Stereo Head units?
#1
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Stereo Head units?
Hey guys, im looking at new stereo head units for my truck. Im not very good at this kinda stuff so im gonna ask you stereo guru type people. Ive always had a soft spot for Alpine stereos, however, is there anything of better quality out there for the same price? At this time i do not intend on hooking up any kind of sub woofer or amplifier to my truck, but that may be done down the road.
Here is a CD head unit im currently looking at for my truck. Id like you guys to tell me the goods and bads about this unit as well as if there is anything better or more fully featured as this, i do NOT want to lack on quality!!
Again, if you guys know of another head unit thats better quality and/or more fully featured than this , feel free to link me to it, but remember, i do NOT want to lack in sound or unit quality.
http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/prod...model=CDA-9887
Here is a CD head unit im currently looking at for my truck. Id like you guys to tell me the goods and bads about this unit as well as if there is anything better or more fully featured as this, i do NOT want to lack on quality!!
Again, if you guys know of another head unit thats better quality and/or more fully featured than this , feel free to link me to it, but remember, i do NOT want to lack in sound or unit quality.
http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/prod...model=CDA-9887
#4
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I'm running a set of their punch series and they're quite a bit better than the fac's!! Might be a bit better than that if I upgraded the speaker wires, but that looked like too big a hassle. Besides, it probably would've tripped a million codes anyway!!!
#6
Registered User
Hey guys, im looking at new stereo head units for my truck. Im not very good at this kinda stuff so im gonna ask you stereo guru type people. Ive always had a soft spot for Alpine stereos, however, is there anything of better quality out there for the same price? At this time i do not intend on hooking up any kind of sub woofer or amplifier to my truck, but that may be done down the road.
Here is a CD head unit im currently looking at for my truck. Id like you guys to tell me the goods and bads about this unit as well as if there is anything better or more fully featured as this, i do NOT want to lack on quality!!
Again, if you guys know of another head unit thats better quality and/or more fully featured than this , feel free to link me to it, but remember, i do NOT want to lack in sound or unit quality.
http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/prod...model=CDA-9887
Here is a CD head unit im currently looking at for my truck. Id like you guys to tell me the goods and bads about this unit as well as if there is anything better or more fully featured as this, i do NOT want to lack on quality!!
Again, if you guys know of another head unit thats better quality and/or more fully featured than this , feel free to link me to it, but remember, i do NOT want to lack in sound or unit quality.
http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/prod...model=CDA-9887
Good solid unit that play just about everything.
#7
I have an older Alpine...can't remember the model #. It's at least 5-6 years old now. Absolutely the nicest head unit I've ever owned/used. I don't think it has ever skipped. I work in dusty conditions and dust has never been a problem. In fact, I've never had a problem. When I traded my last truck in, I pulled my Alpine head unit and speakers out before the trade and had the head unit in the new one the next day. Sadly, I still haven't put the speakers in and it's been about 1.5 yrs since I bought my current Ram. Someday when I have to replace this unit, which doesn't look like it will be anytime soon, I'll buy another Alpine. Hopefully, I'll have installed my Alpine speakers by that time too.
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#13
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IMO, Eclipse is the best. I also like Clarions a lot (esp if you listen to the radio, as they tend to have really sensitive receivers that can pull in weak stations.)
You do know that Kenwood and Alpine are essentially the same, right?
An eclipse HU with some Polk or MBQuart separates or even coaxials will sound great without the needs for tons of external amps, eqs, crossovers and all that.
jmo-- it's been 10 years easily since I was really into car audio-- probably longer. In fact, it was so long ago there were actually US companies making amps! Anyone remember PPI? HiFonics? US Amps?
Ah, the good old days when amps were amps. Speakers have gotten better, but amps seem to be worse...
Sorry to ramble.
#14
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Any of the major manufacturers should be fine for head units. Alpine makes a good quality product, and I wouldn't hesitate to buy one. Eclipse is one of the best out there, but you'll pay premium prices for them.
As far as speakers, well Rockford Fosgate hasn't been good for a long, long time. Decent, yes. No where near where they used to be. Even Infinity has fallen off of the wagon.
Any of the speaker manufacturers are capable of making a very good quality product...as they are also capable of making crap. All I can say, is do your research, and LISTEN to all of the speakers you are interested in.
Also realize, that the sound dynamic will change significantly when you add an external amplifier. Even a decent 25x4 amplifier will sound significantly better than the built in amplifier in the head unit.
As far as speakers, well Rockford Fosgate hasn't been good for a long, long time. Decent, yes. No where near where they used to be. Even Infinity has fallen off of the wagon.
Any of the speaker manufacturers are capable of making a very good quality product...as they are also capable of making crap. All I can say, is do your research, and LISTEN to all of the speakers you are interested in.
Also realize, that the sound dynamic will change significantly when you add an external amplifier. Even a decent 25x4 amplifier will sound significantly better than the built in amplifier in the head unit.
#15
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IMO, Eclipse is the best. I also like Clarions a lot (esp if you listen to the radio, as they tend to have really sensitive receivers that can pull in weak stations.)
You do know that Kenwood and Alpine are essentially the same, right?
An eclipse HU with some Polk or MBQuart separates or even coaxials will sound great without the needs for tons of external amps, eqs, crossovers and all that.
jmo-- it's been 10 years easily since I was really into car audio-- probably longer. In fact, it was so long ago there were actually US companies making amps! Anyone remember PPI? HiFonics? US Amps?
Ah, the good old days when amps were amps. Speakers have gotten better, but amps seem to be worse...
Sorry to ramble.
You do know that Kenwood and Alpine are essentially the same, right?
An eclipse HU with some Polk or MBQuart separates or even coaxials will sound great without the needs for tons of external amps, eqs, crossovers and all that.
jmo-- it's been 10 years easily since I was really into car audio-- probably longer. In fact, it was so long ago there were actually US companies making amps! Anyone remember PPI? HiFonics? US Amps?
Ah, the good old days when amps were amps. Speakers have gotten better, but amps seem to be worse...
Sorry to ramble.
I run a Zapco which has been a really good amp for my set up. Check out their page you'll be impressed.