hihoslva

I'm considering this AIWA CDC-MP32

Seems like it will look good and perform well - MP3 capability, motorized face, etc. Also comes with a steering wheel remote, which I'm dying to have - and this one looks very sharp and functional.

Any opinions about Aiwa head units? Gro-Harlem warned me that the Kenwood 8017MP (my current deck) would sound thin and weak, and, well, kudos to you Gro, you were right. It's much better than stock, but still a bit lacking, IMO - although I don't find it hard to use, like Gro said he did.

Anyone have experience/opinions concerning Aiwa decks, or even the CDC-MP32 in particular? I'm NOT trying to have a competition setup, so are they decent?

All thoughts appreciated.

azrakain

just out of curiosity how does your deck sound "thin and weak" did you change your speakers? If not add a good sub and speakers and put an amp on em all. The deck probably is powerful enough for your speakers if you changed 'em out for better speakers. What speakers do you have? everything is Personal opinion when it comes to car audio sounding good or not as everyone hears different however mine sounds great.

hihoslva

I've got Kenwood 6.5s in all four doors - not eXcelon stuff, but they are good, tight speakers, and I run them with deck power. I plan on keeping it this way.

The reason I feel that the 8017 is a bit weak, agreeing with GroHarlem, is because I recently had a different Kenwood hooked up for a few days, and the difference was very noticeable. In fact, I forgot to hook up my sub at first, and I almost didn't notice - there was so much more definition and bass from the doors than the 8017 puts out. It's rated at 22 rms/47 peak, and the "temporary" deck I had was only rated 3 watts higher on both, but the difference was stunning. And the RCA voltage is also weak on the 8017 compared to the "temp", and this made a huge difference also - my cheap-*** amp suddenly sounded much less muddy at high volume - I was actually very pleased with it, probably for the first time. Overall, I think the 8017 is a good deck, but the power seems overrated. The mid-bass I expect from 6.5s in the doors just isn't there, and yes, it distorts rather easily at high volume. Now that I've had a direct comparison, I'm looking to change, and I'm wondering about Aiwa's reputation because I like the design of the CDC-MP32, plus the steering-wheel remote, and the price is nice. If it will sound even a little better than the 8017, I think I'll be happy.

Not that the 8017 is a bad deck - and it all depends on the listeners' tastes, as well as external amps - but I'm looking for just a little more - without amps.

mp301guy

i dont know i am not really a big fan of aiwa car audio. but i havent had much experience with them. but hey if you get a good deal and like it then more power to ya

hihoslva

Hey, a deal is a deal, but I'm looking for SQ opinions - especailly from anyone who had owned Aiwa before - even better if they have or had this deck.

Keep 'em comin'.

douggie

I used an AIWA head unit in my previous Civic until it was stolen. If I rememeber correctly, it was model # CDC-Z207 or something like that.

I have to say that it's a pretty good head unit for the money. I was pretty happy with the sound (much better than the Honda factory radio). The reason I bought it was that it was the only player that could play CDRs and CDRWs at that time, AND it had aux input right on the faceplate, so I could connect my portable MP3 CD player to it during long trips. The last thing of course, the price was right.

Hope this helps.

Maz94Protege

i think it looks tight, aiwa makes good ****, jus loooks too much like the JVC El Kameleon. but hey that aiwa is cheaper!

vkyolv

IMHO I would go with an Alpine over the Aiwa....It doest look cheap like the aiwa (again just an opinion) does.

hihoslva

Actually, I dig the looks of the Aiwa - I think it's clean and uncomplicated-looking. Alpines are GREEN - I hate that. And they are much more expensive.

Gro Harlem - a few things I have learned:
This unit fixes some of the issues with the CDC-MP3, but not all.

I've read varying reports about the skipping - some say it skips a lot, others say never, or only on real hard jolts. Consensus seems to be that really scratched CDRs or poorly burned discs can cause skipping. Also, the unit supposedly has no shock-memory (oversampling or whatever it's called) so it is more prone to skip than units with protection. But still, some say they have never encountered a problem. No clue about the CD color having an effect.

It does NOT resume at the point it leaves off on an MP3 - only with a CD. MP3s always resume at the beginning of the track (Don't know how I feel about this, either).

The display has been re-worked - I read those reports about the "blinking" blue display (when the volume **** was turned) on the CDC-MP3 - I couldn't believe a company would make such a ridiculously annoying feature. This is not the case with the MP32.

I do see exactly what you were talking about with the 8017 - somehow, it's just weak. I thought it was good (but not great) until I hooked up another deck for a few days - the difference!! The 8017 just doesn't pump, especially the mid-bass.

The Aiwa does seem to have a good power section, and all reports I've read definitely complement the sq, as well as the value. The "magic flap" is kinda cool - no need to manually flip the thing, and I'm dying to have a steering wheel remote, which this unit comes with. Pioneer units can be controlled with a wheel remote, purchased separately. But I don't remember any motorized or flip-over faceplates - only detachables. I've gotten used to the camouflage-style, and the Kenwood is good because of the flip AND the detach.

Ok, now here's a serious question: Does anybody make a damn deck that can be dimmed with the dash lights? I can't find any decent decks (especially MP3 decks) that do this, and I HATE bright lights in my face. All I find is a "preset dimmer level" like the 8017. WTF is up with this?