Aftermarket stereo and harness recommendations?

[iboughtatahoe23]

Hey guys, looking for head unit recommendations for my 2014 Tahoe LT with factory Bose premium audio (non-touchscreen).
I want something affordable that fits easily with a double-DIN kit and lets me bypass the Bose amp for cleaner sound. Would love wired or wireless CarPlay.
Budget is tight — preferably under $300–$350 total (head unit + necessary harnesses/dash kit).
Anyone running a good setup in a similar GMT900 Tahoe? What worked well for you and what should I avoid?
Appreciate any suggestions. Thanks!

 

[Joseph Garcia]

With that small budget, you are going to be challenged to find something acceptable to you, particularly with a Bose system. You are going to need a head unit, a bezel kit, and an interface unit at the very least. You cannot bypass the Bose amp and power the speakers directly from the head unit, as Bose speakers have a different impedance, and the sound will quality will be poor. So, if you don't use the Bose amp, you will need to purchase aftermarket speakers, as well (I'm assuming that you still have the original Bose speakers installed).

Folks here like Pioneer and Kenwood head units, but honestly there are many other brands that would work for you, and most of them will have CarPlay.

Go to the Crutchfield web site and enter the details for your truck, and you will come to a similar web page. https://www.crutchfield.com/g_300/All-Car-Stereos.html

This will give you an idea of what is available and at what price, and you can make you decision from, there. You certainly don't have to purchase from Crutchfield, but you can speak to them on the phone and get all of your questions answered, as they are very knowledgeable regarding everything you will need to complete the project (like the correct interface unit to preserve your steering wheel controls).

Good luck, and other folks will chime in with their suggestions.

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

With that small budget, you are going to be challenged to find something acceptable to you, particularly with a Bose system. You are going to need a head unit, a bezel kit, and an interface unit at the very least. You cannot bypass the Bose amp and power the speakers directly from the head unit, as Bose speakers have a different impedance, and the sound will quality will be poor. So, if you don't use the Bose amp, you will need to purchase aftermarket speakers, as well (I'm assuming that you still have the original Bose speakers installed).

Folks here like Pioneer and Kenwood head units, but honestly there are many other brands that would work for you, and most of them will have CarPlay.

Go to the Crutchfield web site and enter the details for your truck, and you will come to a similar web page. https://www.crutchfield.com/g_300/All-Car-Stereos.html

This will give you an idea of what is available and at what price, and you can make you decision from, there. You certainly don't have to purchase from Crutchfield, but you can speak to them on the phone and get all of your questions answered, as they are very knowledgeable regarding everything you will need to complete the project (like the correct interface unit to preserve your steering wheel controls).

Good luck, and other folks will chime in with their suggestions.

Thx for the detailed reply. I already have aftermarket speakers in the rear doors. Open to single-DIN if it has Apple CarPlay.


Main goals: decent CarPlay, bypass the Bose amp if possible, and keep steering wheel controls. Steering wheel control is being my last priority probably


Any budget-friendly setups that have worked well in a 2014 Tahoe? I’ll check Crutchfield too.

 

[Doubeleive]

If I had to replace mine if it died or something I would certainly be on a budget, in which case I would be shopping used or refurbished, pioneer or kenwood.
Even though my pioneer is a few years old now even the latest offering by pioneer is the same thing, it just has alexa (big-woop)
there is a reason why even a good used pioneer or kenwood still command $500, because there not junk.
the avic-w8400nex, avic-w8500nex, avic-w8600nex are all the same just beginning with the 8500 it has alexa
my 8400 is 8 years old and works perfectly
depending on the desired operation you can go down in model number and still get good performance
I recommend the avic series, but once you drop some features the price drops as well
here is a listing of a range of pioneers going all the way down to basic units, I personally don't care for a floating screen

Pioneer NEX Models - Pioneer - Shop By Brand

Complete mobile electronics sales and installation in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey: Sound of Tri-State is your source for car audio video, vehicle security, iPod integration, and so much more!

www.soundoftristate.com

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Thx for the detailed reply. I already have aftermarket speakers in the rear doors. Open to single-DIN if it has Apple CarPlay.


Main goals: decent CarPlay, bypass the Bose amp if possible, and keep steering wheel controls. Steering wheel control is being my last priority probably


Any budget-friendly setups that have worked well in a 2014 Tahoe? I’ll check Crutchfield too.

If you are already running aftermarket speakers in the rear doors, but still powered by the Bose amp, the sound quality coming out of those speakers will be poor, again because of the impedance mismatch between the Bose amp (looking for 1.2 to 3.2 Ohm speakers) and your aftermarket speakers (most likely 4 Ohm speakers).

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

If you are already running aftermarket speakers in the rear doors, but still powered by the Bose amp, the sound quality coming out of those speakers will be poor, again because of the impedance mismatch between the Bose amp (looking for 1.2 to 3.2 Ohm speakers) and your aftermarket speakers (most likely 4 Ohm speakers).

My stock speakers in my doors were 3.86 ohms full range speakers. I replaced them with kicker full range 4 ohm speakers. Direct drop in replacements.

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

I am also considering single din to. I don’t need fancy Apple CarPlay and touchscreen and fancy voice features are not what I’m looking for. Those are just extras. I just need Bluetooth and to be able to plug my charger in and play music through that and just get around that Bose. really. that harness itself is like 130 bucks. It’s insane.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

I am also considering single din to. I don’t need fancy Apple CarPlay and touchscreen and fancy voice features are not what I’m looking for. Those are just extras. I just need Bluetooth and to be able to plug my charger in and play music through that and just get around that Bose. really. that harness itself is like 130 bucks. It’s insane.

You have to pay to play.

 

[jaywestfall]

With that small budget, you are going to be challenged to find something acceptable to you, particularly with a Bose system. You are going to need a head unit, a bezel kit, and an interface unit at the very least. You cannot bypass the Bose amp and power the speakers directly from the head unit, as Bose speakers have a different impedance, and the sound will quality will be poor. So, if you don't use the Bose amp, you will need to purchase aftermarket speakers, as well (I'm assuming that you still have the original Bose speakers installed).

Folks here like Pioneer and Kenwood head units, but honestly there are many other brands that would work for you, and most of them will have CarPlay.

Go to the Crutchfield web site and enter the details for your truck, and you will come to a similar web page. https://www.crutchfield.com/g_300/All-Car-Stereos.html

This will give you an idea of what is available and at what price, and you can make you decision from, there. You certainly don't have to purchase from Crutchfield, but you can speak to them on the phone and get all of your questions answered, as they are very knowledgeable regarding everything you will need to complete the project (like the correct interface unit to preserve your steering wheel controls).

Good luck, and other folks will chime in with their suggestions.

Great tip. Crutchfield is always a good place to start!