Car Head Unit Questions

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WobbleWobble

Diamond Member
Jun 29, 2001
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I'm looking at head units and am looking at Pioneers, JVCs, Kenwoods, Panasonics and Sonys. I'm at about the $200-250 US price range. Alpines I don't like in that price range. I'm leaning towards Pioneer, the DEH-P6600 model to be exact.

But have a couple questions, does "MOSFET Power" help a lot? Kenwoods have it so to Pioneer. But JVC doesn't. I heard that if I'm not running an amp, it's good to have MOSFET decks.

Also, does LPF and HPF help if I'm not going to running subs or amps, but just regular speakers?

Finally, with the Pioneer units, what's the nicer line? Pioneer or Premier?

Thanks!
 
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WobbleWobble

Diamond Member
Jun 29, 2001
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It's a car audio question, so I figure Off Topic would be a better place. The other forums on AnandTech are reserved for computer topics aren't they?
 
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SynthDude2001

Lifer
Mar 19, 2003
18,289
2
71
I just bought a Pioneer DEH-7600MP myself, along with new speakers - maybe I'll let you know how I like them after I get them installed this weekend...if I remember :p. (The head unit was $249 at sounddomain.com, by the way.)
 
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LS20

Banned
Jan 22, 2002
5,858
0
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premier is better...uses nicer components, has longer warranty
lpf and hpf is indeed good.. it allows you filter out frequencies that your speakers arent able to reproduce
you wont notice a diff in sound between the jvc and kenwoods if one doesnt advertise mosfet
 
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WobbleWobble

Diamond Member
Jun 29, 2001
4,867
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Does LPF and HPF do much if I'll be just using speakers without an amp or sub?

I'm running a pair of 6 1/2" Rockfords and a pair of 6x9" Alpines.

BTW, I'm Canadian, Vancouver to be exact. But that site is based in Seattle, so it's close by...
 
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CraigRT

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
31,440
5
0
just FYI WobbleWobble, I have a JVC KD-SH909 deck in my car, and I love it.. I wouldnt trade it for anything. it plays everything perfectly and after 2 years still works like a charm. has a dedicated subwoofer output as well, so i can control the sub volume/bass level from the deck and the remote too :) (nice feature i thought)

anyhow, it's a fantastic deck... I'm told the JVC decks never come back after they are sold.. they have one of the highest customer satisfaction levels. well I am satisfied :)
 
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Lifer

Banned
Feb 17, 2003
1,948
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Originally posted by: WobbleWobble
Does LPF and HPF do much if I'll be just using speakers without an amp or sub?

I'm running a pair of 6 1/2" Rockfords and a pair of 6x9" Alpines.

BTW, I'm Canadian, Vancouver to be exact. But that site is based in Seattle, so it's close by...
Click to expand...

that's the whole point of LPF and HPF in a HU because amps usually have those built in.
 
NL5

NL5

Diamond Member
Apr 28, 2003
3,286
12
81
LPF and HPF in all most all instances would NOT be used unless you have a multiple speaker setup (like with a sub and components, or seperates running off seperate amp channels) - are you talking about Sounddomain by chance? I highly reccomend them - bought a Pioneer 9400MP from them, and had some issues, and they wre quick to resolve.

edit - and yes, they are on most amps anyway, although, it's nice to be able to change them from the drivers seat. (HPF, LPF)

 
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Vortex22

Diamond Member
Sep 6, 2000
4,976
1
81
I just got a Pioneer P4600MP yesterday. It works great... I love how you can create a data CD and make a folder for each album (mp3) and you can quickly switch between folders while driving.
 
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WobbleWobble

Diamond Member
Jun 29, 2001
4,867
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I'm heavily debating from ordering from them. Because I'm in Canada, I'm worried I might get dinged heavy duties. But the price is significantly lower than buying it locally here in Vancouver.

Here it's 400 + 40 (for harness + bracket) + 14.5% tax = $504 CAD
There it's 250 US = $335 CAD + shipping

There's no additional taxes right?

So it is a waste buying a LPF and HPF model if I'm only going to be using 4 regular car speakers?
 
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DuffmanOhYeah

Golden Member
May 21, 2001
1,903
0
0
If you really want to do it right, get a headunit and an amp. The amp iin the HU is woefully underpowered, and produces a much "dirtier" signal than would even a marginally rated amp.
 
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WobbleWobble

Diamond Member
Jun 29, 2001
4,867
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I am playing with a budget here, so an amp is pretty much out of the question. I just want to buy a decent deck to replace my stock one.
 
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DuffmanOhYeah

Golden Member
May 21, 2001
1,903
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0
Youd be surprised. If you are wiling to do the install yourself, you can have a darn decent setup for under 300 or so.

180 for HU
100 for amp
35 for harness and other wires.

I did it like you the first go around. Am much happier now. That said, Im sure you will be happy doing it either way, Im just trying to illiustrate another option.
 
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WobbleWobble

Diamond Member
Jun 29, 2001
4,867
1
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Thing is, this is my dad's car :)

I'm very willing to do the install myself. My other option was to just buy an amp and hook that up to the stock deck, but I decided against that.
 
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DuffmanOhYeah

Golden Member
May 21, 2001
1,903
0
0
Originally posted by: WobbleWobble
Thing is, this is my dad's car :)

I'm very willing to do the install myself. My other option was to just buy an amp and hook that up to the stock deck, but I decided against that.
Click to expand...

ahhh. Enough said. If you want something that looks cool on a budget, Id try panasonic. For quality HUs, Id try Alpine or Pioneer. Both make pretty quality stuff.

Quick ? though.. how many speakers do you have?
 
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WobbleWobble

Diamond Member
Jun 29, 2001
4,867
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Pair of 6 1/2" Rockfords and a pair of 6x9" Alpines. I believe I have a pair of tweets on the dash somewhere too :)
 
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LS20

Banned
Jan 22, 2002
5,858
0
0
i recommend going ahead with whatever HU you were considering, with the lpf/hpf, and no amp
 
M

MikeMike

Lifer
Feb 6, 2000
45,885
66
91
Originally posted by: DuffmanOhYeah
Youd be surprised. If you are wiling to do the install yourself, you can have a darn decent setup for under 300 or so.

180 for HU
100 for amp
35 for harness and other wires.

I did it like you the first go around. Am much happier now. That said, Im sure you will be happy doing it either way, Im just trying to illiustrate another option.
Click to expand...

35$ for wires is a bit cheap. 180$ for headunit is not where he is looking, 100$ for the amp is possible, but thezeb.com no longer carries the US acoustics line i would have reccomended.

also, remember he is running decent speakers, however i DOUBT they would enjoy the power from an amp. the HU can put out 12wrms no doubt. (25 is WAY overrated) and well, pioneer has decent sound quality.

id go pioneer. kenwood decks are only good if you get the excelon editions, sony is only good >500$ ++ jvc i have no experience with.

MIKE
 
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MikeMike

Lifer
Feb 6, 2000
45,885
66
91
no. but depending upon your car, you most likely will need a dash kit, and wiring harness (walmart's in canada???) they have them there if you have one.

MIKE
 
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dvdrdiscs

Senior member
Oct 27, 2003
307
0
0
Originally posted by: WobbleWobble
Yeah, there are Walmarts here. It's a 2002 Accord, I don't need the antenna adapter do I?
Click to expand...

you should just need the harness and a kit. existing antennae should plug right into the deck.
 
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DuffmanOhYeah

Golden Member
May 21, 2001
1,903
0
0
Problem is you are only going to run 4 of those speakers with a HU and no amp.

If you went the Ebay route, you could pick up a HU for 180ish, RF 301x for just about 100 and an 8 gauge wiring kit for like 25. Spend another 12 fora harness and 10 for a poket if needed and u are all set.

With an amp you can run stable down at 2 ohms, allowing you to run more than 4 speaks and with better clarity than the amp in the HU.

again, just a suggestion.
 
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