Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/3Wxy6iN
I just spent the weekend installing and testing SJoybring’s latest stereo, the W021, and… wow. If you’re looking to upgrade the stereo in your van (or car), this might just be the digital head unit you’re looking for.
Like previous models, the Sjoybring W021 does not play physical media like CDs or cassette tapes. Instead, it works as a digital hub that gives you access to all the music, movies, and apps your phone has access to. If you’re a Gen-Xer like me you’ll be glad to know you can also access media from a USB stick inserted into the device’s built-in USB-A port. And if you’re a Boomer, well, it plays music from AM and FM radio stations, too.
The installation process is similar to that of any other car stereo. You’ll need to purchase a wiring harness that’s compatible with your vehicle and connect it to the wiring harness included with this one. The manual includes a detailed wiring diagram that made installation simple. Along with the harness ports, the rear of the unit contains multiple RCA jacks for all sorts of things: a front-facing camera, a backup camera (which is included), a video-out port, two subwoofer outputs, and RCA outs for running an external amplifier. There are also connections for a traditional antenna and a microphone for hands-free dialing.
Once the device is powered on you’ll see a list of your favorite radio stations displayed on the unit’s HD touchscreen display. On the left hand side of the unit are two buttons, one to take you the device’s home screen and the other to the phone menu. The physical volume knob makes it easy to adjust the volume while driving. On the bottom left are two USB ports, a USB-C (18W) for charging devices and USB-A for accessing USB sticks as well as connecting and/or charging phones.
The stereo has multiple ways to connect to and access your smartphone’s content. By connecting your phone to the stereo with Bluetooth, you can access all of your music, make hands-free calls, and access Siri/Alexa. The unit also supports CarPlay and Android Auto, which will bring your favorite apps right onto your stereo. No more fumbling around with your phone to access Spotify or Waze while driving; with CarPlay or Android Auto, those apps will appear right on your stereo’s touchscreen. The stereo supports both wired and wireless connections for CarPlay and Android Auto. The stereo also supports MirrorLink, or screen mirroring while physically connected. Leveraging that, I was able to play games and YouTube videos from my phone and display them on the stereo’s screen. Using the video-out RCA connection I mentioned, you could connect the stereo to a second (even larger) screen in the rear of your vehicle for displaying movies.
(Note: all of these features work while the car is in motion. Please respect local laws, and drive responsibly.)
Included with the unit is a wired backup camera. The included wire is a little over 20′ long which should work for most vehicles. The unit automatically switches the screen to the backup camera when the car is shifted into reverse. If you have one, a front-facing camera can also be connected. The included backup camera has night vision, which was actually pretty impressive.
With all of these options comes a lot of controls. There’s a pretty exhaustive setup menu that will allow you to tweak everything from the colors and the unit’s wallpaper to the built-in EQ settings. To make some of this easier, the unit ships with a small remote control. I’m not sure I would use it while driving, but it certainly helps when navigating menus and accessing some of the deeper settings.
I’ve covered all the bells and whistles, but how does it wound? Pretty good, actually! The manual claims the unit puts out 60 watts, split between its four channels (stereo front and rear). Even without a subwoofer connected, I was able to get a pretty rich sound by adjusting the built-in EQ. The EQ has a few presets for things like rock and podcasts, but you can adjust the digital sliders and save your settings to get a sound that works with you. With those two RCA ports for subwoofers and additional RCA jacks for running audio out to a subwoofer, this device will grow with your system.
I recently tested and reviewed a 9″ smart screen that you can add to your car stereo, and to be honest these two devices have a lot in common. While the two devices cover a lot of similar ground, the add-on screen is a great solution for people who don’t want to (or can’t) replace their stereo — and while it’s a great solution for those circumstances, ultimately it is still an addo-on solution which means wires and additional screens. For people looking for a cleaner look or simply wanting to replace or upgrade their current stereo, this is the way to go.
The only minor issue I had with the device was during the physical installation. The stereo opening in my Ford van claims to be double-din, and this stereo also claims to be double-din, but man was it a tight fit. I had to apply more force than I was comfortable with to get the unit to slide back into my dash. The unit comes with a mounting bracket and two bezels to choose from depending on your needs. To be honest, I am not worried about the unit moving around inside my dash. Ever.
For anyone whose music and movies are stored in the cloud and want the convenience of having access to navigation and their apps right at their fingertips while driving, SJoyBring’s latest stereo might be the one you’re looking for!
Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/3Wxy6iN