Shopping for a new head unit

gopherbeats · **Posted:** Tue Jan 02, 2007 10:30 am

I am shopping around for a new head unit. I saw this one: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-R7n6SAiDQxC/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=300&I=113MP632

or use:
Kenwood KDC-MP632U
Item #113MP632

http://www.crutchfield.com/

anyway.. I like it because of the USB capability. I plan to get a portable hard drive and then I can have my whole music collection at all times.
I also plan to get the Kenwood ipod adapter.

So any thoughts on this head unit?
Seems the majority of the people here run Alpine or JVC..

Thoughts are welcome.

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Tue Jan 02, 2007 11:15 am

As of yet, I have never used a JVC headunit. That doesn't mean they aren't any good - but when I was shopping around (years ago now) they didn't have the features that I was looking for. I have had head units from: Pioneer, Panisonic and Kenwood. Of those - the Kenwood Excelon series has been the coolest and best sounding to my ears. They used to have a motorized faceplate that would flip around when you turn off the car so no one sees your goods. One of their HU's was even password protected with a PIN number. I don't think they have these features anymore though.

But anyway - determine your budget and then compare features that you like. If you're not planning on subs, than pre-outs are not going to be important... If you want a clean look - try finding a unit with no preset buttons on it

psinsyd · **Posted:** Tue Jan 02, 2007 12:14 pm

Here's the seller on the Bay that I picked up mine from. Great service, and also came with the iPod adapter. See my pics thread for pics of the unit powered up and running.

KD-AVX2.

gopherbeats · **Posted:** Tue Jan 02, 2007 1:51 pm

Cool thanks for the input.
I saw your JVC unit. That looks like a very cool gadget!

Does any one have the Kenwood KCA-iP500 iPod™ Control Interface, Control your iPod with your Kenwood receiver
Item #113IP500 from crutchfield.com

Most of the reviews state that it is very difficult to navigate your Ipod through the Head Unit. I am just wondering if these people are less than stellar in intelligence.. or actually read the manual, gave it a go.. and still found it was difficult.

djformi · **Posted:** Tue Jan 02, 2007 5:04 pm

I had that I sold it to my friend, there are only a few select things that will work with usb, If I can find the manual I will let you know what they are I had the same idea you did. I had my creative zen xtra with 100gb hd I add in to it. I was going to use that wasnt recognized by the head unit at all..so I read the manual only a few selects portable music players can be used.

FastTRX · **Posted:** Thu Jan 04, 2007 11:19 pm

I just got an Alpine for christmas. So far I'm VERY happy w/ its performance although it's taking a while to get used to. I find its kind of hard to figure out and not very user friendly. But this is my first aftermarket headunit and I got quite used to the stocker. It was a tough choice between the Kenwood and Alpine. I'm wishing that I would have went one more model up so I could have the Ipod adapter included...I never thought about it before picking it out.

asgates · **Posted:** Fri Jan 05, 2007 12:45 am

i have to say that alpine are some of the most versitile head units i've seen out there. they are simple to use and don't have a million buttons on them. what is also nice is the slick ipod integration that you can get

.

Jholmes · **Joined:** Fri Nov 10, 2006 7:58 am **Posts:** 18

I have a Pioneer 9800BT, with Bluetooth built in... I love it. it's pricey at 450, but if you ever consider adding the mopar Uconnect module.. the math works out on your favor if youre going to replace the headunit and get the Uconnect... (thats what I was going to do)

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-jacAEvoqJMZ/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?search=pioneer+bt&i=130DEHP980

FastTRX · **Posted:** Mon Jan 08, 2007 10:21 pm

asgates wrote:

i have to say that alpine are some of the most versitile head units i've seen out there. they are simple to use and don't have a million buttons on them. what is also nice is the slick ipod integration that you can get

.

Maybe for you!! :lol:

I was a bit confused and had to check on the manual a few times. I have to agree w/ you tho...Alpine is among some of the easier ones....the others I looked at had WAY to many buttons.

I'm new to the aftermarket sound systems and CD players....I would have much rather run a stock unit but you have to compromise w/ the performance of the aftermarket head unit. I'm VERY happy w/ it so far....and I'm not done. I have yet to add the subwoofers/amp.....

Shopping for a new head unit

Who is online