So I'm going to be using my original bose speakers up front for now and have no speakers in the back and have a 700 watt amp feeding a 12" sub in the trunk. Eventually I'll probably change out the old bose speakers with something better (maybe infinity references) and put some decent speakers in the rear as well.

My question is that I have two head units and am trying to decide which would be better.

1) Pioneer DEH-P4500MP.
TWO sets of preamp outputs (front and rear)
3-band parametric EQ adjustment
Front Image Enhancer — removes high and midrange frequencies from rear speakers
22 watts RMS/50 peak x 4 channels

2)Alpine CDE-9843.
ONE set of preamp outputs
16 watts RMS/45 peak x 4 channels

What is the advantage of having TWO sets of preamp outputs? Does it matter if I have more than one set of preamps with the setup I have of only one amp and one sub? Also, the reason I'm not just choosing the Pioneer over the Alpine right away is that the Pioneer is a bit beat up and not as pretty as the nearly perfect Alpine. Are the specs close enough that it doesn't really make a difference? Or should I definitely go with the Pioneer?

 

Are you going to put the stock bose speakers on the amp? The headunit won't power them. If you are using the amp to power all of the speakers, then use whatever headunit you want

 

Sorry, I should have clarified-I'm using the amp ONLY for the subwoofer, the head unit will power the speakers.

I put up a poll, so cast your vote!

 

Since you're not going to put an amp on your interior speakers, you would only need one pre amp output.

I suggest getting a headunit that has a dedicated subwoofer pre amp output though. I'm currently running a Pioneer Deh-4800mp. It has 3 pre amp outputs (front, rear, sub). The controls I have at the deck for tuning the subwoofer output are decent. I bought it for $120 last summer.

 

First off pioneer makes some decent mid grade stuff, however Alpine always has the trump card in my book. Alpine just has better quality audio and its made better. Also much more expense most of the time. One set of outs for the sub is all you will really need. If you were to do some massive audio build then maybe a different unit. You should be good with the alpine, dont forget though if you have the bose system you need to do some extra steps

 

What sort of extra steps? I have the pioneer installed right now and the alpine just sitting around. The HU is already hooked up to the Bose speakers. Don't I just need to run rca cables from the preout to the amp?

 

he's talking about using a box with pots because the stock bose speakers have some weird impedance like 1.4 or somehting if i remember correctly and without it apparently you can't turn the volume up high on the new hu...you probably already have it. if not they cost like 10-15 bucks PAC makes one...

just hook up your rcas, +/- and your done. **** away

 

i would go with the alpine...and the only advantage to having more pre outs is more amps as well as a dedicated sub channel if you ever decide to go with a new HU get something that has a sub channel out that has a high voltage

 

How much are you spending? If you can spare 199, get an eclipse cd 2000, it has 3, 5volt pre outs which gives you the ability to upgrade in the future and the higher pre outs will give you better sound. The dedicated sub pre out also gives you a volume control for the sub and it has 3 band eq also. It plays mp3's, too.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-BuXykOO...00&I=099CD2000

 

I don't have any $$ to spare for another HU, I need to chose one of the two I have. Eventually, though, I hope to put 6.5's in the front and some speakers in the back.

 

He coulda just got a CD3000 for $165.

 

oops I didn't comprehend the part about them both being in your possession, try them both then and see which sounds better and then sell the one you don't like and put that towards something.

 

Or sell both and get something better.

 

That's what I would do.