Headunits

[BigBL87]

So, in response to all the complications with keeping my stock HU, I'm starting to consider replacing my HU. Here's my 3 favorites:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1134701297858

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1141762608953

http://cardiscountstereos.com/Catalo...ct+%23=DEH47DH

I can get all of them for under $160, which is why I chose them. I like Pioneer because I won't need a mounting kit, but don't know about the quality. The Alpine I like because I know they have a good reputation, and Insignia I'd never heard of, so I was curious. Which do you guys think would be the best?

[PlayStation3]

personal i would ge the alpine but you do realize that 2 of those are din 1 and pioneer one is din 2 right

[pimprolla112]

Gm uses DDIN HU's in most of there newer cars, sunfires, camaroes, grand ams and so forth.

Alpine makes good stuff, are you keeping strictly to buying in stores or are you willing to order offline. If your willing to get offline try to get something with higher voltage preamps. Looking at CDS it looks like they sell a bunch of junk they do have panasonic, and clarion but the majority is horrible. Also check ebay but make sure its a legit store with great feedback IE 95% or better. I got my girl a panasonic off of there for 218 shipped with a ton of features, it has mp3, wma, 3 sets 5v preamps, aux input and built in satalite tuner so all you need is the antenna, and you can use an ipod and such it was either the 7103u or the 7803u i cant remember. If you get pioneer look at there premier series, and for alpine like i said look for a higher preamp voltage. I know the great thing about best buy and circuit city is free istallation with purchase but sometimes its worth the 30-40 if you get a 300-400 dollar HU off line for less than half, so id keep looking around and keep to more name brands clarion, panasonic, pioneer, alpine, eclipse theres more but these should be a good start.

[BigBL87]

Originally Posted by PlayStation3

personal i would ge the alpine but you do realize that 2 of those are din 1 and pioneer one is din 2 right

OK, newbness, but I have no idea what that means. Care to inform me?

*edit* If you're talking about the size, then yes I realize they are different, exactly why I like the Pioneer. The Pioneer one I actually found out is a step up from the one I posted. It's this:

http://www.hookedontronics.com/show_...s.jsp?cid=1073

The Pioneer HU is actually at the local Farm and Fleet on clearence for $149.88. There's only one left, which would normally concern me, but there has only been one left for a year now, so the sucker isn't going anywhere anytime real soon.

[PaulD]

in the same price range, I would guess performance would be similiar ...... so I would go for the one that has the features you want and the looks.

[BigBL87]

So, now that I'm going with an aftermarket HU, I'm beginning to look at amps again, since speaker level inputs won't work. Anyway, I know everyone rips Sony's speakers, with good reason of course, but are their amps pieces of junk too? They match the look (being red and all) I'm going for, and they're affordable, so I was just wondering. I need something with between 90 and 125 RMS x2 @ 4 ohms. I would prefer not to spend more than $160, and would prefer something new if I could possibly do that. I know quality is hard to come by with those requirements, but I figured you guys would be the people to come to.

[PaulD]

just be advised that Sony amps are overrated ....... a 75 watt/ch x 4 amp may only put out 35-40 watts/ch RMS in the real world.

[pimprolla112]

^thank you paul. Check out profile amps there usually less than 100 on ebay and there rated closer to true rms than any other cheap brands, visonik, sony, lanzar, pyle, pyramid, and my favorite legacy (jk). I like the old clarus series i just got a 400m to replace my blown ca 400m.

[alphalanos]

Ive had good results with Alpine HU's. stay away form Insignia. Pioneer is a good choice also.

[BigBL87]

Originally Posted by BigBL87

So, now that I'm going with an aftermarket HU, I'm beginning to look at amps again, since speaker level inputs won't work. Anyway, I know everyone rips Sony's speakers, with good reason of course, but are their amps pieces of junk too? They match the look (being red and all) I'm going for, and they're affordable, so I was just wondering. I need something with between 90 and 125 RMS x2 @ 4 ohms. I would prefer not to spend more than $160, and would prefer something new if I could possibly do that. I know quality is hard to come by with those requirements, but I figured you guys would be the people to come to.

Never mind. Did some better research on the Pioneer amp I wanted, and turns out it has speaker level AND RCA, so I'm gonna stay with that amp. Thanks for all the help you guys have provided!