SoundStream VRCPAA-106F 10.6" Double DIN Stereo receiver with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Our testing and analysis of the Soundstream VRCPAA-106F

We just got in Soundstreams new VRCPAA-106F 10.6” Double DIN receiver with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.  Did Soundstream build a new must have alternative to the major brands such as Sony and Pioneer? Or is it a dud? Either way, the Soundstream VRCPAA-106F deserves a once over and in my opinion should be considered especially considering it’s under $400 price. 

We’ve reviewed several of the large screen Android and non Android based large screen receivers from Sony, Power Acoustik, Daisita and Teyes. Much like the Sony and Power Acoustik models this unit doesn’t have an Android operating system, it uses its own proprietary OS. Let’s go over some details of this unit. First, obviously…  is the massive 10.6” anti-glare display, which not only is vibrant and sharp, but also held up really well with a light pointed on it. The screen is not full HD but does have a capacitive touchscreen for excellent touchscreen response. The screen resolution is 1024 x 600 pixels. The measurements of the display are 10” in width and 6-7/8” in height. This thing is massive!

We’ve seen oversized displays on both single dins and double dins, but this was the higher quality display closely rivaling everything but the new Daisita 13” 1080p unit. Not only was it sturdy and felt like it could last years, it has a three way adjustment mount, meaning you can customize the height, adjust the horizontal and vertical tilt angle of the display. Some oversized displays feature ball joint mounts, but this is a much more sophisticated piece of hardware that will ensure the display is to your liking and is always at exactly the angle you want. As soon as you start playing around with a ball joint display, it’ll never be level or straight again. Adjusting the VRCPAA-106F’s position is simple, no tools needed but requires a gentle but firm touch. The display and actual chassis come separately, but connect with a ribbon cable input. The various positions guarantee universal fitment in any dash and this unit has one of the largest ranges of motion. The articulating mechanism is fully adjustable horizontal and vertical tilt angle position and fifteen height positions. The range of motion on the vertical and horizontal tilt axis is nearly 30 degrees! 

What's inside the box?

Inside the box is an Instruction manual, 1 year warranty card, Remote control, Main wiring harness, Secondary wiring harness, USB extension, 10.6” screen, hardware, mounting brackets, and double din stereo. 

Rear Connections

The rear connections include optional external microphone, wiring harness for power ground and speaker, 4V RCA pre-amp outputs for front rear and subwoofer, front camera input, dual video outputs, rear camera input, RCA audio video input and radio antenna.

Front Connections

The front connections include 3.5mm audio video input, Micro SD card slot, USB port with 2.1 amp fast charge and USB port for Apple CarPlay and Android auto. 

CD/DVD Playback

As you can tell the unit does have a disc slot, so you can still play those old Ja Rule CD’s or watch DVD movies. There is one caveat to this disc slot, you will need to have the full range of the vertical adjustment of the screen, the screen must be slid all the way down to insert the disc. This could potentially be an issue for some despite the screen being removable. There is a warning message on the unit against using it for a security feature.

USB Connections

The VRCPAA-106F has two USB inputs both located on the front of the unit but behind the display, and as you can see there is no wire concealing lining for optional rear routing. The right side USB supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The stereo is not compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay or wireless Android Auto. A USB connection is required. 

Boot Time

The full boot time is pretty fast and the warm boot time is nearly instant.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Both Apple Carplay and Android Auto  integrate your navigation apps like Google Maps, Apple Maps and Waze, messaging apps and answering texts, calendar for appointments,  plus all music and audio apps like Spotify, Pandora, Radio apps, not to mention your podcasts. Video apps do not transfer. 

Voice control worked great with both Siri and Google Assistant. The voice button on the display immediately brings you to either Carplay or Android Auto, depending on what you’re using, and enables the microphone to listen to you. Use it to pull up any of your apps like Google Maps directions or Spotify for a new song. 

A minut detail that is pretty embarrassing is Soundstream misspelled Android Auto. I didn’t look but hopefully a future firmware will resolve this one missed bug. 

Bluetooth

Bluetooth allows hands free calling and wireless music streaming. The USB will not allow music playback from a smartphone outside of Carplay or Android Auto. However, a USB thumb drive or Micro-SD card will play back music and video files. The largest USB and Micro SD card you can use are 64 GB. For audio it is compatible with WAV, WMV and MP3 files. For video it is compatible with MPEG4 and H.264. You can also view JPEG images on this stereo. 

Steering Wheel and Sirius Connections

The Soundstream VRCPAA-106F has built-in steering wheel control but is not compatible with an external Sirius XM tuner but you can just use the app with Apple CarPlay or Android auto. 

Customization

For visual customization, the stereo has five simple built-in preset wallpapers to choose from, dimmer, illumination level and seven color touch button adjustment. You can also upload your own background image. 

Audio features

For high audio performance Soundstream fitted the receiver with a 4x20W internal amplifier. To fine tune the audio, it features 10-band customizable EQ with presets, balance and fader, high pass filter and low pass filter with subwoofer phase.

Soundstream VRCPAA-106F Testing

These audio features sound great, but how does the stereo actually perform? Let’s test this thing out. 

VRCPAA-106F Two channels driven, 4 ohm, 1 KHz, 14.4v

The first test we ran was 2 channels driven @ 4 ohms, 14.4 volts, 1 KHz, EQ flat. Our Audio Precision will generate our signal and measure distortion. At volume 44, our HP8903B Audio Analyzer Picked up 16.2W RMS of continuous power, .94% distortion and 8 volts of output. Our AMM-1 read 12 Watts and we drew 4.5 amps of current.

VRCPAA-106F Two channels driven, 4 ohm, 40 Hz, 14.4v

Down to 40 hz. At volume 43, our HP picked up 15.7W RMS of continuous power, 1% distortion and 7.85 volts of output. Our AMM-1 read 13W RMS and we drew 4.5 amps of current.

VRCPAA-106F RCA outputs

Next we tested the RCA pre-amp outputs. At  40 Hz, volume 49, we got 3.74 volts with .99% distortion.  At 1 KHz, volume 49, we got 4.48 volts with 1.01% distortion. 

VRCPAA-106F frequency response

Our final test was frequency response. We used our Audio Precision to run up each frequency.

Car stereo installation

We show you the complete process of installing a Pioneer Double DIN car stereo in a Chevy truck. The in-depth video shows the installation of the interface, and steering wheel control.

Stereo Installation Basics

Let's start with the basics of replacing your car stereo receiver. In out first video we demonstrate how to crimp or solder your wiring, mount your new receiver to your dash kit and prepare everything for an installation in your vehicle.

Wiring Harnesses Explained

What do all of the wire colors mean? Aftermarket manufacturers have made car stereo receiver installation an easier process by using a standardized wire color scheme. We walk you through what each individual wire does, this way if you have an installation that doesn't perform properly you will have the resources to begin troubleshooting your installation.

Simple radio Installation

In our third video we demonstrate this installation process from start to finish. We show you the complete process of installing a Pioneer Double DIN car stereo in a Chevy truck. The in-depth video shows the installation of the interface, and steering wheel control.

Complex radio Installation

In our fourth video we demonstrate a much more difficult installation of a Car Stereo receiver. In this video we are using a more complicated dash kit and a difficult level of installation.