Which Head Unit - Page 2 - Focaljet

**DevmaniZx3** · 02-08-2007, 11:34 AM

Running a Pioneer 4900IB head unit and I love it.

**whyme** · 02-15-2007, 06:05 PM

NOT SONY! only bad luck with em here there car audio is lacking.

**blown02focus** · 02-19-2007, 09:01 PM

i am running the 8600mp i belive is the modle number and it has been the best head unit i have used i would buy another one if i had 2 cars thats what i would go with

**whyme** · 03-13-2007, 01:45 AM

ive had 4 pioneers crap out on me in under a year and then i replaced them with a panasonic and it had no prob at all.

**David Anderson** · 03-13-2007, 04:03 PM

another exad arsenal here. very nice unit.

**lapp** · 04-13-2007, 12:41 AM

I have had 2 pioneers(mp3) and a JVC(DVD).
the pioneers were much cheaper than the JVC so I cant really say that JVC is better just because mine was, but it was

. The only think I ever complained about was that it took a long time to load a DVD full of music but that is probably normal.

I for a long time thought that ALL of Sony's car audio sucks and still think that of most of it but Ive noticed that their high end products that dont carry the Xplod name are amazing. I will be buying a SONY DVD player for my next head unit

edit: lol I didnt notice I already posted in this thread

**ZippyZX3** · 04-24-2007, 10:15 PM

4 year old Panasonic and still going strong

**rollo78** · 05-04-2007, 01:16 AM

Used Alpine then switched to Pioneer now with a Clarion deck. Upgrade every odd year or so.. so far the clarion was my worst pick: overpriced, little sound tweaking features/ No real equilizer just bass and treble....

no high pass x over like on my old decks..

, Sub Pre Out @4V weaker than a 2V ? had to actually increase the gain on the sub amp. Then finally switched it out to use the rear pre outs, annoying..
the only Pros of the clarion deck: 4v Preouts, 24bit Converter and color changing buttons...

**ArmyFocus** · 05-09-2007, 03:26 PM

I have a Panasonic in-dash. I love it. I also used to have a regular Panasonic HU that was very nice. Love it. I also used to have a nice upscale Alpine HU. Love it. So I'd def say a nice upscale Panasonic HU or the Alpine.

Jason

**Broke_Two_Foci** · 05-09-2007, 10:48 PM

I have an 8 year old pioneer. the display finaly gave up. done some reaserch and even though I am a clarion/panasonic dealer I think for what I want I am going to get another pioneer. keeps me from having to get rid of my cd changer. not a big fan of the display on the pioneer though.

of course it probably doesent hurt that Scott Owens and team pioneer are based a mile down the road from my shop.

**mr03focus** · 05-15-2007, 01:00 AM

My Premier DEX-P98R is about 8 years old or so and it's on it's third car, and I hate to get rid of it because there haven't been issues. Another reason for not upgrading is because the newer Pioneers don't have RDS which mine does. Funny thing is when I bought the deck only two stations in my area used RDS, but now they all do, and for this reason I'm thinking of going with Kenwood on the next deck. Which is actually why I'm looking here. I hate not being able to see the screen when the sun is out, do newer decks have this problem?

**Ray** · 05-15-2007, 06:55 AM

yeah, i think they all do. at least my kenwoods are a little hard to read when the sun is right on them. you get used to it and just shade the screen with your hand, but it is still not as good as oem with the black on green.

**hEaT** · 05-15-2007, 01:08 PM

Yeah, I can't see anything on the screen when the sun hits my Kenwood. I have it hooked to my iPod through the aux so there is nothing to view on the screen except for the time so I could care less.

**YellowC4S** · 06-30-2007, 06:04 PM

Alpine definitely. Either the 7998 from the Audi or a new 7996/9965

**jollyroger86** · 07-17-2007, 01:48 PM

I have had in the past 10 years kenwoods, pioneers,JVCs and a Sony very briefly. I would have to say that I like JVC the best. I really can't say why. it just jumped out at me when i bought it and I thought that it was built better. there was no rattling parts in the face which all my other ones had after a few months of use.

Right now i got the stock head and after only a few months of ownership it is not reading all my discs say there bad. so i will most likely be getting a new one soon.

**kenzx3** · 07-17-2007, 04:56 PM

Pioneer All The Way

. Have had a DEH-7700, a DEH-7800, a DEH-9800BT, and a DEH-4600. All have lasted great and the sound quality is amazing. I've had Jensen's, Dual's, and Sony's as well and all have sucked

when it came to lasting in the hot dead of summer.

**Reza** · 07-19-2007, 04:52 PM

Apline FTW

**Broke_Two_Foci** · 07-22-2007, 08:43 PM

can I get another vote

I am pulling the pioneer radio out of my car soon. only because the display gave up after 7 years. and I have an alpine going in. only because I could not beat the price. something about free.99 just sounded to good to pass up.

**chilango13** · 07-25-2007, 05:49 PM

Pioneer for me

I've had mine for about 1year now and it's been great. I have the DEH-P7800. I love Pioneer, very affordable and works great from my experience

**HuTcH** · 07-31-2007, 07:52 AM

Ive always been Pioneer for bang for the buck... I have also run Kenwood, Sony, and Alpine in the past in other vehicles. In my focus I got a steal on a Blaupunkt that I absolutely love.. their lower end sucks but as you get to their good stuff (retail 300+) its the best unit ive had. I wont ever buy sony again they want to much for their name and their product is way over rated.
If im on the cheap I always go Pioneer If im looking to really build a system im going Alpine or Blaupunkt now... Nakimichi is nice but price for it is outragous as is McIntosh but excellent stuff.

**danager** · 07-31-2007, 10:35 AM

I prefer Pioneer, simply for "BANG FOR MY BUCK". If i were rich, i would probably go back to Alpine. Just installed the AVIC D3 last weekend. What an adventure, my 2000 used a VW antenna adaptor, and now a Chrysler on the 2007? Now on to the trunk, where space is an issue for me. A Rockford P3S2410, and a Sony XM-1D. should look sharp, sound good, and I don't need to get a third job...

**ZedX31485** · 08-12-2007, 02:07 PM

I am using an old Pioneer Premier 6500 series receiver. I have had it for at least 4-5 years and it has always been flawless and worked great. From what I understand, Premier models were/are built with better quality internals...

**Barrhop72** · 08-18-2007, 10:51 PM

i currently have a panasonic 7413, it is by far the best sounding radio ive ever owned. ive always used alpine and pioneer up until now..

**danager** · 08-22-2007, 10:57 AM

only thing that seperated premier, was 4 volt outputs, and they used to come with the "alarm" built in. Remember back in the day, when Pioneer's original MOSFET decks, you could bridge the rear outputs together to run a sub? you could fry an egg on the deck chasis when you did it, but impressive at the time.

**nickl16** · 08-26-2007, 08:28 PM

all i have had in my cars is pioneer, 6600 and now a deh 7800, which i really like, i haven't had any alpine or clarion but i am sticking with my pioneers

View Poll Results: Which Head Unit?
Alpine	77	25.41%
Clarion	16	5.28%
Eclipse	16	5.28%
Kenwood	30	9.90%
Pioneer	91	30.03%
Sony	19	6.27%
JVC	22	7.26%
Nakamichi	4	1.32%
OEM	16	5.28%
PC / Other Computer	12	3.96%
Voters: 303. You may not vote on this poll

02-08-2007, 11:34 AM	#26
DevmaniZx3 Rookie Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Austin TX Posts: 45	Re: Which Head Unit Running a Pioneer 4900IB head unit and I love it. __________________ I do it for the sense of satisfaction. 2.25 Magnaflow dual exhaust, JVC KS-AX3500 amp,QLogic QB-112.3 Bandpass box, JVC CS-GD4300 12" Sub, Pioneer DEH-P4900IB headunit and a focus sport CAI.

02-15-2007, 06:05 PM	#27
whyme Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: angola, NY Posts: 1,668	Re: Which Head Unit NOT SONY! only bad luck with em here there car audio is lacking. __________________ 2006 zx3, 2.0 PZEV. Toreador red Body Mods: Roush front fascia, HIDs (6k), 5% Tint, Blue turns, Silverstar fogs, painted headlights, BOSCH wipers. Performance Mods: MBRP exhust, F2 CAI, F2 Header, Cosworth Cams, CFM 65mm TB, FC short throw, Steeda MIL eliminator, energy dogbone inserts, SVT 5 spoke wheels w/ Hankook K106 rubber, SVT dampers and FRPP 1 1/2 drop springs, Bix RSB retrofit, Eibach anti-roll kit(22mm front/25mm rear), slotted rotors and Hawk HPS pads, XCAL2 by FocusSport. Last edited by whyme : 03-13-2007 at 01:46 AM.

02-19-2007, 09:01 PM	#28
blown02focus Newbie Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 4	Re: Which Head Unit i am running the 8600mp i belive is the modle number and it has been the best head unit i have used i would buy another one if i had 2 cars thats what i would go with

03-13-2007, 01:45 AM	#29
whyme Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: angola, NY Posts: 1,668	Re: Which Head Unit ive had 4 pioneers crap out on me in under a year and then i replaced them with a panasonic and it had no prob at all. __________________ 2006 zx3, 2.0 PZEV. Toreador red Body Mods: Roush front fascia, HIDs (6k), 5% Tint, Blue turns, Silverstar fogs, painted headlights, BOSCH wipers. Performance Mods: MBRP exhust, F2 CAI, F2 Header, Cosworth Cams, CFM 65mm TB, FC short throw, Steeda MIL eliminator, energy dogbone inserts, SVT 5 spoke wheels w/ Hankook K106 rubber, SVT dampers and FRPP 1 1/2 drop springs, Bix RSB retrofit, Eibach anti-roll kit(22mm front/25mm rear), slotted rotors and Hawk HPS pads, XCAL2 by FocusSport.

03-13-2007, 04:03 PM	#30
David Anderson David Anderson Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Irving, Tx Posts: 5,468	Re: Which Head Unit another exad arsenal here. very nice unit. __________________

04-13-2007, 12:41 AM	#31
lapp Senior TEAM Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ventura County California Posts: 1,116	Re: Which Head Unit I have had 2 pioneers(mp3) and a JVC(DVD). the pioneers were much cheaper than the JVC so I cant really say that JVC is better just because mine was, but it was . The only think I ever complained about was that it took a long time to load a DVD full of music but that is probably normal. I for a long time thought that ALL of Sony's car audio sucks and still think that of most of it but Ive noticed that their high end products that dont carry the Xplod name are amazing. I will be buying a SONY DVD player for my next head unit edit: lol I didnt notice I already posted in this thread __________________ NASA Spec Focus Series

04-24-2007, 10:15 PM	#32
ZippyZX3 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Fairborn, Ohio Posts: 76	Re: Which Head Unit 4 year old Panasonic and still going strong

05-04-2007, 01:16 AM	#33
rollo78 Rookie Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 42	Re: Which Head Unit Used Alpine then switched to Pioneer now with a Clarion deck. Upgrade every odd year or so.. so far the clarion was my worst pick: overpriced, little sound tweaking features/ No real equilizer just bass and treble.... no high pass x over like on my old decks.., Sub Pre Out @4V weaker than a 2V ? had to actually increase the gain on the sub amp. Then finally switched it out to use the rear pre outs, annoying.. the only Pros of the clarion deck: 4v Preouts, 24bit Converter and color changing buttons... __________________ _________________________ 2000SE w/Zetec Exterior Mods: A few dents and scratches Perform: KNFilter ICE: Clarion cd/ Pioneer 10" w/Pioneer Amp

05-09-2007, 03:26 PM	#34
ArmyFocus Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: your mom's house Posts: 2,702	Re: Which Head Unit I have a Panasonic in-dash. I love it. I also used to have a regular Panasonic HU that was very nice. Love it. I also used to have a nice upscale Alpine HU. Love it. So I'd def say a nice upscale Panasonic HU or the Alpine. Jason __________________ 2006 Dodge Ram SLT 4x4 Quad cab Old: 2002 ProCharged SVTF 2000 Dodge Dakota

05-09-2007, 10:48 PM	#35
Broke_Two_Foci Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: C.F.H. Posts: 3,460	Re: Which Head Unit I have an 8 year old pioneer. the display finaly gave up. done some reaserch and even though I am a clarion/panasonic dealer I think for what I want I am going to get another pioneer. keeps me from having to get rid of my cd changer. not a big fan of the display on the pioneer though. of course it probably doesent hurt that Scott Owens and team pioneer are based a mile down the road from my shop. __________________ Aerodynamics are for people who cannot build engines A Chevy tried to kill me, and my focus paid the ultimate price. Dezert Focus ; JCM Racing Crew Chief ; 100,000 mile club, Memorial For My Zx3 Last edited by Broke_Two_Foci : 05-09-2007 at 11:06 PM.

05-15-2007, 01:00 AM	#36
mr03focus TEAM Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Auburn, WA Posts: 321	Re: Which Head Unit My Premier DEX-P98R is about 8 years old or so and it's on it's third car, and I hate to get rid of it because there haven't been issues. Another reason for not upgrading is because the newer Pioneers don't have RDS which mine does. Funny thing is when I bought the deck only two stations in my area used RDS, but now they all do, and for this reason I'm thinking of going with Kenwood on the next deck. Which is actually why I'm looking here. I hate not being able to see the screen when the sun is out, do newer decks have this problem?

05-15-2007, 06:55 AM	#37
Ray aka demonfire Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: CT Posts: 26,346	Re: Which Head Unit yeah, i think they all do. at least my kenwoods are a little hard to read when the sun is right on them. you get used to it and just shade the screen with your hand, but it is still not as good as oem with the black on green. __________________ Cable Ties. Is there anything they can't fix? Driver > Car - in memory of GaryK *Roadtrippin.org* \| CART

05-15-2007, 01:08 PM	#38
hEaT [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: CT Posts: 5,165	Re: Which Head Unit Yeah, I can't see anything on the screen when the sun hits my Kenwood. I have it hooked to my iPod through the aux so there is nothing to view on the screen except for the time so I could care less. __________________ 2001 Twilight Blue ZX3 - Volant Intake, FC 65mm TB, SVT Header, RT High Flow Cat, SVTF Borla Exhaust, Koni's 1985 Nimbus Grey Merkur XR4Ti - Work In Progress Tuned By: Bristol Dyno

06-30-2007, 06:04 PM	#39
YellowC4S Rookie Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Detroit, MI Posts: 11	Re: Which Head Unit Alpine definitely. Either the 7998 from the Audi or a new 7996/9965 __________________ Satisfy my mind, I can take care of the rest. If you can't satisfy my mind, at least stimulate it a little. There are 10 kinds of people in this world... Those who understand binary and those who don't

07-17-2007, 01:48 PM	#40
jollyroger86 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Hamilton, Ohio Posts: 66	Re: Which Head Unit I have had in the past 10 years kenwoods, pioneers,JVCs and a Sony very briefly. I would have to say that I like JVC the best. I really can't say why. it just jumped out at me when i bought it and I thought that it was built better. there was no rattling parts in the face which all my other ones had after a few months of use. Right now i got the stock head and after only a few months of ownership it is not reading all my discs say there bad. so i will most likely be getting a new one soon. __________________ 2007 ZX3 Pitch Black SES saving up for the boost will take donations I thought I was wrong once but I was mistaken

07-17-2007, 04:56 PM	#41
kenzx3 TEAM Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 192	Re: Which Head Unit Pioneer All The Way . Have had a DEH-7700, a DEH-7800, a DEH-9800BT, and a DEH-4600. All have lasted great and the sound quality is amazing. I've had Jensen's, Dual's, and Sony's as well and all have sucked when it came to lasting in the hot dead of summer. __________________ DC / BALTIMORE FOCAL-POINT CHAPTER www.myspace.com/dcbfocalpoint PM me for details

07-19-2007, 04:52 PM	#42
Reza Formerly focus_wrc Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 8,438	Re: Which Head Unit Apline FTW __________________ H&R/// , Team Dynamics , FocusSport , TCE Brakes, Bridgestone.

07-22-2007, 08:43 PM	#43
Broke_Two_Foci Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: C.F.H. Posts: 3,460	Re: Which Head Unit can I get another vote I am pulling the pioneer radio out of my car soon. only because the display gave up after 7 years. and I have an alpine going in. only because I could not beat the price. something about free.99 just sounded to good to pass up. __________________ Aerodynamics are for people who cannot build engines A Chevy tried to kill me, and my focus paid the ultimate price. Dezert Focus ; JCM Racing Crew Chief ; 100,000 mile club, Memorial For My Zx3

07-25-2007, 05:49 PM	#44
chilango13 Rookie Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 23	Re: Which Head Unit Pioneer for me I've had mine for about 1year now and it's been great. I have the DEH-P7800. I love Pioneer, very affordable and works great from my experience

07-31-2007, 07:52 AM	#45
HuTcH TEAM Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 371	Re: Which Head Unit Ive always been Pioneer for bang for the buck... I have also run Kenwood, Sony, and Alpine in the past in other vehicles. In my focus I got a steal on a Blaupunkt that I absolutely love.. their lower end sucks but as you get to their good stuff (retail 300+) its the best unit ive had. I wont ever buy sony again they want to much for their name and their product is way over rated. If im on the cheap I always go Pioneer If im looking to really build a system im going Alpine or Blaupunkt now... Nakimichi is nice but price for it is outragous as is McIntosh but excellent stuff.

07-31-2007, 10:35 AM	#46
danager TEAM Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 440	Re: Which Head Unit I prefer Pioneer, simply for "BANG FOR MY BUCK". If i were rich, i would probably go back to Alpine. Just installed the AVIC D3 last weekend. What an adventure, my 2000 used a VW antenna adaptor, and now a Chrysler on the 2007? Now on to the trunk, where space is an issue for me. A Rockford P3S2410, and a Sony XM-1D. should look sharp, sound good, and I don't need to get a third job...

08-12-2007, 02:07 PM	#47
ZedX31485 Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Iowa Posts: 3,304	Re: Which Head Unit I am using an old Pioneer Premier 6500 series receiver. I have had it for at least 4-5 years and it has always been flawless and worked great. From what I understand, Premier models were/are built with better quality internals... __________________ 2001 ZX3

08-18-2007, 10:51 PM	#48
Barrhop72 Rookie Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 14	Re: Which Head Unit i currently have a panasonic 7413, it is by far the best sounding radio ive ever owned. ive always used alpine and pioneer up until now..

08-22-2007, 10:57 AM	#49
danager TEAM Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 440	Re: Which Head Unit only thing that seperated premier, was 4 volt outputs, and they used to come with the "alarm" built in. Remember back in the day, when Pioneer's original MOSFET decks, you could bridge the rear outputs together to run a sub? you could fry an egg on the deck chasis when you did it, but impressive at the time.

08-26-2007, 08:28 PM	#50
nickl16 Rookie Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 11	Re: Which Head Unit all i have had in my cars is pioneer, 6600 and now a deh 7800, which i really like, i haven't had any alpine or clarion but i am sticking with my pioneers