Rep Power: 0

OK, I've narrowed my choice down to 3 different HU's. There are probably others that are good too, so any suggestions are welcome. Anyway, I want these things for sure:
- mp3 capability
- remote
- at least 4v outputs (3 sets)
- a good CD sig-to-noise ratio (preferably at least 105db)

so these are the three:

Alpine CDA-9827

Kenwood Excelon KDC-X679

Sony Xplod CDX-M8805X << never used a sony HU before?

btw, not planning on buying these through crutchfield, so no need to advise on that. Just need some input on the selection or a different selection than these.

 
Rep Power: 0

check this one out
i have it and i love it
i got a video of it here
video


and pics here
thread

 
Rep Power: 288

i would def go with the alpine just for the sound quality but if for some reason u dont want it go with the kenwood.

SONY IS GARBAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!

 
Rep Power: 0

Yeah, I actually looked at that Pioneer, but
1) it's like $100 more than the other ones
2) its sig-to-noise ratio is only 94dB, which is significantly less than some of the others

I was thinking Alpine specifically for the SQ, but specs-wise, it actually has a lower sig-to-noise ratio than the Kenwood or the Sony, but I don't konw how important that really is.

 
Rep Power: 330

please don't look at signal to noise ratio. it is the most overrated stat you could have. while it looks like it should equal a cleaner sounding deck, i promise you you will not be able to detect a difference. long explanation, but basically your noise is gonna come from the medium you are playing (either a CD or radio). about 99.5% of the noise is going to be there no matter what your S/N ratio is (within reason).

my kenwood's remote has to be pointed directly at the little triangle to work right. the mp3's load quickly enough ( waaaaaaaay better than pioneer) and are easy to navigate, only flaw is on random you can only do random in the folder, not for the whole mp3 disc (you can with alpine)

alpine does not have motorized plate, makes buttons and display smaller. kenwood looks sweeter IMO, don't know how much looks matter to you. alpine is a heck of a deal for an mp3 deck.

i won't tell you what to do, but please don't buy the sony

 
Rep Power: 0

alright, good deal, no sony then.

so now it's between the Kenwood and the Alpine, or maybe even a slightly more expensive Alpine. The Kenwood does have some nicer features, but you say the remote is picky?? I use my remote on my Pioneer like a biotch, and usually it's pointed no where near the actual HU, so that actually might be a big deal to me. hmmmmm

 
Rep Power: 0

the signal to noise ratio on the pioneer is 105

 
Rep Power: 0

Go for the kenwood or alpine... yeah sony sucks pretty bad

 
Rep Power: 0

is it true about the remote sensitivity though?? i know that would **** me off to no end if it really was that picky

 
Rep Power: 786

Get an Alpine or JVC

 
Rep Power: 812

Most decks sound the same, so look for extra features that you would use like eq, sound control, etc.

Sony is garbage, and kenwood has been going down lately. So I guess that leaves the Alpine. My bro has that model and loves it.

 
Rep Power: 0

you can't go wrong with alpine or pioneer

 
Rep Power: 0

well, looks like all agree on the alpine. Thanks for the input.

Any additional comments/suggestions still welcome, thanks again

 
Rep Power: 0

ok well I just read some more stuff about that Alpine, and some ppl were complaining about the very minimal EQ settings on it

the next model up is the CDA-9830, which says it has a "4-band equalizer", but that still seems kinda lacking

the model right past that, the CDA-9831 has a "4-band parametric EQ"... anyone know the difference there??

 
Rep Power: 0

If I were you Id go with Pioneer.

 
Rep Power: 0

i actually have never used anything else but Pioneers, and have liked them so far.

Looking around more, I also see the Premier DEH-P860MP, which seems pretty pimp, and is a bit cheaper than the deh-p8600mp for some reason..... hmm, actually I like this one a lot

ehh, whatever i'm going to bed. but I will look more tomorrow

Thanks again everybody

 
Rep Power: 330

pioneers do give you pretty good EQ's in the lower decks. even like the deh-7500 (or whatever it is now) has good controls. i have an x-869 deck and it has gobs of controls, i'm not sure if the x-679 does or not though. alpine base units don't have the greatest EQ's.

parametric means you can select a center frequency, select the boost at that point, and then control the shape of the boost (the Q factor, basically the width of the wave)

to give you more options still, no one reccommended clarions, and while not the sexiest deck, they are more bulletproof than many and offer excellent features for the money.

the remote experience is my own. i had a pioneer with that credit card shaped remote. it was good. the one for my kenwood is big, bulky, and kinda picky. mine also has the fold down face though, which might be part of my problem.

 
Rep Power: 0

Large volume control **** that is easier to grasp and use than typical ``+´´ and ``-´´ keys. There are two versions: Fixed, and Pop-up, which can be pushed back in when not in use.
Supertuner
Supertuner Supertuner IIID
24-Station/6-Button (18FM/6FM) Presets
BSM (Best Stations Memory)
CD Player
1-bit D/A Converter 24-bit Burr Brown
CD-R/CD-RW Compatible
AGC (Automatic Gain Control)
Disc Title Memory
Track Title List
CD Text CD Text
BMX Digital Enhancement
MP3 Playback Compatibility
Codec Support MP3, WMA, WAV
File System ISO9660-1,-2, Romeo, Joliet
Max Directory 8
Max. Folder # 99
Max File # per Folder 253
Max File # per Disc 65,535
Multisession Disc Play
Random Play Folder/Disc
Repeat Play File/Folder
MP3 Bit Rate 8~320kbps or VBR
WMA Format WMA v7, 8, 9
WMA Bit Rate 48~192kbps, VBR, Lossless
File Name 64 bytes
Folder Name 64 bytes
ID3/WMA Tag ID3 v1.0, 1.1, 2.0; WMA
Tag Length 64 bytes
Tag Data Track, Artist, Album, Comment
Tag Display On/Off
List Search File and Folder
IP-Bus System Expandability
IP-Bus System Control
XM Radio Ready
Multi-CD Control
DVD Control
TV Tuner Control
Auxiliary Input CD-RB10 or CD-RB20 required
External Unit Control 2
Display Features
Display Type Multicolor Organic EL (OEL)
Dot Matrix OEL Size 192 x 48 (16 color)
Soft Key Operation Mode
Customizable Screensavers Update by CD-R
Screensaver Studio website www.pioneer.co.jp/car/pclink3a/
Screensaver Movies 2 (Great Barrier Reef, Night Cruising)
Background Animations 4
Background Pictures 5
Spectrum Analyzers 2
Level Indicators 2
Flap Face Flap Face
Motorization Auto Slide Motorized
Audio Features
Built-in Speaker Power MOSFET 50W x 4
Equalizer 13-Band Graphic
Equalizer Presets 5
User Equalizer Settings 2
Loudness Yes
DSP
Auto-EQ (With Mic Included)
Auto-Time Alignment
Listening Position Selector
BBE Digital
Automatic Sound Levelizer (ASL)
Electronic Balance/Fader
Source Level Adjuster (SLA)
Crossover Network 3-Way Crossover
High-Pass Crossover (HPF) 50/63/80/100/ 125/160/200Hz, 0/-6/-12dB/Oct.
Subwoofer Crossover (LPF) 50/63/80/100/ 125/160/200Hz, -6/-12/-18dB/Oct.
RCA Preouts 3 pair (Front, Rear, Sub/Non-Fading)
Preout Voltage & Impedance Hi-Volt (4V), 100 ohm
General Features
Rotary Volume Control Fixed Rotary
Rotary Commander Yes (Separate)
Remote Control 10-Key
Wired Remote Input
Cellular Mute
Detachable Face Security
Face Case (Included)
Warranty 1 Year

 
Rep Power: 0

i have the kenwood. except mine is the 869. (i think thats the right #) i like it and have had no problems with it. i have had it for about a year now. the features on it are unbelieveble. there are still things on it that i ahve no idea what is for including that eq settings! that thing about the remote is right though. b/c of that i never use it. you can't poss. be that lasy to not buy it b/c of that reason! come on!

 
Rep Power: 0

lol, yeah I seriously am that lazy

but no more looking now, I just bought the DEH-P860MP (not from there). Hope it works out well, I can't wait!

 
Rep Power: 812

Wow, that must be their new line. I have the top end 940mp premier and it's got crazy features. Let us know how you like it.

 
Rep Power: 0

i have the 8600 mp the only diff is you got two years warranty and i got one
same features
i have a video of it in my car if any one wants to see it

 
Rep Power: 0

also has a 6.5v output voltage, but besides that the same I believe

 
Rep Power: 0

TRUST ME!!!
go with alpine 9827!!!!
i have the same one!!
makes all the difference in your car!!!
its the most bang for the buck.
i went to all audio stores and they say that is #1 most sold HU now.
i've tested the sony producs, they suck!!!!!!
that kenwood looks ugly.

 
Rep Power: 0

9813 if you go gfor a alpine

 
Rep Power: 0

Go with the alpine.