HU Comparison

[Vampyrate]

I searched and found no comparisons on HU, which is something that I really need/want right now:

Alpine, I have owned it in my old car and love it, both on stock speakers and aftermarket. The best feature of this that I loved is the ability to change the button color between Green, Red, Orange, and Blue.

Pioneer, My mom has it in her 93 Taurus and that thing is a tank. Amazing how long they can last.

Kenwood, My mom has this in her Isuzu and honestly, I don't like the confusion of some of the controls. Most headunits I can figure out in a few seconds of playing with it. After about a week, my mom (who won't show me the instructions) and I can't get it out of demo mode, let alone adjust the EQ.

I was leaning towards another alpine system for my 02 GT, but I really don't want to have to spend more for the same features as in my discontinued model (hard to find on even Ebay). From the looks of it, JVC has the display and colors that would go with my interior scheme, but from what I've read/heard JVC can be a bit iffy as far as quality. I'm looking for either a red or blue display, anyone have any suggestions for something that can handle mp3 cds (and display song name/file information) and lights up with a red/blue scheme? I see no need for a remote in a car stereo so I really don't want to have to get a HU that has one.

[punkrocker3_00]

I am pretty sure Crutchfield's website allows you to compair different models of HU's by there features. I am a big fan of Pioneer's because of the quality and durablity. I have only owned one low end JVC and inless than 24 hours it wouldn't eject CD's anymore. I have heard the high end JVC's are good though. Also not a big fan of Alpine or Kenwood. To many unnessesary buttons.

[hyunelan2]

As far as colors, my JVC has a fully customizable display - over a 1000 different shades/colors by adjusting the R,G,B levels on it. It can also cycle through different colors if you want, or have different colors for different things (mine is Blue on CD, Green on FM, Red on AM). I've always loved JVC electronics, and have never had trouble with my HU since I put it in in 2002, although it's a high-end JVC (was $400 when I got it) - I'm not too sure about their cheapo stuff.

[only1db]

crutchfield blows...any body who knows does not use them...

eclipse like i pm'd you about.

[soullesselantra]

JVC, im still rockin the same 4 y/o 189 dollar h/u thats been in so many of my cars...

[johnblaze94]

I recently switched to an alpine from pioneer. God i hate this alpine HU. Alpine seems to be the trickiest to make sound decent. Its not one of the cheap ones either. So now i am switching back to pioneer.

[soullesselantra]

which alpine model? and are you sellin it?

[Vampyrate]

yea, which alpine? if i can get a deal on one, i can take it. once you get to learn the buttons alpine is amazingly great!

[shmorf]

i just got a kenwood HU, 170 or so. I am using stock speakers but sound is much better than stock as it should be. The color is nice on it, it is blue, but as you said controls are very tricky. It took me 2 weeks to get rid of demo mode, but once you figure it out the controls are very useful and the EQ is pretty easy to make it sound good. I would recommend it plus its got subwoofer controls and alot of nice things for a decent price. The lights on the two knobs also nearly match the GT speedo lighting which looks nice, if you want i can post a picture or two tonight.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7714306&type=product&productCategoryId=cat03066&id=1138086674670

[templedogg]

The Pioneers are really bright, and do not think you can adjust the brightness seperate from your gauges. I just bought the Kenwood "eXcelon" (like Pioneers Premier line) X590 because it has a simple display, is black and black chrome, has USB input and seperate crossover controls for front, back, and sub built in. Best price was here http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_6811.html evens comes with harness. Best description was here http://www.crutchfield.com/S-cTgvtIvQvlY/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=300&id=detailed_info&i=113kdcx590#Tab Notice the price difference, Crutchrip is way higher.

[elantra2570]

I can recommend both Pioneer and Alpine. I had a Pioneer deck in my 02 Accent that survived the rollover and it still working flawlessly in my brother's car. I currently have an Alpine CDA-9827 which is 2 years old and it has never given me any trouble and it sounds great. The MP3 function works well along with the XM Radio. 2 brands to avoid...Sony and Blaupunkt...absolute garbage!

[Vampyrate]

i had the alpine cda-9847 with the sps series speakers all around. that was perfect, but they discontinued the HU

[johnblaze94]

Sorry guys, i sold the cda-9855 to a friend of mine for 300. Otherwise i would have posted it on here.

[southpawboston]

funny how nakamichi never even gets a mention in these threads. marketing really does work, it would seem.

[only1db]

funny how nakamichi never even gets a mention in these threads. marketing really does work, it would seem.

definetly...one of the ones i could not remember off the top of my head. ;)

[Vampyrate]

funny thing SP, i was looking online for one, and really didnt find anything on them even after a google search on how well they compare with eclipse or clarion (which is what ive decided to compare more in depth) or even Diamond

[southpawboston]

Google Search (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=nakamichi+head+unit)

check out hits # 3-6. :)

[Vampyrate]

once again, you are my electrical savior... can you adopt me?

read the reviews, but now i cant find anywhere online to actually order one! damn you internet

[hyunelan2]

Etronics sells it for $349

http://www.etronics.com/listproducts.asp?order=stk_price_a&catid=317&store=&Make=&Model=&type=&kit_id=&prod_type=&manaf=Nakamichi&image1.x=21&image1.y=16&cid=1A70D08821414542911A247B236197B5

[Vampyrate]

i went there but i couldnt find the one that i was looking for (the one on the nakamichi site) cd-300 is the one that i want.

[southpawboston]

i never heard of the CD-300... hmm.

i have the CD-400 myself, i thought that was their "entry level" model, with the CD-500 being the top end and only available in europe/asia.


EDIT: oops, i guess there really is a CD-300:

http://ostg.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=15751204

not bad for $288!!!

[hyunelan2]

Personally, when I change my HU out, I will be getting one that has the built-in HD-Tuner. Leading the pack in my choice catagory is the JVC KD-HDR1 (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-b0qqT8sAo8g/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=280150&id=features_and_specs&i=257KDHDR1#Tab), although I'll probably wait for JVC's at-least second HD model to come out, improving on some of the downfalls of the first. I would prefer a more high-end model, but I want the HD-tuner built-in, and that's kinda hard to come by right now.

[Vampyrate]

i never heard of the CD-300... hmm.

i have the CD-400 myself, i thought that was their "entry level" model, with the CD-500 being the top end and only available in europe/asia.


EDIT: oops, i guess there really is a CD-300:

http://ostg.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=15751204

not bad for $288!!!

yeah, i wanted that one because i couldnt find info on if it played mp3s or not. i assume so, but i didnt want to risk it. on the main nakamichi site, they have the 300, 500, and i think 700 listed, but not the 400.