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  1. #1
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    Question Best MP3 Head Unit for $500-$600. Please Help.

    Hi,

    Looking to purchase an MP3 head unit for my car by next week and was hoping to get some opinions on specific models you'd recommend.

    Have been looking into some Alpine, kenwoods, clarion, pioneer etc and cant seem to make a decision for myself.

    I'm not really fussy about it being IPOD compatible as I don't have an Ipod anyway. hehe

    I will have front splits, rear speakers and an amp included in this setup. Was just hoping to figure out which head unit to get.

    I want one that looks good, sounds good and clear/crisp, doesnt skip on cd's or stop when my car hits a bump.

    Oh and it has to be within the $500-$600 price range.

    Thanks

  2. #2
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    alpine the bomb!!

    based purely on brands..

    alpine
    clarion
    kenwood
    jvc
    pioneer...and the rest

  3. #3
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    Thanks for your input quangsta..

    I'm also looking more towards specific models..not just the brand.

    So far, I'm thinking about the Alpine 9857, clarion dxz866mp, and the panasonic CQ-C8803.

    Anyone have any comments on any of these?

    Thanks

  4. #4
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    look at the jvc giga-mp3 range..

    (capable of playing mp3's off a dvd.. i.e. ~1000 songs)
    Quote Originally Posted by ChargeR
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  5. #5
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    Most headunits these don't skip at all, and as for how they sound it's best if you go and have a listen for yourself as your tastes will be different to others. My suggestion would be to go to a store and play around with decks, it may looks good but the you might find that the interface sucks... lol

    Options:
    Pioneer DEH-P6850MP ($649 but you can haggle it down to your budget or even below)


    Pioneer DEH-P5850MP ($469)


    Alpine CDA-9856i ($469)


    Alpine CDA-9857 ($599)


    Kenwood KDC-X7533U ($499)


    Kenwood KDC-MP8533 ($549)


    JVC KD-G825 ($449)


    Clarion DXZ666MP ($599)


    Eclipse CD4000 ($499)


    There are probably more units in you're price range but that's all i could be bothered to look up for now Go take a look at the HU's as they'll all have different characteristics, for example i'm not a fan of Kenwood's displays (with the exception of the high end models) since they're very pixelated. The above prices are just retail prices so you'd be able to get them cheaper with some haggling, with that in mind you might even want to consider the more expensive units (600-700) since you may be able to get the price down.

  6. #6
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    depends what ur after in a HU. If ur after more for SQ then I would be looking at Pioneer and Eclipse HU. If your more after features then look for Kenwood, Panasonic, Sony. And if you're after a mix of both, then look for Alpine, Clarion, JVC.

    Mind you that that is for entry level HU. In a diff price range its a whole new ball game.

    I myself have a Clarion DXZ856MP (In love with the touch-screen)...which has quite good SQ for my liking...and is absolutely feature jammed

  7. #7
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    i've got the Kenwood KDC-X7533U and i was pretty impress on the quality of sound they give out and the ablilities to use any memory pen (usb devices) as source of music.. However i think it could be better but properly because i'm running cheapo sony 6X9s and kenwood cheapi fronts..
    Why VTEC when you have Turbo?

  8. #8
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    i find that the sound processing in the alpine headunits are more superior that brands like kenwood and sony. the alpine 9856 and models above have BBE (high def signal processing) = greater sound SQ.
    eclipse and pioneeer are aswell...but favour the alpine route.
    but your best bet is to listen to them in the shop and let your ears decide
    Life Doesn’t Start Until 9000RPM!


  9. #9
    eclipse or alpine

  10. #10
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    Currently I'm trying to choose between this or this or this..

    hehe

    Unless anyone else has any other suggestions?
    Last edited by JeremyCivic; 15-09-2006 at 08:14 AM.

  11. #11
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    Heres my 2 cents on those 3 headunits:

    Clarion:
    1. Awesome user-interface
    2. Good features
    3. Good SQ (THD 0.01%, S/N 100 dB)
    4. Poor DSP (only 2 band parametric EQ, LP)

    Overall: 7 / 10

    Panasonic:
    1. Interface looks like a nice easy
    2. Average features
    3. Good - Great SQ (THD 0.01%, S/N 106 dB)
    4. Good DSP (9 band EQ, SRS, HP & LP)

    Overall: 8 / 10

    Alpine:
    1. Interface looks outdated and nothing special
    2. Average features (only good thing is the USB connectivity)
    3. Great SQ (BBE, THD 0.008%, S/N 105 dB)
    4. Poor DSP (seems like only 2 band EQ (bass n treble), and no filters at all )

    Overall 7 / 10

    So my choice would be the Panasonic. But then again that is purely based on stats...as others said it all depends on how they truly sound.

  12. #12
    All those three you have listed 'look' nice. But think about sustainability. All those useless bright and flashy colours, they WILL shit you eventually, when ur driving at night and ur eyes are being pounded by that mini monitor. I had a panasonic, fark it was annoying.

    I would choose Alpine over all of them.

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