I need some advice guys. I am looking to purchase a head unit for my Z28 soon, and I need some advice as to what brand and model to purchase. I am looking for a good sounding, solid head unit in the $150 - $200 price range. I look to eventually add an amp and some subs. I possibly would like to add a CD changer at some point too. I would really appreciate some advice.

 

go with alpine or kenwood.. you can get some pretty nice units for the range you're looking at, they sound very clean, and they're very complimentary to future upgrades, like amps and whatnot...

 

NOT to sound rude, BUT if you plan on adding a changer / subs, up your H.U. price range to the 300-400 $ range and you will be MUCH happier in the long run... Alot is personaly prefernece but look to Sony, Kenwood, Alpine, Clarion, even some JVC's....

Or VERY High end... Dennon, Nakamichi, McIntosh... But these are $$$$ !

 

Most of the names mentioned above are all good, I happen to prefer and use Clarion. Bumpa pointed out something important though, and it deserves your consideration. A lot of people spend big bucks on high end amps and speakers, then skimp on their source unit and cables. This is a HUGE mistake! Rule number one for building a great system is start at the source, and there is a reason for that rule. If you buy a cheap, crappy head unit, the best speakers and amps will only amplify cheap, crappy sound. The difference in quality between head units in the $150-$300 range and those in the $300-$500 dollar range is stunning, not only in SQ, but features as well. Do yourself a favor, and get a good one.

 

i picked up my top-of-the-line kenwood excelon kdc-x917 for 250.. 4.5 volt preouts, can turn off internal amp, hundreds of settings.. its an incredible deck, and i got it for 50 bucks more than you're looking to spend.. so you dont have to pay 500+ for a very nice deck..

 

i would go with alpine. i am just kinda biased towards them. kenwood isnt bad. pioneer prolly has some h.u.'s in that price range. like they said though, if you plan on adding amps and subs, then you should be looking in the 250-400 range

 

Why did'nt anyone mention Eclipse? They make a very nice head unit that's affordable and had plenty of features, including the anti theft that you play a certain cd track upon installation and if it's ever taken out the same track has to be played initially for the deck to work. A friend of mine had an eclipse deck (can't remember which one) and it never skipped and sounded really good.

 

iv got a cheap sony minidisc hu that my parents got me but if i ever get another $600, im gonna get a kenwood excelon minidisc hu

 

I did'nt even know MD decks were still available. Does anyone make a combo MD/CD deck anymore? I personally love MD format, but for some reason it never took off.

 

you can get a great alpine deck for $280 subwoofer control and a lot of settings the only problem is it's not much for graphics even though i could pesonally care less who stares at they're HU anyway?

 

i would definately recommend alpine. i have the 7949 deck and i LOVE it. Great features, especially if you plan on going with high end amps, subs, etc. This deck is probably not what you want, because you HAVE to have amps to run things, no internal amp on it. But Alpine makes several great decks. If you do go with alpine, make sure you get one of the credit card remotes - the long skinney ones may do more and look a little "cooler" but they dont work very well - need to hold at certain angles to work. So I like Alpine.

 

Alpine is definatly one of the better brands. Kenwood (which is what I'm running) is also very good. If you plan to add an amp and sub then you will want to look for a head unit with a good stong preamp output voltage, like somewhere in the 3-4 volt range (more if its in your budget). You might want to up your budget a little and invest in a higher quality head unit, you'll be happy you did in the long run.

 

alpine is what i recomend

DO NOT GET SONY, its a waste of money

get an alpine cda-789? (all are good, 3 preouts for amps, and good in deck power)
only thin gis that they are pricey

 

I'm with barry on this one, Sony is the biggest POS brand for car stereo stuff. Don't get it.

 

personally I love my JVC KD-SX980....everything I need and more.

stay away from the cheap/crappy brands (pyramid, pyle, jensen, koss, thump!, sony, etc..) and your fine....

any Alpine, Clarion, Pioneer, Kenwood and some JVCs and Blaupunkt stuff is ok....just read some reviews first

 

Check out some of the auctions on ebay for the Alpine 7940 and 7941.
"Personally" - they are amazing for the money - and give u lots of options. 3 high volt outputs. No internal amp - so u get clearer sound. No fancy displays that create noise, maybe even accidents.
If u shop around, hell you could get an Alpine 7949 for $200. Now that unit gives you everything you will ever use and some more. It can also control multiple ch changers, upto 12 i think.
Guess u figured im an Alpine fan. But they really are great units. Havent heard lots of complaints about them too. Like Eclipse skipping and sony breaking down etc...
Take care and good luck with your purchase.

I am beginning to :hail: my Alpine 7969

 

Pioneer 4400, $200.
Do not get Sony!

 

They dont skip cause theres a built in 3 second esp in all their newer models. THey dont say it on the box, but it is a standard for them now.
~Tim

 

i am more then happy with my Alpine 7873, and everyone that sees it is like OMG, that is one cool head unit.....most ppl around here think they are hot **** with car stereo and they run crap like sony....i am like...please....try shopping somewhere besides Wal-Mart for car stereo ****.....and ppl don't listen to me when i tell them, you for get "insert crap brand here" and go out and get the high end brand names.....naa dude too much money....umm, first off i call it ebay, 190 for my head unit....cheaper then the sony xplods at Wal-Mart everyone is buying, and the sound is SOOO Much better and feature...oh don't get me started...the motorized faceplate has me....

 

I have installed alot of systems and alpine head units dont go well with subs. I wouls reccoment a decent pioneer over any other brand. goodluck

 

Sounds like everyone has thier own opinion on this one. I'm with ChevyLuva3 on this one.

I like the Pioneer 4400.

I've also heard from too many people to be coinsidence that sony car audio is junk.

 

go with a kenwood excelon Z828

 

This is the biggest bunch of that I have ever seen. Do you have any idea what you are talking about? The Alpine CDA-7892 has 3 sets of pre outs, one of them specificly for subwoofers. This allows you to set the level of the subs without raising or lowering the entire system level. Pioneer doenst have this. Also you can select the crossover on the receiver for the Alpine, again, Pioneer doesnt have it. As for upgrading later, you will be glad you got the Alpine because you can run a dedicated 4 channel amp for your speakers and run the subs off of their own amp, since you have 3 sets of preamps, again, can't do that with the Pioneer. When you get around to adding your CD changer you will also be glad to know you can get the Alpine MP3 CD changer if you desire and it will work with your head unit. No can do with the Pioneer. As you can see, if you want to upgrade later, or even just add the subs now, the Alpine is well worth the extra $40 over the Pioneer 4400.

 

kenwoods have the same features you listed for the alpine.. both are spectacular units to go with; pioneer is a good mid-level manufacturer, but it's not in the same league as kenwood/alpine, im sorry.

 

yup, pretty much