Suggestions on a new head unit....

[wannabeSHOman]

anyone have any advice for a novice.

i'm looking to spend less than $500.00.
i'd like to keep the stock sub (if possible).

i'd like to go the sattelite (sp?) route, any advice there?

help please, i never seem to pick the right unit for what i'm looking for, and i always seem to end up getting something that is yesterday's news.

thanks in advance.

<small>[ September 10, 2002, 11:56 PM: Message edited by: wannabeSHOman ]</small>

 

[allSHO94]

go alpine. i am. probably CDA-7893 your best way to go. not too expensive but fairly priced. and can do pretty much everything u need it too do. plus it's sweet looking. my 2 cents.

 

[SHOfather]

I know that RickieFrat deals with JVC. His web site is Frats Performance. Shoot him a E-mail and he'll be glad to hook you up cheap. thumbs_u

 

[yamahaSHO]

I just bought a Pioneer DEH-P9300 for $330. Awesome head unit. It is last years top of the line model.

 

[BenBrausen]

For a great deal on car audio stuff, check out:

CMT Trading

Ya can't beat their prices.

 

[LOUDSHO92]

Keenwod head units are always of good quality. The also look good as well. Depending on which one you get you can basically get a built in equalizer with the head unit. They are worth the money.

 

[RI-SHO]

Anything Alpine, my old CDA-7949 is still kicking after almost 4yrs but also did run me about $800 new.

 

[Runningjon]

I second that "Anything Alpine" comment. I have had the same $300 Alpine CD player in 3 vehicles now, bought it new almost 5 years ago and it's still going strong (the only time it's ever skipped on me was when I rolled my truck about 3 years ago). If I were to go buy a head unit today, I'd go with the CDA-7894 I think it's around $400. High power, if you're not using an amp, and three sets of 4 volt preamp outputs if you do use an amp. It'll play CD-R's/CD-RW's and MP3's, and it has a built in equalizer.

 

[ericwick19]

You cannot go wrong with alpine or kenwood units, stay away from clarion and sony (poor quality), and pioneer would be in the middle (great units for around $150). As for the other brands, i have no clue.

 

[thebigjimsho]

ericwick19:
You cannot go wrong with alpine or kenwood units, stay away from clarion and sony (poor quality), and pioneer would be in the middle (great units for around $150). As for the other brands, i have no clue.

I'm sorry, but I've yet to see a head unit from Alpine or Kenwood with high quality digital to analog converters. Both Sony and Clarion do or did.

The statement quoted is simply personal opinion. I have owned an Alpine, 2 Clarions and a Pioneer. They are all excellent brands. Clarion and Pioneer have the most features. I personally feel none of these brands has a clear advantage over the other. You won't go wrong with any of the units mentioned in this post. Personally, I'm on the lookout for the best sounding head unit made, the Clarion drx9255z.

<small>[ September 13, 2002, 05:39 PM: Message edited by: thebigjimsho ]</small>

 

[RI-SHO]

Just curious, what model number was that Alpine you owned and how much? Because you cant really go comparing a higher model $400-$500 Sony unit to a $200-$300 Alpine lower model unit.

 

[SHOemup]

Call my brother up at Sonic Sounds. he has several head units. i bought an eclipse unit and I love it. I'm sure he'll have something that you'll like

344-2305, ask for chuck

 

[wannabeSHOman]

chris,

i totally forgot about your bro. sorry but i ended up buying a pioneer (best buy deal with XM, lots of free stuff).

i ended up spending about $450.00 installed and i drove out listening to XM radio.

i'm probably going to hear about this but, i kinda like the pioneer (6400, i think?), i got the one with the hoakey graphics. but my kid likes them and i sounds pretty good to my untrained ear.

man i wish i remembered about your brother.

p.s. how's school going? i haven't seen you on lately. shoot me an email (when you have time).
hope all is well.

later thumbs_u

 

[ChitownA34DR]

Go on ebay and buy a Pioneer Premier DEH-P840MP. I think it is the best looking and sweetest deal for the money radio out there. Thats what I am getting at least.

 

[artsho]

thumbs_u With your budjet I'd suggest a 12 disk fm moduled cd changer...upgrade your speakers and keep your present headunit...you'll end up with a lot bang for the buck.... thumbs_u

 

[SHOMA]

ericwick19.. I disagree with the clarion commend. I too do not like the Sony car stereo area, but Clarion... I haveh ad the same Clarion head unit in 6 cars within the last 3 years, and never one problem! I think its the dx6775 or something, but its awesome, wouldnt go any other brand. I have 3 friends, who all happened to get the same unit at diffefrent times, NO PROBLEMS YET! I do agree with alpine, and the others being good, but had bad luck with a kenwood after months!
Only thing is, IMO any radio with a motorized face, will eventually crap out. the only thing motorized about my clarion is the cd spinning and ejecting, like the other non-motorized hea units out there! Just my $.02, I would presonally go Clarion, an awesome unit, and bulletproof.

 

[Rio]

I WOULD SAY ANYTHING ALPINE OR ECLIPSE...AWESOME DECKS!!! I JUST BOUGHT A CDA-7893 FOR 250 OFF EBAY AND ITS INCREDIBLE... wink

 

[John]

I have the Alpine CDA7894 in my 91
It is deffinatly the best stereo i have ever heard also has ability to play MP3'S thumbs_u
that is one of the best things they ever put in a headunit.and 60WX4 with the function to control just your subwoofers if you have them... also xm compatible . trying to get it working in my new 95 but ******* who had it before me cut the damn wires in the trunk and took out the amps .. if anyone can help with my problem . leave a message in at this post ->
http://www.shoforum.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=23;t=000234
Thanks guys
John

 

[SHO--ripper]

buy a JVC. no problems from mine. my friend whom also owns a taurus no a SHO has a JVC cameleon and he has no complaints. they look good and produce good sound. thumbs_u

 

[John]

I also have had a JVC ..
they are decent for the money ..
but if you want the best Quality in sound get an Alpine ... I was amazed at the difference . Dont Believe me go to a Circuit City and listen to the JVC and then The ALpine at similar prices..
You will find out for your self ..

John