Everybody's Favorite Head Unit?
 

I just bought a 1999 WS6 and with my last Trans Am, I didn't really want to bother putting money into the stereo, but since I have some insurance money left over from the accident, I figure I'll start in with this one.

I know there's a lot of debate about what speakers to use when not gutting the system, but I haven't really heard a lot about head units. Is there any specific model that people rave about or is it really just personal preference?

Personal preference really. I'm going with a double din, a little custom work involved, but worth it. The new pioneer avic-d3.

What features are you looking for in a head unit and around what price range?

I want something around 150-200 dollars maybe? Maybe a bit more than 200? I have about $700 left over after buying the WS6, but I'm going off to college so I'm going to try and save a bit of that for whatever I may need.

I'm not a huge audiophile so I can't say that the higher end features are a big deal to me. Most importantly is something with an AUX or RCA input because I have an mp3 player, but not an iPod so I'd definatley need a way to get that set up and something that's sirius ready would be good since I'm apparently still paying for my subscription through March.

Customizable EQ is always good to have as is something visually appealing. I can't really think of anything else I need. Most of them in the $200 area are all going to pretty much have what I'm looking for right?

I like the Panasonic CQC7103U personally, but then again thats whats in my car...

Is there any particular reason you bought it? Looking at it, it seems to have similar features to many other high quality head units made by major players out there. I'm just wondering what, in your opinion, sets it apart from the rest.

I love my clarion touch screen!

i was going to get this:
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Pione...oductDetail.do
but i dont have it yet and ive never had an aftermarket hu, so i cant contribute much to this thread

alpine CDA-9856 is what you need, great quality and perfect Mp3 interface, some people have different things to say aobut that line, but im buying my 9857 from that line. I would recommend that one, but even my employee discount doenst put it in the price range you stated above

Wow it seems like there is no "right" answer for this haha.

So I guess, what is it about all of these different head units that people actually like? For the 150-200 dollar range, it seems like they're literally all about the same.

And a quick glance on google showed that there are quite a few places to find the CDA-9856 for around 200 dollars so I don't know why you'd say it was out of my price range.

you are right... most head units today in the same price range all offer comparable features. So you are going to have everyone recommend the one they happen to use and like. When I personally choose a head unit, after I select a few contenders based on reputable brand name, features I want, then I normally let the looks and ease of use decide the winner. Think about it, the head unit is the only part of the stereo you have to look at and interact with.

Excellent, thank you! My mind is much more at ease now. I was worried there might be some HUGE feature lacking in certain models that would totally screw me over if I were to not have it. Thanks!

stock if my fav H.U.

Haha yeah that's what I thought until my speakers started blowing out like a cheap hooker.

I've been shopping around and can anyone tell me what I would need a USB port on my head unit for? It seems like you wouldn't use that for a cd changer since thats usually proprietary and most head units have AUX so... what the hell would USB be used for?

many new decks can play mp3 or wmv files right off a usb thumb drive. That's what the usb ports are for. Some you can even run a usb cable to an external hard drive, and have 500 gigs or more of storage.

Well let's assume I won't be using a thumb drive or external HDD, it would be just as practical to use the AUX for my mp3 player, wouldn't it? I have a SanDisk Sansa so even if I did use the proprietary USB connector, the head unit probably wouldn't be able to read it, correct?

if your sandisk player can be mounted as a drive, it may work.. I'm no expert in that area, I've never actually used a usb head unit.

JVC G-420 or G-820 if you like a cooler display. I have the G820, has USB input, satellite radio ready, it's basically the shit. Check out ikesound.com. I guarantee you won't find better prices anywhere.

I have a Clarion DXZ945MP. It's a good headunit. I am pretty happy with it.

I meant the 9857, the lowest i found it on the internet was $260 shipped. I get it for like $210

Which one do you have, I've got the max675 with the navigation. Need to ask some questions about it.