Hey guys,
I have a '98 Magna and was looking to replace the crappy sony head unit in it currently. I'm after something that has USB connectivity for my iPod and iPhone (not to make calls) and nothing over $200. I have so far considered these:
http://www.soundmaster.com.au/Pioneer-DEH-3350UB-CD-USB-Player/DEH3350UB.asp
http://www.soundmaster.com.au/Kenwood-KDC-U449-CD-MP3-USB-iPod-Receiver/KDCU449.asp
http://www.soundmaster.com.au/Kenwood-KDC-U549BT-CD-MP3-USB-Bluetooth-Receiver/KDCU549BT.asp
Now the third one has bluetooth connectivity and I have no idea what that's all about so if someone could enlighten me..
Also, what are your views on Sony and Alpine because I've heard Sony are crap and with Alpine you just pay for the name?
Any help would be great and feel free to throw a spanner into the works and suggest some others.
Cheers
JP

Alpine have been known to be a good HU all round

as for bluetooth, use it for calling on the phone or even play music from your phone via bluetooth, less wires floating around in the car:)

Oh ok thanks and how about installing the actual thing. DIY or go to a shop?

Go into a store a mass of files on a usb and see how they handle the drives you have, usability, does it have a dim function, does your car support it, can you change the colour to suit your car.
Do you want RCA's for amp growth later on. Do you want blue tooth. Where does the USB thing hang out.
Alpine aint what they used to be.
And if you've looked at few, you'll have to consider the JVC 926 with USB bluetooth, Burr brown DAC's for around 320 online and matched in store.
There is nothing else with the features and sound for the money.
http://www.mobileelectronics.com.au/reviews/jvc_kdr-926bt_din_cd_tuner/
I have it and its amazing for sound, I use a USB drive (32 GB) of the rear hidden in my console, and the BT module hangs about 6mm out the front.
Takes a bit of getting used to from a mid to high range pioneer.

Ok well say I want a head unit that will cope with me adding a sub and upgrading the speakers to something decent down the track. What would you recommend that is around the $200 mark? I prefer quality over loudness to. Sorry I am an absolute amateur with car audio.

I would go for Kenwood KDC-U549BT if $200 is the budget as that has two 2.5v preouts which will allow you to upgrade later on down the track with 4 channel amp to run splits & sub.

My personal choice is Alpine but with your budget the entry level alpine H/U's only get one preout.

Ok thanks and how does Kenwood stack up as far as head units go?

Ok thanks and how does Kenwood stack up as far as head units go?

Heres a tip: F the brand 9 times out of 10 it means nothing, they make quality headunits for their price bracket, its the features that you are going to look inline with the usability.

you'll have to consider the JVC 926

I can highly reccomend JVC, had three different JVC HU's and they have all been reliable and given great sound.

I've actually got my fourth on the way, a JVC KW-XR810 and although double din it shares pretty well all of the same features as the KD-R926BT (as mentioned by SH00T) which is an awesome unit.

If you decide to buy one, think about buying it from the US, as i bought my XR810 from the US for about $190 posted whereas it retails for about $450 here in Aus.

Just my two cents lol

Consider what kind of system you'll be building, how many amps you'll run, what you're looking to achieve etc and then buy the head unit with the right features.

For example, if all you're doing is changing the HU and keeping the rest of the system stock, then you don't need multiple RCAs, high volt output etc.

Consider what kind of system you'll be building, how many amps you'll run, what you're looking to achieve etc and then buy the head unit with the right features.

For example, if all you're doing is changing the HU and keeping the rest of the system stock, then you don't need multiple RCAs, high volt output etc.

Well I have no idea what the go is with amps and stuff. I just want to put a new headunit in to replace a broken one and possibly upgrade speakers and add a sub further down the track. Would I need amps for that?
Thanks for your patients guys

If you are running a sub, then yes, you will definitely need an amp.

Although the front speakers can be run off the head unit, I'd recommend they be amped.

The cheap and easy solution would be to buy a 4 channel amp, run the front speakers off 2 channels, and bridge the remaining 2 channels to run the sub.

For flexibility and future upgrades, I'd recommend a head unit with multiple RCAs.

Ok one more question.
With head units that have USB ports but don't say anything about iPod compatability, can you use an iPod or iPhone with them to play music?
This for example:
http://www.jbhifi.com.au/car-sound-gps-navigation/mp3-cd-tuners/kenwood/200-watt-mp3-cd-tuner-with-front-usb-sku-99349/
Thanks guys