Ok guys, could I get some help deciding on a head unit for my 86? Just got a whole bunch of money so I'm lookin for something nice but yet kind of simple.

My first option is this:
http://signature.crutchfield.com/s_1...wAll=N&tp=5684

Has anyone had this head unit? Is it worth buying? How is the iPod compatibility?

The main thing I'll be listening from is my iPod so that is a MUST.

My second option was this one:
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_070XML8...wAll=N&tp=5684

I liked it for the obvious reason of having a flip out iPod dock. Although it cant play CDs, I really dont care because I dont use CDs much. My only concern with this head unit is the quality, as on a few reviews people stated it felt kind of cheap. Again, Has anyone had this head unit? Is it worth buying?

Thank you all so much for your time.

-Daniel

 

kenwood and dual are junk brands imo if you just got a bunch of money go alpine...

 

Wow? Kenwoods upper model decks are some of the best. I have the Excelon X994, and i absolutely love it. (It's a little pricey, though)

Dual has a rep for being of bad quality, but i wouldn't know first hand.

I will agree with Zach about Alpine H/U's though. Any of their higher model units are great. (not very user friendly imo, though)

 

I say go with the Kenwood. Kenwood quality is through the roof right now, the guys at the stereo shop I haunt say that they never really get complaints with Kenwood products. I'm running a kenwood head unit right now and I love it.

As far as the Dual is concerned, I ran one of their motorized faceplate decks. The ipod control and low prices along with the sweet design were cool, but eventually something went wrong inside of the unit and I lost a whole channel of sound and had to sell it as a broken head unit. They're cheap and flashy for a reason.

I say spend the $50 extra and go with the Kenwood, I'll eat my hat if you're disappointed.

 

Ok well since its basicly 2 to 1 in favor of kenwood I think Im going with that. Thanks for the replies.

-Daniel

 

http://signature.crutchfield.com/s_1...tp=27783&avf=N this one compliments the interior shapes more, has ipod control, time alighment and auto tuning

 

YEah go with Alpine. or even pioneer, i have the newer Pioneer Premier H/Us and its nice, only $220. has the ipod hook ups you want and its an easy deck to navigate.

 

pioneers have the dreaded pico fuse problem if not handled with care.

 

only two head units ive run and liked were alpine and pioneer my 85 iroc has a pioneer my 85 z/28 has alpine my 87 z/28 has alpine and my yukon has an alpine double din... and i have a pioneer premier the one with the dolphins and all that goofy stuff for a back up in case any of mine decide to quit working... but ive had all of em except the double din 4+ years no problems yet theyve been in and out of multiple cars as i always keep my stereos when i sell a car. and anything other than head units i run kicker,alpine and jl audio

 

well any H/U should be handled with care haha. But i havent had a problem with mine and its been a good 8 months.

 

Ive had my pioneer for over 2 years now and haven't had a single problem with it, and Im not too gentle with it. Hell I've even taken it out and tossed it in the back seat (literally tossed it over my shoulder) while working on my center console.

 

its not so much throwing it as shorting out the rca connectors( i use my hu as a dead head) if you remove the rca while stereo is on, and they touch(?) pico fuse blows, and you get engine noise.

 

I just purchased a JVC KD-R610 Receiver and am disappointed as the sound is thin and sterile, lacks richness. Make sure you buy a head with a high quality pre-amp!

I wish i had gone with Alpine.

 

Makes sense, but I've pulled my stereo out with it on and still havent ran into this issue.

 

http://www.caraudioclassifieds.org/f...810#post584810