Best head unit/sound quality
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=13329
Printed Date: May 31, 2024 at 9:18 PM
Topic: Best head unit/sound quality
Posted By: ZX9R
Subject: Best head unit/sound quality
Date Posted: May 08, 2003 at 8:07 PM
Just thought I would ask to see if anybody had any Ideas on were I can go to find out different specs on a variety of different head units. such as reliability/sound quality/ things to look for when purchasing one etc. any Ideas would be appreciated, or maybe just some opinions.
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--ZX9R
Replies:
Posted By: donkason
Date Posted: May 08, 2003 at 11:51 PM
I have a kenwood kdc-x599. It is the cat's a#@. If you are looking to add a amp look for high volts on the pre amp output of the amplifier. That will improve you s.q. if you add an amp. There are a lot of good head units that will give you good performance besides kenwood. My personal rule is you get what you pay for. Just read the list of featurs that the head unit will perform and make sure it matches what you want to do. If you don't need a mp3 and dvd player, etc. don't buy one that has those features. Keep it simple if that is what you want. You should be able to aquire a good unit for about 300-400 bucks that can get the job done.
Posted By: wvsquirrel
Date Posted: May 09, 2003 at 12:35 AM
I have always prefered Alpine headunits. I ran on for over 7 years before the CD player finally died. Unfortunately money was tight and I replaced it with a POS Sony xplode. Don't get me wrong, the Sony gets the job done, but no where near the quality of the Alpine. Hopefully I'll be able to replace it within the next year with either another Alpine or RF.
Donkason is right about getting what you want feature-wise. But also think into the future before you buy. Future upgrades (primarily amps) can be done easier if you have the right base to start from (ie. 1, 2, or 3 sets of RCA pre-outs, amplified vs. non-amplified outputs, etc...). ------------- Squirrel
"No more Cpt. Kirk chit chat"
If its too loud, then you're too old
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Posted By: Big Purds
Date Posted: May 09, 2003 at 12:43 AM
My personal rule is you get what you pay for.
not always true in the world of SQ...you can spend alot of money on the flagship Panasonic head unit, but you will still have a deck that sounds like ass...
https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=12962&PN=1
take a look there for some of the best sounding decks man has made so far...
Posted By: dohcser
Date Posted: May 09, 2003 at 6:05 AM
Eclipse! They put a lot of money into their research and develpment team. If you really do care about SQ, I believe Eclipse is the way to go.
55Ohms 8V unbalanced 16V balanced pre-amp output.
Posted By: Big Purds
Date Posted: May 09, 2003 at 6:22 AM
pre-out voltage isnt the only thing to look for in an SQ deck...
you would have to look more at DACs and processing than pre-out voltage in an SQ system...
Posted By: jaxman
Date Posted: May 09, 2003 at 6:25 AM
Well as a head unit I had ba experience with the following :
JVC , Panasonic , SONY.
Good Experience with:
Kenwood , Pioneer , Alpine
I am running now with a Pioneer and I love it but I think actually Kenwood was a bit better at sound quality even if it does not have so many functions and adjustments like the Pioneer.
I'll go for Kenwood or Pioneer.
Posted By: bberman1
Date Posted: May 09, 2003 at 10:53 AM
My personal prefrence is Eclipse or Alpine.
Posted By: Velocity Motors
Date Posted: May 09, 2003 at 11:12 AM
You can go to these sites for spec's and opinions of various HU's: ------------- Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA
Posted By: D148L0
Date Posted: May 15, 2003 at 11:02 PM
Man, listen to your ears... that's what is gonna make you happy, after all... if you are really into SQ more than impressing buddies with "lots of features and graphics", MY own opinion: Nakamichi!! I can't have enough of them. They are very, very simple, but, check the specs.... and listen to them, if you can find where... D148L0
Posted By: greenbroncoguy
Date Posted: May 16, 2003 at 5:14 AM
i am currently running a pioneer DEH-P6500 and I can tell you that the sound quality is awsome. also, there are alot of sound shaping features on it and it has three pre-outs for future system expansion. on top of all this, pioneer has great reliablility and you can get alot out of one of their head units
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