Which Head Unit - Page 3 - Focaljet

**DJuanHouston** · 08-26-2007, 11:14 PM

Ive always liked Kenwood head units for their sound

i.e. same system using different head units and Kenwood always had a fuller and richer low but thats just me

**dario14** · 09-18-2007, 10:57 AM

im using a cd 8445 eclipse headunit is awsome it has 3 8V preouts and a 8V input sounds so clear with my system

**dario14** · 09-18-2007, 11:05 AM

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t...918071154a.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t...918071154b.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t...0918071154.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t...0918071155.jpg

**remusrm** · 10-23-2007, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElPogoLoco

First hand knowledge on the Pioneer suck. I bought a DEH-P880PRS at the beginning of the Poll. I installed it and there was instantly noise in the system that have not had noise before.

Pioneer has some Pre-out issues!

i agree on this... my 4800 had noise too... but my 2900mp is cheaper lower end model and has zero noise... i find it really odd... one thingi did notice is the sound is not as loud as the other

**bigted84** · 11-13-2007, 07:53 AM

i have a pioneer dehp 3900 hooked up xm radio and pioneer sperkers all around. The stereo was first in my jeep wrangler and it leaked water and the cd deck got wet a few times and turned the heat and let it dry out and it works like the day i got it. I've had other decks they've got wet once and that was the last ime they worked

**kenzx3** · 01-02-2008, 07:37 PM

Pioneer all the way!!! Have the D3 in one focus, the 9800BT in another focus. And both are awesome.

**ricksplint** · 01-05-2008, 09:00 PM

I bought the Eclipse CD2000 which is one of their cheaper head units and I really like it. Had a Pioneer Premier, it was trash. The Eclipse gives you full control over the EQ and it has 5 volt Preamp outputs so if you're running to an amp it makes a consiberable difference over the standard 2 volt. I'm about to upgrade to the CD7100 which has tons of cool features including USB hook up, Ipod ready, and 8 volt preouts (8 is the highest I've ever seen). I have had a few different brands of head units; Sony, Pioneer, Alpine, and I have to say from now on I will always buy Eclipse. Its sound quality is superb.

**BGK** · 01-18-2008, 03:42 PM

I'm considering the upcoming Pioneer Premier DEH-P700BT. It's got built in Bluetooth, available HD radio, available satellite radio, USB input, aux input, remote, 2 year warranty. It looks better than most (I can't stand lots of little buttons). If anyone had a chance to check this unit out at CES or elsewhere, I would like their comments. It's supposed to be out in March.

PE6813 · 01-18-2008, 10:51 PM

I had a Avic N1 and it was awesome, until I hit the screen and broke it.

Pioneer FTW

**TJs98GT** · 01-19-2008, 11:20 AM

i run nothing but alpine headunits

**audionut405** · 01-30-2008, 07:30 PM

As for head units, I have heard good things about Alpine but I stick by Pioneer religously. Excellent product, long life and easy to navigate!!!

**Iniquity** · 02-09-2008, 01:17 AM

I'll just link the one I think is best. You make the call.
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PU...rs/DEH-P9800BT

**ZippyTs** · 03-11-2008, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iniquity

I'll just link the one I think is best. You make the call.
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PU...rs/DEH-P9800BT

LOL nice pun.
I have a Pioneer 980BT (same unit as link just premeer) and must say its awsome. Before that a 750mp. One thing with Pioneer you have to look out for is DO NOT hookup the RCA's till you have your amp grounded. I you do it wrong then the Pioneer will try to ground and pop a pico fuse inside it because it drew too much current for the fuse, and BAM instant preamp noise. Only way to fix it is ether a 1Ω resistor in place of the pico fuse, new pico fuse (would burn out from iorn heat), or to use a single strand of wire. found out the hard way on the 750mp. I did the wire strand, and works 100% again now in my dad's truck.

Also I had a rockford fosgate RFX9400 (till someone wanted it more than me). Very nice unit good sound

**ladybug04** · 04-18-2008, 03:43 PM

for me its a close race between clarion, and alpine

**focusonfocus** · 04-18-2008, 08:31 PM

i am running power acoustik, razr looking headunit...
they are not bad, but got defective unit that whenever i start car while headunit playing, speakers freeze..but that is not matter..i m running 2 ch amp to run speakers and problem solved..

i have owned sony 4 yrs ago, was a good unit but they decided to go with simple design these days..
jvc with small screen..this one i really liked a lot..sold it because i needed $$$..

these days, they are all about similar to each other..
some got ipod connector, aux input for mp3 and ipod, usb, blah blah..
i will say go for what catches your mind..

**CTS Man** · 04-19-2008, 10:06 AM

Advid Alpine fan. Did the mistake and went with Pioneer (AVIC-N2) until the screen decided not to come out anymore...so pissed. I can say this...I'm staying with Alpine....The SQ out of an Alpine is sooo far beyond a Pioneer. Better separation and clarity. I still have an old Alpine deck I was comtiplating installing due to the fact it was one of the best decks I've ever had, Copper chasis, all pre-out only great sound. Only thing is, it's a tapedeck and I have been using my ipod for audio storage. So I went with the IDA-X200 for now.

**djjerme** · 04-24-2008, 01:30 PM

We spend a ton of $$$ on a head unit, and yet most still listen to compressed, encoded audio from Ipods! Where I work, the PRogram Directors, and even other engineers stress about stereo seperation, noise floor, etc. Every now and then though I remind them that we are compressing the living crap out of the music, it then lobbed off at 15khz (18.5 if you have a newer Optimod or Omnia) anding distortion and harmonics through clippong and blasting it into car recievers that the majority have so much background noise from the traffic, road, engine, chatty passengers that they are LUCKY if they can hear the hiss of the original A/D tape conversion. Long point short, if you can hit the right button to make it LOUD, or make the bass go boom, or watch the pretty colors, then that deck works for you. But don't ever mistake the sound quality of a car deck with a audiophile version of a home reciever...

OK.. that point went nowhere, but what the hell..

**rfinger** · 05-02-2008, 09:42 PM

I have had two Alpines and love them and I am running a Eclipse right now.....I like it overall but a PITA to tune so imho....

1. Eclipse
2. Alpine

**kyle** · 05-04-2008, 05:07 PM

i say alpine because that is all i have used in the past. but i recently acquired in trade a premier (pioneer) deh-p780mp. love it. highly highly suggest it or one of its close models.

**Focusnewbee** · 05-04-2008, 08:14 PM

right now sprotin a pioneer but have a jennsen vm1293 dvd player on the way

**Focusnewbee** · 05-05-2008, 11:58 AM

correction VM9312

**Liquid_02_ZX3** · 06-11-2008, 05:10 AM

I've got a Jensen VM9512 that I have had for about a year, not one thing I can say bad about it.

**warmonger1583** · 06-23-2008, 05:14 PM

Im using the alpine iDA-X001 ipod unit along with the KCB-300 bluetooth adapter and i love it. the bluetooth though becuase it has an echo issue periodically but other than that its great.

**kuka1** · 07-05-2008, 03:07 PM

Alpine CDA-7969, copper chassis, digital outputs, 6 position time correction.... can it get any better than that?

**jtriplett** · 08-01-2008, 07:57 PM

Most of the brands mentioned are reputable. I would narrow it down first by the features you desire, then the cosmetics. I’ve owned many Alpine and Pioneer units over the last 20 years, and they have all proven reliable. Had a couple of Eclipse decks, and one or two Sony units as well. I still prefer Pioneer overall.

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

08-26-2007, 11:14 PM	#51
DJuanHouston Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston Posts: 1,472	Re: Which Head Unit Ive always liked Kenwood head units for their sound i.e. same system using different head units and Kenwood always had a fuller and richer low but thats just me __________________ 02 CDSliver SVT ________________ Steeda Shfiter, VF mounts, Recaro Seats, Magnaflow CatBack, PWSC, Kenwood and JL Audio

09-18-2007, 10:57 AM	#52
dario14 TEAM Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: syracuse ny Posts: 253	Re: Which Head Unit im using a cd 8445 eclipse headunit is awsome it has 3 8V preouts and a 8V input sounds so clear with my system

09-18-2007, 11:05 AM	#53
dario14 TEAM Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: syracuse ny Posts: 253	Re: Which Head Unit http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t...918071154a.jpg http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t...918071154b.jpg http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t...0918071154.jpg http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t...0918071155.jpg

11-13-2007, 07:53 AM	#55
bigted84 TEAM Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: harrisonville, pennsylvania Posts: 355	Re: Which Head Unit i have a pioneer dehp 3900 hooked up xm radio and pioneer sperkers all around. The stereo was first in my jeep wrangler and it leaked water and the cd deck got wet a few times and turned the heat and let it dry out and it works like the day i got it. I've had other decks they've got wet once and that was the last ime they worked

01-02-2008, 07:37 PM	#56
kenzx3 TEAM Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 227	Re: Which Head Unit Pioneer all the way!!! Have the D3 in one focus, the 9800BT in another focus. And both are awesome. __________________ DC / BALTIMORE FOCAL-POINT CHAPTER www.myspace.com/dcbfocalpoint PM me for details

01-05-2008, 09:00 PM	#57
ricksplint Rookie Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Jerz Posts: 32	Re: Which Head Unit I bought the Eclipse CD2000 which is one of their cheaper head units and I really like it. Had a Pioneer Premier, it was trash. The Eclipse gives you full control over the EQ and it has 5 volt Preamp outputs so if you're running to an amp it makes a consiberable difference over the standard 2 volt. I'm about to upgrade to the CD7100 which has tons of cool features including USB hook up, Ipod ready, and 8 volt preouts (8 is the highest I've ever seen). I have had a few different brands of head units; Sony, Pioneer, Alpine, and I have to say from now on I will always buy Eclipse. Its sound quality is superb. __________________ I do what I WANT!

01-18-2008, 03:42 PM	#58
BGK Rookie Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 23	Re: Which Head Unit I'm considering the upcoming Pioneer Premier DEH-P700BT. It's got built in Bluetooth, available HD radio, available satellite radio, USB input, aux input, remote, 2 year warranty. It looks better than most (I can't stand lots of little buttons). If anyone had a chance to check this unit out at CES or elsewhere, I would like their comments. It's supposed to be out in March. __________________ Bert 2002 Focus SVT Sonic Blue

01-18-2008, 10:51 PM	#59
PE6813 TEAM Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Macomb, MI Posts: 148	Re: Which Head Unit I had a Avic N1 and it was awesome, until I hit the screen and broke it. Pioneer FTW

01-19-2008, 11:20 AM	#60
TJs98GT TEAM Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: North Jersey Posts: 414	Re: Which Head Unit i run nothing but alpine headunits __________________ 1998 Mustang GT, Vortech T-Trim(16#s intercooled), Forged 302 stroker, Stage 2 Ported Polished Heads, Comp XE274 Cams, Ported/Polished Bullitt Intake Manifold, TKO Trans, 03 Cobra IRS swap. http://rides.webshots.com/album/559219923mdvdiw 2002 SVT Focus #3473 of 4788 born on 7-24-02 K&N Filter w/silencer removed, EAP HID headlights, SCT Tuned, CFM Adj STS, Black EAPs

01-30-2008, 07:30 PM	#61
audionut405 Rookie Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 21	Re: Which Head Unit As for head units, I have heard good things about Alpine but I stick by Pioneer religously. Excellent product, long life and easy to navigate!!!

02-09-2008, 01:17 AM	#62
Iniquity Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Palm Bay, Florida Posts: 51	Re: Which Head Unit I'll just link the one I think is best. You make the call. http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PU...rs/DEH-P9800BT __________________ 2001 Focus SE Sedan - 2.0L 16v Zetec

04-18-2008, 08:31 PM	#65
focusonfocus Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: toronto, on Posts: 3,817	Re: Which Head Unit i am running power acoustik, razr looking headunit... they are not bad, but got defective unit that whenever i start car while headunit playing, speakers freeze..but that is not matter..i m running 2 ch amp to run speakers and problem solved.. i have owned sony 4 yrs ago, was a good unit but they decided to go with simple design these days.. jvc with small screen..this one i really liked a lot..sold it because i needed $$$.. these days, they are all about similar to each other.. some got ipod connector, aux input for mp3 and ipod, usb, blah blah.. i will say go for what catches your mind.. __________________ MECP certified mobile installer 2000 Kona Dirt.www.cardomain.com/id/focusonfocus Future Mod >>> GET RID OF AUTO TRANS!!

04-19-2008, 10:06 AM	#66
CTS Man Rookie Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 37	Re: Which Head Unit Advid Alpine fan. Did the mistake and went with Pioneer (AVIC-N2) until the screen decided not to come out anymore...so pissed. I can say this...I'm staying with Alpine....The SQ out of an Alpine is sooo far beyond a Pioneer. Better separation and clarity. I still have an old Alpine deck I was comtiplating installing due to the fact it was one of the best decks I've ever had, Copper chasis, all pre-out only great sound. Only thing is, it's a tapedeck and I have been using my ipod for audio storage. So I went with the IDA-X200 for now.

04-24-2008, 01:30 PM	#67
djjerme TEAM Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 118	Re: Which Head Unit We spend a ton of $$$ on a head unit, and yet most still listen to compressed, encoded audio from Ipods! Where I work, the PRogram Directors, and even other engineers stress about stereo seperation, noise floor, etc. Every now and then though I remind them that we are compressing the living crap out of the music, it then lobbed off at 15khz (18.5 if you have a newer Optimod or Omnia) anding distortion and harmonics through clippong and blasting it into car recievers that the majority have so much background noise from the traffic, road, engine, chatty passengers that they are LUCKY if they can hear the hiss of the original A/D tape conversion. Long point short, if you can hit the right button to make it LOUD, or make the bass go boom, or watch the pretty colors, then that deck works for you. But don't ever mistake the sound quality of a car deck with a audiophile version of a home reciever... OK.. that point went nowhere, but what the hell.. __________________ 2002 ZX3 Wrecked twice (almost a total the second time) eBay SPEC intake pipe (which the bracket broke) eBay SPEC 4-1 header Vortech sitting in garage (almost got the bawls to put it on...) Tein springs SCT tuned for 92 octane (whatever that means..)

05-02-2008, 09:42 PM	#68
rfinger TEAM Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: TN Posts: 139	Re: Which Head Unit I have had two Alpines and love them and I am running a Eclipse right now.....I like it overall but a PITA to tune so imho.... 1. Eclipse 2. Alpine __________________ 2004 Pitch Black SVTF #302 of 1978 1975 Rust/Royal Blue VW Superbeetle " VW's don't leak oil, they mark their spot"

05-04-2008, 05:07 PM	#69
kyle TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 729	Re: Which Head Unit i say alpine because that is all i have used in the past. but i recently acquired in trade a premier (pioneer) deh-p780mp. love it. highly highly suggest it or one of its close models.

05-04-2008, 08:14 PM	#70
Focusnewbee Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 70	Re: Which Head Unit right now sprotin a pioneer but have a jennsen vm1293 dvd player on the way

05-05-2008, 11:58 AM	#71
Focusnewbee Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 70	Re: Which Head Unit correction VM9312

06-11-2008, 05:10 AM	#72
Liquid_02_ZX3 TEAM Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Posts: 812	Re: Which Head Unit I've got a Jensen VM9512 that I have had for about a year, not one thing I can say bad about it. __________________ '02 Liquid ZX3 Power Premium MTX 4-1 header, custom 2 1/2" flex and catback, CAI, custom Eibach Springs, KYB AGX's, painted 6 spokers, 225/50/ZR16's, B&M sts, Hurst knob, SVT cluster, Scangauge II, vac/boost & AFR gauges, 5% tint all arround, projectors with halo's, tail light covers, (2)12" Audiopipes w/3k watt amp, Jensen VM9512 headunit.

06-23-2008, 05:14 PM	#73
warmonger1583 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Batavia, IL Posts: 65	Re: Which Head Unit Im using the alpine iDA-X001 ipod unit along with the KCB-300 bluetooth adapter and i love it. the bluetooth though becuase it has an echo issue periodically but other than that its great. __________________ 2004 black svt Eruo pakg. steeda short ram intake, sts, and strut tower brace Borla catback exhaust, Focus central off road pipe, screamin demon coil pack and wires, All three VF motor mounts, hypnotic ecu reflash, powerslot rotors and hawk street pads all around. bronze/gold enkei rsv rims with Falken Azenis Newly acquired EDFC, now just waiting for the coilovers to go with it! Last edited by warmonger1583 : 06-26-2008 at 07:38 AM.

07-05-2008, 03:07 PM	#74
kuka1 TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 101	Re: Which Head Unit Alpine CDA-7969, copper chassis, digital outputs, 6 position time correction.... can it get any better than that?

08-01-2008, 07:57 PM	#75
jtriplett Rookie Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 13	Re: Which Head Unit Most of the brands mentioned are reputable. I would narrow it down first by the features you desire, then the cosmetics. I’ve owned many Alpine and Pioneer units over the last 20 years, and they have all proven reliable. Had a couple of Eclipse decks, and one or two Sony units as well. I still prefer Pioneer overall. __________________ Jeff Triplett 2000 ZX3 Bunch o' miles on the OD