SQ Oriented Bluetooth/Aux head unit

[EpicMango 10+ year member]

Looking for midrange $200-$300ish head unit that is geared toward SQ. Its for my civic build that I'm about to start doing. Must have Bluetooth streaming playback, aux input, and RCA inputs for a subwoofer...

Preferred if it can handle a full range 6 speaker (2 tweeters, 2 midranges, 2 highs or 4 fullranges) + subwoofer sound stage. Something that can also fully accept amps for the speakers.

Looking to kick this 99 civics audio system off right //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

Anything from models to what members on here are selling..its all up for game..

Click to read more...

 

[gstokes]

You don't need to spend that kind of money to get the sound quality and features that you desire in a head unit, the Kenwood eXcelon KDC-X597 has Bluetooth, Sirius/XM, Pandora, Front USB, 6-channel pre-out, front aux input, ipod, iphone, wireless remote, detachable faceplate and 4v preamp all for the low price of $130, go to Crutchfield.com and look up the KDC-X597, 363 people including me can't be wrong..

You can pay more and you may get a few more bells and whistles but you won't get more sound quality..

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

You don't need to spend that kind of money to get the sound quality and features that you desire in a head unit, the Kenwood eXcelon KDC-X597 has Bluetooth, Sirius/XM, Pandora, Front USB, 6-channel pre-out, front aux input, ipod, iphone, wireless remote, detachable faceplate and 4v preamp all for the low price of $130, go to Crutchfield.com and look up the KDC-X597, 363 people including me can't be wrong..You can pay more and you may get a few more bells and whistles but you won't get more sound quality..

I seriously beg to differ. Proper tuning options is what makes or breaks a setup, along with powerful internal sound processors and burr brown DACs putting out a strong clean signal. The difference between an SQ oriented head unit like a kdc x998, alpine 147/148/149 bt and a pioneer 80 prs vs a sub par head unit is worlds apart, the best upgrade I ever did for better sound quality was my 80 prs. You can literally hear a world of difference right off the bat after an auto eq/time alignment run with the mic. Shitty speakers sound high end, high end speakers sound eargasmic.

OP check out the models I listed, pretty much as top of the line you can get within your budget.

 

[gstokes]

I seriously beg to differ. Proper tuning options is what makes or breaks a setup, along with powerful internal sound processors and burr brown DACs putting out a strong clean signal. The difference between an SQ oriented head unit like a kdc x998, alpine 147/148/149 bt and a pioneer 80 prs vs a sub par head unit is worlds apart, the best upgrade I ever did for better sound quality was my 80 prs. You can literally hear a world of difference right off the batt after an auto eq/time alignment run with the mic. Shitty speakers sound high end, high end speakers sound eargasmic.

Granted, those high end units are ptobably better for MP3's and CD's, i am just a Sirius/XM FM no static at all type of guy and can't justify the expense for features i don't need..

 

[phemps 10+ year member]

The Pioneer 80 PRS is a great choice. I really like my 880prs despite its lack of bluetooth and usb

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

Granted, those high end units are ptobably better for MP3's and CD's, i am just a Sirius/XM FM no static at all type of guy and can't justify the expense for features i don't need..

Its not just features, The overall sound quality is a lot better, once you try one of these.... its like a forbidden fruit... You'll never be able to go back to normal head units ever again lol. In your case, dont ever try them out lol! Sounds like your happy with your setup as it is, no need to have a reason to want to change it.

Oh yeah op, if your worried about not having a front USB, dont fret too much about it. Normally when you have a dash mount kit for your head unit, there's a hole somewhere in the storage compartment and you can easily put the usb wire through and it'll be a nicely hidden usb. Here's an example of how mines look like.

Advantage of this is your USB's life will be extended because its not exposed to the hot sun all the time and the display on the head unit will be bigger due to the extra space. Also the bluetooth streaming for this head unit is crazy good. Music will stay loud and clear even if the phone is two bocks away.

 

[fly_marlin]

Here're 2 good options:

Pioneer DEH-80PRS Audiophile CD/MP3/USB Car Stereo w/ Bluetooth

and

Pioneer DEH-X9600BHS Bluetooth Single-Din Car Stereo w/ AUX & USB

The 2nd one - I have the model right before that one, the 9500. It has all the feature needed: 6 pairs of 4V pre-outs, bluetooth, etc.

The 80prs is at the top of your budget, but I'd go with that - 5V pre-outs, time alignment, etc.

 

[gstokes]

Its not just features, The overall sound quality is a lot better, once you try one of these.... its like a forbidden fruit... You'll never be able to go back to normal head units ever again lol. In your case, don't ever try them out lol! Sounds like you're happy with your setup as it is, no need to have a reason to want to change it.

That makes two things i shouldn't hear, the Pioneer 80 PRS and Silk Dome Tweeters //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

Must stay happy with my textile dome tweeters, at all costs..

 

[PR1M3R 10+ year member]

I bought a Pioneer DEH-8600bt about 2.5 months ago. Upgraded my old DEH-P3100UB with it. I wanted the 5 band EQ and higher pre-out voltage. I had a guy at an audio show fire up a Pioneer 80PRS and from the stock flat EQ curve let me mess with it for about 5 minutes after he showed me how to adjust everything. This head unit has a 16 band EQ and after 5 minutes I went home and told my wife I was going to spend a few hundred dollars.

The PRS sounds so good with proper tuning that I bought one for my car and one for hers. I had also just bought a $200 Pioneer for her car on valentines day. I dont make really good money, but this deck sounds unreal. If you want a real SQ oriented deck, I say grab a 80 PRS.

 

[SounDrive Pro Seller]

No head units on the market other than the P99 (can you say $1000) are 4-way active capable.

The CZ702 is another good 3-way active head unit with lots of features. You may need a processor to run what you have planned - maybe check out MiniDSP + CZ702 for your price range.

 

[tc300 10+ year member]

You should always start with a great head unit with any system!!!!

 

[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

That makes two things i shouldn't hear, the Pioneer 80 PRS and Silk Dome Tweeters //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gifMust stay happy with my textile dome tweeters, at all costs..

Silk and textile are often used interchangeably in the car audio world. Your tweeters may have some silk now, possibly a blend of fabric. The dome material really does not dictate how a tweeter will sound.