Need help picking a head unit...

[jordn613 10+ year member]

I know this question gets asked daily, but I'm gonna go ahead and ask the question to help find my own perfect HU.

I'm having a custom dash made for an 03 Lexus 300, which is running me 500. I've decided that in the interest of upgradeability ,its going to be a double-din, as having it custom-made to a single din would only mean that later I might have to pay for it to be modified again to allow for a double-din. My first priorities for the system are really nice sound quality (upgrading from factory unit), an aux input, and a usb input.

At first I was considering some single din units that had nice color screens, but then stumbled upon some $800-1000 double-din touchscreen units that served my needs and would last awhile before I'd want to buy something new. I should note, I just graduated college,so I'm really trying to not splurge too much over the edge here.

Then, I stumbled upon the brand-new Eclipse AVN2210P double din unit, and it seems like for the $800, I get a huge load of nice features, all the ones I want, and the sound quality should be near the top. Further, I'll have navi, which I planned on getting later, but may have demanded a big re-installation and fitting later. The only thing holding me back at this point is knowing that some head units would give me better sound quality at a cheaper price, with more sound-tweaking features.

For at least the next year or two, I'll be using the unit with the stock factory speakers and sub. That said, will I even need a parametric eq or some of the other advanced features of a different unit anyway?

I've been surprised not to see more talk here about the AVN2210P. Maybe that's because it just seems to have shipped. Below are some links to info on it, and any opinions and advice would be great. Thanks!

http://reviews.cnet.com/car-video/eclipse-avn2210p/4505-3426_7-32463346.html?tag=prod.txt.1

http://www.eclipse-web.com/avn/avn2210poverviews.html

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-d0vVshWlITw/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?search=AVN2210p&i=099AVN2210

Click to read more...

 

[azbass 5,000+ posts]

dude. i can demo my Eclipse CD7000 in pro mode. im sure you will love it..

and its for sale. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[jordn613 10+ year member]

Well, seems the CD7100 is the new version...but like I said, if I'm using this for awhile with a factory audio system, am I going to notice a difference in SQ between two different Eclipse units? The CD7100 is $700, the AVN2210P is $800. That extra hundred gets a larger touch screen, navigation, blue-tooth for cell phone...

 

[Tim.B 10+ year member]

Yes, with the CD7100 you are going to have better SQ and a 8v outputs. Plus the added flexibility of crossovers and time alignment when you install your system.

 

[brad1011a 10+ year member]

Remember all USB implementation is not the same. Some units have small size limits for hard drives, restrictive folder/ file limits, compatibility and power issues, lack of playlist suppport, etc.

So far Kenwood seems to be doing it best.

 

[jordn613 10+ year member]

So, between the Kenwood KDC X991, the Pioneer DEH-P9800BT, Eclipse CD7100, and the Eclipse AVN2210P, which would you choose as the best overall value and best system?

 

[Igno 10+ year member]

7100 can do 15,000 songs on a thumb drive, and it has Nav to, pick any of those you will be happy, get the fancy screen you will like it better

 

[jordn613 10+ year member]

I'm definitely leaning towards the AVN2210P, as I'm sure it must support similar usb capabilities as the 7100- theyre both brand new units. I guess I wish someone here had first-hand experience with it, so I could better understand how its audio interface works.

 

[brad1011a 10+ year member]

So, between the Kenwood KDC X991, the Pioneer DEH-P9800BT, Eclipse CD7100, and the Eclipse AVN2210P, which would you choose as the best overall value and best system?

I'm picking up a 991 as soon as they're released. With working playlist support, 5V pre-outs, 4-line color display, and 5 ch. time alignment it looks like a winner.

I was a USB 'early adopter' with my Blaupinkt Memphis, and can't wait to replace it with something better.

 

[brad1011a 10+ year member]

The Eclipses look nice, but it's hard for me to imagine having a large library connected without playlist support.

 

[jordn613 10+ year member]

Well, I primarily use either a small USB flash drive/music player, the Samsung YPU2J, or my main unit, the Cowon X5...30 gigs, 30 hour battery life, lossless support. I dont really use playlists, and if i do, its an on the fly playlist feature on the X5. That said, I'm thinking I'll be using the X5 with the aux input, and the smaller player for the USB input. So, if I dont need playlist support, I don't think the 2210P will really bother me. The 991 looks good, but for the extra 150, the bigger screen, nav, bluetooth are pretty nice. Sound quality-wise, am I going to notice a real difference between the Kenwood and the Eclipse?

 

[Igno 10+ year member]

Well, I primarily use either a small USB flash drive/music player, the Samsung YPU2J, or my main unit, the Cowon X5...30 gigs, 30 hour battery life, lossless support. I dont really use playlists, and if i do, its an on the fly playlist feature on the X5. That said, I'm thinking I'll be using the X5 with the aux input, and the smaller player for the USB input. So, if I dont need playlist support, I don't think the 2210P will really bother me. The 991 looks good, but for the extra 150, the bigger screen, nav, bluetooth are pretty nice. Sound quality-wise, am I going to notice a real difference between the Kenwood and the Eclipse?

no one knows unless they have had both units in a similar set up, jump in the water is warm, then you can tell us:laugh:

 

[hllywood29 10+ year member]

go with either one of the eclipse you want go wrong eclipse are great and soundquality is out of this world