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OK so i hope i'm following all the rules and such for posting here.

I've decided to make a change in my car. I have a 2005 Mazda 3 S and I am sick and tired of the stock stereo it came with. So i've been on some Mazda forums and i saw one design i might go with like this...

https://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123625307 (Its a few posts down)

Now i've been trying to find some new head units and found these three and i was just curious as to what some of you more knowledgeable people know about them.

https://cgi.ebay.com/dll?ViewItem&ih=017&item=270002652695&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

https://cgi.ebay.com/dll?ViewItem&ih=017&item=270001913558&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

https://cgi.ebay.com/dll?ViewItem&item=9738923141&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

Plus i was also curious if it was possible to keep the ability to use my steering wheel controls. Thanks.

Might just be me, but those ebay links didn't work. Just give us the brand and model numbers rather than trying to post the link. The forum link worked though and if you like that Pioneer DEH-5800mp that stuckclboy (nice name) had, I can vouch for it, that's the deck I run and I love it. Mazda folks love it because it matches the rest of the interior lighting and that's why I got it because it goes with the red lighting in my '04 Grand Am.

Also, give us a general budget and we can make some suggestions for you. Also, are you thinking about speakers as well or just your HU?

OH ok sorry...

The three head units i was lookin at from e-bay were...

Panasonic CQ-C8413U - $219
JENSEN MP8610BT - $199
PANASONIC MXE CQ-C8403U - $205

As for the speakers...i was looking at getting some Alpine Type R's for both the front component and the back speakers. I'm really new to the whole computer audio system area so im just trying to find some good stuff. I think im looking to max out at about $800 for the HUD, speakers, and amp if theres room...which i know the amp prolly will push me over. I can push up to $900 but i'd like to not go that high if necessary.

I strongly suggest and recommend the Eclipse 84x5 (series) HU, I personally own the 8445 and is great. You can actually change the colors you want also, like you have red in the interior, so does this HU. But if you get tired of it you can change it to another out of 5 total. The features are also great, and has incredible sound quality. You should be able to pick one up for just over $300, but trust me and a few others on this forum, IT IS WELL WORTH IT! lol. Amp wise for just a 4 channel to power your "voice" speakers as I like to say, you can pick up a nice/decent one for under $200, so lets say about $550 for the amp, w/e it be and the Eclipse HU. You stil have another $250-$300 for your 4 speakers. For an amp, I would recommend a Hifonics, Eclipse, MA Audio for known names, or if you dont want to take it to that extent, than for a cheaper lower brand I would recommend Titanium Power or the LT series of amps from Power Acoustik.

While I do agree with you. mustangfoo, that Eclipse units are great, they arent for everyone. not everyone out htere is looking for a high end competition deck. Judging by the 3 choices Tnilli gave, Im thinking his pocket book wont allow him to buy an eclipse. Plus the head unit is only as good as the amps you connect them to. If you buy an eclipse deck and hook them up to amps you can buy at walmart, what good is it to have the 5V or 8v pre-outs?

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"People with mullets live 40% longer" - Ricky Bobby

I am running the Panasonic CQ-C8413U head unit and am very happy with it. The internal amp on the head unit is very powerfull if you are not planning on putting a second amp for your mids and hi's. I always thought panasonic head units were crap until I have used a couple. I have been really impressed, especially for the price. I have had eclipse, nakamichi, sony, and the older series kenwood excelon head units and with my personal experience this panasonic is one of my favorites. I am no expert, just sharing my personal experiences.

Ahhh, young Sonata, you have much to learn young grasspopper. There is much more to an Eclipse than the 5 and 8 volt preouts, changing to an Eclipse can and will make a huge difference to his / her tonal response even with a welfare brand of amplifier being used. At his budget, I would be looking at the CD2000 or CD3000 Eclipse models or doing the look around for a clearout CD8445.

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Top Secret, I can tell you but then my wife will kill me.

If he is looking on ebay for the purchase he can find the CD8445 for right around the panasonic price range. I am not trying to hijack the thread but have aquestion regardign this situation. If he has a bargain priced amp that has a rca input level of 1v to 5v (gain adjustment range) would it cause damage to the amp hooking up the 8v pre-out?

forbidden wrote:

Ahhh, young Sonata, you have much to learn young grasspopper. There is much more to an Eclipse than the 5 and 8 volt preouts, changing to an Eclipse can and will make a huge difference to his / her tonal response even with a welfare brand of amplifier being used. At his budget, I would be looking at the CD2000 or CD3000 Eclipse models or doing the look around for a clearout CD8445.

Oh I know exactly what you are talking about forbidden, but I didnt want to get into all the detailed stuff without addressing the amps first. I also want to point out the fact, because i forgot to earlier, that if you dont plan on using an amp for the door speakers with the eclipse decks, a lot of the tuning and adjusting features arent even utilized.

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"People with mullets live 40% longer" - Ricky Bobby

Thanks everyone for all your help. I've done some research and i think i've narrowed my choices down to a:

Panasonic CQ-C8413U from BestCarStereo for $219

PIONEER DEH-P6800MP from JJI Electronics for $249 (comes with ipod adaptor)

I'm still undecided on what to do with an amp in this case. I dont think i can afford to put my subs in now ( i was only going to do 1 maybe 2 10''s) because i mainly listen to rock and i'd like to have solid high's first. I'd like to get an amp (how strong?) to run my speakers. I think i'm still gonna stick with those alpine R's unless you guys know of another brand (maybe based towards rock music) for around the same money. I'm sorry to keep bringing up these questions, but I really have no clue what im doin and i'd like to make sure im gettin the best i can for my money. Thanks!

You may want to check around for local deals before turning to the internet. I know for a fact that bestcaraudio.com is not an authorized dealer of MTX products so Im sure that goes the same for many of their other products too. This could come to be a problem when trying to warantee the item. Ive never dealt with the site so I cant give you any first had experience. You might want to open another thread asking for advice with the site. just my .2 cents. I always try and deal locally from authorized dealers as much as possible. If you haggle enough you might be able to get a better deal. thats how I roll! lol

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"People with mullets live 40% longer" - Ricky Bobby

I'd first like to stress the importance of buying from an authorized retailer (locally if possible). You never know what problems you'll run into buying online from unauthorized places. If you buy from a local shop and have any problems, you can just go right back. Online can be a much different story.

If you're stuck on getting either the Panasonic or the Pioneer, my biased vote goes to the Panasonic. One of the best decks I ever bought was a Panasonic- never gave me any problems, and about 8 years later is still strong (in my brother's fiance's car). I can't say the same for Pioneer. The one and only I ever bought did not work when I recieved it, and since it was from an unauthorized dealer, I had to pay out of pocket for service. Also, a quick search on this site will reveal numerous threads about the noise problems associated with Pioneer headunits when hooking up external amplifiers. This is a quality control issue that has been around for years and still not addressed.

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My ex once told me I have a perfect face for radio.

Yea i know i should buy from a local dealer...but they charge so much. I try to find places online that are authorized...but i have no clue which are and which arent. Thanks for all your help, i'll prolly go with the panasonic then.

They only charge a lot because the average joe schmo doesnt know that you can haggle. For instance, I bought a MTX 1501D from car toys (my local dealer). The amp retails for $800. I got it for $230 brand new with a 4 year warantee. How did I do this you ask? Lots of talking. Try to assure the salesman that you will be purchasing all of your future audio equipment from that store and that you will refer all of your friends to the same salesman. Chances are your first purchase will have a small discount. As time goes on and you live up to your promise the discounts will most likely improve.

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"People with mullets live 40% longer" - Ricky Bobby

a 1501D for 230 with a 4 year warantee? I gotta be honest with you, I dont care how much you "promise" to buy from me in the future, Im not gonna toss one of these amps out the door for over 50% off dealer cost. I dont know how you did it man, but I think I would warn everyone else that any salesman who wants to keep his job isnt gonna be selling them for that kinda deal.

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double-secret reverse-osmosis speaker-cone-induced high-level interference distortion, Its a killer

Hey guys i know i started a thread before but some things have changed and i have another question to ask. I decided to go with the Alpine CDA-9857. Now i just found out my friends cousin works for an installation shop and he has a special deal with the Infinity brand he is going to give me a discount. I decided to just spend the money and get some good stuff. Right now im looking at getting that Alpine HUD and then for my front components some Kappa Perfect 6.1 6-1/2" 2-way component system and then for my back speakers Infinity
KAPPA63.7I 6-1/2" three-way loudspeaker. My only question now is what amp should i get to power the speakers. I'm thinking the Infinity REF311A which is a 300w amp. I really dont have much of a clue though. So i guess my questions are A) is this a good set up? B) the right amp?

Thanks

forget about the 3-way speakers. all it is, is a woofer with the smaller tweeter and tiny tweeter in the middle which blocks a lot of the sound wave from the woofer. I dont understand why these speakers still exist. The design is just crap IMO.

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"People with mullets live 40% longer" - Ricky Bobby

HU decision