Car mp3/cd player advice......

I have about $350ish to spend on a mp3 head unit, I was looking at a Pioneer DEH-P8400MP and a Kenwood KDC-MP919 . I have a cross over that i dont want to use anymore (I just use it to control my 2 10" subwoofers) and would like to control it from the head unit and have a good sound to go with it (decent equalizer).
Thanks so much for any advice, the head unit I have now is a Kenwood KDC-MPV619.
-Matt

 

[isekii]

well what kinda deck do you ahve in your car now ?

do you have a cassette deck ?

if so .. why not get a portable unit like an IPOD and use a car adapter ?

you can have a portable unit and even play it in the car with the adapter

 

I've put some money into my system, with tweeters, infinity speakers in all four doors, and two subwoofers in the back with two amps for the subs and speakers ( i have a 4 door focus). So i was hoping to get the best i can get for $350...

 

[Zenmervolt]

Unless you're dead set on flashy displays and MP3 ability, get a Nakamichi. Vastly superior sound quality to just about anything else I've ever heard. Nak's aren't really neat looking, but the money they save on "gee wiz" flashing lights that don't do anything gets put into quality construction and amazing fidelity instead. I really don't think that you can beat a Nak for sound quality. My Nakamichi cassette receiver out-does most CD players I've heard.

ZV

 

[isekii]

Lexi comes with Nakamichi headunits

 

[Spac3d]

Go for the Pioneer, that is a great HU. You won't be dissapointed.

 

I just looked at the Nakamichi website and didnt have a mp3 player listed....

Spac3d:
I was dead set on that Kenwood but i have been reading great things about the pioneer, how is the equalizer?

 

[d33pt]

yeah help him decide so he can sell me his old deck!

 

[isekii]

what deck would that be ?

 

[Spac3d]

Originally posted by: isekii
Lexi comes with Nakamichi headunits

Do they still come with Nakamichi? They did back in the day, the premium sound systems are Mark Levinson, but I am unsure who makes the HU anymore.

 

Originally posted by: d33pt
yeah help him decide so he can sell me his old deck!

Im selling it one way or another, I saw the dvd prices and i thought that i would do a "small" upgrade instead.

The pioneer im talking about is here.

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: Spac3d

Originally posted by: isekii
Lexi comes with Nakamichi headunits

Do they still come with Nakamichi? They did back in the day, the premium sound systems are Mark Levinson, but I am unsure who makes the HU anymore.

last time I checked my headunit is a Nakamichi... speakers are pioneer

 

[Spac3d]

Originally posted by: Phocas
I just looked at the Nakamichi website and didnt have a mp3 player listed....

Spac3d:
I was dead set on that Kenwood but i have been reading great things about the pioneer, how is the equalizer?

I have not had the chance to use this particular Pioneer HU in a car setting, just in stores. I am sure the equalizer is excellent, many people use a Pioneer HU configurationj with subs.

From all of the other Pioneers I have used in cars, the navigation has proven to be excellent. Not to mention it is maybe the best brands of the low end HU's. If you have more questions about HU's, try posting at the SoundDomain.com forums.

Who is installing this anyways, you?

 

[Spac3d]

Originally posted by: isekii

Originally posted by: Spac3d

Originally posted by: isekii
Lexi comes with Nakamichi headunits

Do they still come with Nakamichi? They did back in the day, the premium sound systems are Mark Levinson, but I am unsure who makes the HU anymore.

last time I checked my headunit is a Nakamichi... speakers are pioneer

My stereo is the normal "premium" stereo, not the Mark Levinson (2001 GS300). It does not say anywhere on the front that it is a Nakamichi. Which Lexus are you referring too?

 

Who is installing this anyways, you?

Nah, I pay the pros to do it. That way i dont screw up the HU for when i sell them down the road, cough d33pt, cough. Either best buy, circuit city, or pro audio will do it for me.

 

[isekii]

I have the IS300

2002

 

[Spac3d]

Originally posted by: Phocas

Who is installing this anyways, you?

Nah, I pay the pros to do it. That way i dont screw up the HU for when i sell them down the road, cough d33pt, cough. Either best buy, circuit city, or pro audio will do it for me.

Installing a HU is pretty easy. If you can work with a computer, you can install a HU. The biggest problem is not cracking the dashboard taking it out

 

[Spac3d]

Originally posted by: isekii
I have the IS300

2002

I test drove one, but I didn't even take a look at the stereo. I couldn't get over the ugliness of the interior compared to other Lexus':frown:

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: Spac3d

Originally posted by: Phocas

Who is installing this anyways, you?

Nah, I pay the pros to do it. That way i dont screw up the HU for when i sell them down the road, cough d33pt, cough. Either best buy, circuit city, or pro audio will do it for me.

Installing a HU is pretty easy. If you can work with a computer, you can install a HU. The biggest problem is not cracking the dashboard taking it out

yep yep

all you would really need is a adapter kit and it plugs right in.
you'd need to connect the antenna which plugs right in.

and that would be that. Taking apart the dash is a bitch tho.

 

[JSClark]

Originally posted by: Phocas
I have about $350ish to spend on a mp3 head unit, I was looking at a Pioneer DEH-P8400MP and a Kenwood KDC-MP919 . I have a cross over that i dont want to use anymore (I just use it to control my 2 10" subwoofers) and would like to control it from the head unit and have a good sound to go with it (decent equalizer).
Thanks so much for any advice, the head unit I have now is a Kenwood KDC-MPV619.
-Matt

My vote is for the Pioneer unit... unless you can find it for 350, I'd highly suggest the Alpine 7894 HU.... CD/MP3 capability...

 

Originally posted by: isekii
I have the IS300

2002

Nice car!

 

Originally posted by: Spac3d

Originally posted by: Phocas

Who is installing this anyways, you?

Nah, I pay the pros to do it. That way i dont screw up the HU for when i sell them down the road, cough d33pt, cough. Either best buy, circuit city, or pro audio will do it for me.

Installing a HU is pretty easy. If you can work with a computer, you can install a HU. The biggest problem is not cracking the dashboard taking it out

Bah, i tried it once long ago and i vowed to let other people do it from then on.

 

[isekii]

what car do you drive ?

 

2001 ford focus four door.
<--- poor college student given this car (I like it though )

 

[JSClark]

'98 Nissan Maxima 5-speed SE here...

Hopefully someday I'll be able to afford a new system for my car..

I'm thinking Alpine HU, either Infinity or Kicker speakers, and either Infinity, JL Audio or Kicker L7 for a sub...