Hi all,

I'm in the position of starting from scratch to put together a sound system (on a budget) for my new Magna (because stock tape player with eurovox speakers make Iceman cry)

After a bit of research, I've decided that the headunit is really the component that will make or break a system, so I've been focusing my attention there.

God, what a range..

There are definatley some JVC/Pioneer/Alpine fanboys out there who will recommend nothing but, then there are the people who will push for the cheaper brands calling the others overpriced.

What I'm looking for:
* Removable faceplate or some other stealth/security feature
* Surperb MP3 support, not just 'mp3 compatible'. Too many HU's have no support for VBR mp3's, folders, ID3 tags or the file navigations just terrible
* Able to read DVD's (For mp3 support, not necceserally for playing)

Has anyone seen anything for a good price that sounds like it can fit the bill?

Thanks

there is one i seen that plays dvd's vcd's mp3's and all the formats u can think of also it dont look too shabby
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y5/mehhh/23-03-05_1522.jpg

bottom in the pic
hey it looks like my one hehe

Great.. how much, who makes it, what model?

People recommend those units as they are the best for the price, and clarion have some good ones as well ( ugly IMO though ). I have a Pioneer 5650mp and just put a 5750mp in for someone and they are $569 with all the features you could want. For entry to mid level systems, the 5750mp or Alpine 9827 will do the job well and you have more money left over for better speakers / amps. :D

they go for $800
brand is epsilon from gold coast car sound...they had em on special for $499
i got it for $300 caz i give em free pizza's

Headunit isnt really the make or break. I'd say front speakers are as that is what audio should be about. Listening.
Most headunits nowadays are fairly good quality and there isnt that much audible difference between a $300 and a $1000. Compared to the audible difference you'd hear b/w $300 and $1000 splits.

Put it in comparison. How much do you plan on spending on the rest of ur system? If you arent buying decent speakers no headunit will be able to make a quality sound.

As you say it's going to be on a budget so a blingy headunit is a waste of money imho.

Peace

Tim

mate when it comes to head units and MP3 support, nothin beats the software engineering put into the Alpine decks!!!

all i have to say

mate when it comes to head units and MP3 support, nothin beats the software engineering put into the Alpine decks!!!

all i have to say
Really? What's good about it?

I'd rather spend substantially less then $500 on the HU, it's important.. but let's not go overboeard.

I've had a look at the Alpine 9827 before but not the 5750mp. It's hard to find reviews on these things the same way you find good reviews on pc hardware. Anyone found a good site?

Just thought I'd drop in my $0.02. I just got a new Pioneer 5750 last weekend, and it's bloody great. Does everything and looks great as well. RRP $569, but you can get them as low as $419 (and $450 at JB's.) I had a 4650 in my previous car and loved that, but the 5750 is definitely better. :)

there is one i seen that plays dvd's vcd's mp3's and all the formats u can think of also it dont look too shabby
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y5/mehhh/23-03-05_1522.jpg

bottom in the pic
hey it looks like my one hehe

LOL just noticed your feet.. lol having fun stradeling your magna?? :bowrofl:

Just thought I'd drop in my $0.02. I just got a new Pioneer 5750 last weekend, and it's bloody great. Does everything and looks great as well. RRP $569, but you can get them as low as $419 (and $450 at JB's.) I had a 4650 in my previous car and loved that, but the 5750 is definitely better. :)

5750s on ebay for 260ish :) yadayada support your local dealer. yadayada.. ebay :D

gonna get myself a 7750 in a few weeks... so if you want to buy a standard clarion non-mp3.. give me a buzz ;)

Of course the head unit makes or breaks a good system - it is the first component in the chain. Next are the amps, then finally the speakers.

Spend the most you can on a good head unit, then when you have enough money for amps, spend the most you can, then finally speakers. You will end up with a good system that you don't regret and will not need to upgrade to replace crappy components because you compromised.

Of course the head unit makes or breaks a good system - it is the first component in the chain. Next are the amps, then finally the speakers.

Spend the most you can on a good head unit, then when you have enough money for amps, spend the most you can, then finally speakers. You will end up with a good system that you don't regret and will not need to upgrade to replace crappy components because you compromised.
Do you really need to AMP the front speakers? Especially if you have a good HU?

Do you really need to AMP the front speakers? Especially if you have a good HU?

OHHH, yes!!! No matter what your headunit is, you can't match the clarity and power of a good amp. Your front speakers are very very important part of your system. You need to have good front speakers to produce a good soundstage.

Why are there 2000 dollar splits on the market? Would you run 2000 splits off your headunit? :P

Do amp your front speakers- you'd be surprised what a difference it would make. trust me.

OHHH, yes!!! No matter what your headunit is, you can't match the clarity and power of a good amp. Your front speakers are very very important part of your system. You need to have good front speakers to produce a good soundstage.

Why are there 2000 dollar splits on the market? Would you run 2000 splits off your headunit? :P

Do amp your front speakers- you'd be surprised what a difference it would make. trust me.
Fair enough. Why do people mount their amps in the boot instead of say under the front passenger seat? Seems to me you're running the power/speaker cables twice as long as you have to. Power all the way to the boot then front speakers all the way up back from the boot?

yeh definatly power front speakers from amps...

most ppl put their amps in the boot caz they dont fit under the seats...
as in my case. also i had a cd changer under the front seat aswell so no more room

Fair enough. Why do people mount their amps in the boot instead of say under the front passenger seat? Seems to me you're running the power/speaker cables twice as long as you have to. Power all the way to the boot then front speakers all the way up back from the boot?

1. They don't always fit under the seat.
2. Adjustment is difficult because you might not be able to reach all the dials etc.
3. Poor ventilation under the seats
4. Security

The longer run of cable has a negligible effect on sound quality if you use sufficient gauge and high quality cable.

As for your original question, the Panasonic range of head units I have found to be very good (I am onto my second one); mid range with 3 sets of RCAs, MP3, folder/VBR support, WMA support etc, for around $400.

1. They don't always fit under the seat.
2. Adjustment is difficult because you might not be able to reach all the dials etc.
3. Poor ventilation under the seats
4. Security

The longer run of cable has a negligible effect on sound quality if you use sufficient gauge and high quality cable.

As for your original question, the Panasonic range of head units I have found to be very good (I am onto my second one); mid range with 3 sets of RCAs, MP3, folder/VBR support, WMA support etc, for around $400.
Ok fair enough about the space. Surely a magna has the space though. Lots of room. How much ventilation does an amp really need. I'd say the cabin is always cooler and better ventilated then the boot anyway. Also security, isn't it easier to get into the boot then the cabin?

I'll check out those panasonic HU's, I had a look at the earlier pioneer ones but wasn't too impressed.

Another question. Can you earth the speakers on the chasis or do you need to run two leads per speaker back to the amp?

Another question. Can you earth the speakers on the chasis or do you need to run two leads per speaker back to the amp?

oh my goodness dude, our magna's aren't built in the 1920s lol You have to run two speaker leads...damn, i don't think i've ever seen a car that had speaker wires grounded to the chassis. Another bad thing about it being in the car is that you can't show it off to people lol but yeah, people could also kick it if it was under the seat.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y5/mehhh/23-03-05_1522.jpg


I can't believe someone could drill holes in their dash like that. http://forum.pulsar.org.au/images/smilies/yikes.gif

Cant be any worse then some of the car kits I have seen installed where there are holes Drilled everywhere...

Cant be any worse then some of the car kits I have seen installed where there are holes Drilled everywhere...

heh, to some people a "car kit install toolkit" means battery drill and some tek screws. :)

it nearly made me cry when i seen that screen screwed to the dash ... and i do car installs for a living including m/phone kits and you can get away without drilling any holes in the dash and console on most cars .... some people just get dodgey

Two more questions if I may please:

How many channels do you need on your amp if you only wish to run the front speakers and a sub off it

What kind of output/s does the HU need to output to an amp? Line level or what?

3 or 4 channel amp for 2x speakers + sub(s).

Will need 2 pairs of RCA pre outs ( most come with at least 1 for sub ). If it has only 1 pair then you will need line level converters to make the other pair for the front stage. They turn your speaker outputs into RCA outputs and cost around $20.

3 or 4 channel amp for 2x speakers + sub(s).

Will need 2 pairs of RCA pre outs ( most come with at least 1 for sub ). If it has only 1 pair then you will need line level converters to make the other pair for the front stage. They turn your speaker outputs into RCA outputs and cost around $20. Ok this is where I get a little confused:

I thought most of the plugs comming off the back of HU's were 20 odd wire blocks, I haven't seen any RCA's. (Though I've seen the inputs on amps'). Do you split RCA leads off this block or are there actual seperate connectors.

Second, Why does a sub need another two whole seperate stereo channels run for it? Why can't you just run two channels of audio from the HU to the amp and have the amp split off the front speakers on two channels of the amp and run the sub off that?

you only need 1 set of line outs for most good amps. Then you can play this signal all outputs of a 4 channel amp. front/rear speakers front/sub etc.... (providing it has the ability to switch the input, otherwise you can buy rca splitters to split the signal up into two channels.)

This will mean you wont have a fading subwoofer. But some amps have remote gain control which will allow you to do this.

you only need 1 set of line outs for most good amps. Then you can play this signal all outputs of a 4 channel amp. front/rear speakers front/sub etc.... (providing it has the ability to switch the input, otherwise you can buy rca splitters to split the signal up into two channels.)

This will mean you wont have a fading subwoofer. But some amps have remote gain control which will allow you to do this.
Fading subwoofer? I guess if you only run one channel back to the amp then your HU can't control a discreet sub channel or fade between front/rear then?

So what's the way to do it? Get a HU with RCA Front/Rear/Sub output?

yep that is the best way. Or front and sub out. Most people wont amp their rears.
I got both remote bass control and sub control from the headunit.

Problem with my JVC unit is that u have to scroll through 7 menus to get to the sub control. so the remote bass control is much easier.

Peace

Tim

yep that is the best way. Or front and sub out. Most people wont amp their rears.
I got both remote bass control and sub control from the headunit.
It's getting harder and harder to find a HU thats:

1. Quality, built and sound wise
2. Has the right outputs
3. Doesn't look boring or like a circus

Especially since nobody seems to 'review' these things and most manufacturers seem to ditch old unit specs from their page..

Why do people mount their amps in the boot instead of say under the front passenger seat?

All the Magnas I've ICEd... have a handy drawer under passenger seat.
Drawer fits my Melways so well, it'll be a shame to lose it.

Only under driver seat is available... and there's a limit as to height too.
Some seats have a little lateral cable that links the seat adjust rails.


Seems to me you're running the power/speaker cables twice as long as you have to. Power all the way to the boot then front speakers all the way up back from the boot?
Put your aux battery in the boot. :cool:

What I'm looking for:
* Removable faceplate or some other stealth/security feature
* Surperb MP3 support, not just 'mp3 compatible'. Too many HU's have no support for VBR mp3's, folders, ID3 tags or the file navigations just terrible
* Able to read DVD's (For mp3 support, not necceserally for playing)

Have been sniffing around for a MP3 player that can read MP3s off DVDROM.

Does one even exist??

(without getting one with a fancy motorised TFT, or Alpine's DVD changer etc)

All the Magnas I've ICEd... have a handy drawer under passenger seat.
Drawer fits my Melways so well, it'll be a shame to lose it.
Well my stock TH doesn't. I've always wondered if it's missing.


Put your aux battery in the boot. :cool:
There's another topic on this, it's unsafe and illegal. Also you'd end up having to run cables from the boot to the bonnet to charge the thing anyway!

Haha, not sure what are illegalities about 2nd batteries in the boot (very common in 4WDs)
but I'm often carrying 1 or 2 leadacids in my boot for my hobbies anyways.

If I were smarter I'd hook them up to charge off the alternator whilst driving to the track. :confused:




Well my stock TH doesn't. I've always wondered if it's missing.
check the underside of the seat, the drawer is about 14" wide & hangs off 2 brackets.
If there's 2 little black brackets underneath that don't do anything - that's probably it.
Our TN has one, the KJ has one... same plastic molding too (haha, 15yrs' advance?)
Its useful, but if you overload it the drawer can fall off its brackets when bumped.

Drawer stops me bolting a fire extinguisher to the front of passenger seat. :cool:

check the underside of the seat, the drawer is about 14" wide & hangs off 2 brackets.If there's 2 little black brackets underneath that don't do anything - that's probably it.Our TN has one, the KJ has one... same plastic molding too (haha, 15yrs' advance?)Its useful, but if you overload it the drawer can fall off its brackets when bumped.

Drawer stops me bolting a fire extinguisher to the front of passenger seat. :cool:

yeah there usually is but if u ahve/had a factory changer installed then they take that tray off the underside of the seat so the changer can fit there. i have removed the changer and put an amp under the passenger seat