Picking up a MP3 HU, need guru's advice.
 

So here I am tired of the stock HU skipping and not pushing as much as I would like it to (although I think it is a handsome looking unit). Drew thinks to himself, "hey, why not buy a new head unit? Even better, since you have tons of mp3's, a burner and not the best musical ear in the world, why not make it an MP3 compatible one? (I don't really have an audiophile's ear for music, most mp3's ripped back to wav sound just fine to me, so the output quality of the deck is not the most important). Anywho I starts a shoppin.

Then I think, hey, there are some smart guys in that protege club, maybe they can help. At the moment I am considering three decks, the JVC SX980, SH707, and the panasonic.... one that has the racecar graphic on it. Checking prices around town (getting one from the internet to Canada is murder on the bankbook), I can get the SX980 for 265 Cad and the SH707 for 385 Cad, the panasonic I can get for roughly the same amount as the SH707. Now comes the conumdrum, which one?

The SX980 is the cheapest, and has most of the features I am looking for (except for tilt and exterior input), while the SH707 just looks slick and has those features (and dot matrix). The panasonic has a very nice looking face w/ the graphics, and since I am a shallow bastard that believes something should look good as well as sound good.....

Anywho, are there any other hu's in that price point that would play mp3's that you guys recommend, or would you recommend one of those mentioned? Any feedback would be much appreciated. Chao!

what is your price range? (in US dolars)

Might I suggest a recommendation....just make sure that a head unit you choose supports folder search. That way you can organize the music in folders when you burn it making it easier to find the music you want when in the car, otherwise, you'll have to sort through almost 200 mp3's to find the music you want. Most of the newer ones probably support this, but its just something I would look out for.

Of those three, I'd say the Panasonic (of course, the most expensive, too). All the info I'm referring to here comes from CrotchField:

It has the highest RMS power output (assuming you're not using amps). It also has 5 volt pre-amp outs (excellent) and three sets (front, rear, sub) which is a nice feature for future upgrades. The signal-to-noise ratio could be better (90db), but that's still pretty good. My only concern is that it does NOT support CD-RW playback - kind of crappy on a deck that plays MP3 discs - all your discs will have to be finalized on CDRs.

The JVCs - the only differences I see on the more expensive model are: Slightly higher RMS output, 3 sets of pre-outs, and better signal-to-noise ratio. IMHO, not really worth the $100 (US) extra cost. For another $70, you get a lot from the Panasonic. BUT - BOTH JVCs support CD-RWs - this whole CDR/CDRW issue might sway your thinking.

For other brands, take a look at Pioneer and Kenwood. Both make high-quality decks in a similar price range to the Panasonic, with similar features.

FYI - I'm running a cheaper/older Kenwood MP3 deck (MP8017). It ain't the best, but it has performed flawlessly for over a year now, and suits my needs just fine. The power is so-so (I use amps now anyway), but is MUCH better than stock. There are 4 of them on eBay right now (jeez - 6 months ago you could find 40 easily!), and they're going pretty cheap: http://search.ebay.com/search/search...t&BasicSearch=

~HH

I own a Pioneer 8400 mp3 head unit which never skips and i am extremely happy with however it will cost a pretty penny i got mine for $ 475:eek:

I have an Aiwa CDC-MP32 and while people said bad things about it I like it. The big draws to me are the Security feature of having an automatic flipping face and the biggest draw is the steering wheel mounted control that comes with it. It's not a credit card remote that you hold in one hand while you drive, or one attached to your key chain, its mounted on the inner side of the wheel giving it a factory feel. not sure where you cn find one now. Mine was $200 installed last spring.

Most of what I have heard about the Aiwa units has not been very positive.

Not bagging on your deck, man - if you're happy that's ALL that matters!

But - I've read lots of reviews that it skips easily, especially over rough roads. And MY preference is a deck with a removeable face and some sort of dimmer control. The steering wheel remote IS awesome - I wish they made a nice wireless one like that for my Kenwood. But the other factors kept me away.

~HH

kenwood kdc-x659, the best mod so far for my car... lol

Alpine makes good decks too, but they may be a little bit out of your price range. The folder navigation on them for MP3s is excellent. I love my Alpine 7995.

Thanks guys, I should have mentioned I was looking in the $240USD and less range, hence the cap on those models. The big draw for the SX980 is the price of course, I can get it for $169 from a dealer in town, and I can get the SH707 and DX572 for about $240 USD from the same guy. I can't even get the cheapest internet one shipped to Canada for that amount. The reason I don't dig the pioneer that much is actually just the look of it (the green doesn't sit with me, and I don't really need that screensaver stuff either). I am sitting on my hands for now, until after x-mas when the price will fall out of them and I can get it for less tax (i will be in pst free alberta).

thanks for your advice gurus of all that is the bel and decibel and all the other funky funky stuff.:cool:

From a looks perspective, some of the Kenwoods are a good deal - look for those with selectable button illumination. My deck can be either green or red - the red is not a *perfect* match for the dash, but it comes close and looks waaaaay better than green.

Funny - my wife has the same deck in her Jeep - she leaves the buttons green to match HER dash lighting ;).

And if I remember correctly, maybe one or two of the JVCs have red illumination. Also - Rockford Fosgate makes MP3 decks with red buttons also - those decks look very nice. I don't know of anyone who has one, so I can't comment on the quality. But they should be decent at least.

Here's a few - and all should be able to meet your price range (if you don't buy them from Crotchfield!):

Kenwood MPV-619 (MPV-709 looks nearly identical also) the screen can be changed to a bunch of different colors, and it has the red buttons - not bad:
http://pix.crutchfield.com/products/...3MPV619-f.jpeg


Rockford Fosgate RFX-9110/9210/9300 (all come in "graphite" also):
http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/ezcom...0%20CHROME.jpg

Rockford Fosgate RFX-9000:
http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/ezcom...5rfx9000_F.jpg

Just a few suggestions considering MP3 + looks.

~HH

Thanks hihoslva, not many people point out the looks (which I feel is important, I don't want my hu to stick out to bad). Red lighting is important, but I don't like the kenwood dials (I love the Pro's rotary volume).

That RF RFX-9000 looks pretty slick, i think I will check prices.

Personally...I like the JVC stuff. I had a KD-SX980 and loved it. Fastest reading the CDs as well, compared to others I tried. But, I needed more oomph from my deck and subout, so I sold it and picked up the KD-LH2000

http://www.jvc.ca/en/consumer/produc...odel=KD-LH2000

Kool graphics on the screen, separate colours for different dash colouring schemes, reads the CDs fast like the 980...drop a little more jink and get this one...or it's brother, the KD-SH99. Ciao...