Need help picking head unit

[J/D/S]

Hey guys,
who makes quality head units I'm running all fosgate pieces but since fosgate doesn't make head units I need to find something else.

looking for ideas on a single din head unit.

thanks

[tubbedII]

If you don't mind cutting, the 3 that come to mind are Eclipse, Alpine and Kenwood's Excelon line.

I like Kenwood, but from what I read it's the lesser quality of the 3, but I just don't really like the looks of the Alpines and don't want to drop the dough on an eclipse.

This is what I plan to purchase for my blazer when I get to audio:
Kenwood KDC-X993, I like the dual knob look of it.

[stich626]

kenwood or clarion,pioneer
alpines nice, but don't like them,
I've got 2 kenwoods that are 15y/o+ and been in more cars than they should..

[AceX]

Pioneer is very intuitive and easy to use and give superb sound quality. Kenwood isnt quite as easy to use, but isnt terribly complicated and is a solid product as well.

Also, Eclipse went under. They're only doing OEM stuff now from what I understand.

[81ShrtBox]

Clarion Pro Audio and dont look back

[dmnall]

Originally Posted by 81ShrtBox

Clarion Pro Audio and dont look back

I used to be a huge Clarion Fan until I heard that they are now owned by Jensen and their quality went downhill and don't even talk about their looks *FUGLY*...

I recommend Alpine, Kenwood and Pioneer but I lean more towards Alpine especially their Head Units that support Imprint! I love how my cda-9887 sounds after being tuned with the imprint kit I have! My first Alpine and first time I ever installed a car stereo, better sounding then the Clarion Stereo I had paid $ 1500 for in my 68 back in 2001..

HTH,
Charlie

[81ShrtBox]

Originally Posted by dmnall

I used to be a huge Clarion Fan until I heard that they are now owned by Jensen and their quality went downhill and don't even talk about their looks *FUGLY*...

I recommend Alpine, Kenwood and Pioneer but I lean more towards Alpine especially their Head Units that support Imprint! I love how my cda-9887 sounds after being tuned with the imprint kit I have! My first Alpine and first time I ever installed a car stereo, better sounding then the Clarion Stereo I had paid $ 1500 for in my 68 back in 2001..

HTH,
Charlie

I've been selling Audio/video since 2002. Alpine is nice, thats whats in my daily driver. Its a nice looking unit, been having it in there since 2003. I had A Clarion Pro Audio radio in my old 93 Suburban. Best radio I ever owned, and by far one of the ugliest. If you want pretty, pioneer or alpine. And the pioneer from Walmart and best buy isnt the same as from an automotive carstereo dealer... looks the same, but its not. Eclipse units are nice, but Eclipse doesnt make radios anymore. And i wouldnt stop buying clarion because they make are a brother/sister to Jensen. Jensen actually makes some nice units too. There are alot of higher end brands that are affiliated with cheaper product lines... everybody cant afford high dollar electronics. Smart economics comes into play when a company does this

[dmnall]

Originally Posted by 81ShrtBox

I've been selling Audio/video since 2002. Alpine is nice, thats whats in my daily driver. Its a nice looking unit, been having it in there since 2003. I had A Clarion Pro Audio radio in my old 93 Suburban. Best radio I ever owned, and by far one of the ugliest. If you want pretty, pioneer or alpine. And the pioneer from Walmart and best buy isnt the same as from an automotive carstereo dealer... looks the same, but its not. Eclipse units are nice, but Eclipse doesnt make radios anymore. And i wouldnt stop buying clarion because they make are a brother/sister to Jensen. Jensen actually makes some nice units too. There are alot of higher end brands that are affiliated with cheaper product lines... everybody cant afford high dollar electronics. Smart economics comes into play when a company does this

Yeah I can understand where you are coming from, however, I was told by local Car Audio *Lombards Auto Sounds in Goleta, CA*, would primarily carry Eclipse and Clarion, however, as of the past 5 - 6 years, they have been carrying Alpine, Kenwood and Pioneer. I asked them what happened to Clarion and was told their quality went downhill and they are FUGLY.. I did not believe it until I hit up a Frys Electronics and Damn they are FUGLY. From what I have heard that since the whole Jensen, Clarions high end has had some reliability problems but considering my last Clarion system was a 2000 maybe 2001 and that was when they were at their best in my opinion. Even they were not ugly but actually great looking. I would agree about buying any stereo from Walmart and Best Buy, even considering Kenwood and Alpine from there are not going to be the quality like buying from an actual Car Stereo company.

As for low end car audio, I would not discount JVC, Kenwood, Alpine and Pioneer. I would avoid Boss and other in house brands. Now Planet Audio is supposed to be good, however, their amps, I would avoid as I have seen they get a bit too hot when being ran.

Now as for my opinion on Alpine though, Alpine CDA-9887 with KTX 100 EQ *imprint*, KCE422i *iPod cable that I am not using*, kca-400BT with kwe-460e *cable to hook up the bt to the deck*, kce-433iv *ipod cable from bt*, I got the entire package for $ 200 shipped. The Imprint is what really made this sound amazing. Which when I go to swap my 68s cab to my 71 AC cab, I am thinking Alpine as well, whether I pick up another 9887 or a newer model, I can still use the Microphone and Software to use the imprint!

HTH,
Charlie

[Gobbles]

I am a big Pioneer fan, I used a hand-me-down Pioneer 6 disc changer about 10 years old that still ran like a champ.

[biasracing]

I would go with pioneer, for the quality to dollar ratio, buyer friendly tuning capability, and function. Most units will allow you to get pretty intricate with the tuning which helps alot especially if you dont have alot of aftermarket pieces.

[Hoods69BadBowTie]

I have ran both pioneer and kenwood. The only downfall to the pioneers I have noticed is that when I was using cds that they didn't want to come fully out when ejected! Other then that they are great units. Think its more personnel preference. Just figure out what you want to be able to do with it and go shop around. There are a ton of good units around and for good prices.

[tubbedII]

Does the imprint allow it to tune itself it do you use it in order to tune?
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[7111127]

pioneer premier is what i buy/like

[jimmydean]

I have always had good luck with Pioneer decks. Look good, sound great, work like a charm and if you actually listen to the radio, they have always had the best tuner.

[bpeters5814]

I have an Alpine CDA-117 right now. I like it pretty well - the iPod controls are super easy to use. Prior to this deck I always ran Pioneer Premier head units and I loved them. I went to Alpine because I liked their iPod controls better, but to me, the Pioneer was easier to use and was easier to set up however you wanted sound-wise. Had an Eclipse once and didn't much care for it.

[Classic69]

Originally Posted by J/D/S

Hey guys,

who makes quality head units I'm running all fosgate pieces but since fosgate doesn't make head units I need to find something else.

looking for ideas on a single din head unit.

thanks

Rockford Fosgate used to make very good quality decks, you can still find them if you look around. Im running an RFX-9220 in my '69

[AceX]

Originally Posted by Classic69

Rockford Fosgate used to make very good quality decks, you can still find them if you look around. Im running an RFX-9220 in my '69

IIRC, they relabeled this deck for MBQuart a year or two ago.

[JOHNORO]

I really like my kenwood 993
i liked it so much i installed it in both my blazer and my daily driver
so i get in they are synced my calls come in thru my front speakers
and the pandora thru bluetooth is an awesome way to cruise....