Best budget head unit?

[Nevalite 10+ year member]

Hey everyone,

A friend of mine is looking for a head unit for her car. She has a Jetta with all the stock speakers, stock radio etc.

Her main concerns are that she wants to be able to hook up her ipod and play CDs, nothing more complex than that.

She is however thinking of upgrading the speakers and putting in a small (10", low rms) sub later on so the HU needs to have good pre-outs etc.

What HU would you guys recommend for a budget set-up like this?

Thanks!

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[Nevalite 10+ year member]

I'm thinking of looking into a Pioneer HU, the Alpine one that I have sometimes has some issues with the iPod connection (Error-01).

What's a good budget Pioneer HU that has iPod connection?

 

[Jer510 10+ year member]

Alpine 9884 has iPod connectivity and 3 amp preouts. Cost around $200.

 

[BlakeWilder 10+ year member]

I just bought the Pioneer 5100ub and it seems to be decent....4v preouts and 6chan control. $175

 

[Nevalite 10+ year member]

I was thinking something a little cheaper than those, any other ideas?

 

[fasfocus00 5,000+ posts]

I think that Panasonic makes the best "bang for buck" head units. you get a 5v pre amp output for 130. the only real down fall is the ipod cable is $50.

http://cgi.ebay.com/PANASONIC-CQ-C700U-CD-MP3-RECEIVER-MOTORIZED-BRAND-NEW_W0QQitemZ130293813904QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCar_Audio_In_Dash_Receivers?hash=item130293813904&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A2%7C294%3A50

if that's too much...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Panasonic-CQC500U-Car-CD-MP3-Player_W0QQitemZ150337248908QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCar_Audio_In_Dash_Receivers?hash=item150337248908&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A3%7C294%3A50

 

[TurdFergueson2 5,000+ posts]

tell her to save up and do it right. Too many times people be in a hurry to just get something in. Hu is to me the most important component. They all are, but the right Hu brings it all together. Eclipse makes some nice HUs too. I use Pioneer and I really liked the Premier DEH-P690UB. It's an 07 model and has ipod hookup and all of that. Might still be some on ebay.

 

[azimuth 5,000+ posts]

i am really impressed with my jvc. i've had an avx-1 for a few years now, and never had a problem. might be something to look at.

 

[Cravingbass123]

buy my like new kenwood x891

http://www.caraudio.com/forum/showthread.php?t=397698

 

[thehardknoxlife 10+ year member]

Clarion DXZ785USB. Has 3-way X-over, Time Alignment, USB, 6v RCAs, Parametric EQ, Ipod ready. $139

 

[Nevalite 10+ year member]

What do you guys think of the Pioneer Premier DEH-500UB?

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_11105_Pioneer+Premier+DEH-P500UB.html#

 

[fasfocus00 5,000+ posts]

What do you guys think of the Pioneer Premier DEH-500UB?
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_11105_Pioneer+Premier+DEH-P500UB.html#

good feature except for the display. if it's within you budget, get it. don't for get to do a nice writeup for us with pics.

 

[Nevalite 10+ year member]

For the price I can't seem to find anything that would beat it...

 

[DB-Audio 10+ year member]

the display sucks on that deck get this for a real budget build it has the aux input in the front for IPOD or any other mp3 player http://www.mobileaudiousa.com/all-products/boss-cd-receiver-with-detachable-front-panel-and-a.html

 

[thehardknoxlife 10+ year member]

For the price I can't seem to find anything that would beat it...

erm...//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/confused.gif.e820e0216602db4765798ac39d28caa9.gif

Clarion DXZ785USB. Has 3-way X-over, Time Alignment, USB, 6v RCAs, Parametric EQ, Ipod ready. $139

Maybe ugly but it has alot features.