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18-05-2007, 03:47 PM | #1 |
Funkoars - C.O.T.Y
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Headunit of Choice
I am looking at getting a new headunit for my 'stina - to replace the current tape deck that exists in there
Here are the few options that I am considering: First of all I had a look at Clarion. Mid-Ranged product: The DXZ376MP --------------- Price: $269.00 Features: * CD-R/RW ready * MP3 and WMA compatible with ID3-TAG display * 18 FM, 6 AM station presets * iPod® control capability via optional EA1276 * Subwoofer volume control * Z-Enhancer sound customisation * MAGNA BASS EX dynamic bass enhancement * Built-in High-pass filter & Low-pass filter * Built-in amplifier canceller * 4-channel × 50 watts amplification * High visibility single line display with Screensavers * Mobile Phone input and mute * Front-panel auxiliary input with level control * 4-volt/4-channel audio pre-out * CeNET control of: DVD changer, TV tuner, 6-disc CD changer and iPod® * OEM steering wheel remote wired interface capability * AUX Bluetooth transceiver BLT370 ready Summary: Pretty much all that i need, but i mean . . . look at it - it's ugly! Clarion's new 'Shooting Star' Design isn't all that it is cracked up to be and I don't think that I could stand it in my car, I hate the design and that in itself is enough to turn me off getting this headunit. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- So I went to have a look at some Alpine beasts - as you do Lowest priced Alpine Headunit . . . The CDE-9852i Price: $399.00 Features: * Includes iPod Direct Cable * 45W x 4 (Max), 16W x 4 (RMS) Power Amplifier * 1 Pre-Out * Pop-up Rotary Knob * MP3 / WMA Playback * MP3 Text Information Display * Full Flap Face Design * Bass and Treble Centre Frequency Control * Remote Control Ready * Quick Search Summary: Slighty less Amplification than the Clarion (not sure if that amount makes much of a difference) But looks loads better, not quite the most outstanding headunit and the price is quite a bit more than the Clarion with less features. I'd still lean in favour of this over the 'Shooting Star' Clarion. So Alpine FTW . . . . . Except for this puppy. . -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Back to Clarion now - A huge step up from the 'Shooting Star' Design. Can only be justified because it is the same price as the Alpine The DXZ576USB Price: $399.00 Features: * CD-R/RW ready * MP3, WMA and iTunes® AAC compatible with ID3-TAG display * Front USB slot * Maximum track capacity: 65,025 (255 tracks in 255 folders) * 18 FM, 6 AM station presets * iPod® control capability via optional EA1276 * Subwoofer level control * 24-bit D/A converter * Sound Restorer * Digital Z-Enhancer sound customisation * 2-band parametric equaliser * MAGNA BASS EX dynamic bass enhancement * Built-in High-pass filter & Low-pass filter * Built-in amplifier canceller * 4-channel × 53 watts of MOS-FET amplification * Flip-down console * High visibility 2-line display with Screensavers * “SLIDETRAK” for dynamic volume control * Mobile Phone input and mute * Auxiliary input with level control * 6-volt/6-channel audio pre-out * CeNET control of: DVD changer, TV tuner, 6-disc CD changer and iPod® * OEM steering wheel remote wired interface ready * AUX Bluetooth transceiver BLT370 ready * Detachable control panel Summary: More and Better amplification than both the other headunits, maybe not as nice as the Alpine but comes fairly close. Comes with 'Clarion 3 year Warranty' and is just all-round juciy . The Only thing that I query about this unit is the volume control. Instead of having the good 'ol ajustable nob to play with, you use the screen as a touch screen - Slide up for more volume slide down for less. I guess that I will find out how good this is when I go have a good look at them in the store - if they are stocked. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Well thats my thoughts, but I thought that I might share it with my fellow AGT members and listen to some views and thoughts about such products. If there are any headunits that I have overlooked please feel free to point me in the direction But I am after something fairly good quality, as I view the H/U as the 'Control Center' of my car Cheers Guys, Heb |
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18-05-2007, 05:51 PM | #2 |
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that last headunit looks the go ive always liked the future looking ones with no knobs for volume...:P
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18-05-2007, 07:20 PM | #3 |
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Gah, i used to have a Clarion in my Beetle and it pissed me off. Useless navigation menus and if you moved the volume control too quickly it would turn the volume down, or do nothing!
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19-05-2007, 01:24 AM | #4 |
I'm not as dumb as my posts would indicate
Join Date: Aug 2006
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hmmm mind if i ask why u dont have any pioneer ones in ur list?
at that price range ull get a nice one that will easy keep up... just a thought... |
19-05-2007, 01:28 AM | #5 |
Funkoars - C.O.T.Y
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Never really been a big pioneer fan I guess . . .
Had a look at some of their H/U's but nothing really stood out. Anything in particular you had in mind? Heb |
19-05-2007, 08:39 AM | #6 |
I'm not as dumb as my posts would indicate
Join Date: Aug 2006
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well here is a few sugestions...
DEH-P7950UB CD Features CD-R and CD-RW Compatible Yes 1-Bit D/A Converter, 8fs Digital Filter Yes Random Play Yes Track / Manual Search Yes S-10.5 Mechanism Yes Playback for MP3, WMA and WAV Files Yes ID3 Tag Recognition Yes Digital Compression selection Yes BMX (BiMetric Equalizer) Yes Playback for AAC Files (as used by iTunes) Yes Disc Title Memory w/10 characters (48 discs) Yes CD Text Display with Auto Scroll function Yes Track Scan, Pause, Repeat Yes Supertuner Features Supertuner IIID with Digital Processing Yes Automatic Seek (Up / Down) Yes 24-station 6 preset buttons Yes 18 FM and 6 AM presets Yes BSM (Best Stations Memory) Yes 9kHz / 10kHz AM switching Yes Selectable Sensitivity Local/DX Yes Audio Features MOSFET 50 Watts x 4 high power Yes SLA (Source Level Adjuster) Yes 3 prs RCA Preouts (F + R + Subwoofer) Yes 5 Preset + 2 Custom EQ Mode Yes 4 Volts RCA Preout Level Yes Spectrum Analyzer and Level Indicator Yes LPF Subwoofer Crossover(-24~+6dB by 1dB)50/63/80/100/125Hz@-18dB/oct. Yes EEQ(Easy Equalizer) Yes *Bass, Mid & Treble Tone Controls not supported Yes *Bass Booster : 0 ~12dB in 2dB steps Yes *LPF Subwoofer Crossover(-24~+6dB steps) 50/63/80/100/125Hz @-18dB/oct. Yes *Normal/Reverse Subwoofer Phase Selection Yes *Direct Subwoofer Drive(from headunit power) Yes *HPF(High Pass Filter) 50/63/80/100/125Hz@-12dB/oct. Yes *Selectable 3-Mode Loudness Control Yes Electronic Volume/Balance/Fader controls Yes Additional Features DFS Hard Carry Case included Yes System / auto antenna relay control Yes Front or rear mounting options Yes Toyota/Nissan factory mounting holes Yes 10-key IR Remote Control Yes Cellular Mute/Attenuate for In-car phone kit Yes Brightness Adjustment Yes Pure Blue button illumination Yes Motorised Flap-type DFS (Detach Face Security) "This model ensures that the widespread usage of USB memory devices is available to Pioneer users. Access and play your portable memory (up to 250GB) via the supplied lead, with supported music formats being MP3, WMA and AAC." RRP: $649.00 AU $369.99 Buy It Now ebay OR DEH-P7850BT CD Features CD-R and CD-RW Compatible Yes 1-Bit D/A Converter, 8fs Digital Filter Yes Track Scan Yes Pause Yes Repeat Yes Random Play Yes Track / Manual Search Yes S-10.5 Mechanism Yes Playback for MP3, WMA and WAV Files Yes ID3 Tag Recognition Yes Digital Compression selection Yes CD Text Display with Scroll Function Yes BMX (BiMetric Equalizer) Yes Disc Title Memory w/10 characters (48 discs) Yes Playback for AAC Files (Advanced Audio Coding as used by iTunes) Yes File and Folder List Search Yes Supertuner Features Supertuner IIID with Digital Processing Yes Automatic Seek (Up / Down) Yes 24-station 6 preset buttons Yes 18 FM and 6 AM presets Yes BSM (Best Stations Memory) Yes 9kHz / 10kHz AM switching Yes Selectable Level Local / DX Yes DAB (External Tuner) Control Yes List Search Yes Audio Features MOSFET 50 Watts x 4 high power Yes EEQ (Easy Equalizer) Yes Electronic Volume / Balance / Fader controls Yes SLA (Source Level Adjuster) Yes Selectable 3-Mode Loudness Control Yes Normal/Reverse Subwoofer Phase Selection Yes Bass and Treble Tone Controls Yes Direct Sub Drive (from headunit power) Yes HPF (High Pass Filter 50, 80, 125Hz @ -12dB/oct.) Yes 3 prs RCA Preout (Front + Rear + Sub/Non-Fading) Yes 7-Band Graphic EQ within EQ Yes 5 Preset + 2 Custom EQ Mode Yes LPF Subwoofer Crossover (50, 80, 125Hz @ -12dB/oct.) Yes 4 Volts RCA Preout Level Yes Additional Features DFS Hard Carry Case included Yes System / auto antenna relay control Yes Front or rear mounting options Yes Toyota/Nissan factory mounting holes Yes Operation Beep Tone Yes Detach Face Reminder Warning Beep Yes External Source TV, DVD, CD, CD Control Yes AUX Input via CD-RB10 or CD-RB20 Yes iPOD Adapter Ready (CD-IB100 via EXT control) Yes Motorised Flap-type DFS (Detachable Face Security) Yes Motorised Flap-type DFS (Detachable Face Security) Yes Cellular Mute/Attenuate for In-car phone kit Yes OEL Pure Blue (Organic ElectroLuminescent) Display Yes Rotary Commander with menu access Yes Display Brightness Adjustment Yes 10-key IP Remote Control with Bluetooth functions Yes Spectrum Analyzers (4) and level Indicators Yes AUX Input via Rear access Yes Bluetooth device control Yes iPOD Adapter Ready (CD-IB100-2 via dedicated control) Yes Multiplay CD Control Features CD Text Display with Title Scroll Yes ITS (Instant Track Selection) Yes Disc Title Memory Yes Track & Disc Scan Yes Repeat Play (Track/Disc/Mag) Yes CD Pause Yes Random Play (Disc / Magazine) Yes Digital Compression selection on MCD Yes Disc List Search Yes RRP: $799.00 or AU $499.00 bu it now ebay both of these are in ur price range ruffly if bought through aust ebay.... but most shops will have them so have a play see what u think.... one has built in bluetooth and includes the mic so that u can use any bluetooth mobile through the HU including caller id and phonebook browesin and the other has a USB port ... cheers kyle Last edited by skitz; 19-05-2007 at 08:52 AM. |
19-05-2007, 11:30 AM | #7 |
Funkoars - C.O.T.Y
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Cheers bud,
They look pretty good. I'll be sure to have a good look at both. eBay you say? I probally just wrote thpem off as out of my price range. Never really bought anything from eBay before Should be good though. Cheers again Heb |
19-05-2007, 05:29 PM | #8 | |
I'm not as dumb as my posts would indicate
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Quote:
that being said along the warranty side of things if you buy from other countrys ie.US etc it will need to be sent back there for warranty repairs ... so if its your first time stick to the au ebay and you will be right :P good luck and let us know what you end up going with man.. cheers kyle |
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19-05-2007, 05:40 PM | #9 |
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Meh, I have the 2nd cheapest Pioneer headunit you can get (DEH-2950). It's all I need for a car that will see occasional track use, so I don't have any huge audio going into the car anyhow. It plays MP3s, so I'm happy...
Gav. |
20-05-2007, 01:42 PM | #10 |
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Yup ebay is awesome, i saved $204 on my pioneer DEH-P5950IB ($469 but got it for $265 express posted and fully insured) just by looking on ebay for 5mins
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21-05-2007, 02:28 PM | #11 |
The Hairy Mod
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it all depends on what you want it to do...if your not gonna be using it in sound comps then dont go for the best and most expensive...if its just everyday stuff and not a big sound system bottom ranged stuff is prefectly fine...
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21-05-2007, 02:38 PM | #12 | |
I'm not as dumb as my posts would indicate
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Quote:
but i also came across this on ebay man it was in your list.... DXZ576USB: http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Clarion-DXZ57...QQcmdZViewItem they want; Buy it now price: AU $289.00 inc Free Postage in Aust and the this warranty: WARRANTY Upon receiving the item within 3 days, any defective item(s) not due to misuse will entitled to 1 to 1 exchange. We will absorb the shipping cost sending to you. This product has a 1 year warranty . Please contact us if your item becomes defective, we will help arrange either a service or a replacement. You will be responsible on the shipping & handling for both ways within the warranty period. looking at the specs and the fact that you originally liked this one, if you arnt after hard core quality this will meet all ur needs man it looks like quite an nice lil HU and a good price too. cheers and good luck Last edited by skitz; 21-05-2007 at 02:44 PM. |
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21-05-2007, 03:48 PM | #13 | |
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Quote:
Gav. |
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21-05-2007, 04:24 PM | #14 |
The Hairy Mod
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if it was me out of your origional list id stick with the ALPINE...lovely looking unit and heard them going and they do most things
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22-05-2007, 01:19 AM | #15 | ||
Funkoars - C.O.T.Y
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Quote:
All I want really is quality, style and functionality - all equally important Quote:
The guy there said they always break, and to be honest after a couple of minutes it really annoyed me - not at all what I thought - but a lumpy plastic thing that moves around a bit then falls off so I digress, move on. I'm actually going with your previous advice and going pioneer. The new model ones look really good, probaly better than the ones I have been looking at. The only problem now is which one? It really sh!ts me to have dial-up because everything takes soooooooooooo f*@$ing long to look at. The main question I have with Pioneer is what is the difference between say the DEH-P7950UB and the DEH-P6950IB. They look to be exatly the same to me, bar say $100. Is there really a difference between 4x50watts Amp than 4x45watts?? So now I am at a crossroad. Atm I am 90% Pioneer, 10% Alpine. Going to have a look at the local Alpine dealer tomorrow to see how they look in the flesh - as I have yet to experience this I will let you know how that one goes . . . might sway me a littel perhaphs, we shall see. All I really want is a 'Wow' factor Cheers for the input guys. Sleep time Heb |
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22-05-2007, 07:33 AM | #16 |
The Hairy Mod
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if your goin to look at the alpine dealer where you goin??? i suggest gold coast car sound at slacks creek...best guys there...alpine in known for quality...im bein biased though, and im tryin to get away from pioneer stuff...
also if your gonna be using amps the 45x4 and the 40x4 makes no difference as youd be using the AUX jacks...but if your using the speakers from the headunit the 45x4 sounds the go...all depends on sound quality out of them though...
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22-05-2007, 08:56 AM | #17 | |
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Quote:
hey mate the 4X45w ur refering to last time i checked was 16-18wrmsX4 and the 50X4 pioneer one is 22wrmsX4 so its just slightly more power but if ur running an amp for ur speakers dont worry... as for the difference between the 2 models UB and IB is the UB has a USB port on it to conect external music devices etc and the IB doesnt ... it has an option to have an ipod coneted and a thats about it. but if you dont plan on using an external mp3 player/ipod with ur HU then get the cheaper one. as you WONT notice the diff. that being said i am gussing you will not be using an amp so... if your useing the stock standard speakers either wont matter, but if you have after market speakers i would advise the one with the higher rms rateing as ur speakers wont get as much damnage at high volumes and they will also go louder. inregards to alpine VS pioneer i have owned both and i personally wont go back to alpine hey dont get me wrong the unit never broke and did all i was after but i love the practicality and usablity of pioneer not to mention there spec level and bang for buck. pioneer is all about HU's thats there key market and they have been making them for yrs they are producing so awsome products with awsome fetures. i thing that now u have had a play with the 07 model pioneers units u will not be swayed by alpine unless its by ur bank.... hope that helps man good luck Last edited by skitz; 22-05-2007 at 09:04 AM. |
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22-05-2007, 09:37 AM | #18 |
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Your volume levels of built in amplification will not make a cent of difference no matter what brand you run. Sound quality however will vary between a no name head unit and a brand.
I suggest the main feature you look for is the in built high pass filter and low pass filter which means you can manage your frequencies from the driver's seat and not have to crawl in the boot to tweak, go back the the drivers seat to test and then back to the boot to tweak etc... pain in the anus. Tweak and listen simultaneously it's the only way. Same goes for EQ, most people wouldn't have a clue how to use them, but once you play with it you will realise the flexibility and how you can change the sound to specifically suit your genre, some head units have some presets, they are usually bull****... make your own. I personally would go with either alpine or clarion. I have an Alpine CDA-9855R, and i would never ever ever buy another head unit. It retails for $799, i managed $630 at JB-hifi, i think the guy nearly cried when he sold it at this price, he told me to get lost and never come back coz he'd forever regret the deal. Anyways, the clarion definitely has the better features, so in your case with your budget i would go the clarion for the features. Pioneer is OK, but I'm simply not a fan, maybe it's because I've heard a cheap pioneer sub (gross) and every man and his dog has pioneer, I had the top of the range sony before the alpine, it was good, but retailed for same as alpine, and had less features and lower quality. Don't rule out kenwood. |
22-05-2007, 12:08 PM | #19 | ||
I'm not as dumb as my posts would indicate
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: jerrabomberra N.S.W (A.C.T)
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Quote:
Quote:
i personally woundnt consider sony or kenwood as options as you obviously have said you want to step up above these levels by the spec levels and models of the units in your above first post. on a different note will this be running stock speakers? amped speakers? a sub? an ipod? a car kit? now or in the for seeable future? as if the answer is no to all or most of those then these options above are probalbly over kill for your needs. aaron got an awsome lil deal the other day on a alpine unit and it came with an ipod cable... it was around the 300ish area i think for the 2 items and it is pritty good would meet all your needs. and has some cool features. short of that there is things like: DEH-P5950IB RRP: $469.00 or Buy it now ebay price: AU $225.00 with 1 yr warranty Product Information: - iPod® direct control USB adapter ready Segmented OEL display BMX (Bitmetric Equalizer) EEQ 3-band parametric equalizer 2-way crossover: HPF/LPF 3-mode selectable loudness Rotary Volume 3 RCA preouts; 2 preouts + Subwoofer out Aux-In (Rear) Flap Face that might be more in ur ally if as it is even over kill for the basic user and it still has upgrad potential cheers kyle Last edited by skitz; 22-05-2007 at 12:35 PM. |
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22-05-2007, 01:01 PM | #20 |
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agreed...
that's good value... i like it... good features... good price... esp with warranty... skitz: how often do you turn your head unit all the way up??? im just putting this out there... but that is quite possibly the reason your speakers keep blowing... i have a 16w rms alpine and on the volume scale of 0 to 35 i never turn it up past 21ish... and that's freaking loud (and i'm only running front splits off the h/u and sub) ... i wouldn't be in the car it that point either... when i had 6x9s in the rear 18 was deafening after 5 minutes head unit wattage will not matter... it will always be more than enough... even factory units can be turned up to obscene levels |
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