Quality Head Units?

[Ginger Ninja]

I'm looking at upgrading the stock head unit in my '04 Liberty. I gather I'll need the AV fascia kit and I'm thinking of spending around $500 max on the head unit but I have absolutely no idea which brands are worth buying and who I should steer clear of.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

[nytrojen]

I'm looking at upgrading the stock head unit in my '04 Liberty. I gather I'll need the AV fascia kit and I'm thinking of spending around $500 max on the head unit but I have absolutely no idea which brands are worth buying and who I should steer clear of.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

I personally vouch for Alpine head units. For a little bit extra compared to the likes of JVC/Pioneer/Kenwood etc you get much better quality sound IMHO. I love my head unit: CDE-103EBT cos it has bluetooth built in without an add on required. I don't watch videos etc while driving, so quality sound on a budget was my requirement with bluetooth.



http://alpine.com.au/products/product.asp?modelID=419

I got mine for $420, plus $180 to install everything including fascia kit and sub+amp.

The only real brand to keep clear of is Sony IMO. Had a sony HU in my Silvia... and the alpine just $hits all over it and many other aftermarket HU i've heard

[tangcla]

If you're after sound quality, have a look at Eclipse headunits. Otherwise as Avon said, Alpine sound decent and look classy without the tackiness of JVC/Kenwood decks.

*gazes into sky* I miss my Alpine 9835. Great headunit.

[garbo41610]

Get in quick on eclipse H/U's though... Apparently they are moving into the OEM market and away from aftermarket equipment...

http://www.12voltnews.com/?p=8655

[Ginger Ninja]

Thanks for the information. I'll be sure to have a look at the Alpine and Eclipse gear.

[LGT-05T]

personal preferance - id go with JVC which i think is the best, alpine or kenwood
i think sony and pioneer are shit... iv had all of them and found the jvc and alpine to be the best for set up in sound and quality and functions when buying the mid to high range in their products.

[hamish_023]

I had an Alpine head unit which was worth around $500 at the time. 3 years later sold it for $420. They really do hold value because its a good product.

Over the three years never had an issue with it and looked better still then most of the other cheaper brands!

[garbo41610]

hey mate, just thought i would give you a heads up. someone over at MEA is selling an alpine CDA-9857 for $200 brand new. looks like a nice HU

http://www.mobileelectronics.com.au/for ... try1138176

[Ginger Ninja]

Thanks Phil, I'll look into that.

Just a question about digital media recievers. Did anyone ever regret installing a HU without CD capability? With all the laptops/iPods/USB's around my house it seems like no CD's in the car would be fine - or am I missing something?

Also, eBay seems flooded with Alpine iDA-X305 HU's which are going for ~$350 (RRP of $699). Is there a reason for them being half price?

[nytrojen]

Thanks Phil, I'll look into that.

Just a question about digital media recievers. Did anyone ever regret installing a HU without CD capability? With all the laptops/iPods/USB's around my house it seems like no CD's in the car would be fine - or am I missing something?

Also, eBay seems flooded with Alpine iDA-X305 HU's which are going for ~$350 (RRP of $699). Is there a reason for them being half price?

Personally, i NEVER use cds anymore. All i use is my ipod... and I'm actually considering upgrading to a double din Alpine w/o cd

[LOWLIB]

i cant remember the last time i put a cd in my car. it still has the test cd in there that the car sound shop put in when they installed my headunit an facia.

it is really your call if your happy not having the CD compatability then go without it.

I have the Alpine IVA-W502 and i love it its the double din top of the range alpine unit an a bit more then the budget you want to spend..
In my old Liberty i had an Eclipse unit and i loved it, had all the great features.

When you buy a unit make sure u compare all the specs an that it has good pre out puts and a sub output as well if you want to install a sub

[Fangin_RX]

Muahaha, Ill stick with my Kenwood thank you. great headset and not a tackey one. I dont have any CD's in the car anymore found no use for them as i just us a USB now quick, Portable and takes what all of 5 minutes to chuck a few hundred songs on compared to the hours of swapping Discs in the Computer.

[tkboi]

hrmm i actually still use CDs, personally i still think they give off the best sound quality compared to usbs,ipod ect. but for convience i still got a usb, but i use to be in audio comps and nothing beats sound quality from a cd, but ey that was years ago lol, and years ago i was using alpine decks, best for competition nothing beat them, got you the most points + best sound quality, but speakers on the other hand there alot better out there then alpine speakers

[Ginger Ninja]

Thanks for all the advice. I ended up going with the Alpine iDA-X305 so hopefully I won't miss the sound quality of CD's.