Good Head Unit for >$200?

david_ray320

david_ray320

New member
Good Head Unit for <$200?

I would have posted this in the Audio sub-forum but figured it would get more views here.

So I'm looking to upgrade from the factory tape deck stereo to something a little nicer. Can someone recommend a good quality head unit/receiver for under $200? One that allows me to hook my iPod up to it, that's a must.

Oh and also, ideally I'd like to find a receiver that still allows me to use the controls on my iPod even when it's plugged in to the AUX input. But it's not a necessity.
 
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just FYI, your subject line reads
Good Head Unit for [greater than] $200



check pioneer, they make alot of really nice radios that don't break the bank, and I think even their lowest model has iPod and XM/Sirius connectivity


if you want to be able to control the iPod via the head unit itself look for one that is specifically for iPod. You'll also need the interface cable which usually runs about 30 bucks or so, but definately worth the money
 
i know kenwood makes some good ones, i have a pioneer but its like $260 you just need to go to your local stores and start asking people who work there and tell them want you want as far as the head unit goes, they will know alot more and be ablt to show you how it works... then get online and do some searching to find the best price, heck... maybe find some a bit higher than 200, you might find them online a bit cheeper than 200... that my 2 cents

sorry i didnt answer your question
 
I like Alpine for cheaper models like the one I have and the ones you are looking at.

Crutchfield has a lot of perks if you buy from them. I would check there website and see what is out there.
 
LINY4Runner said:
just FYI, your subject line reads
Good Head Unit for [greater than] $200
Click to expand...

Doh! :bash:

check pioneer, they make alot of really nice radios that don't break the bank, and I think even their lowest model has iPod and XM/Sirius connectivity

if you want to be able to control the iPod via the head unit itself look for one that is specifically for iPod. You'll also need the interface cable which usually runs about 30 bucks or so, but definately worth the money
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll look into Pioneer.
 
Clemsonfan15 said:
I like Alpine for cheaper models like the one I have and the ones you are looking at.

Crutchfield has a lot of perks if you buy from them. I would check there website and see what is out there.
Click to expand...

Yeah Crutchfield is where I've been looking.

I'll check out the Alpine CDA-9883 now.
 
Clemsonfan15 said:
I think it was discontinued.

This model is good if you don't need to play CDs: http://www.crutchfield.com/p_500IDAX303/Alpine-iDA-X303.html?c=3&tp=5684

If you do need CDs: http://www.crutchfield.com/p_500CDA105/Alpine-CDA-105.html?c=3&tp=5684
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Yeah I saw that it was discontinued when I searched it Google.

Here are some models I've found so far that I've added to a list of possible winners:

JVC KD-PDR400

Pioneer DEH-P6000UB

EDIT: Here's a dumb question: How noticeable is the difference in sound quality when switching from the factory to an aftermarket receiver? I have aftermarket speakers installed in the doors but no subs or amplifier.
 
david_ray320 said:
Yeah I saw that it was discontinued when I searched it Google.

Here are some models I've found so far that I've added to a list of possible winners:

JVC KD-PDR400

Pioneer DEH-P6000UB

EDIT: Here's a dumb question: How noticeable is the difference in sound quality when switching from the factory to an aftermarket receiver? I have aftermarket speakers installed in the doors but no subs or amplifier.
Click to expand...

In my opinion JVC's look cheap.

That Pioneer dones't look bad.

I would suggest going to Best Buy or another local audio place and mess around with their radios and then buy it online.

Putting in a new deck makes a pretty big difference in the sound. It won't add a ton of bass, but it will add a good bit of loudness.
 
Clemsonfan15 said:
In my opinion JVC's look cheap.

That Pioneer dones't look bad.

I would suggest going to Best Buy or another local audio place and mess around with their radios and then buy it online.

Putting in a new deck makes a pretty big difference in the sound. It won't add a ton of bass, but it will add a good bit of loudness.
Click to expand...

Yeah I'm definitely gonna go to BB or somewhere to play around with the receiver before I buy it. I'm really liking that Pioneer one, I've been doing some research on it and reading reviews and looking over the manual.
 
How is that low? Don't we live in a free market?

I'm about to be in college, that extra $30-$50 makes a big difference to me.
 
Clemsonfan15 said:
How is that low? Don't we live in a free market?

I'm about to be in college, that extra $30-$50 makes a big difference to me.
Click to expand...

Yeah and I'm in college so it makes an even bigger difference.
 
As far as where to buy it, i always look for a smaller store. You don't have to pay what it says on the display, you can offer to pay them less, especially if you have cash. Cash to them means they don't have to give the credit card company 3% or more of the sale. The good parts about this is if there is a problem w/ anything be it damaged, or wrong you are dealing w/ someone face to face that can most likely fix your situation very quickly. The next good thing is the more you deal w/ a shop, the better your deals will usually get. Of course if they don't then move on to another shop.


Back to the original topic ... i vote for Alpine if you can find a model w/ the features you like in your budget. If not Pioneer is a very good second, however the sound quality is a bit lower than the Alpine in my experience.
 
I understand where you are coming from on the money front, I'm a poor high school student :p lol. But, In my opinion, going to a store, using the people/displays there to find out what is best, and then buying it somewhere else is just morally wrong.

I remember I was with my grandpa years ago and he was looking at Cameras at a local store in St. Louis, the guy helping him was very knowledgeable and helped him pick out the right camera...but no, he couldn't buy it from the store, instead he had to go buy it on the internet to save $50. Wouldn't you have felt cheated if you were that guy trying to sell the camera? Jm .02c, maybe I'm crazy I dunno, :awais:

Now go out and extort all the money you want out of Walmart, that's different :bigok:
 
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Were not comparing apples to apples here. It's different if it's a small "hometown" store. The guys at Best Buy work on commission, I think, so they often times just try to sell you something no matter if it's best for you or not.

Now in your grandfathers case I would have to agree he should have probably gotten it there.

:)
 
Clemsonfan15 said:
Were not comparing apples to apples here. It's different if it's a small "hometown" store. The guys at Best Buy work on commission, I think, so they often times just try to sell you something no matter if it's best for you or not.

Now in your grandfathers case I would have to agree he should have probably gotten it there.

:)
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Moneys money, whether you are giving it to someone in your hometown or the guys at Best Buy. Either way, if they are dedicated to their job, they would feel like ass if they knew you used them... :bigok:
 
Eh the way I see it is that as a salesperson it's their job to inform the customer about the products that are within their specialty. By just going into a store and looking at different products you are not making a commitment to buy something from that store. It isn't expected that every time you walk into a store that you will buy an item. So the salesperson has to realize and understand this and not let it effect how they handle themselves. They can't force you and shouldn't expect you to buy their products, so with that in mind they ideally should fulfill their role as a salesperson and inform the customer about a product regardless of the customer's intentions. Just my $.02

Anyway, I'm leaning more towards that Pioneer unit I linked on page 1. I'll have to go to a store and check it out to see how I like the controls.
 
Stick Figure said:
Back to the original topic ... i vote for Alpine if you can find a model w/ the features you like in your budget. If not Pioneer is a very good second, however the sound quality is a bit lower than the Alpine in my experience.
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I agree with stick figure 100% not do alpines have a lot better sound quality but they're more user friendly. For instance, the equalizer on an alpine is very easy to figure out where-as pioneer give all of their equalizing options different names that just dont make sense to the average consumer.
If you're looking specificly for Ipod connectivity, Alpines are gonna be more expensive but their Ipod interfacing technology blows kenwood and pioneers away. Another thing I like about Alpine is that you get better features for what you pay for it. I just installed a brand new Pioneer in-dash DVD player for a buddy of mine. He paid $1400 for it on sale at Circuit City. I have an Alpine IVA-D310 in dash DVD player in my 4runner that back in 2005 cost $1300. After I installed his I started playing around with it and instantly hated it. His 2009 $1400 Pioneer didnt even have half the features as my 2005 $1300 Alpine.
And on a final note, Alpine by far have the best skip protection which having a 4runner im sure you hit some rugged terrain at least every once and a while. Im not saying that kenwood, pioneer, eclipse and clarion are bad, Im just saying that in the last 5 years, I've never seen a car headunit out-perform an Alpine.
Oh and look on craigslist. Thats where I buy all my car audio stuff.
 
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