Head unit info/comparison, opinions, and specs needed

[Trannyman95]

I am in the search for a new cd player for my Cutlass and not really sure what direction to go. I have really like the Pioneer decks with the OEL screens and I do have an account in town with a warehouse as I am a retailer to sell Pioneer and MTX products for car audio. JVC was one also but I was just told friday by my salesman that Kenwood bought JVC Mobile out and they no longer offer them. I currently have an older 7300 IIRC and its time to upgrade as its getting up there and sound quality is my main priority. The new Pioneer DEH-9800BT deck has a ton of stuff on it and also a 24 Bit Burr Brown DACs which is a decided factor and the only single din deck the offer with the higher quality parts. I know there are a ton of head units out there and I have had no luck looking through the car-audio websites on any reviews and comparisons. I dont car if it is a 5 year old model, sound quality is pretty much top on the list but I do like the USB and MP3 features that most of the last few year old decks offer. I would love to go double din but havent thought too hard about where the heater controls would go lol.

 

[_nick_]

Pioneer is defiantly a good choice,In fact this year I think it may be my top choice. I like alot of the new JVC cd-players but only the higher end models are good for sound quality. Alpine head-units as always are top notch quality but I really don't like the lack of features and the ugly designs this year. The prices have also seemed to climb up on alpine products :th_scratchhead:...I say avoid alpine for the best overall unit this year. Personally, I have had terrible luck with sound quality and durability on clarion products (I know the owner of a car audio shop and there was a near 50% return rate on clarion headhunts in 2007!..mostly for high failure rate of the CD loading mechanism) Panasonic has some nice units this year as well. I didn't know Kenwood bought out JVC but as far as i can tell they are still selling new JVC mobile products here in canada.



bottom line, look into some of the JVC units like the KD-BT1 for $350

the pioneer premier deh-p800prs is designed primarily for sound quality , but it lacks the good looks and features of the other pioneer models.

I know for a fact that all premier models have very good sound quality. I like the DEH-P980BT but its about $150 more than the JVC

check out more models and specs here:http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Products/CarAudioVideo/Source/CD-Players

 

[gtpinsc]

pioneer premier FTW!

 

[_nick_]

just looking through jvc's website, there are some nice units in the multimedia headunit section, most capable of playing dvd's through their built in lcd screens . Not sure if your interested in multimedia capable receivers, but aside from being able to play DVD's, they look a lot nicer than the regular CD/mp3 decks.

JVC Mobile Entertainment \ ProductLine Multimedia - Receivers

I would defiantly consider either a JVC or Pioneer premier...The more I look around the more I am disappointed with the other brands specs, price & features compared to them.

 

[GTX]

i would like to get an aftermarket deck, but i love my steering controls and how functional they really are. i know they have a module out but that thing is expensive

like to get something with bluetooth/usb/aux/dvd

usb for an external hard drive

aux for the ipod

 

[_nick_]

surprisingly the two top pioneer premier units lack the USB connectivity, but the lower models use USB for connecting to the ipod, as well as portable other usb devices (like portable hard drive, jump drive etc) The higher end models require an Ipod adaptor for full Ipod control, otherwise you can use the AUX input jacks. I really like the clean look of the Pioneer FH-P800BT Double din unit. Does not have the nice bright OEL display but it sure looks classy! Has USB/ipod/auxillary input.. Im thinking of purchasing this one after christmas;

 

[gtpinsc]

i would like to get an aftermarket deck, but i love my steering controls and how functional they really are. i know they have a module out but that thing is expensive

like to get something with bluetooth/usb/aux/dvd

usb for an external hard drive

aux for the ipod

if u look around online,they arent that expensive.

 

[Trannyman95]

I have the Pioneer FH-P8000BT model in my truck and it works great. It is not the Premier model you mentioned above but does have the USB port and works great. It also has bluetooth connectivity to use with your cell phone and it works very well. I can drive down the road and even have the windows down a bit and the mic does not pick up much of any outside noise and is very clear on the recieving end. It also stores 400 or so contacts in the phonebook memory. It is a very plain looking radio but I bought it because it was a double din radio and pretty simple but does everything I need. I have Pioneer dealer ref guides because again I am a local reseller but they do not offer the Premier linup. I had read a few good things about the JVC 44 model I believe?? from this year or last-it has the 3" color screen and a dvd player but that is not a big concern to me as I dont plan to watch movies or ever use the dvd feature unless I make a double din fit the car. Thanks for the good feedback on the Pioneer models, again I have no literature on the Premier linup but I will check into it.

 

[Trannyman95]

Interesting..... It appears that the DEH-P9800BT is a carryover from the 07 product line. I just dug up my 07 booklet and it is the exact same model from 07 to 08 and also does NOT have a usb port on it, all other 08 models which are of lower grade-cost-options DO have usb ports!

 

[_nick_]

I noticed that as well...the top Pioneer units do not have USB but the lower end ones do have it! that's very odd. FIY if you look on pioneers website most of the "premier" decks are sold under the "pioneer" name as well, identical units with a different logo...and as far as i can tell they are about the same prices. The only difference is the pioneer model line up has a few more lower-end units. The specs on all the pioneer models look good to me. Look for a good solid RMS wattage rating, some of the lower end units only have 10-15 watts rms while the better units have around 20 watts rms x4. Also, look for the CEA-2006 standard...this makes sure the specs meet a certain standard. The lower end units do not abide by this rating so they can essentially 'fudge' the output #'s to make it look better..

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-sm1hOYxqPc9/popups/cacomp.html

 

[Trannyman95]

I am sold on the deh-p800prs so far, very nice head unit! It does not come with a usb jack but allows you to add the cd-ub100 which allows you to use usb sticks and media devices. The 980 and 9800 dont say they support the add-on. Best difference I can tell is Premier offers a 2 year warranty over the regular Pioneer 1 year warranty and in the past i know the Premier line would have gold plated rca jacks but that really is a non issue.

 

[_nick_]

The p800prs is built primarily on audio quality wich makes it nice..(although it still looks pretty nice with the OEL display). It has a 16 band equalizer on each channel (left and right), included staging/tuning microphone,automatic time correction,3 way crossover system, 24 bit d/a converter, copper plated chassis, tripple 5 volt pre-outs, HD radio & satellite radio ready (both xm and sirius), Ipod & bluetooth, and a hefty 22 watts rms x 4. This is defiantly a high quality unit with extensive additional audio features that other models do not offer...


im sold :th_biggrin2:

 

[Trannyman95]

Yeah I was sold on it as soon as I checked out the specs! Im not worried about internal power because I have amps on my components and am shocked that none of their decks have the option to turn off the internal speaker outputs. It is a nice looking deck also, not the glamour the other models have but that is not a big deal really

 

[_nick_]

Im definatly considering this unit the more I look at it, either this one or the double din unit. I like the clean looks of both models...not too flashy but not too plain., and plenty of quality and features

 

[Burbman]

I installed a Pioneer DEH-P5000UB in our 98 GT.

Got the install stuff from Crutchfield:

003GMK432X Pontiac Kit 1995-up, S/E 19.99
120701858 GM Wire Harness receiver, 1985-up 9.99
12040GM10 GM Antenna Adapter Motorola M to OEM antenna F 9.99
127SWIPS PAC SWI-PS - Pioneer Steering Wheel Radio Control Interface 74.99
130CDIU50 Pioneer CD-iU50 USB-to-iPod Adapter 29.99

I ran the USB cable into the console, where the iPod cable attaches. With the iPod connected, you can control the iPod from the stereo. Or, disconnect the iPod and you can control any USB storage device with a standard file system.

The install calls for the deck to protrude 1/2" out from the dash, but I used a sawzall to cut off the plastic rear support for the OEM radio and now it sits flush. No vibration, works great! Will post a pic as soon as the car is back from the tranny shop. Sounds pretty good with the stock speakers too.

The steering wheel adapter works great and was a breeze to install. Plug n Play, just follow the programming directions that come with it.

 

[GeddyLee]

I installed a Pioneer DEH-P5000UB in our 98 GT.

Got the install stuff from Crutchfield:

003GMK432X Pontiac Kit 1995-up, S/E 19.99
120701858 GM Wire Harness receiver, 1985-up 9.99
12040GM10 GM Antenna Adapter Motorola M to OEM antenna F 9.99
127SWIPS PAC SWI-PS - Pioneer Steering Wheel Radio Control Interface 74.99
130CDIU50 Pioneer CD-iU50 USB-to-iPod Adapter 29.99

I ran the USB cable into the console, where the iPod cable attaches. With the iPod connected, you can control the iPod from the stereo. Or, disconnect the iPod and you can control any USB storage device with a standard file system.

The install calls for the deck to protrude 1/2" out from the dash, but I used a sawzall to cut off the plastic rear support for the OEM radio and now it sits flush. No vibration, works great! Will post a pic as soon as the car is back from the tranny shop. Sounds pretty good with the stock speakers too.

The steering wheel adapter works great and was a breeze to install. Plug n Play, just follow the programming directions that come with it.

I have the 6000 series of that same HU. And I simply love it!!! USB connectivity and the whole works! Tranny don't go buying something without USB, to get the addon kits for the ability to have USB are outrageously over priced. You will be spending more money on something that comes stock on these HUs.

Also the features and customizeable 5 band EQ is an awesome feature and the bass/sub woofer controls I find MOST useful to get the most of my semi craptastic setup!

I have a new Kenwood KAC-X4C coming soon and I will hopefully be getting its mono brother, the X1C as well. And then will be upping my sub box to a dual 10" Memphis MClass or Reference series box.

I got the Humont stereo mounting kit and mine sits flush now. None of that protuding stuff like some of the aftermarket holders do to your stereo. Here is a crappy picture of it.

And of course I had to have one with my awesome LED light I won at the BGPM this year

 

[mikes_comp_g]

I too am looking. I noticed a couple of stereos have usb inputs, which is what I am looking for. I'm kind of an anti Ipod person after seeing what it did to my friends songs he had stored, but that's another story. How about ones that match the orange colors of our cars, any that do that as well?

 

[_nick_]

eghhh...i doubt it. i remember back in around 2002 i had a clarion head-unit that had multiple colors..one of which was orange. Mind you that unit blew 1 of 2 sets of pre-outs, distorted to all hell and eventually cooked the internal amplifier all while jamming the CD mechanism. no joke. It was an expensive unit too....if i recall it was a dxz535 from late 02'. Anyone else have any recent headunits that can go do the orange?? Alpine had some nits that changed colours around that era as well...04' 05' maybe....

 

[mikes_comp_g]

Thanks for the info. I didn't think there were too many options