what's with head unit manufacturers lately?
05-05-2008, 02:04 AM
#22
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even at $500 & $400 (retail vs. MSRP), it's too expensive. and i can't stand ebay/paypal....don't get me started on why.
about 4 - 5 years ago, i got my almost top-of-the-line Kenwood KDC-x811 (i think that's the model, anyway) for $400, which is after tacking on an extra $75 - $80 for the 4-year extended warranty...i think the base price of it was just under $300, and that was brand spanking new from a retail store, no ebay, no coupons, no sale price.....just the outright price. the thing had more features than i really needed.
comparable models from other manufacturers were all right around the same price, and the majority of them all looked good, too.
good luck trying to to get that many features at that kind of value now.....you really have to hunt for them now, unlike several years ago, when you had so many that you had a hard time choosing between them.
about 4 - 5 years ago, i got my almost top-of-the-line Kenwood KDC-x811 (i think that's the model, anyway) for $400, which is after tacking on an extra $75 - $80 for the 4-year extended warranty...i think the base price of it was just under $300, and that was brand spanking new from a retail store, no ebay, no coupons, no sale price.....just the outright price. the thing had more features than i really needed.
comparable models from other manufacturers were all right around the same price, and the majority of them all looked good, too.
good luck trying to to get that many features at that kind of value now.....you really have to hunt for them now, unlike several years ago, when you had so many that you had a hard time choosing between them.
Quote:
Originally Posted by kny3twalker View Post
but at the same time, the most expensive high end decks are much less than they use to be
the alpine 7990 was 3000 in 2000, the 9965 is 1600 in 07/08
heh, that's like saying, "at least they're only kicking you in the ***** 3 times these days, instead of the 5 times that they used to"......
Originally Posted by kny3twalker View Post
but at the same time, the most expensive high end decks are much less than they use to be
the alpine 7990 was 3000 in 2000, the 9965 is 1600 in 07/08
heh, that's like saying, "at least they're only kicking you in the ***** 3 times these days, instead of the 5 times that they used to"......
05-05-2008, 08:52 AM
#23
I dished out for the new Alpine IDA-X100. its not the best looking piece on the planet but it certainly has what i want from it. Now that my car is too loud to enjoy sound quality, I at least can have all my music with the touch in my car without CDs! 
05-05-2008, 11:27 AM
#24
I have an Eclipse CD5000 in my Honda. Love it all except using it for FM! They have terrible tuner ratings. I put a Sony GT something in my Daughter's car that has a ton of features including time alignment and it was cheap. Had a tuner rating almost equal to Pioneers (the best) so it gets channels really good and the noise rating for CD's was >100 dB. Outstanding piece for the cash... also 4V pre-outs.
05-05-2008, 03:38 PM
#27
So I take it the Kenwood Excelon line is failing based on the cosmetics since the X592, X692, X792 seem to have the performance and functionality you're describing in the $200 - $300 range?
Not that I'm crazy about the apperence but feature/spec wise those are the units I'm considering getting in the next week or two.
Take it easy
Brewski
Not that I'm crazy about the apperence but feature/spec wise those are the units I'm considering getting in the next week or two.
Take it easy
Brewski
05-05-2008, 08:26 PM
#28
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I saw nothing of time alignment, but the one you posted only has 2 pre outs, the next model up has 3 but its silver
I read it as well but not sure I believe it, and if its true thats awesome
the noise rating for CD's was >100 dB.
05-05-2008, 09:10 PM
#29
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05-05-2008, 09:28 PM
#30
Look in the Sony GT series. I don't have the box or paperwork here since it went with my Daughter's car. It had time alignment and you could also lower or raise the sound stage. I couldn't believe all the stuff it could do compared to my CD5000. But mine has 8V pre-outs and you can change the colors besides it is sexy. It for sure had less noise when playing CD's than my 5000 and the tuner works great. My Eclipse has a FM tuner rating of 10 or 11 and it shows it when I try to tune in ANYTHING. Sucks *****! Pioneers have the lowest rating and are called Supertuners for a reason. Next would be Sony with Alpine right there.
05-06-2008, 11:34 AM
#31
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05-06-2008, 12:11 PM
#32
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I disagree. I think the 7000 looks like the crap, and the giant **** feels like a piece of crap. The 800PRS looks nice imo. its not perfect, but its simple, and understated. I do though agree on the eclipse models of recent, but whats wrong with the alpine 9887 and 9885? Sure they are not as good looking as they once were, but they are made in china now
05-06-2008, 12:58 PM
#33
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All the buttons around the volume control are ugly. I've never thought those 6 buttons to the right of the volume control have ever looked decent. I like simple layouts, not with buttons all over the place like that.
Last edited by dragonrage; 05-06-2008 at 01:05 PM.
05-06-2008, 05:07 PM
#34
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Panasonic 9800BT I have this unit and think it's great. Full features, good performance, and really cool display.
The Bluetooth is very important to me, and this one works perfect.
My 2 cents...
The Bluetooth is very important to me, and this one works perfect.
My 2 cents...
05-06-2008, 08:34 PM
#38
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Blaupunkt:
they don't even have a single unit that has USB drive support in combination with 3 sets of preamp outputs.
they don't even have a single unit that has USB drive support in combination with 3 sets of preamp outputs.
and I have no idea where to buy one, maybe ebay I guess....
it looks good though
I also like the Memphis MP66 but its outputs are only 3v
yet it uses a TFT rather than an OEL display or dot which is very cool
here's its pic
and they are still german made
any thoughts?
Last edited by kny3twalker; 05-06-2008 at 08:41 PM.
05-07-2008, 03:07 AM
#40
So I take it the Kenwood Excelon line is failing based on the cosmetics since the X592, X692, X792 seem to have the performance and functionality you're describing in the $200 - $300 range?
Not that I'm crazy about the apperence but feature/spec wise those are the units I'm considering getting in the next week or two.
Take it easy
Brewski
Not that I'm crazy about the apperence but feature/spec wise those are the units I'm considering getting in the next week or two.
Take it easy
Brewski
Originally Posted by 02Z28LS1
probably the best one i could find on the Crutchfield site is the Kenwood Excelon KDC-X791....it seems to have all the features i would want, at a fairly reasonable price ($250), but it seems to be the exception rather than the norm these days.