whos makes the best double din head unit available?

 

2-DIn units are priced from 250 for some POS Jensen to like 1300 for some high-line Pioneer. There are models by Jensen, JVC, Clarion, Kenwood, SONY, and Pioneer, thats all I can recall. I'd say you dont have to spend a lot to get a good unit. I have Clarion ADX 5655z I bought for about 300, have no complaints a year later.

 

as it is now i have the jvc. i hate it. i need a high end unit now.. ive been looking at the alpine..

 

I assume it is JVC KXWC 770 unit, very cool looking, whats wrong with it? I was about to buy it, but talked out of it to spend 20 bux more on Clarion.

 

umm.. im not sure what the model number is, but its not new. granted i dont think they have changed much since i bought this one. generally, i dont like the way it looks in the car for starters. i can say that this is the weakest link in my stereo. this is my belief and the belief of some other professionals also. if i listen to a cd and then change to the radio, the volume of the music playing on the radio is almost half of what it was on the cd. the bass control does not stay the same either. im in the + numbers when i listen to the radio and in the - numbers for a cd. (this is after i turned up the volume of the radio to make it the same for what the cd was playing at. my componet speakers constantly distorted when playing at a high volume, but no where near it should. ive turned the gains down to the piont it wont distort when turned all the way up and its just absolutely pathetic. if the radio isnt the only problem it has to be the main one.. im just not happy with it at all.. it has to go..

 

first of all, if your unit is used, you might want to clean up that laser. I'd get one of them cleaning CDs sold in many stores thats ell blank CDs. If that doesnt help your sound, wassup with power ratings of your headunit and speakers? If your speakers sound distorted then they do not handle the power of your headunit, it means your speakers have to go. JVC headunit is rated at least 160 watt, that is 40 watt per channel. I'm not a pro, but usually crossover is taking care of distortion. You just need your system configured right, speakers should match the stereo. If you want to blow your cash on another good-looking unit just because it is newer, go right ahead. But today's units have even more power, from 45 to 50 watt per channel, it means you are not going to be able to crank it up one quarter without distortion. Ask pros and see what they tell ya.

 

im running 2 sets of diamond audio m561 components. they are rated at 20-170 watts. all speakers are powered from external amps. the componets are being powered by a fosgate 600a4, gains are turned alomst all the way down. im also running 4 10" pheonix gold xmax's with another a fosgate 1100a2 pushing them. its most likely the head unit. the extreme volume difference has been there since the day it came out of the box even with the stock bose system. it may not be the source of all my problems but it definately needs to be upgrade for the sound quality i want. the componets or amp may also be upgraded, but the head unit is the first to go. if i cant find a really good double din, most likely i will go with an eclipse. the only other things i'll look at is alpine and kenwood.

 

I have a Kenwood coming in this tuesday, more power than that bogus JVC and is somewhat better than the Clarion...mine runs a good 600 to 800 at some places, but i'm going to get it for only 316 plus shipping at carstereoexpo.com...it's already on ups and should be coming tuesday afternoon only problem is installing it but i'll find someone for that

Kenwood DPX 4020

look into that, has largest display screen since cassette is behind double din, that's why i'm feeling it, more power than JVC also....

 

I disagree that Kenwood is a better headunit only because it has a larger display. My Clarion is rated at 45w per channel, and I think your Kenwood is the same. Back a year ago when researching double-din units, I had to choose from JVC, Clarion, and Kenwood. I liked the looks of JVC and functionality of Clarion..I chose Clarion because my friends said Clarion makes great reliable units. Also, my criteria was the output in Hz in both CD and tape..You tell me if your Kenwood's tape player reproduces up to 18,000Hz.Compare them head-to-head, and Clarion really not that bad.

BTW if you check recent Crutchfield, there's a new unit on the market by Aiwa, priced around 300.

 

www.eclipse-web.com

Look at the 7301....It is a double din am-fm/cassette/cd/and a video screen all in one!!!!

 

You guys should do a search. I believe that some of the comments here are being repeated, and by the same people. If you didn't get the answer you wanted the first time, asking a second time may not get you any different result. Sounds like someone is looking for acceptance or recognition instead of advice.

 

If you must get one

http://www.alpine1.com/html/D2_n_1_n_n.html

 

umm.. no. to put it very simple, i dont beleive a 300 dollar radio is going to provide me with what i want. i dont doubt that they are good quality and produce good sound reproduction. i dont doubt they are worth getting. i just want something better.

 

this is something im gonna have to seriously look into.. thank you. it looks really good in the pic but they dont give too much info on it..

 

I've narrowed down my search to the Alpine and Eclipse headunit's. I've been reading up on the Eclipse's, but their prices are ridiculous.

GC

 

There decks start at $229.00......is this out of your price range?

 

well, haven't done too much research but if you look up info on Kenwood's, you'll see they are specifically made for Japanese (not sure what country) cars and they specifically mentioned Nissan's....also, the DPX 4020 is more expensive than than yours and puts out 47 watts not 45, not like we'll ever reach that but after reading specs, i definitely feel the DPX 4020 is better than the Clarion you mentioned. Only problem is that i wanted a 7 band equalizer or more and mine only comes with like 4. The clarion might come with more. bUT POUND FOR POUND, my kenwood over powers yours

 

Do you guys think car cd players put out 45 watts per channel?

Average output is 8-10 watts per channel.

 

ehh...from what i hear, the average is 20 or so...what u messing with dawg? and they can go as high as 40's but never do...people just buy high wattage just incase mariah carey comes on wit her high a$$ voice.....

LIKE I SAID, quote " not like they ever go that high anyway" end quote

 

Not quite, that is easily affordable. I'm specifically looking at the 7301 or 7002. What are your opinions on the Alpine CVA series?

GC

 

All of the Alpine CVA series decks are good. They start at around $999.00

The Eclipse in dash screens start at $1199.00....they just discontinued the 7002 (last years model and I have this one) so your chances are good in finding 7002 for a more aggressive price.

 

double dins are pure junk. don't get one. You're just paying for an expenisve light show.

 

Puremax.....he is looking for an in dash video screen....

 

just say you're jealous. I paid 300 bux for mine. When I was shopping,the cheapest Kenwood was smthg like 450.

 

anyone got a realistic price for that eclipse 7301? i havent had a chance to goto the dealer yet. im gonna make a trip tomorrow. id just like to have something to compare it to.. thanks in advance

 

i have a kenwood 5010 that i got off ebay for 350 bucks which its a 700 dollar radio the thing is great only problem is if you have a 2k+ it is not a direct fit for the bose radio the freekin bose radio is huge theres like an inch on each side and half inch top and bottom that the dd is smaller

 

It retails for $2G's...Kinda pricey but damn worth it.

 

Nope, don't have interest in LCD screens for they cost to much and they have nothing to do with sound. I just think you could buy better things then wasting your money on sh1tty double din's. Single din's with a killer eq is your best bet IMO!!!

 

well i think ive decided to go with a single din for now. i dont have 2 grand to blow on a radio at this piont so ill do it in two peices. im leaning towards the eclipse tuner/cd/dvd player. cant remember the model number rite now but its the one with the 8 volt outputs. with that i have time to decide what i wanna do for a screen later on and i know it can follow me if i buy a new car.

 

Clarion adx and it was a great deck, Im selling mine (FS thread) because I got the next clarion DD model above the adx, the max2256, which is a $2000 deck, with a 5" lcd screen, I bought this because I got a good deal on it and I think the single din units that flip out are kinda cheesey and just look really breakable lol.
before I bought the adx I was going to buy the kenwood 4020(i think) but it was only $100 dollars more then the adx and It had the motorized face which looked cool but for $400 I could tell that most of the money went towards the motorized face plate and not sound quality. got the adx which most people that have knoledge about audio equipment will tell you is the best in the $300-$500 price range the jvc DD deck is crap, ive heard it and the sound quality isnt great.

My max2256 is great, its basically all the features of the adx but with a 5"lcd and some other features. it retails for $2000 but they dont make it anymore because not that many people could afford $2000 for a deck, If you can find one for under $1000 get it, they are very rare and you could probably sell it and make $$, Ive seen some on ebay for $600 with the brain(control box that has to be mounted somewhere else in the car, mine is under the front seat, it looks like a real small amp.)

the face is motorized to angle so you can view the LCD at multiple angles and to expose the ports for cd/casstte. this deck added with my DVD player in the back and dreamcast makes a great setup.

 

 

btw the picture and sound quality is great.
pic is too big so heres a link

http://imagem.webphotos.iwon.com/100...879702E-02.jpg

what it looks like at night

 

that is the tightest thing I have ever seen. HOW MUCH?

 

or do they just not bother reading the entire post before they ask questions?

 

Hey ! I can install that for ya....Im in NJ too !

 

N34JZ that is the best looking setup i have seen so far. I had pulled out my credit card preparing to make a purchase. too bad it isnt made anymore. nice setup again.

 

d'oh, i already got it done with my indiglo gauges done for 60 dollars...but he rewired all speakers to stereo and took out stock amps...a job that would cost over 120 dollars combined at retail stores how much would u have charged me?

 

Right around there, in that ballpark.Give or take....

 

I had no intent of purchaseing this deck but the deal I got on it andthe fact that I found one, was amazing. PM me and ill send you some info on a guy that might have some left.

 

800 by it now price. DO IT

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=1339194642

this is a great price.