Cheap head unit

my bro is looking for a audio head unit in the sub $200 range. He heard that the best brands are Alpine and Pioneer, and doesn't know which would have the best bang for buck. He would prefer it to have an auxilary input on the front, but even on the back would be fine. Also, he'd like the best sound quality possible for this range, and as many options for adjusting it (EQ, etc.) as possible. He evenutally plans to put in some subs and maybe an amp.

The models that he was looking at are the Pioneer DEH 3700 and the Alpine CDA-9847 or CDE-9845. Are any of these models better/worse than the others, or is there something else entirely that'd be better of for his purposes?

Personally ive never really liked pioneer unless its the premier stuff but thats usually way to over priced. Never had any problems with alpine some of there more expensive stuff is awsome. Panasonic makes a bitchin hu

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-Djg4nZYWY2D/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=300&I=133C8100

Clarion makes some ok stuff

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-Djg4nZYWY2D/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=300&I=020DXZ555

But out of the ones you have i would pick one of tha alpines.

Ive had 3 alpine units and have never had any problems with them. I would recommend them to anyone.

Ive never had any prolems with them they just dont ususally have the features i ever want unless you spend 350+. Otherwise there great hu's but i prefer panasonic.

My opinion is different again lol i would go pioneer i've had pioneer in all the cars i've owned apart from my prelude which has panasonic, which i don't think is as good as pioneer! So i say go pioneer! :)

One thing i have learned about car audio is that if they have it walmart it usually isnt very good. Besides that i have never seen a pioneer that had more features let alone out perfrom a panasonic. Granted the older panasonics where pieces of shit the new ones are fucking awsome. The only pioneer stuff i like is the premier but that over priced and there is always something better. But car audio is 90 percent opinion so its all in what the persons looking for.

Well, my main required features most likely differ from yours. I require at least 4 volt hi-volt pre-outs, and 3 pre-amp outputs (a front, rear, and sub pre-amp output). Then, of course an auxillery imput post too.

For me, the EQ's are uselss since with all the amps, etc. I used to LOVE my in deck EQ's...then I got some good, hi powered clean amps. The EQ is useless now. I get the cleanest sound and the best sq with it all set flat. It reproduces the recorded sound more true to the way it was recorded. Now a 30 band EQ tuned properly with an RTA and pink noise would improve SQ further...but this of course isn't on your brothers plate....thats more up my ally.

For your brother, both Pioneer and Alpine are good, though I'd get premier over Alipne any day. Premier costs a lot less today than they did 4 years ago, LOL. I don't care for panasonic. I havn't seen their new stuff, but their old stuff was crap.

If your brother is thinking about external amps later on, I'd look for the best HU in his pricerange with 4 volt+ pre-outs, and 3 pre-amp out-puts (front, rear, and sub). I saw an Eclipse for around $200 that had these the other day (5 volt), though since I am not in the market for a headunit, I didn't stop to see if that was clearance or normal priced.

Also, don't be afriad to bricker on price. The mark-up in car stereo is HUGE. Back in 2001, my HU was like a $390 retail priced HU. I bickered my way down to $260, which was close to cost + 10%. Took awhile, but I knocked a chunk off the price.

Il agree no one has the same needs from a HU as far as the 4 volt preamps i didnt look into the features. Heres the one i ment to put on
http://cgi.ebay.com/2005-PANASONIC-CQ-C7401U-CD-MP3-WMA-PLAYER-NEW_W0QQitemZ5800101075QQcategoryZ50560QQrdZ1QQcmd ZViewItem

Yeah panasonic HU used to blow they where pieces of shit. Eclipse is awsome stuff but im not sure on there lower priced HU's and the markup on stereo equipment is insane. Look around and you should find something that would meet your needs. Oh yeah dont be scared to use ebay i have bought so much stuff off of ebay and never had a problem.

I wouldn't uyse ebay to buy stereo equipment. You'll get no manufacturers warrenty if you buy it from ebay, and not having a warrenty makes it not worth it IMO. :2cents:

Yeah il agree the lack of warranty is a bit of a rip off but some of the stuff still has manufacturer warranty because it was bought in either surplus or liquidation. IF you get good HU then it will most likely outlast the warranty which is usually only a year anyways. Thats the only reason my old panasonic didnt get fixed. Im sure you can find a good hu for lees than 200 that is usually 200-250 for less than 200 on some internet sites.