What's a good, middle of the road head unit these days?

Looking for single CD, iPod and sat. radio ready (not necessarily included), sound quality is most important, but most of all, so is price.

I would rather skimp on the head unit a bit to save some $$$ for a small 4ch amp and speakers.

 

Look at pioneer units they are reliable and feature ipod adapters, they're sat. ready and have nice eq options, they are reasonably priced as well!

 

X2---I have a Pioneer in mine---you can get one from Cruthfield for $159. of course, you could spend dome more, as well.

TSC

 

Any model in particular worth looking at or not worth looking at? I don't need a flip up screen, nav or anything like that.

 

i would stay away from pioneer. i found the basic controls diffacult to use{bass/fader etc} and their auto eq feature is a bunch of b.s!! i had to still look at the manual 6 months afterward just to set the basic settings. I broke down and got an alpine just like the one i had in my mustang granted it was a newer model h.u but the controls are really simple to use!! hope this helps good luck

 

Gotta disagree with ya, wookie---I have had a pioneer since 1978. I have the 4900 and have had no problems with the controls. Alpines are great, but I have been very, very happy with the Pioneer 4900. Granted, I do not have an amp or anything like that, just apioneer HU and 4 pioneer 4-way speeakers.

 

One thing to be said about the stock HU in virtually any car is that they're typically easier to use than aftermarket... If I need a manual to do ANYTHING in a new HU, there's something wrong.

Especially bothersome is the lack of a volume/tuning ****... this is ESSENTIAL!

 

Normally, the reason you need a manual is that the aftermarket HU's do so much more than the stock HU's. All brands (at a certain $$ level, of course) will offer more capabilities than the stock HU's.

Most aftermarket HU's will come prepared to deal with amps and a a wide variety of accoustical abilities. My Pioneer (as well as other brands) come prepared to allow the listener to tailor the sound in a much more accurate manner than can a stock HU.

Wookie doesn't like Pioneers---and I can undrstand that---but since I have a had a Pioneer since '78, I sort of have an understanding on how they are set up, soit is easier forme. A friend gave me a rather expensive Kenwood once, and I could never figure that son of a gun out.

Tim C.

 

lower model pioneers are harder to set up a custom eq settings...

 

9885/9883 Alpine and Pioneer 6900, 5900 and 4900. All these i listed will have full speed Ipod and are VERY EASY to operate.

DO NOT SKIMP ON HU!!! The HU is the most important part of any system!!

 

I had this Pioneer unit in my '98 and it worked great and one of the reasons I got it was I thought it blended in well with the dash.

 

What I would do is go to your local Bestbuy or Circuit City---or car audio store if nearby---listen to the different brands---Alpine, Eclipse, Pioneer, etc. and find which one seems to sound right and work best for you.

Then, call Crutchfiled and order it from them---their prices are better and anclude the harnesses/removaltools, etc. Wookie likes Alpines---and they are great units---I like Pioneers, and they work fine by me---you need to find out what works best and what sounds best for you, too. And, as somebody else said, I wouldn't necessarily skimp on the HU---setting up the system begins with a really good HU.

Tim C.

 

just wondering---did you get my PM?

TSC

 

just did!! sent u one back!!

 

I hear ya... I'll probably go with the new '08 5000 model Pioneer.

I am not looking to build a competition class audio system in my truck, just want something that will let me hookup my iPod.

Wish I could order from Crutchfield, but I'm in Canada and they don't ship here. Crutchfield Canada doesn't sell Pioneer

Thanks for your help.