YACAT: Headunit Questions...

[PCMarine]

Alright, I have a 2000 ford taurus se w/ the premium mach audio package (2 rear speakers, 2 front door speakers, 2 corner front door tweeters?, an amp (Factory, probably cant be used aftermarket, a 6 disc cd changer (non mp3)).

Now, I've been thinking about purchasing a new headunit to accomplish three things:
1) CD-MP3 playback
2) Better sound
3) Cool factor (Though It has to be black to match my interior/dash)

I've looked at many cd/mp3 headunits and I think I've come up with one I'm interested in. It's the Kenwood KDC-X569. I know a few of you despise Kenwood, but this unit has a lot of features for a good price (<$200 on ebay).

Now I have a few questions:
1) The headunit above is labeled as a "CD-Reciever," now can this play cds and mp3-cds standalone (Is the CD slot behind the faceplate?), or do I need to hook it up to a CD changer (Of course my factory cd changer won't work with mp3s and this HU)?
2) I want to take it to BestBuy for installation due to the complexity of my car audio situation (Plus I'm a n00b 🙂). How long would it take them to install this, and how much would it cost roughly?
2.5) Since my car's dash is circular (Example, (Though this isn't my car)), would BB have a new dash face plate in stock with wiring harness, or would they have to special order it?

 

[Keego]

I just purchased this online, I have the black interior problem too 😉

1) it's a cd player with mp3 capability. It is also a radio.
2) prob an hour? I don't know. $50+
3) they'll have the needed parts in stock.

 

[PCMarine]

Originally posted by: Keego
I just purchased this online, I have the black interior problem too 😉

1) it's a cd player with mp3 capability. It is also a radio.
2) prob an hour? I don't know. $50+
3) they'll have the needed parts in stock.

Thanks a lot man, good info 🙂

But is the CD slot behind the deck faceplate? I can't tell from the picture on Kenwood's website. Also since this deck is 50 watts x 4 channels, and my car has 6 speakers, would all of the speakers work properly? Are the two front corner speakers considered along with the two front door speakers as the front channels?

 

[Kevin]

Aren't they going to have to replace the trim because of the climate controls?

 

[Aves]

Originally posted by: Kevin
Aren't they going to have to replace the trim because of the climate controls?

Yep, he'll need this and yes PCMarine the CD slot is behind the face on that Kenwood. The face flips down.

 

[PCMarine]

Originally posted by: aves2k

Originally posted by: Kevin
Aren't they going to have to replace the trim because of the climate controls?

Yep, he'll need this and yes PCMarine the CD slot is behind the face on that Kenwood. The face flips down.

Yea I noticed that replacement at crutchfield, but man it's ugly 🙁...The indented dial control thingies are hardly stock and there will be that big open slot in the dash since the Kenwood deck doesn't use an external cd drive thing.

Also, What about the 4 channel, 6 speaker situation...?

Also, if I buy the deck online (And not at bestbuy), would BB give me any grief for not buying the deck from them (Even though I doubt they carry it in stock).

 

[Kevin]

Originally posted by: PCMarine

Originally posted by: aves2k

Originally posted by: Kevin
Aren't they going to have to replace the trim because of the climate controls?

Yep, he'll need this and yes PCMarine the CD slot is behind the face on that Kenwood. The face flips down.

Yea I noticed that replacement at crutchfield, but man it's ugly 🙁...The indented dial control thingies are hardly stock and there will be that big open slot in the dash since the Kenwood deck doesn't use an external cd drive thing.

Also, What about the 4 channel, 6 speaker situation...?

Also, if I buy the deck online (And not at bestbuy), would BB give me any grief for not buying the deck from them (Even though I doubt they carry it in stock).

Go to Best Buy and ask them, they can answer better than we can...

 

[Kevin]

BTW, is the sound quality really that crappy in your car? My cousin has a Sable and the sound wasn't that bad. Is mp3 really that important? What about an older iPod or Zen?

 

[ThisIsMatt]

May I suggest taking it to a real car audio shop for installation and not bestbuy?

 

[PCMarine]

Originally posted by: Kevin
BTW, is the sound quality really that crappy in your car? My cousin has a Sable and the sound wasn't that bad. Is mp3 really that important? What about an older iPod or Zen?

The sound quality is actually pretty good stock, but like I mentioned above, I would really like mp3 playback, because my cd changer is slow as mollassas when switching disks and I only have 6 slots. Also, getting a new HU would increase the sound quality (so it will hopefully be really good), and plus the "cool factor".

 

[richardycc]

I've just got a Clarion 835mp for $269. My dash kit is not in yet, I can't wait to install it.

rich

 

[PCMarine]

Aight, I took a trip to best buy and talked with the car audio guy who answered my questions. Now all I have to do is finalize my HU decision... Thanks guys.

 

[Shawn]

I would really just keep the stock cd changer. You can't hold much more than 6 cds on an mp3 disk anyway. The sound quality won't be much better if at all since you are keeping the stock speakers.

 

[Spac3d]

Originally posted by: iloveme2
I would really just keep the stock cd changer. You can't hold much more than 6 cds on an mp3 disk anyway. The sound quality won't be much better if at all since you are keeping the stock speakers.

That is NOT true at all. A new head unit will often really bring some speakers to life. I know my last stock stereo only put out 9x4 watts... my new JVC put out 22x4 watts and it was a lot more clear.

*sigh* ATOT people really don't know much about car audio

 

[Shawn]

Originally posted by: Spac3d

Originally posted by: iloveme2
I would really just keep the stock cd changer. You can't hold much more than 6 cds on an mp3 disk anyway. The sound quality won't be much better if at all since you are keeping the stock speakers.

That is NOT true at all. A new head unit will often really bring some speakers to life. I know my last stock stereo only put out 9x4 watts... my new JVC put out 22x4 watts and it was a lot more clear.

*sigh* ATOT people really don't know much about car audio

It's true that a new head unit will put out more power but most stock speakers aren't rated to take much more power than what they are given stock. Also he said that his car came with a factory amp which would mean his head unit wouldn't even be powering the speakers at all.