which to get?
03-01-2006, 05:51 AM
#1
which to get?
http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/compa...UseBVCookie=No
I like the rotary volume **** and the higher RMS wattage of the Panasonic, however the Sony has a much higher CD signal-to-noise ratio. Which is more important, signal-to-noise ratio or RMS wattage? Which is the better head unit?
I like the rotary volume **** and the higher RMS wattage of the Panasonic, however the Sony has a much higher CD signal-to-noise ratio. Which is more important, signal-to-noise ratio or RMS wattage? Which is the better head unit?
03-01-2006, 05:56 AM
#2
ehh neither, go with an eclipse if you can afford, or a pioneer or alpine
wattage pretty much isn't what they say it is anyways. as long as its 45x4 or 50x4 or 52x4 you should be fine..
if i HAD to choose between your 2, id probably go with sony, but it is ugly
wattage pretty much isn't what they say it is anyways. as long as its 45x4 or 50x4 or 52x4 you should be fine..
if i HAD to choose between your 2, id probably go with sony, but it is ugly
03-01-2006, 08:01 AM
#3
Ive had a lot more Sony units come back with problems than I have Panasonic. That being said, theres my choice, but as long as you are shopping at CC, stop by and ask the car audio manager if he will give you any deals on 05 product. Or theres probably some 'open box' head units, because I know at my store we are trying to get rid of all the 05 product to get all the 06 up on display, and so youd probably get a couple bucks knocked off of an older model and get a better unit, from Pioneer hopefully.
03-01-2006, 08:32 AM
#4
I know money is an important factor, but if you are spending $100 on an HU, I would see if you can scrap up another $60 or so and get an eclipse. From everything I've heard the eclipse are great HU. My brother has had one in his max for like 6 years and it still works great.
Sonys and Panas just don't seem to hold up as well, and I would hate to see you spend another $100 on a super cheap HU just a few months down the road when you could have just spent $160-200 up front and saved the hassle. (My cousin's Panasonic screen crapped out like 8 months after he bought it, and then a month later it wouldn't play cds)
Sonys and Panas just don't seem to hold up as well, and I would hate to see you spend another $100 on a super cheap HU just a few months down the road when you could have just spent $160-200 up front and saved the hassle. (My cousin's Panasonic screen crapped out like 8 months after he bought it, and then a month later it wouldn't play cds)
03-01-2006, 09:42 AM
#5
Originally Posted by KyMan
I know money is an important factor, but if you are spending $100 on an HU, I would see if you can scrap up another $60 or so and get an eclipse. From everything I've heard the eclipse are great HU. My brother has had one in his max for like 6 years and it still works great.
Sonys and Panas just don't seem to hold up as well, and I would hate to see you spend another $100 on a super cheap HU just a few months down the road when you could have just spent $160-200 up front and saved the hassle. (My cousin's Panasonic screen crapped out like 8 months after he bought it, and then a month later it wouldn't play cds)
Sonys and Panas just don't seem to hold up as well, and I would hate to see you spend another $100 on a super cheap HU just a few months down the road when you could have just spent $160-200 up front and saved the hassle. (My cousin's Panasonic screen crapped out like 8 months after he bought it, and then a month later it wouldn't play cds)
03-01-2006, 09:57 AM
#6
Pioneer makes a better HU than sony/panasonic, for the same price:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1134702498021
ask anyone on this forum with a pioneer and they will tell you how long their pioneer has lasted.
for a little more money, you can get a better model, this is their cheapest one i believe.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1134702498021
ask anyone on this forum with a pioneer and they will tell you how long their pioneer has lasted.
for a little more money, you can get a better model, this is their cheapest one i believe.
03-01-2006, 10:10 AM
#7
Originally Posted by mendon99
Pioneer makes a better HU than sony/panasonic, for the same price:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1134702498021
ask anyone on this forum with a pioneer and they will tell you how long their pioneer has lasted.
for a little more money, you can get a better model, this is their cheapest one i believe.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1134702498021
ask anyone on this forum with a pioneer and they will tell you how long their pioneer has lasted.
for a little more money, you can get a better model, this is their cheapest one i believe.
03-01-2006, 10:26 AM
#8
Originally Posted by ElVito1981
http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/compa...UseBVCookie=No
I like the rotary volume **** and the higher RMS wattage of the Panasonic, however the Sony has a much higher CD signal-to-noise ratio. Which is more important, signal-to-noise ratio or RMS wattage? Which is the better head unit?
I like the rotary volume **** and the higher RMS wattage of the Panasonic, however the Sony has a much higher CD signal-to-noise ratio. Which is more important, signal-to-noise ratio or RMS wattage? Which is the better head unit?
Id say hold out for a better headunit, worst case get the eclipse 1000
03-01-2006, 10:29 AM
#9
Originally Posted by Cant_Get_Ryte
Signal to noise ratio by a landslide. Figure what good is the 14 actual watts if the signal is dirty from above 8 watts?
Id say hold out for a better headunit, worst case get the eclipse 1000
Id say hold out for a better headunit, worst case get the eclipse 1000
then i'm getting the sony H/U for its 120 db s/n ratio. thanks dude
03-01-2006, 10:34 AM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 402
Originally Posted by mendon99
Pioneer makes a better HU than sony/panasonic, for the same price:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1134702498021
ask anyone on this forum with a pioneer and they will tell you how long their pioneer has lasted.
for a little more money, you can get a better model, this is their cheapest one i believe.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1134702498021
ask anyone on this forum with a pioneer and they will tell you how long their pioneer has lasted.
for a little more money, you can get a better model, this is their cheapest one i believe.
03-01-2006, 02:43 PM
#14
I recommended the Eclipse for their durability, but you have a valid point in not wanting to pay for extra features.
Considering your situation I would probably be getting a pioneer-they are built well and will accomplish your goal nicely.
Also, most of the headunits will list about the same amount of power from the internal amp. But, a Pioneer will sound much better and louder than a Sony with comparable specs. Quality and cleanliness of power makes a much bigger difference than 3 watts rms.
Considering your situation I would probably be getting a pioneer-they are built well and will accomplish your goal nicely.
Also, most of the headunits will list about the same amount of power from the internal amp. But, a Pioneer will sound much better and louder than a Sony with comparable specs. Quality and cleanliness of power makes a much bigger difference than 3 watts rms.
03-01-2006, 04:29 PM
#16
Originally Posted by ElVito1981
then i'm getting the sony H/U for its 120 db s/n ratio. thanks dude
and its NEGLIGIBLE price difference for what don told me he has it listed for right then. 
pretty sure the price still stands.
03-01-2006, 06:28 PM
#18
sensitivity of the speakers is just how well the driver uses the power it's being given. speaker A with a sensitivity of 91 dB will play louder when given the same power as speaker B with a sensitivity of 85 dB.
03-01-2006, 07:27 PM
#19
Originally Posted by ElVito1981
i was just thinking, would I really notice a difference going from a headunit with a CD s/n ratio of 94 db to one with 120 db if my speakers only have a sensitivity of 91 db?
get an amp if you want better sound.
03-01-2006, 09:24 PM
#20
I tend to get a bit irritable
iTrader: (151)
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Central Jersey
Posts: 17,671
Originally Posted by slickrick
no. get an amp if you want better sound.
get an amp if you want better sound.EXACTLY !!!
No HU is going to perform well with comps. Most manufacturers will even tell you Do Not Run These from a HU.
03-01-2006, 09:33 PM
#21
Originally Posted by Pearl96Max
EXACTLY !!!
No HU is going to perform well with comps. Most manufacturers will even tell you Do Not Run These from a HU.
No HU is going to perform well with comps. Most manufacturers will even tell you Do Not Run These from a HU.
03-01-2006, 10:14 PM
#30
I tend to get a bit irritable
iTrader: (151)
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Central Jersey
Posts: 17,671
Originally Posted by AscendantMax
yeah, pretty damn clean. blended in pretty nicely with the ava 15 after some tuning. solid midbass and smooth highs.
And those are the metal domes...
03-02-2006, 05:02 AM
#31
Originally Posted by Pearl96Max
EXACTLY !!!
No HU is going to perform well with comps. Most manufacturers will even tell you Do Not Run These from a HU.
No HU is going to perform well with comps. Most manufacturers will even tell you Do Not Run These from a HU.
I'm not using components, i'm using diamond audio coaxials.
03-02-2006, 07:50 AM
#32
Originally Posted by ElVito1981
I'm not using components, i'm using diamond audio coaxials.
03-02-2006, 12:38 PM
#33
Originally Posted by slickrick
they still will sound better amped trust me. It took me awhile before I got an amp for my coaxials and components and I will never look back. basic amps are so cheap now too...
yeah i know, but i don't wanna be listening to the music loud, nor do I want to go through all that trouble of running all those wires everywhere, taking out the rear seats, etc.
03-03-2006, 01:46 PM
#35
Originally Posted by ElVito1981
anybody know that if after a certain point, signal-to-noise ratio is meaningless, like THD less than 0.1% is inaudible...
So to me that is reason enough to strive for the healthier numbers to end up above par when its all said and done.
Funny you say that and it was you spec shopping/racing in this thread...hehe