Head Unit + advice

[Shanegr]

Hey, I've just recently got my first ever car. I'm 18, turning 19 and know very very little about where to start when it comes to Head units etc. I don't have a father around the house or anybody like that to help me with these sorts of things so my knowledge around the area is limited.

I've seen this Kenwood KDC-3047A in Halfords. It's £75, apparently reduced from £159.99. I'm wondering as to whether you think this would be suitable for me. I want something that will be able to produce a decent amount of noise without becoming distorted but the main factor is that the sound quality will be to a decent level.

Everything in the car at the moment is standard and so I'll eventually be looking into some speakers to put in the back. For now though, I think I'll start with the head unit. Can anybody give me any advice on extras that I may need to buy to install the HU, and the best way to go about doing so? (I have common sense, just never done anything like this before). The car is a Ford Focus Zetec (V reg).

Any help and advice about the head unit that I've posted or anything related will be greatly appreciated.

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[*SlappinAzz*]

what exactly is £159.99 in US dollars?

 

[nateberrier 10+ year member]

Youll need an adapter harness first of all. That and a dash adapter bezel. A dash trim kit if you will. Picking out a decent head unit is probably the best thing you can do. Look for high volt preouts and a 24bit DAC or digital to analog converter. high volts would be anything 4 or above. Truly good sound quality will come from an amp and a good set of components. I suggest you do some reading around here and you may be able to pick your own equipment with confidence.

 

[nateberrier 10+ year member]

what exactly is £159.99 in US dollars?

close to 300

 

[Shanegr]

That and a dash adapter bezel.

Thanks for the advice nateberrier, but what is that adaptor actually for? (Sorry for the "nooby" questions)

 

[mossberg385t 10+ year member]

Thanks for the advice nateberrier, but what is that adaptor actually for? (Sorry for the "nooby" questions)

It lets the HU fit nicely into the dash, if youll note the HU is not the same as the stock one, the bezel is a plastic piece to fill in the extra space

 

[Shanegr]

It lets the HU fit nicely into the dash, if youll note the HU is not the same as the stock one, the bezel is a plastic piece to fill in the extra space

Ahh thanks for that, silly question I suppose. I've been told on another forum that it would be better to use the fascia for a ford escort as it looks a lot better than the Focus one's; does anybody know for sure whether this will fit? Also, the front fascia and dash adaptor bezel are retailing at £16.99 each (Around 25 dollars). Seems quite pricey for a little bit of plastic to me?