Best budget head unit?

[DidUHearThat? 10+ year member]

Avoid any pioneer HU. Serious problems with all models.

 

[kizz 10+ year member]

jvc. ipod controls right on the hu and the controls arent neer as slow as the pioneer. has good preset eq settings too imo

 

[Nevalite 10+ year member]

erm...//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/confused.gif.e820e0216602db4765798ac39d28caa9.gif
Maybe ugly but it has alot features.

She is a girl so the look does affect the choice here

What about the JVC KD-A605? 5v pre-outs, good ipod control and only 149$ The display isn't the best but at this price it seems fair. Any comments?

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_17367_JVC+KD-A605.html#

 

[Nevalite 10+ year member]

I'm basically looking for the best HU for under 150$ that has min. 4v pre-outs, good ipod control (don't have to buy the wire) and a decent display.

Anyone know a HU that fits all of those criteria the best?

 

[Nevalite 10+ year member]

These are the top 3 contenders I can find:

Kenwood eXcelon KDC-X592

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_11766_Kenwood+eXcelon+KDC-X592.html#

JVC KD-A605

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_17367_JVC+KD-A605.html#

Pioneer Premier DEH-P500UB

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

 

[RowJoe 10+ year member]

Avoid any pioneer HU. Serious problems with all models.

Quite a statement.

 

[chucky2 10+ year member]

Well, it's $200 shipped, but the Kenwood Excelon KDC-X693 from Crutchfield.com would be a pretty nice unit for her. With all the color options on it, it should let her match the color perfectly...seems the rest of the options it has fit what you're looking for as well.

Walking through the order process at Crutchfield.com, it looks like Jetta's may or may not have some special things you need to do the install...might want to head on over there and check that out before doing this for her so you know what to expect.

If she/you can wait for a bit, it looks like this deck hasn't hit almost any of the other eTailers yet...given Crutchfield.com is usually more expensive than someone like SonicElectronix.com, it might behoove you to wait a bit...seems like a few of this years model decks are due to hit in the next month....

Chuck

P.S. I myself (brother included) cannot stand the F'd up right wheel on these, so if you're thinking about going with this deck, you might try and find at least a Kenwood that had the right wheel setup like this (FM band and track selection is push left and right, not rotate clockwise/counterclockwise as you'd think), so she can decide if that's ok for her or not. It'd **** to get it all put in, and then all you hear about is 'Yeah, I appreciate you helping me out with that, but, I hate that confusing button thingie!' //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[bigbangtheory 5,000+ posts]

The JVC KD-7500 Arsenal.

5 volt pre-outs

powerful *** deck

looks killer

And has a ton of options............that she probably wouldn't use. Can download wallpapers easily on a memory card and pop it in the deck, that is behind the face and DL it. Pretty slick!

Just installed mine yesterday and is the same thing as the 8500, but not active cable, which you don't need. Has 7 band Par..EQ and is just a joy to use. Takes a little bit to tune it, but once you do, is killer!

Will trump the other JVC's mentioned in here and just about all the others. I have used a shit ton of decks and this deck is very nice for the money.

I picked up the 7500 off eghey for 140, but most places they go for 180 and the 8500 is 200 and up in most places. Some of the packages you can get the ipod adapter (Which I don't have yet) and might raise it up some. By itself, I believe it is 24 bucks.

Sweet deck and will push it harder now I have it hooked up and have some time behind it. Very good budget deck.......I don't think you could beat it, besides that Clarion that guy posted, but that deck is fawking one of the uglyiest decks I have seen to date.

 

[Sacto8128]

If I were talking a budget head unit that works very well with an iPod (especially if you want a decent on-screen display on the head unit!), I'd almost recommend the Sony CDX-GT630UI for around US$160. I've played with one at a store with my new 4G iPod nano (blue case 16 GB) and the CDX-GT630UI navigates the iPod quite well on both player controls and with the supplied remote control. Pity it could use a better amplifier section, though.

 

[Nevalite 10+ year member]

The JVC KD-7500 Arsenal.
5 volt pre-outs

powerful *** deck

looks killer

And has a ton of options............that she probably wouldn't use. Can download wallpapers easily on a memory card and pop it in the deck, that is behind the face and DL it. Pretty slick!

Just installed mine yesterday and is the same thing as the 8500, but not active cable, which you don't need. Has 7 band Par..EQ and is just a joy to use. Takes a little bit to tune it, but once you do, is killer!

Will trump the other JVC's mentioned in here and just about all the others. I have used a shit ton of decks and this deck is very nice for the money.

I picked up the 7500 off eghey for 140, but most places they go for 180 and the 8500 is 200 and up in most places. Some of the packages you can get the ipod adapter (Which I don't have yet) and might raise it up some. By itself, I believe it is 24 bucks.

Sweet deck and will push it harder now I have it hooked up and have some time behind it. Very good budget deck.......I don't think you could beat it, besides that Clarion that guy posted, but that deck is fawking one of the uglyiest decks I have seen to date.

Are you sure its JVC KD-7500? I can't seem to find it anywhere, not even ebay...

 

[Nevalite 10+ year member]

Ok I found it, its the KD-AR7500, seems like its an old model.

 

[bigbangtheory 5,000+ posts]

Ok I found it, its the KD-AR7500, seems like its an old model.

It is, they don't make them anymore, but people still have them in stock new.

Still get the warranty and all and soon it will be considered rare. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

I love it! Just tuned it some more and this thing makes my highs sound awesome. Just need to tame the rears down. Thinking about unplugging them for awhile actually.

Get what you want, but I am telling you it is an awesome deck!

 

[birdwatcher 10+ year member]

I think without a doubt that Alpine makes the best IPOD interface for car audio. I would suggest the 9884 replacement which is the new Alpine CDA-105. If she wants to add Bluetooth/Sat. Radio or HD radio later she can. If she wants to add better speakers/sub she can. In other words it's a great starter and something that she can grow with. It is $199 at Crutchfield and I'm sure it will be cheaper on Sonicelectronix when they get it in.

 

[Towncar 10+ year member]

These are the top 3 contenders I can find:
Kenwood eXcelon KDC-X592

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_11766_Kenwood+eXcelon+KDC-X592.html#

JVC KD-A605

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_17367_JVC+KD-A605.html#

Pioneer Premier DEH-P500UB

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

I have a x592, and I absoltely love it, and wouldnt trade it, despite it being a lower priced deck. My previous deck before that was an 880prs, and i like this deck much better. It does not have much eq functions, just basic bass and treble, but its solid. It has sounded the best out of all the decks ive owned, and I love the usb interface. I never use cds period anymore. Also you wont get alt whine like you do with pioneer decks. Overall, one of the, if not the best money ive spent on audio. 24bit DAC's is always nice aswell..

 

[Nevalite 10+ year member]

Any other ideas?