Please help an old fart out..Best sounding head unit is???

[spnkysprky 10+ year member]

Save up $200 and get the Clarion DRZ9255 refurbed on the Bay. There is no finer deck made. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/omg.gif.05aa02c3095d6ce9338996654eca0863.gif HOLY CRAP!!I see why you said get a refurb one...that dam deck is going for $1,200!!! A refurb is half that WOW

I dont like the fact that it doesnt play Mp3 files or wma files...for that price,it should give me a BJ //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

 

[theothermike 10+ year member]

u can get em for 600$ slightly used easily on here on diymobileaudio.com forums (more sq guys over there) as well as on elitecaraudio.com same gig more sq guys.

Another fine option for you would be a combination using sound processor and controller. you could get a alpine h701 and rux controller for around 500 and pair those up to any headunit out. maybe a cheap alpine model for ideal ipod playback and the same look of 2 alpine models.

i have a pioneer 880 prs. it has alot of tuneability. and sound tuning features. as well as a no ********, classy display. but for some reason im not one of those people who like pioneers navigation through menus and i know there a better way to play mass storage devices as well as better sq headunit for more $$$$.

ill probably be selling my pioneer 880 prs withen this week. if u want i can send u a pm when i do.

 

[theothermike 10+ year member]

a few other good options for u to research in ur price range, the new kenwood x991 looks incredibly promising. as does the 9887 as mentioned, and the clarion mcx955 i believe. i recently heard a jvc unit that retails for 800 but has navigation, a 40gb harddrive for storage, bluetooth, and option for hooking up ipod extra screens to watch movies if a 4" lcd isnt enough (quite large) featured dolby digital and other sound processors. very nice features.

but if ur looking for a nice sq headunit id say avoid dual, sony, panasonic, and lower lines of all companies. look for high v preouts, multiple crossover points and slopes for your speakers and amps, and look for a headunit that features a 24 bit dac converter and a decent amount of equalization points and you'll be set.

Mike-

 

[Louisiana_CRX 5,000+ posts]

I like the sound of my Pioneer DEX M88

 

[spnkysprky 10+ year member]

it has alot of tuneability. and sound tuning features. as well as a no ********, classy display. but for some reason im not one of those people who like pioneers navigation through menus and i know there a better way to play mass storage devices as well as better sq headunit for more $$$$.
ill probably be selling my pioneer 880 prs withen this week. if u want i can send u a pm when i do.

I agree with you on that.I have had pioneer for along time now and ready for a change...Im looking into the Alpine CDA9887 here is a helpful review

http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17883

 

[theothermike 10+ year member]

i might consider the 9887 myself. but i really want a used denon unit for hopefully around 850 or so or a clarion 9255.

best of luck to you. if u decide to go 880prs. im here and im sure itll take me a bit to sell.

sounds like u made ur decision. i feel that was a great review as well. its apples to oranges i support 100% on every issue.

Mike-

 

[TonyC 10+ year member]

alpine 9887

Very nice!

 

[shpatb 10+ year member]

Eclips CD5000 or CD7000 are both awesome, i have the 5000 myself and 8 volt pre outs make everything sound perfect. 7 band eq, time aligement, Area shot, everything you could possibly think about.

 

[explorer2 10+ year member]

I had a kenwood x889, loved everything about it except the weird TA settings. Upgraded to the 880prs and im not quite as happy with it, it does sound great and it looks good, but i hate the navigation and the feel of it. I have an old school alpine 7949 on the way and im looking for a matching processor, should sound very nice. If im not happy with that it looks like i'll try out eclipse or a new x991.

 

[spnkysprky 10+ year member]

i might consider the 9887 myself. but i really want a used denon unit for hopefully around 850 or so
Mike-

I wouldnt mind looking into a denon as well...problem is,I wouldnt even know which model to get LOL!Its been so long since Ive even seen a denon HU for sale around here LOL! Guess Id better look online!//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

 

[Furcifer]

ok, I guess I will take the logical approach rather than just blurting out my opinion on what HU sounds best.

First of all spnkysprky, what are you looking for as far as features when it comes to the head unit?

Do you want Bluetooth? This allows your HU to communicate with your phone. You can transfer music files from your phone and some allows you to use it as a hands free device using your cars speakers.

Do you want it to be HD ready, or built in? HI-Def radio, becoming more and more popular.

Do you want it to have IPOD controls? Hook up and play your IPOD through your car's stereo.

Do you listen to the radio mostly or CD's or a combination of both?

Do you listen to MP3's, WMA, or various other music files?

Are you looking for a HU that allows you greater control of the sound coming out of it, or you just want one with great all around sound?

 

[spnkysprky 10+ year member]

Are you looking for a HU that allows you greater control of the sound coming out of it, or you just want one with great all around sound?

Hmm,not sure I understand the last part....control of sound basically?or all around sound... not sure on that one...I just want nice sound.Im going with boston Acoustic pros,so I want something that will definately bring their sound out to the fullest(yes I will be using an amp)...Dont really care about the bluetooth,but its a nice future add...I-pod..Dont need it,but again its nice to have that capability for other people who might carry an ipod in my vehicle or MP3...Definately must have Mp3 or wma/wave file playback.I use alot of Mp3 files for space conservation.My music collection is about 30 gigs so I dont need that many CD's.I used to look at the S/n ratio,but not sure if that matters anymore //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/confused.gif.e820e0216602db4765798ac39d28caa9.gif But I need front outputs and rear outputs and sub outputs as well.Dont need high level outputs as I dont plan on using deck amps...Only if by some off chance I decided tu run 3.5" or 4" in the dash...My truck has that option...or there is a space(This is going in Dogde quad cab)for the speakers anyhow...But I highly doubt I will go that route...to riskey of overlapping...there is a center channel option however...but unlikely.

So I guess I need at least the options I need,but a deck that can bring out sound from high end components(Focal or BA pros).I know whatever amp I use will also play a factor in sound.Thats my next question LOL

 

[Furcifer]

what I meant about total control of your sound..... some HU have a basic 3 band equalizer and some get more in depth, for example back in 2003 I had the Kenwood KDC-X969 which allowed you to control the Q factor of the sound to achieve the perfect sound for your car, what I am asking is, how much control do you want of the sound, do you want just the basic Treble/MID/Bass controls or are you needing more? for example this is what my old Kenwood deck would allow you to control.....

" In addition, you may store your own settings under the "User Memory" EQ curve. Each preset has its own bass center frequency, bass level, bass Q factor, bass extension, middle center frequency, middle level, middle Q factor, treble center frequency, and treble level settings. You may adjust the bass center frequency (60, 70, 80, 100 or 150Hz), bass level (-8 to +8), bass Q factor (1.00, 1.25, 1.50 or 2.00), bass extension (On or Off), middle center frequency (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 or 2.0kHz), middle level (-8 to +8), middle Q factor (1.0 or 2.0), treble center frequency (10.0, 12.5, 15.0 or 17.5kHz), and treble level (-8 to +8). "

So you would like an IPOD device to be an option, how about HD radio. I have HD radio and I will not listen to regular FM anymore, the sound is just that great especially since the SAT companies are going with more content vs better quality. I am not trying to push HD radio, just giving you an idea on what is out there. Also there are a couple of HU on the market that read DVD-R's which will allow you to put 4.7 GB of mp3/wma on a single disk.

 

[mikey7182 10+ year member]

Thought you might want to hear from someone who has part of what equipment you're looking into buying... I have a 9887 with Boston Pro60s for my front (and only) stage running bi-amped off an Alpine MRV-F545 and they sound incredible. The Boston woofer is 3 ohms which will pull ~220w/channel out of that amp, and the tweeters are 8 ohms which feeds them about 80w/channel more or less. The Boston crossovers are super flexible for this setup as is the HU and the amp. The blend is perfect. I've had a lot of setups and this one with a single Alpine Type X 10 powered by an Alpine MRD-M1005 for my sub stage has been my favorite thus far. Super clean, plenty loud, and very well-balanced.

 

[theothermike 10+ year member]

look for a denon dct-z1