equalizer allows for detailed adjustments across the frequency spectrum, letting you tailor the sound to your specific taste or compensate for the acoustics of your car’s interior. Digital time alignment is a feature typically found on higher-end units; it lets you virtually delay the audio signal to specific speakers so that the sound waves from all speakers arrive at your listening position (usually the driver’s seat) simultaneously. This creates a more focused and accurate soundstage, dramatically improving audio clarity and imaging. Additionally, dedicated controls for subwoofer level, phase, and low-pass crossover allow you to perfectly integrate an aftermarket subwoofer into your system. These features provide the ability to optimize sound quality beyond just basic bass and treble adjustments, allowing you to get the best possible performance out of your car’s speakers, whether they are factory or aftermarket. While the sound quality is often perceived as an improvement over many factory units, the ultimate performance will depend heavily on your speakers.
Expandability for Future Upgrades
The JVC KW-V660BT isn’t just a standalone unit; it offers several inputs and outputs for system expansion. It’s compatible with SiriusXM satellite radio tuners (sold separately), adding a wealth of commercial-free content options. A dedicated rear camera input is standard, which is essential for adding a backup camera for increased safety and ease of parking – a highly recommended upgrade, especially on older vehicles. There’s also a rear A/V input (mini) for connecting external audio/video sources. For serious audio enthusiasts, the 5-channel preamp outputs (2-volt front, rear, mono subwoofer) are crucial for connecting external amplifiers to power aftermarket speakers and subwoofers, bypassing the head unit’s internal amplifier for cleaner, more powerful sound. Finally, a video output (RCA) allows you to send video to external monitors, potentially useful for rear-seat entertainment systems (again, video playback on the main screen requires the parking brake connection for safety).
The Parking Brake Requirement
It’s important to note the safety feature requiring a wired connection to the parking brake. To access certain settings, video display, and some features (like initial setup and potentially some CarPlay/Android Auto functions upon boot), the unit needs to detect that the parking brake is engaged. This is a standard safety measure in head units with video capabilities to prevent driver distraction. While necessary, incorrect wiring of this can prevent full functionality, and some users might find the constraint annoying, though it is designed for your safety and the safety of others. Some choose to bypass this, but it is not recommended and may be illegal in certain areas.
Overall, the JVC KW-V660BT offers a compelling package of modern features, robust audio controls, and media versatility at a competitive price point. Its responsiveness and core functionality make it a significant upgrade for many vehicles.
What Others Are Saying: Insights from User Experiences
Looking at feedback from others who’ve installed the JVC KW-V660BT, the sentiment is largely positive, reflecting satisfaction with the modern features. Many users highlight the smooth operation of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as a significant improvement over their old systems, praising its “magic” and ease of use for navigation and media streaming. The installation is often described as straightforward, especially for those with some experience or using appropriate wiring harnesses and dash kits. Sound quality is frequently mentioned as being noticeably better than factory radios.
However, some downsides are consistently noted. A few users have unfortunately experienced issues with the unit failing prematurely, sometimes within a year or two, citing freezing or completely ceasing function. Warranty support experiences have been mixed for those encountering problems. Static through the speakers, particularly when using CarPlay, has also been reported by a small number of owners. Additionally, the small physical volume buttons and the screen’s susceptibility to sun glare depending on dash angle are mentioned as minor ergonomic annoyances. Despite these potential issues, the overall consensus leans towards satisfaction, particularly given the price point and the feature set provided by this double DIN unit.
Final Thoughts: Is This Upgrade Right for You?
The problem of outdated car technology, limiting your connectivity and posing safety risks, is a real one for many drivers. Without modern features, you miss out on seamless navigation, safe communication, and easy access to your digital media library, making driving less convenient and potentially more dangerous. The JVC KW-V660BT offers a compelling solution.
First, its integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto brings your smartphone’s core functions to the dashboard safely and effectively. Second, the versatile media playback and powerful audio customization tools allow you to truly personalize your listening experience. Finally, the responsive touchscreen and expandability options provide a modern foundation for your in-car entertainment and information needs. If you’re looking for a significant upgrade to your car’s head unit that offers the key features of contemporary systems without breaking the bank, the JVC KW-V660BT is definitely worth considering. To check out this car stereo and see if it fits your needs, click here to learn more.