what type of after market head unit might you suggest

gogoputter · Post by **gogoputter** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 2:06 am

two weeks ago I completed the intall for my vibe gt. 9 speakers a jl500/5 amp and it sounds decent. I really wanted to keep the factory head unit but...can tell that it does not sound as clear as the Alpine I had in my previous car. Now...I want something where the lighting of the head unit matches the vibe (red) where the eq system or sound shaping is terrific , and one where the head unit has controls for a changer and sub. Price really isn't an issue. I'd go with an Alpine in a heartbeat except they only make one where the head unit allows for different background color. What do you have in your cars??? Anyone with a head unit and separate equalizer?

Jahntassa · Post by **Jahntassa** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 3:23 am

Sure, as long as you ditch the idea of matching the colors to the dashboard. The only thing you could get is that one Alpine, or Sony. And Sony wouldn't be worth your money these days.Other than that, an Alpine with an external processor (like the ERA-G320) seems to be what you want. As my fellow installer says, the "Pioneer 9500 or 8500 are beasts"Or the AVIC-N1 when it comes out in spring. You wanna talk about doing EVERYTHING. That does EVERYTHING.Other than that...heh.http://www.pioneerelectronics.comhttp:/ ... ic-n1.com/

ArcsVibe · Post by **ArcsVibe** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 3:24 am

I know that is is in style to bash Sony audio these days but I have a Sony radio and love it. You have to see what the radio offers as options, looks etc.

gogoputter · Post by **gogoputter** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 4:33 am

I had the erag320 in my Honda and regret not keeping it when I sold the car. It was not user friendly but had the best sound tweeking I ever heard. I am, however, confused as I know Clarion makes units that have multiple light options for the face of the head unit and I believe Blaupunkt and Kenwood also have these. What do you have in your car?

Sub-Vibe-R · Post by **Sub-Vibe-R** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 4:42 am

I have Pioneer 8400 series and absolutly love it.

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 8:56 am

Pioneer 7500 here...wouldn't think twice about buyiung again!

Jahntassa · Post by **Jahntassa** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 9:16 am

Quote, originally posted by ArcsVibe Â»I know that is is in style to bash Sony audio these days but I have a Sony radio and love it. You have to see what the radio offers as options, looks etc.Ah yes, Arcs..but WHICH Sony? Note that I said "Nowadays". In my previous car, I had a second-generation Sony Activeblack HU that was the best HU i've ever owned. The NAV system doesn't count...Though, proof positive, the quality of Sony units in the last few years (primarily the past three) has declined. It's declined in many other areas as well, as Sony is trying to consolodate on what works. IE, plasmas, and PS2. I've -personally- never been a fan of Kenwood or Clarion. Definitely not Clarion. As for Kenwood, i've seen too many HUs with issues, especially the MASK units. The ribbon cables always go out and the display stops working. That, and I was never a fan of the displays.Again..these are personal opinions. I'm sure a lot of people in the autosound industry would agree about Sony lately, though.. LATELY. Blaupunkt has always been a well-respected brand..as well as Eclipse, and I forget what the other one was... N something..I think it's a FujitsuTen brand..Keep in mind, these are personal opinions. You need to look at what features they have, what types of processing they have, as well. As far as reliability... I've seen many Panasonics come back with disc-read problems. Kenwoods have display problems, Recent Sonys have had any number of issues..Pioneer and Alpine have had minimal problems...I can' speak for the others...

Devlop · Post by **Devlop** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 11:59 am

Alpine, in my opinion, has the best sound quality on the market. I bought a Kenwood for my old car and sold it for the fact that an Alpine had better features for the price. When I installed it, I noticed amajor change in sound and I haven't heard anything better yet.

mwebb · Post by **mwebb** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 1:18 pm

I agree that the new Sony cd players are garbage- I personaly love Eclipse- They may not have all the flash of other units out there but their quality is amazing- If I was buying a new HU I would only consider a new Alpine or a new Eclipse

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 1:26 pm

Quote, originally posted by Jahntassa Â»Or the AVIC-N1 when it comes out in spring. You wanna talk about doing EVERYTHING. That does EVERYTHING.(removed) I want I want!!!

cdFxer · Post by **cdFxer** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 2:35 pm

I have a Kenwood Excelon X569. It sounds great and has pretty decent options for control over the sound BUT I do NOT like the display. In particular the brightness. We have to keep adjusting the contrast during days/nights. The "dimmer" connection works, but the change in contrast from days to nights STINKS! I will probably be trading it in for another HU this summer.So in short: Kenwood Excelon X569 Sounds great, visibilty STINKY!

russ257 · Post by **russ257** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 2:49 pm

ahhhh have to stop drooling over that AVIC-N1 all for a meer 1,500 ohh thats on the list. not at the top but somewhere after pool table, big screen tv

ArcsVibe · Post by **ArcsVibe** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 9:28 pm

You are right my friend. I have heard that Sony HUs are not the best when compared to Alpine or Pioneer-I will not argue with that. I took a chance with my Sony HU and love it.You know that you are my main source of audio information

Jahntassa · Post by **Jahntassa** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 9:47 pm

Quote, originally posted by Devlop Â»Alpine, in my opinion, has the best sound quality on the market. I bought a Kenwood for my old car and sold it for the fact that an Alpine had better features for the price. When I installed it, I noticed amajor change in sound and I haven't heard anything better yet.Devlop: Can't say you're wrong. Alpines definitely have EXCELLENT sound.. However, you really pay for it. And as this is an opinion thing.. heh.. I've never liked the "look" of Alpines.. However, I will admit that I have an Alpine 14band EQ in my Vibe. I'll probably take a picture of it later.And yes..that AVIC-N1 is BEAUTIFUL. I'd sell my complete Nav system for like, $600 if I could afford one of those things. Being able to take out the NAV disc and still have it navigate your route? That's awesome! Plus the touchscreen is just what the doc ordered.Of course..i'd have to get the DVD changer, rear-camera, nav guidance speaker, and the XM tuner...but hey! It'll only cost like, $3,000 overall!

Jahntassa · Post by **Jahntassa** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 9:47 pm

Quote, originally posted by ArcsVibe Â»You know that you are my main source of audio information We aim to please!

ArcsVibe · Post by **ArcsVibe** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 9:49 pm

You the man bro, you the man!

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 9:49 pm

Quote, originally posted by Jahntassa Â»Of course..i'd have to get the DVD changer, rear-camera, nav guidance speaker, and the XM tunerI'd assume it would be compatible and use the same IP Bus XM tuner that current Pioneer HU's are using?

Jahntassa · Post by **Jahntassa** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 9:57 pm

Quote, originally posted by ragingfish Â»I'd assume it would be compatible and use the same IP Bus XM tuner that current Pioneer HU's are using?Si. It uses the same IP bus interface, and lists the GEX-P910XM as the XM tuner for it.

MrRich · Post by **MrRich** » Fri Feb 27, 2004 6:13 am

Because money is a matter for me,I'm thinking of buying this one.http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAP...18798Did anybody has or had a headunit like that.I think KOSS is not too bad.O well if it's not that good I can sell it on eBay

Devlop · Post by **Devlop** » Fri Feb 27, 2004 7:19 am

Really off topic, but Mr. Rich, can that sign tell the future lotto numbers as well?

Jahntassa · Post by **Jahntassa** » Fri Feb 27, 2004 11:46 am

Can't beat the price on that Koss...so I can't say no.. But i'd definitely spend money on a radio, that's the brain of the system..But, as you said, give it a try! If you like it, it works!

ArcsVibe · Post by **ArcsVibe** » Fri Feb 27, 2004 1:58 pm

KOSS is Canadian Tire stuff. You can get Pioneers for a good price at Future Shop.

GT_03 · Post by **GT_03** » Fri Feb 27, 2004 8:32 pm

I've always been a huge Alpine fan and would have one right now, but i love my NAV system too much

Jahntassa · Post by **Jahntassa** » Fri Feb 27, 2004 11:12 pm

I agree, I love the Nav system...but i'm definitely going to have to go for the new Pioneer all-in one AVIC-N1http://www.avic-n1.comIf I can afford it..my NAV system'll be up for grabs

what type of after market head unit might you suggest

what type of after market head unit might you suggest

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