Which HU should I get?

[sc197 10+ year member]

I'm debating between 3 different types of HU. The first one is the Pioneer Premier DEH-P860MP. The second is the new Pioneer Premier P880PRS, and the other is the Alpine CDA-9856.

If I choose between the 2 Pioneers, I'll be getting them off a store through ebay. (Where I've bought my subs & amp last year. So they're trustworthy). If I go with the Alpine I'll be getting it at a car audio store near my house for around $180. I don't have many car audio places around here and no one sells either of those Pioneer's.

I'm a big Alpine fan so I love the looks of their equipment and a lot of people seem to be pleased over their HU's, but with the new HU I want the best out of those 3. I won't be using an Ipod or any satellite radio so none of that is a problem. I just want something that will give the best sound out of those 3 and won't cause any problems. As for the looks go, I like the 2 Pioneer's the same but the Alpine is eye candy. But like I said I rather have good quality than good looks.

So for those who own or have owned any of these HU's, care to give your opinion? Which one should I go with if you were me?

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[dkguitarist 5,000+ posts]

880prs is an UPGRADE from the 860mp. it doesn't have color display (if you care at all). but still great sq/functionality.

the 860 is still a great hu nonetheless. so great, this is the 2nd one i've owned.

and i kno nothing about the alpines as they haven't really appealed to me that much.

 

[sc197 10+ year member]

This is a dumb question, but what exactly is the color display? lol

 

[dkguitarist 5,000+ posts]

the oel display with color. the thing that displays the time, cd title/track, mode (tuner, cd, aux, etc).

 

[dkguitarist 5,000+ posts]

where all the color is, that's the display

 

[dkguitarist 5,000+ posts]

this is the 880prs. notice not so pretty colors?

 

[sc197 10+ year member]

Yeah I see the difference, they both look very nice but the 860MP catches the eye a little more.

Anyone else have any opinions?

 

[SilverSquared 10+ year member]

I had an 860. Its nice. I'd get the new 880 tho.

 

[adam71 5,000+ posts]

I have an 860 and I like it alot but the 880 will be slightly better in the SQ dept. but unless you have really nice speakers and amps you won't really even notice a difference as they both sport 24bit d/a converters and the 860 actually has a little higher (most likely not audible difference) preamp output voltage. Looks wise, it depends on what you like. If colors appeal to you then go with the 860.

Word of knowledge, I haven't sat in a car with a 880 in it yet but I've had the chance to hold one in my hand right out of the box and it feels nice and heavy which would suggest very sturdy build quality and less plastic.

 

[Kickerkitty 10+ year member]

In person the 880 is a superb deck and in my opinion looks far better than the plastic 860.

http://www.caraudio.com/forum/showthread.php?t=154779&highlight=stupid+munchkin

 

[sc197 10+ year member]

Well looks like I'll be buying the 880 then since it seems to be pretty likable, plus the 860 isn't on ebay anymore, just a bunch of refurbs. I do like the 880 tho which I was kinda leaning towards in the first place.

Thanks to everyone who gave feedback.

 

[bri487 5,000+ posts]

i would say 880.

 

[zachzchw 5,000+ posts]

i would say 880.

I would say I agree with you.

I went from an 860 to an 880.....it is a better deck. Very simple.

 

[sc197 10+ year member]

Thanks again. I'm def. getting this deck. I know I'll be more than pleased.

I mean from having a cheap Pioneer deck from Wal*Mart that has poor SQ and stepping up to something good as the 880, I'll be happy for years. I probably won't leave my car because I'll be attatched to it. Haha.

Can't wait to get this hu.

 

[Kickerkitty 10+ year member]

Thanks again. I'm def. getting this deck. I know I'll be more than pleased.
I mean from having a cheap Pioneer deck from Wal*Mart that has poor SQ and stepping up to something good as the 880, I'll be happy for years. I probably won't leave my car because I'll be attatched to it. Haha.

Can't wait to get this hu.

If you are going from a wal-mart pioneer to the 880PRS, and you get the Pro60's like you were saying in the other thread, then you will have half my system already, I did the same things. I can tell you, it sounds good too, very good.