Need new Head Unit. Whats the Best one out there?

[StevesCarAudio 10+ year member]

Well my current head unit works great. It has the best iPod integration of any I have used and since all I use are the iPod and Aux these are important. I currently Have the Kenwood KIV BT-900 with the Sirius satellite add on. It works great, if there is something out now that is a lot better I would upgrade though. Just looking for some opinions.

The iPod integration on the BT-900 is done very well and I would expect the same out of anything else I would get (easy, quick scrolling as I have 70GB of Artist/songs on it and I can scroll thru on this unit now in 30 to 45 seconds scanning and reading the names so I can find what I want)

Needs to be a single din radio and under $500 if possible.

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[StevesCarAudio 10+ year member]

I will more than likely order the HU new also, not looking for someone to sell me one really. Just trying to see what the best one may be

 

[>>SQL<< 10+ year member]

I do not understand...If you are happy with your current Head Unit why are you wanting to change it?

And thinking that the best head unit out there is the one with the best iPod integration is far from what I would call the best Head Unit.

I think the Copper Chassis Eclipse is regarded as one of the best Units out and I do not think it has iPod functions.

Why waste $500 trying to replace something you are happy with?

Also I have a $1,500 Pioneer Avic-Z2 Unit, not the best at all - but I am happy with it and not looking to replace it.

Enjoy what you have, IMHO - YMMV

 

[StevesCarAudio 10+ year member]

I figured I have had this one for about a year now, maybe something better had been released. It doesn't have to be the best all around head unit. But since iPod and Sirius are my primary uses I need something that does well with those.

Maybe what I have is still best for my scenario...I mean it does amazing iPod control, Sirius, Aux, Bluetooth, Has internal memory, supports a USB hub and has FM/Am and 3 sets pre-outs at 4V and a 3in color screen (not necessary but looks good!)

 

[Dirtrider4eva 10+ year member]

pioneer MVH p7300bt.

its the newest version of mine..roughly 300?

ipod intergration is nice.. can make presets to go to a playlist, or artists etc,

has a 3" lcd for videos and pics.

unlimited changing colors...ahh..sleek. detach. front usb + aux.

SD cabable of 32 gig cards...

ipod tagging. its really nice..

7 band eq...

HPF for speakers

LPF for subs.

can run a 70watt rms channel off the rear speaker leads instead of rearfill at 2ohm..

its nice..

 

[StevesCarAudio 10+ year member]

I have already had someone try and sell me the p8200bt. Those sell for about $200 new.

I was more just looking to see if there had been anything released recently that would be a significant upgrade from the Kenwood KIV BT-900. nothing suggested so far does anything mine can't or is really better. Guess I may be sticking with it.

Are there any radios that have a high voltage pre out (my bt-900 has 4V, so idk maybe 6 or 8V???) But as stated before I also need something with excellent ipod functionality.

 

[StevesCarAudio 10+ year member]

I would also just order what ever seems better (if anything, doesn't seem like I am going to find anything). I work closely with an audio shop so I get dealer prices on a lot of new items, so it makes more sense to buy new and have a warranty.

I was thinking maybe someone had heard something about a newly released radio, or one coming out soon. I bought this HU back in February and for the features I wanted it was the best available. I bought 4 different radios to try and kept the best. I just figured in the span of almost a year something better might be coming out.

 

[Dirtrider4eva 10+ year member]

not the p8200bt,

the p7300bt. its a new version. im just throwing what i know out.

the HU market doesnt fluctuate to much..

not much for 6v.

8v even rarer.

 

[The_Grimy_One 10+ year member]

I have the deck in my signature, and honestly, I have not used a deck that has better iPod controls than the Kenwoods. There may be some with better sound quality, which I would look into the Eclipse 7200 and the Alpine 9887 (I may get one of these), but the best bang for the buck are the Kenwoods. Another good deck that I have been hearing about is the JVC Arsenal, but I have not used one. Only new deck even worth upgrading to, IMO, is the Pioneer DEX99, which is gonna run you $1200.

I am in the same boat as you, to be honest.

 

[StevesCarAudio 10+ year member]

Yeah the Grimy understands whats going on (the 794 is very similar). The pioneer p7300bt or 8200bt just don't offer anything that the kenwood BT-900 doesn't do. Infact the BT-900 seems to offer more features

1. You set your seat in car (or distance from each speaker) and it does time alignment so all sound from speakers gets to you at the same time

2. You tell it the size of your speakers so it can optomize for that

3. Rear USB port for iPod just looks better to not have wires hanging out

etc.

Kenwood has really seemed to corner the market on iPod integration.

I will check that $1200 pioneer out. If there was something that would be a significant upgrade I would do it. I just pulled the ad up. I work closely with a car audio shop and get great discounts (the p7300bt would run me $259 new with warranty). I think that DEX99 might be something to consider. I have decided I am not going to find a better iPod integrated radio than the Kenwood BT-900. Maybe if this Pioneer DEX99 is something good It will be the option to consider. Thanks for the input

 

[goingdef 10+ year member]

I enjoy the I-pod control and bluetooth on my jcv kvx-77 If I remember right that's the model# it's the one with all touch screen and dvd, I just like that it has full ipod control and 5v pre-outs, probably not the best but it's nice enough if your stuck in the car the dvd player comes in handy if your stuck waiting for someone or those boring days at work. But most HU have dvd option now a days, but the ipod function is just like the I-pod controls themselves so I do like that!