Good H/U w/ SQ.

[rouskisman 10+ year member]

I'm looking to purchase a H/U and begin building a Car Audio System. I am just wanting everyone's oppinion on this subject. I am looking to purchase a Clarion, Alpine, Pioneer (premier) or a Kenwood (excelon). I want the following to be included under $400.

-Sound Quality is a must!

-Color

-Flexibility

-Good use of options

-maybe a equalizer, if not i'll purchase one.

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[Mark_ab 5,000+ posts]

You coudln't go wrong with any of the units at the price you're talking about. Clarion is one of my favourites, Alpine, and Kenwood Excelon are your best bets.

 

[rpeAMP 10+ year member]

For what it's worth, I love my Kenwood Excelon. I have it connected via preamp outs to my JBL 4 channel for my components and my Alpine for my sub and the sound is incredible.

 

[rouskisman 10+ year member]

OK i've narrowed my choice down to these

Alpine

CDA-7893 $ 280 @ http://www.ikesound.com

Clarion

DXZ-725 $ 199 @ http://www.ikesound.com

DXZ-825 $ 279 @ http://www.ikesound.com

Kenwood

KDC-MP819 $ 300 @ http://www.ikesound.com

Pioneer

DEH-P8400MP $ 388 @ http://www.ikesound.com

* I like the pioneer the best cause of the looks and performance *

* What do you think? Is it worth the 400? *

 

[Mark_ab 5,000+ posts]

I would go Alpine, Clarion 825, or Kenwood. I've owned the 740MP, basically the same HU as the 840, but w/out the aesthetics. It was okay. Easy to use, although the looks got old. If you like it best, go for it. You're the one who has to enjoy it.

 

[Wonderbread 5,000+ posts]

Clarion - what you save in cost in regards to appearance, you more htan make up for in performance,,

dual 24 bit DAC's... need i say more?!?! lol.

4 v preouts, im sure the RMS rating is at least 4, if nto higher..

great SQ, good price, good EQ, great control over minute details...

 

[excelonperu 10+ year member]

If you are interested in mp3 capability go for the kenwood, if you dont, go for the clarion, I agree with wonderbread 24 bit dacs!

 

[rouskisman 10+ year member]

Im new so fill me in, what's the 24 bit Dacs? 4 volt preouts?.

 

[Wonderbread 5,000+ posts]

DAC'sa re Dogotal Analog Converters, in short, the turn teh data on teh CD into music..

teh bigger the DAC, the better the SQ GENERALLY

also, preouts, you want higher voltages to be able to get the most out of your amps without pushing them as hard... plus, the strogner the preout, the higher up off the noise floor you are and the less likely you are to hear static, hissing,m etc.

 

[rouskisman 10+ year member]

oh ok i see now, but i still like the pioneer on the looks but i hope it's ok in performance.

 

[Wonderbread 5,000+ posts]

it will be OK..

onyl thing is - ask most pf the people who have it.. the grpahics get old, lol.

 

[Mark_ab 5,000+ posts]

Sound is okay, graphics get old, easy to use features. I enjoyed the look of my old Sony CDX M620 for longer than I enjoyed the Pioneer's looks.

 

[rouskisman 10+ year member]

well if you think about it everything will get old just depends on how much you look at it well i guess i'll drive blind - folded, lol!

 

[denim 5,000+ posts]

You can't for get Eclipse head units, they are not quite as colorful or may not have as many bells and whistles, but they will beat anything listed in SQ and they have high signal voltage

 

[Wonderbread 5,000+ posts]

they wont be ANYTHING, they will beat a lot.... but not EVERYTHING

Sony makes some hella good SQ decks (well used to) Pioneer has the P9, Alpine ahs tehir F1 stuff, Clarion has their 925, Eclipse their top end stuff....

A lot of the top stuff is VERY neck and neck with user preference being the determining factor.