So which of these is basically a good budget model? Say, under $150-$200? All's I want is a reliable CD player and something that's easy to use. And makes the stock speakers sound good, if that's possible out of a HU. I'm hearing Pioneer and Peacemaker's Kenwood fit the bill?

 

The best? I'm sure we are talking SQ? Or, "best bang for the buck"?

For SQ:
McIntosh MX406 (BY FAR!)
Alpine F#1 CDA-7990 (or DVI-9990)
Nakamichi CD700II
Denon Z1 (If you can find one)
Clarion DRZ9255 (and DRX9255)
Pioneer P9 combo

rounding up the bottom...(best bang for the buck)
Eclipse 8053 & 8445
Alpine 9815, 9833, 9835 etc...

Most of the HUs in the upper list are quite expensive though.

Overall "best bang for the buck" for the average consumer would be Alpine or Eclipse. I usually buy Alpine, I just sold my 9815 and now have a IVA-310.

Just my opinion.

 

another vote for alpine. running the 9853 love it, especially the glide bar when my ipod is connected to it!

 

yes the alpine 9855 has a plug hook up in the back for a remote control hook up. You can buy the adaptor from periphial for about $100

 

X2 although i hate the new alpines with the glidetouch crap

 

I intentionally left the glidetouch models off my list.

 

For flip out screen check out the Kenwood 717. I went with the 717 instead of Alpine 310 because the 310 doesn't offer dual zone. This was very important to me so the kids could watch movie in back of truck and I could listen to my own tunes up front. Purchased it for same bucks as Alpine 310 also. So, I love the Kenwood.

 

Does Kenwood work well with ipods.....I heard pioneer sucks with ipod functions

 

i have a pioneer 9300 in my ranger and its gone through the dunes and it does not skip and i also have 4 kicker solobarics and they dont make it skip either.

 

The IVA-310 does have dual zone, plus the Alpine's screen has over million pixels (Jensen is the only other one). Kinda makes any other screen obsolete.

 

Without question...Alpine. Everything else is about the same.

I recommend the Alpine CDA-9847 from Crutchfield.com (but it may lack some of the features you want so look for the next models up). (hint...get one from the "outlet" and save a few bucks).

Crutchfield prices might be higher than others, but you get free shipping, free harness, free install kit, free instructions, a full uncompromised warranty, no sales tax outside of VA, and more tech support than you want or need.

 

I use the Panasonic CQ-DF903U

I am quite biased though, as I have not used any other line. But what I do know, is that when I bought it, I went solely for eye-catching. After I bought it, I found it it has a built-in 50watt amp to each speaker. It's quite user friendly, with a very good equilizer, and an equially enjoyable subwoofer control. Panasonic has come out with a newer model, so I am sure it isn't the best... But I can say it is a great bang for your buck. Especially with the price drop.

If money is no issue however, I have always been impressed with Alpine's products. I can't speak for their headunits, but I know they don't slack

 

Another vote for the 9835... I love mine...

 

definitely give props to alpine and eclipse. I am still setting my sites on getting a 9815. I currently have a kenwood KDC-MP819, love the screen but i am on my 2nd faceplate with this one and the kenwood i had before this had the internal amp go out. With recently getting a 99 f150 supercab, leaving kenwood in the xtreme and starting over with alpine in the ford.

 

Ive been loking at head units alot more recently. What keeps me looking at the alpine 9855 instead of models alot cheaper is the screen. Its got a clean, easy to read screen, not filled with pixelated photos/video's like most of the other head units.