What head unit to get? Under $100.

[Neusch22]

Hello, I recently purchased four 6x8 infinity 6832cf door speakers for my 2004 ford escape. I'm also looking to purchase a new head unit to go along with the speakers. I'm currently looking to keep the price under $100 as I'm on a low budget. A few brands that have caught my eye so far are jvc, Sony and kenwood. Could I get a few suggestions and/or info to help me with my decision. Thanks.

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[Ridinhi 5,000+ posts]

I would disagree with steering clear. It's pretty well known that for the money, the cz702 is one of the best performing HUs on the market, but I will agree it can be confusing to operate. I'm barely adequate at car audio, but I still need a lot of info to try and work with the band eq that's offered with the HU. Also, it's much more geared for running active as well, I've found it very restrictive with HPF and LPF when running passive. If anyone has tips on setting the eq, please pm me!!
Someone on DIYMA is selling a barely used CZ702 for $100 shipped, btw.

crutchfield has them for $119.......new ....with warranty! D@mn, too bad its just an ugly @ss h/u

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

crutchfield has them for $119.......new ....with warranty! D@mn,too bad its just an ugly *** h/u

ugly and I fking hate the amp guard feature.

 

[Ridinhi 5,000+ posts]

ugly and I fking hate the amp guard feature.

what is the amp guard feature?

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

what is the amp guard feature?

You play a little bit too loud, it shuts off the mids and highs. Subs still play... You have to turn off the head unit and turn back on to get mids and highs again. At first I thought it was a speaker impedance issue with the internal amp but nope even with a separate amp, mids+highs shuts off too and displays amp guard on the screen. By far the dumbest feature with the head unit. I know its meant to protect noobs from fking up their sh*t but its preventing my buddy from getting any decently loud output at all and we are no where near clipping yet.

 

[los33]

you play a little bit too loud, it shuts off the mids and highs. Subs still play... You have to turn off the head unit and turn back on. Thought it was a speaker impedance issue with the internal amp but nope even with a seperate amp, it shuts off too and displays amg guard on the screen.

When the internal amp starts to clip it shuts its self off to protect from amp damage.

Sent from my Z970 using Tapatalk

 

[Ridinhi 5,000+ posts]

You play a little bit too loud, it shuts off the mids and highs. Subs still play... You have to turn off the head unit and turn back on to get mids and highs again. At first I thought it was a speaker impedance issue with the internal amp but nope even with a separate amp, it shuts off too and displays amp guard on the screen.

yep,that *****.

 

[Ridinhi 5,000+ posts]

When the internal amp starts to clip it shuts its self off to protect from amp damage.
Sent from my Z970 using Tapatalk

Does it not have the option to turn the internal amp off? Especially useful if one utilizing the option to run active

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

When the internal amp starts to clip it shuts its self off to protect from amp damage.
Sent from my Z970 using Tapatalk

it happens even when internal amp is off. We've already amp canceled it.

 

[los33]

it happens even when internal amp is off. We've already amp canceled it.

Ive never had this issue after turning the internal amp off.

Does it not have the option to turn the internal amp off? Especially useful if one utilizing the option to run active

Yes it does.

Sent from my Z970 using Tapatalk

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

Ive never had this issue after turning the internal amp off.
Yes it does.

Sent from my Z970 using Tapatalk

probably got a bunk head unit then.

 

[fatboytyler]

As long as you are not expecting it to sound better or have more output you will be good. Also avoid AUX. Usb is ok

Aux is actually quite good with the right phones/software and USB is the most practical.

Also, why won't it sound much better? Going from my stock HU to my ****** JVC caused a huge difference for the better.

 

[los33]

probably got a bunk head unit then.

Your rcas may have grounding issue, but you could be 100% right.

Sent from my Z970 using Tapatalk

 

[foreman 10+ year member]

If you're looking for a budget Hu, figure starting at $150-185 and plan on an upgrade

Never used the vendor, but i had one of these a couple years ago, nice features for the money

Pioneer DEH X9500BHS Car CD MP3 USB Receiver Pandora Mixtrax HD Radio Bluetooth 884938184229 | eBay

 

[Sqall12001 10+ year member]

Pioneer 80prs is pretty great from what I hear. I don't mind Pioneer, but they've gone very flashy to try and get market share, and I don't like company's that do that. Quality I'd say is pretty solid. Clarion might have a few good head units, but i've seen several come through my bay, that i've installed that feel cheap, look cheap. I'm not saying they're all bad, I won't just feed ya bs b/c I dislike a brand, I'll always go off of what I've seen first hand. Now that saying, Dual/VR3/Jensen ect are absolutely crap.

-Nick

 

[havieri23 10+ year member]

Hello, I recently purchased four 6x8 infinity 6832cf door speakers for my 2004 ford escape. I'm also looking to purchase a new head unit to go along with the speakers. I'm currently looking to keep the price under $100 as I'm on a low budget. A few brands that have caught my eye so far are jvc, Sony and kenwood. Could I get a few suggestions and/or info to help me with my decision. Thanks.

Brand new with warranty. $50

Pioneer CD Car Stereo Receiver Multi DEH-X3600UI - Best Buy