need help picking a new head unit

[Gulzakar]

my exceleon head unit, which was fairly nice, crapped out...the last time I buy a motorized face

so I'm in the market for a new head unit.

I was looking at Pioneer, but the SQ always feels muddy.

I will be running my speakers (after market) off of the HU. I already have my sub and amp installed, just need to replace the head unit.

I was looking at this:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-T...=62700&I=020DXZ845

cons- 18 watts rms
1.8v preouts.

http://howstuffworks.shopping....H_P760MP_MP3_CD_Player

cons - sounds muddy to me, even when tuned.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-T...2700&s=0&cc=01
cons 18 watts rms

does the difference between 18 watts and say, 22watts rms make a big difference?

any suggestions?

 

[rh71]

i've learned (thru a thread I started on this) that crutchfield is indeed much more expensive than other online retailers. Use pricegrabber.com on the model you want and you will see. What you're paying extra for is the service which is undoubtedly excellent... depends if that's worth it to you.

If you want more opinions quick, you can do a search and I'm sure it'll pull up a few threads on the same thing easily.

 

[brian_riendeau]

RMS ratings on head units are meaningless. If you want nice power output, get a $200 head unit that can play MP3s and any cheap amp for your speakers. Even a crappy amp will sound WAY better than the sound coming from a head unit.

Anyway, check out...

woofersetc.com
thezeb.com
carmedia1.com

For some good prices. Cruise around eBay too...

 

[Gulzakar]

I have an RSX... how would I install an amp? never done that before. My friend installed my system for me. I'm not exactly inclined in the art of audio installation

 

[BillGates]

I have a sweet Kenwood KDC-MP919 that I just pulled out of my truck that I will be selling for a nice price. It still has a little over a year left on the Best Buy extended warranty and that would transfer over as well. Let me know if you're interested.

Here's a page with a pic and some specs. It's 2 years old. http://www.highwaymp3.com/kenwood.htm#KDC-MP919

 

[Gulzakar]

my budget is about 250-300 ish.

 

[MrChad]

does the difference between 18 watts and say, 22watts rms make a big difference?

You can't really compare raw amperage between manufacturers. An 18 watt Alpine is going to sound a lot better than a 19 watt JVC. Alpine and Eclipse are two high quality brands.

 

[Gulzakar]

thats what I figured.

I can get the 9833 model for 317 shipped

the 9831 model is only 294.90

the differences? 18 watts RMS versus 26 watts RMS (requries a battery lead).

any opinions?

 

[Howard]

Driving front speakers only? Or front and back?

 

[EyeMWing]

Originally posted by: rh71
i've learned (thru a thread I started on this) that crutchfield is indeed much more expensive than other online retailers. Use pricegrabber.com on the model you want and you will see. What you're paying extra for is the service which is undoubtedly excellent... depends if that's worth it to you.

If you want more opinions quick, you can do a search and I'm sure it'll pull up a few threads on the same thing easily.

Crutchfield is well worth it when you're upgrading from an OEM HU, because they generally throw in all the neccessary adaptation hardware for free. After that first aftermarket HU, it's very not worth it.

 

[Gulzakar]

composites up front, coax in the back. I think thats right, 2 tweets, 2 matching mids? for the tweets, two regular 2 way speakers in the back.

 

[Shawn]

Get the Pioneer.