Need help choosing HU

[aaron325ix]

So my Kenwood deck shit the bed. I changed a ribbon cable but it still didnt work. I spent 50 bucks on the damn thing, and dont want to put another penny in it if I can get a new one (HU) for not too much.

Heres the thing, I actually liked the HU because it was the type that folded down and up when you turn the car on/off. I feel it was more of a theft deterrent, maybe not, i dunno. So I kind of would like that feature.

As I said it was a Kenwood, Not that I am a huge fan of them or anything but my 12 disc changer in the trunk is also, and I dont think other HU's will work with it (w/o paying extra cash). So I think i need to keep it Kenwood, is that right?

One thing I didnt like was that it lit up several different colors, but not to match my bimmer interior lights. Red was the closest I got to a match. I would really like to have a HU that matched.

So, does anyone have any ideas on what I could get and be happy with? The fold down issue isnt that important, I just hate removing and replacing faceplates all the time. I also plan on adding an amp for the fronts, so power isnt that important either. Open to all suggestions. Thanks.
AW

[LINUS]

Are faceplates that big of a PITA to you? I'd personally get a 9887 Alpine for the color match & the fact that it has a close function to old Bass Engine Pro.

But the faceplate is totally manual (no power tilt crap), & you got to pop it off.

I have one, & a old 9835 - I like my 9887 real well. They are almost the exact same funtionality wise. I found my 9887 on fleabay for $320 shipped.

[NOMAD]

IF you get the ones with the ribbon cable/motorized you'll always replace them because they break.

Hit gardomain.com right now for their clearance deals. Use coupon code "blowout" for 15% off.
I just picked up a nice clarion with mp3 and usb port for $114, it's going for $160 at crutchfield

just thought I'd share

[StereoInstaller1]

I have said it enough to make it to Google...check out the Panasonic CQ-C7413. Last years model, great looks, great features, reliable and excellent sound.

I want one, but an too damn lazy to get one bought. Plus, I refuse to use PayPal.

Luke

[NOMAD]

When I was looking I considered that one.
It looks nice.




Like I said, cardomain is getting rid of their inventory.
Here is a motorized face with USB port for $115 (was $249)

http://www.cardomain.com/item/SONCDXGT81UW?vq_id=none

[StereoInstaller1]

Damn, that thing is $125 shipped. Not too bad...the Sony decks sound pretty good, too.

[aaron325ix]

Those decks dont look too bad but what about the issue with my disc changer?

[wagonizzle]

I have been out of the game for about two years (which is a lifetime in car audio). I was in car audio sales for about five years, and over that time I got to compare many units, and I grew to like Blaupunkt's stuff. The higher end decks have good power, decent adjustability (EQ), and have a warm sound to them that I found lacking in Eclipse decks (although they would satisfy 95% of users). I currently run a Blaupunkt Aculpulco MP54. It's a few years old but has never given me any problems. One of my favorite features about this deck is the 'Variocolor' display, which allows you to custom tune the color of the display with over 4000 possible combinations. I've got a spot on match with the BMW amber gauges, so if that is real important to you, this is the best way to do it, IMO. I don't have any pics at the moment, but trust me it looks great. Check out their stuff, as the 'Variocolor' option is still available on several models. Good luck with your selection.

EDIT: Your changer may not even work with current model Kenwood decks, depending on how old it is. Companies change communication methods over time, so the two may be incompatible. Plus, any newer decent deck will read mp3's anyway, so there's your whole changer on one cd. Ditch the box in the back for weight savings!

EDIT EDIT: Car stereo thieves know exactly what the flipped face looks like; you're not fooling anybody and have unnecessary motorization that will break. You are better off with a removable faceplate or Eclipse, if theft is a big concern.

[aaron325ix]

I have heard people say ditch the changer as well, but I dont like messing around with my ipod all the time. I like to put in the cd's I like, or have burned and just keep the changer on shuffle all the time. Come to think of it I guess I could do that with the ipod as well. But then you got the ipod in there laying around all the time, then keeping it charged and wires and cables everywhere, dont like that look or hassle. What do you guys do w/o a changer. What is your mp3 listening preference?

[wagonizzle]

Burn your mp3's to cd. Seriously, if you don't want to mess with the iPod, you can fit a ridiculous amount of mp3 files on a CD-R. I have 1 cd with 116 songs by 311. You could tuck like 100 hours of music in visor cd holder. The song info will come up on the face of the radio, too.

[aaron325ix]

EDIT EDIT: Car stereo thieves know exactly what the flipped face looks like; you're not fooling anybody and have unnecessary motorization that will break. You are better off with a removable faceplate or Eclipse, if theft is a big concern.[/quote]

I was wondering when someone would point that out. I guess I thought i was fooling them all this time, whilst fooling myself. :D

[aaron325ix]

Hey Luke, which one would you go for between the panasonic, Sony, or the Blaupunkt MP37? Or anyone for that matter.

[Jean]

Sony does look good for the money, it's got 4volt front/rear and sub pre-outs. It does support mp3 playback, does have CD-Text (I love cd-text lol), and it's got a front input. I am not a fan of motorized faceplates, a simple detachable face plate works for me.


Panasonic CQ-C7413 - http://www.panasonic.ca/English/Car/...rs/cqc7413.asp
Looks like a nice deck, and at least on paper have bette (low impedence for lower noise) pre-outs . Features page shows that most panasonic models do have a non-fading subwoofer pre-out. Google and another source confirms it (http://www.2001audiovideo.com/produc...d=CQC7413&clr=


In terms of finding something that would match the interior, the CD300 looks good but only has one 1 set of pre-outs. It's not a BIG deal if you don't care about fading front/rear. You can add an active crossover after the headunit / before the amplifier(s).

http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=4673

Have you already looked locally at paradyme and audio radio stereo stores to see what they have ? Might be worth it, they could probably look through a catalog to find something that meets your needs to match the interior .

If all of your amp(s) will be in the trunk then make sure you have 3 sets of stereo rca-cables going to the trunk, along with a single remote turn on wire from the headunit to the amplifier(s). Even if you won't power the front speakers or components with the amp just yet, you want to have the rca's there for time when you do add an amp for your front stage. You could even go by with 2 sets, one for the front and one for the subwoofer(s). I tend to not power rear speakers or run them at all, but you might want to power all of them I don't know.

And once again don't concentrate on how much power each deck has as it's pointless if you do add an external amplifier, and if you do care about the HU's power then look at the RMS power and not MAX power ratings.

[aaron325ix]

I think I'm going to go for the Sony I think its just too good a deal to pass up. Oh well blue lights not a big deal. I guess I can live without a disc changer, figure out a better method for random listening.

[Jean]

burn a couple mp3 cds out of your cds and viola, no need for a changer. add xm instead ;)