Need help on head unit decision

[abcheng 10+ year member]

I'm looking into buying a head unit for my car and I was probably going to get a Pioneer, Alpine, or Eclipse head unit. I'm just looking for a head unit that has clean outputs while being decently priced. I could care less for XM radio, but having MP3-CD playback is nice. What do you guys recommend?

Click to read more...

 

[cjjackson85 5,000+ posts]

What is your definition of a "decent price"? 400ish is decent for me... What about you?

 

[3.5Max6spd 10+ year member]

I'm quite sure you can find local shops that carry either offerings- get your hands on them and play around with decks in your budget.

 

[bcarpenterfhl 10+ year member]

alpine cda-9827.

 

[abcheng 10+ year member]

$400 is a little high. Let's say I can spend up to ~ $250 for a head unit.

 

[netherland24 5,000+ posts]

9815 alpine has it ALL and they are still high priced

 

[2wheeler 10+ year member]

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-jnB6dEoFobU/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?i=500CDA9830&search=9830

260 shipped

I got mine yesterday

 

[3.5Max6spd 10+ year member]

would you like 24bit burr browns for $269

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-vVK3GS1NE4g/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=300&id=detailed_info&i=158F7715X

 

[abcheng 10+ year member]

would you like 24bit burr browns for $269http://www.crutchfield.com/S-vVK3GS1NE4g/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=300&id=detailed_info&i=158F7715X

wow tempting hehe... Do you guys recommend sony head units however? I can get one for $180 shipped which is quite a good deal.

 

[3.5Max6spd 10+ year member]

wow tempting hehe... Do you guys recommend sony head units however? I can get one for $180 shipped which is quite a good deal.

In all honesty, Sony gets has gooten a bad name in caraudio since the Mobile ES days- BUT since this has been a breath of fresh air in the right direction- if this was my budget I would have a hard time not considering that specific unit-one of the first Sony HU's in a while-that not only looks great but offers a great deal of tech : 24bit BB/4v outputs and a good deal of DSP, AUX inputs....

I really dig this bell n whistle....specially for those installing components in the factory locations...

"Dynamic Soundstage Organizer (DSO): Sony's Dynamic Soundstage Organizer uses proprietary circuitry to induce subtle phase shifts, simulating a sound source that is placed higher than the actual speakers in the vehicle. For example, when the DSO function is used in a vehicle equipped with speakers mounted low in the front doors, it creates virtual speakers in the dash to raise the soundstage. This unit offers three levels of DSO, each with a larger and higher soundstage. You can store the DSO setting for each source."

 

[abcheng 10+ year member]

It does have a lot of features and yes that DSO sounds pretty cool. I've also hear that the 9827 is a pretty good hu, but I can't find them online anymore and I'd prefer not to buy off ebay. Is there a replacement model for the 9827 or does anyone know where I can still find a 9827? Also, no one has recommended and Eclipse or Pioneers HUs. Anyn recommendations there or even other HU manufacturers?

 

[livewire 10+ year member]

I've used Eclipse HU's for many years and love them. However, I don't really care much for the new 2005 look. SQ is second to none. IMO even the low end models will simply blow away the high end competition.

I myself am also considering the sony HU you mentioned. Bang for the buck you can't beat it.

Go to crutchfields site and go to their scratch and dent section. They have an Alpine cda9831 for 250.......very nice deck. Also the 9830 is a solid performer. Kenwood has a really nice deck with a ton of features, excellent SQ and in you price budget as well.

Check out online sellers like ikesound.com, SoundDomain and crutchfield. CF will probably be your best bet tho because they ship for free and include all intallation accessories for free.

Good Luck. Let us know what you decide on.

 

[abcheng 10+ year member]

Sounddomain is trying to price match the sony but for some reason it's higher than the price given to my from 6ave.com. Also, sounddomain provides all the installation equipment for free now which is nice. It seems like you guys are recommending the Sony since it seems like a good performer on paper and is in my price range. Anyways, keep throwing suggestions at me and hopefully I'll make a decision soon.

 

[Alpine2005 10+ year member]

sony xlpod hu's are pretty good. what model are you looking at?

the pioneer deh-p6700mp is also a good hu.

 

[VOA_NIGHTMARE 10+ year member]

buy my 860mp its a great hu. and I tried to pm you about the amp as well. But my pms are not workn please send me a email to ckustyn@verizon.net with a email I can contact you with