What is the best head unit on the market?

[jeffrosheen]

I have finally had enough of the factory stereo in my 08'. I used to have a really nice set up in my 04' until it was totaled. I do still have the 2 pair of Focal K2Ps but left my Eclipse in it.

Luckily my family has been giving me crutch field GCs for the past few holidays so now I want to pull the trigger on an upgrade. I will eventually get an amp to drive the 4 speakers.

Who makes the best head unit? Navigation is not all that important to me as I usually know where I am going or use my iPhone. I want sound quality, superior resolution on the screen and I want it to be easily compatible with my iPhone for music and video.

Any input would be much appreciated!

 

[97BlackAckCL]

I love these threads, because you'll never get 1 straight answer. Everyone has their own experiences and preferences. Me personally, I love Pioneer and always recommend them.

 

[JET4]

I would say Alpine or Pioneer, it's a matter of opinion. Alpine is coming out with some new units next month.

 

[jeffrosheen]

The Alpine website is horrible! wow....

I am looking for opinions obviously, and realize everyone has one. That is why I am coming to you guys.

 

[97BlackAckCL]

I gave you mine

 

[zonedriven]

The Alpine website is horrible! wow....

I am looking for opinions obviously, and realize everyone has one. That is why I am coming to you guys.

It's a loaded question that only you can answer. Alpine will give you a great sound and look but might not be as easy to work. Go to a local company and ask. Not a box chain like best buy of hhgregg. Go see what the locals have in their car. Asking online is like asking who is the hottest girl in your town.

Get something with high voltage outout and amp everything. Go JL on amps and speakers and you will love the sound.

 

[JET4]

Here is some info on the Alpine's from there web site. They won't be available till June Alpine Electronics of America, Inc.

 

[SJC]

Cant go wrong with the 80$ ones from walmart. Lol

 

[riceandpho]

Pioneer dex-p99rs, if u dont have pioneer cd changers and accessory, the deh-80prs is good, that model do not have ip bus. If u want an older model the deh-p800prs or deh-p880prs is still a good unit.

 

[Lineman]

Have had Alpine, Pioneer and JVC. IMO Pioneer was the best. Currently have a JVC, I'm cool with it.

 

[aika1]

Check out the Pioneer AVH-8400BH. Good resolution, app-mode, tuning functions, 4V outs, iPod connectivity to the max, Bluetooth pairing with parrot technology and great microphone. I have the 4400, the 8400 is a step up. Pioneer seems to have gotten the menus right...

 

[jdkilroy]

Just installed Kenwood 9990HD. Running it through a couple of Hertz 4ch amps. The system is working and sounding really really nice. Using a 8" Hertz mid/sub in stock location to fill in low end.

The nav, phone, iPod, cd are all working great. Can load your own custom backgrounds if that's important.

There is a lot of adjustability to sound system. Change operating color to match car's day lighting.

Fit into the dash easily and looks like its supposed to be there. Bypass is as easy as grounding the parking brake wire. All functions work underway.

PITA: you have to buy the Kenwood iPod connector cable separately for an additional 30.00 on top of an already spendy unit.

I know you don't care about the nav but it's outstanding.

I'm a long time fan of Alpine but this in a sweet unit.

 

[jeffrosheen]

Thanks for all of your help and input. I'll let you know what I end up with. Now I'm thinking of pulling the trigger on an amp at the same time. Are there any places to hide one?

 

[jdkilroy]

Under the driver and passenger seat works well; A lot of the amps today have a pretty low profile.

 

[DiggetyDan]

Thanks for all of your help and input. I'll let you know what I end up with. Now I'm thinking of pulling the trigger on an amp at the same time. Are there any places to hide one?

The Alpine PDX amps fit nicely under the passnger and driver front seats. If you're only installing one amp I'd recommend placing it under the drivers seat because there is a bump on the passenger side that doesn't allow it to go alway the way under so it will stick out just a little bit. I have weathertech floor mats that go over it so it's not a big deal.

btw - i had an alpine doubledin ina800bt or something like that, sound was amazing interface was horrible. have been doing some upgrades and the guy at the audi store keeps saying how alpine is really bunged up, can't get delivery on models, late, etc. i think their parts supply took a hit with the earthquake last year.

i'm trying to decide right now between pinoeer and kenwood.

 

[giguchan]

I have always had Alpine.. They seem to work pretty well for me. sadly, thought i am running mine in my 3rd Gen so i dont have the "double Din" but quality is quality..
I run all alpine gear except for my speakers which are Boston accoustics which i will be changing out by the end of the summer..

Best of luck.

 

[Kenjan]

Eclipse AVN726e
Or
Kenwood DDx418

 

[cubesteak]

I just put in a pioneer AVH-P8400BH and really like it. I installed the xm module and used the iphone interface cable for app radio functionality, where it can display maps, etc., which pretty much eliminates the need for a nav unit for me. Right now it just drives the factory speakers, but I have a host of goodies on order for a proper system. Here's a crappy cellphone pic:

 

[zimdba]

I just put in a pioneer AVH-P8400BH and really like it. I installed the xm module and used the iphone interface cable for app radio functionality, where it can display maps, etc., which pretty much eliminates the need for a nav unit for me. Right now it just drives the factory speakers, but I have a host of goodies on order for a proper system. Here's a crappy cellphone pic:

Don't you have to buy a separate module for nav? I think it's an additional $400 (Crutchfield) on top of the unit price. To me, that's just nonsense.

 

[cubesteak]

Don't you have to buy a separate module for nav? I think it's an additional $400 (Crutchfield) on top of the unit price. To me, that's just nonsense.

There is a nav module, but yeah it's way overpriced. Looks like $320+ on amazon. No way I'd spring for that. I didn't find it necessary though, because you can access a full screen google maps or MotionX GPS Drive display from the iphone through the CD-IU201V cable and the appradio functionality. I don't have reception issues where I am so for me it hasn't been an issue.