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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[C1500martin 10+ year member]

what are you looking for?

Bluetooth? mp3? usb? aux? xm?

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

Alpine or pioneer. Just changing the HU won't do that much good unless you don't have USB or other stuff. Sound wise or power wise you won't get much.

 

[Neusch22]

I'm looking for a aux and also preferably a USB. Bluetooth would be nice but isn't a huge deal for me.

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

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

 

[C1500martin 10+ year member]

Go to Shop Single-DIN Car Stereos & Receivers at Sonic Electronix

And take your pick. Just avoid, boss, pyle, soundstream, dual, or any of those brands. Stick to kenwood, pioneer, alpine and jvc the lowest.

 

[Neusch22]

I will be good with what exactly?

 

[Neusch22]

My one friend has a boss and claims it works well for him, however I have heard a lot of bad things online. Boss is definitely a bad buy for sure?

 

[whitedragon551 5,000+ posts]

Alpine or pioneer. Just changing the HU won't do that much good unless you don't have USB or other stuff. Sound wise or power wise you won't get much.

Completely ignorant. The Headunit is the single most important part of an install. It is the source. You have a cheap headunit its going to sound like crap. You have a great headunit the signal to the speakers will be great.

OP Ill give you $1. Whats for sale?

 

---------- Post added at 06:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:54 PM ----------

 

My one friend has a boss and claims it works well for him, however I have heard a lot of bad things online. Boss is definitely a bad buy for sure?

Yes, it is cheap for a reason. They are flea market junk. Boss, Pyle, Pyramid, Soundstream headunits are all garbage.

 

[Neusch22]

Whitedragon, do you have any units that you would suggest, or your preferred brands?

 

[C1500martin 10+ year member]

I will be good with what exactly?

With your budget you wont get much, thats why i said just pick whatever calls your attention as long as your avoiding the brands stated.

 

[whitedragon551 5,000+ posts]

With your budget you wont get much, thats why i said just pick whatever calls your attention as long as your avoiding the brands stated.

Yup. For $100 you wont get much. You will need to pick and choose what features you get. When you start spending $2-$300 on a headunit you can be a bit more picky.

 

[Boominburban 10+ year member]

Look around on CL, I got a decent Alpine HU a week ago for $30 ......got a pioneer for $35, got a pioneer with ipod interface for $45, ect .....

CL is your friend when on a shoestring budget. Just do some homework ..... I've built whole systems for under 200 off of CL finds ......

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

Completely ignorant. The Headunit is the single most important part of an install. It is the source. You have a cheap headunit its going to sound like crap. You have a great headunit the signal to the speakers will be great.
OP Ill give you $1. Whats for sale?

 

---------- Post added at 06:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:54 PM ----------

 

Yes, it is cheap for a reason. They are flea market junk. Boss, Pyle, Pyramid, Soundstream headunits are all garbage.

It's a $100 Headunit with probably less power than his stock. Also the stock is factory EQed for that car and that equipment. I'm pretty sure I know a thing or two. Stop trying to correct me and think about what's going on.

 

[06gtmike 10+ year member]

If I were on your budget I would scrape together another $20 and get this.

Clarion CZ702 CD receiver at Crutchfield.com

 

[C1500martin 10+ year member]

If I were on your budget I would scrape together another $20 and get this.Clarion CZ702 CD receiver at Crutchfield.com

unless the op is audio inclined I would not recommend that head unit to someone who is just looking for a basic head unit as it is a pretty complicated head unit to operate.

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

save another 70 dollars and get an alpine 147 bt

 

[whitedragon551 5,000+ posts]

It's a $100 Headunit with probably less power than his stock. Also the stock is factory EQed for that car and that equipment. I'm pretty sure I know a thing or two. Stop trying to correct me and think about what's going on.

OEM headunits naturally add distortion. Thats why you think an OEM headunit has more bass. Its not because its EQ'd. A factory headunit does around 4-8wrms per speaker in a non premium situation. Any aftermarket headunit thats not Pyle, Boss, Pyramid, etc. will put out more than 8wrms. Any decent aftermarket HU will sound better than OEM. Now whether or not you consider $100 headunit decent is a whole different story.

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

OEM headunits naturally add distortion. Thats why you think an OEM headunit has more bass. Its not because its EQ'd. A factory headunit does around 4-8wrms per speaker in a non premium situation. Any aftermarket headunit thats not Pyle, Boss, Pyramid, etc. will put out more than 8wrms. Any decent aftermarket HU will sound better than OEM. Now whether or not you consider $100 headunit decent is a whole different story.

They actully are EQed. That's what the useless JL clean sweep does. Takes all of it out. EQed or tuned however you want to call it. Some even have a decent T/A built in.

 

[whitedragon551 5,000+ posts]

They actully are EQed. That's what the useless JL clean sweep does. Takes all of it out. EQed or tuned however you want to call it. Some even have a decent T/A built in.

You are dense. The cleansweep is a Line Out Converter that introduces its own EQ and digital processing.