Hi everyone! How are we all? Excellent website and forum section! I'm in the process of looking around for a new car stereo and these are the brands I'm looking at:
[list:586ba2b71b][*:586ba2b71b] Kenwood
[*:586ba2b71b] Pioneer
[*:586ba2b71b] JVC[/list:u:586ba2b71b]
These are the features I want from the unit:
[list:586ba2b71b][*:586ba2b71b] CD (CD-R & CD-RW compatible)
[*:586ba2b71b] Radio
[*:586ba2b71b] Cassette (Not that important though, could live without it)
[*:586ba2b71b] MP3[/list:u:586ba2b71b]
By the way, I recently bought a Verada 1997 Ei. Thank you in advance for all the replies!

All good decks will have those features but if you want a built in cassette player you will generally need to go for a double din deck, which is twice as thick and twice as expensive as a normal deck, often an expense people don't bother with.

As far as brands go i only ever use Pioneer decks, they are by far the best in my opinion. Wouldn't touch anything else with a ten foot pole

I agree with Blake that Pioneer decks are good...But there are just as good and better around..though this DOES come down to personal opinion I'll admit (No hard feelings Blake!)

Alpine make a nice HU with MP3 ability. I was thinking of one myself if my HU can't be repaired (I currently own a Pioneer DEH P-4350..superseded by the 5450)

Alpine CDA-7892E This has 3 RCA outs, 1 is a 4v sub out.

It's about 630 retail..you could talk down to 500 if you ask around.

It's a good deck with lots of SQ features.

I don't know anything else that's in that area..I know JVC make a good MP3 HU..but unsure of the model.

nightshadow? As in my shadow???! :lol:

Anyway.. JVC = MP3 capability on a budget... Actually, their decks are pretty good value for money.. I'd get one myself.... but.. once I had a muck around with those Alpine units, I lost it.. Give us a spending budget to see where you're aiming at (unless money isn't a problem :shock: ).. Have a look around and see what you like... you're the one that's gotta use it in the end... stuff like controls, etc.. personally I can't stand push button volume controls and only believe in rotary style knobs, but what's one person's thing may not be another's...
Go walk down to your local car audio store and fiddle around with their stereos there and see what you like...

Hey,
I am with you on that one killbilly. This is my advice, try your best to steer clear of sony. They are all cosmetic are lack performance as far as i am concerned. I have been checking out the local stores as i am thinking about getting a new system, i am looking at alpine type r splits in the front, alpine type 6 6x9's. I am still deciding on the amps.. jvc, alpine, clarion or pioneer.. not too sure yet. And i am gonna have 4 subs. two type r alpine and 2 pioneer (ts-w303f).
The sony system i have at the moment bottoms out at higher volumes.. at about 75% of the decks volume. It kinda sounds like a clipping sound.. like maybe the speakers are going to explode.. maybe that is why they are called xplod... but yeah. You get what you pay for. :twisted:
Hope i was of some help

I agree they sony's are that much chop. However there amps aren't to bad at all.

When it comes to amps i sware by kicker, perhaps im biased (probobly am) but bloody hell they are a good amp. I've used em all and they rank up there. Alpine and bloody good but bloody expensive.

My general thoughts on brands is that the big names tend to have their fortes. Sony has psycho looking products (if thats what your into) alpine has very good sound quality features and pioneer are very user friendly and look damned fine.

The only way your really going to work out which one suits you is to pick your budget.... go into the store and work out which decks fit into that budget, then play around with those ones till you find something that appeals to you.... have a word with the guys in the store to work out what features they have that aren't obvious (such as Alpines 3 RCA outputs etc) and make your final decision based on what your needs are and what appeals to you.

I know this isn't a "go and buy this HU" response, but thats because everyone's going to have their own opinion (usually based largely on the brand they already have) and the only one that can work out which HU is best for you is you.

im still biased to Pioneers, they look sweet in any car and have the balls to match.

But in the end you need to be happy with what you get.

Hi everyone! Thanks for all the valuable information and replies!

I recently went to Oak Flats Electronics which is south of Wollongong and I looked at their range of head units. I was looking at their Kenwood range and could not find the KDC-5020. My g/f has the model in her car and has had no problems whatesoever with it. Anyway, they told me that a new version just came out - KDC-5023 as you can see below + the features of it too...

http://www.carradiospecialists.co.nz/assets/unique/KDC-5023.jpg
CD Receiver Flip Down Detachable Face, CD-R/CD-RW Compatible, CD/MD Changer Control, 50W x 4, System Q: Sound Control with Pre-programmed Tone Curves, Separate Bass/Mid-range/Treble & Source Tone Memory and 2 Pre-Outs, SNPS, DNPSfrom Changer, Remote control, White Dot Matrix Display, CD Text from Changer, Aux Input with Optional CA-C1AX Adapter.

It retails for $549, but Oak Flats are giving it to me for $499. I'm happy with the features that this one has and it is around my budget. I'll keep you guys posted if I decide to get this or not!

Hey all

Just letting you know that if you wanna go to Alping Amps - you are gonna have an alping centre unit as most HU's only have 0.5V pre-outs - and the Alpine amps require 4V - which you get in the Sub feature of teh triple pre-out Alpine centre units.

If you arent putting the power into the amps - you wont get it out - keep this in mind as my mate has a V12 alpine amp - running off of a kenwood centre unit and the centre unit just cant put out the power to run the amp !! so he has gone and got himself a alpine HU with triple preouts so his entire system is now alpine - bar the 2 12" kenwood subs.

my system comprises of an alpine centre unit and a heap of boston accoustic speakers - well splits, tweeters and 6x9's - all comes down to what you want and can afford.

good luck - hope it works for the best

Manual

mate, dont buy it yet!

ill see if i can get it cheaper for you!
ill find out by 2morrow nite!

I found some more that I am interested in...

Here is one from Kenwood:

KDC-9020R - RRP $1,259.00
http://www.kenwood.com.au/files/914262.gif
CD/WMA/MP3 Receiver with RDS and CD/MD Changer Control, 50W x 4, D Mask+, Gold Plated 3 Preouts with 4.5V Pre-output level, System E's+, System Q-EX, Built in Amp Mute, 3-D FL Display
Click here for more info... (http://www.kenwood.com.au/car3.asp?gid=1&cid=26&pid=294)

And here is one from Pioneer:

DEH-P9450MP - RRP ????
http://www.car.pioneeraus.com.au/catalogue/product_cd_tuners/deh-p9450mp/deh-p9450mp_es_prev.jpg
CD FEATURES
Advanced S-9 Mechanism
CD-R and CD-RW Compatible
MP3 File Playback Capability
WMA File Playback Capability
1-Bit D/A Converter, 8fs Digital Filter
Track Scan
Disc Title Memory (48 in-dash)
CD Text with Scroll function
Track List Search (CD Text)
Pause + Repeat + Random Play
8cm Disc Direct Loading
Track / Manual Search
MULTIPLAY CD CONTROL FEATURES
CD Text Display with Title Scroll
ITS (Instant Track Selection)
Disc Title Memory with List function
Track & Disc Scan
Repeat Play (Track/Disc/Mag)
CD Pause
Random Play (Disc / Magazine)
Digital Compression / DBE selection on MCD
SUPERTUNER FEATURES
Supertuner III Quartz-PLL tuner
Automatic Seek (Up / Down)
24-station 6 preset buttons
18 FM and 6 AM presets
Control for DAB tuner (Digital Audio Broadcasting)
BSM (Best Stations Memory)
Selectable Local / DX
Selectable Local Seek Sensitivity
9kHz / 10kHz switching
AUDIO FEATURES
MOSFET 50 Watts x 4 high power
Pop-Up Rotary Volume Control
Built-in DSP (Digital Signal Processor) with SFC
13-band Graphic Equalizer (replaces EEQ)
Auto EQ with supplied microphone
Octaver for bass emphasis
BBE Circuit
Listening Position Selector
Time Alignment
Direct Subwoofer Drive not available
HPF (High Pass Filter) selectable
SFEQ not available
Separate Bass and Treble Controls not available
Selectable Loudness Control
Electronic Volume / Balance / Fader controls
ASL (Auto Sound Levelizer)
SLA (Source Level Adjuster)
Three RCA Preouts (F+R+Subwoofer)
6 Volt RCA Preout Level
Built in Subwoofer Crossover (50/80/125Hz)
Spectrum Analyzer and Level Indicator
Cellular Mute / Attenuate
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
PC Link compatible
Steering Wheel-Mounted IR Remote Control
Auto Flap-type DFS (Detachable Face Security)
“Soft Key” Control
DFS Hard Carry Case included
DFS Reminder Beep and Operation Beep Tone
Clock
Calendar
OEL (Organic Electro Luminescent) + LCD Display
256 x 80 segment display
Display Brightness adjustment
Blue button illumination
Dimmer
Silver face and surround finish
“Bluetooth” Compatibility (external)
Source TV Control
External DVD Control
External Unit Control x 2
Auxiliary Input capable via CD-RB20
System / auto antenna relay control
Front or rear mounting options
Toyota/Nissan factory mounting holes

It is just so hard to choose a pretty decent unit. Kenwood has some new models coming out soon, so I don't know whether I should wait for a bit...

But I'd love to get one soon, can't live without music! :)

that pioneer is heaps better (yes i may be biased but looks mental and really preforms.

mate, dont buy it yet!

ill see if i can get it cheaper for you!
ill find out by 2morrow nite!

Any luck with the price mate? :)

nah sorry dude...

the guy said he hasnt got ne...and he could only match the price!

That's ok, thanks very much for asking though! :)

Ahh man sony sucks??? :((((

Ahh man sony sucks??? :((((

DONT BELIEVE THEM MAN!

MY SYSTEM SHOW HOWS IT DONE TO A LOT OF MY FRIENDS WHOME ALL GOT PIONEER AND ALPINE!!!!

DONT LISTEN TO THEM!!!!! :evil:

Whats wrong with Sony? I dunno much about ICE but erm... I like the Xplod... damm cool amps and speakers..... ah well, who am I to argue over this when I dunno ICE.. opps

Im with MagnaV6Sports13 I think Sony decks and gear are ok, the Xplode range is a big step foreward for them. Most of the componts in Alpine & pioner or Sony based if you open them up and read the chip markings "SONY" or Motorola..I do admit there support is shit, but 50 x 4 and is the only deck in red face that looks any good...

But hey each to there own ! 8) :D

Im with MagnaV6Sports13 I think Sony decks and gear are ok, the Xplode range is a big step foreward for them. Most of the componts in Alpine & pioner or Sony based if you open them up and read the chip markings "SONY" or Motorola..I do admit there support is shit, but 50 x 4 and is the only deck in red face that looks any good...

But hey each to there own ! 8) :D

I mentioned rockford fosgate in another forum - they have red face plates

Manual

If your gonna be playing MP3's I would go for an Alpine unit with Media Xpander.

It makes the mp3's sound like cd's. If you play them without Media Xpander (MX) they dont' sound as good as CD.

I have the new panasonic head unit which has MP3, and all that it also has a dot matrix display and lights up blue, looks awsome at night

I installed my Sony unit on Saturday, it also plays MP3's..and looks great at night with the red LCD display, that match's the VRX dash...see pic below

woot woo!! go the sony!!!

bring it one Black VRX!!! show em what sony can do!!! :D:D:D::D:D:D

woot woo!! go the sony!!!

bring it one Black VRX!!! show em what sony can do!!! :D:D:D::D:D:D

Problem is they are limited to stocko spearkers!!

One dayu that will change haha!!

Manual