Best bang for your buck car stereo in dash unit

[scottmandue]

My in dash stereo seems to be going south... static in the right channel for a few minutes before the car warms up (but then goes away). This morning jump in the car to go to work, power on... typical noise on right channel... something sounds funny... yep, no sound out of left channel... by the time I get to work the left channel had returned.

The dash unit is a little over a year old and out of warranty... it is a Kenwood so they are dead to me.

I have a Pioneer home theater receiver that I like, I have heard good things about their car stereos.

I put a JVC car stereo into my 2005 Hyundai (now my step daughters) it sounded great and is still going strong.

In my web search the Pioneer, JVC, and Sony all have the same features for very close to the exact money.

Someone will recommend Alpine, ten years ago they were top of the line, never had one so I have nothing to compare.

Not sure if Nakamici is still in business but pretty sure they are out of my budget range.

So I think I am down to JVC, Pioneer, Sony as my options... I know we have bunch of people here who are fairly knowledgeable about audio and car stereo so I am interested what stereo you would go with and why.

Thanks!

PS, Installed new speakers at the same time as the Kenwood.

[JavaBrewer]

Depends on what you classify as "Bang for buck". Simple music standards (CD/MP3/AUX/Bluetooth) with factory speakers - you can something for <$100. If you are talking new head unit, speakers, amp(s) then that's entirely different and dependent on your wallet. Rod over at Car Audio Innovations would the person to ask for something special.

My 996 came with a cheap JVC KD-R330 head unit ($69 at Crutchfield) and some sort of low quality amp. Runs through factory speakers as far as I can tell. It plays music from various sources and has the Bluetooth added module. Its simple to operate, does not look like the Vegas strip at night, and probably not on the short list for thieves. Nothing special but good enough for my usage.

[porsche4life]

I always just see has crutchfield has in the outlet, usually some decent pioneer, sony, alpine, etc for around $100.

[RANDY P]

Alpine is de-facto out of the single-din aftermarket game - all they have are ****ty basic CD players and their current top of the line 149BT is overpriced for what you get.

Put me down for Pioneer DEH80-PRS, Any of the time alignment Kenwoods (x997 or older). Anything less and they're all the same and UGLY. I have a x994 Kenwood and it'll keep up with the latest crap. Got it for nothing on closeout.

[scottmandue]

Just looking to replace in dash unit, installed new MB-Quart speakers (good enough but not great speakers).

Also installed new soundstream amp in trunk.

This is going into the Miata so I don't need top of the line.

I do want bluetooth so I can do hands free.

Originally Posted by porsche4life

I always just see has crutchfield has in the outlet, usually some decent pioneer, sony, alpine, etc for around $100.

Is that an online store or a storefront?

[scottmandue]

My short list:

Amazon.com: PIONEER DEH-X6600BT CD RECEIVER WITH MIXTRAX(TM): Car Electronics

Amazon.com: Brand New JVC KD-R730BT In-Dash MP3/WMA Receiver with Front Aux/USB, Variable Color Illumination and iPod & Pandora Control: Car Electronics

Amazon.com: Sony MEXBT4100P Bluetooth Digital Media CD Receiver with App Remote & Pandora Control (Discontinued by Manufacturer): Car Electronics

[RANDY P]

pioneer.

[mikesride]

I always find Alpine to have a thin tinny sound to them. One in the 911 now and not impressed....Is DENON still around?

[RWebb]

Alpine has 2 levels - the better sounding ones have a 1-bit D to A decoder in them.

That is what I bought





















... for the VW Vanagon. I still have a Pioneer Supertuner (the original!) in the 991 that a PO added decades ago.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

I always just see has crutchfield has in the outlet, usually some decent pioneer, sony, alpine, etc for around $100.

This. Crutchfield is the Tire Rack or Pelican of the car audio world, fantastic company. They will not only provide you with a new head unit, but they will also include the correct installation kit, wire harness, OEM radio tools, antenna adapter, etc. Highly recommended.

[John Rogers]

I have a Pioneer X950BH double din unit in my latest car. It has continuously updating navigation, real time traffic, plays by blue tooth or as I do loaded thumb drive with MP3s and music videos and a very clear backup camera. I had to get an antenna adapter, LAN adapter and "chimes" adapter so my steering wheel controls still worked. Install was very easy and it works great!

[Rusty Heap]

too much gayyy crap and features on most the new units that have techo beat strobing light effects and other do-hicky gizmos that you'll never use..............

(no offense to the last poster, but perfect example of fluff IMHO)

I go buy what I can simply operate, sound is subjective to all, but can you drive the units easily?

yeah I need one too, but leave all the showrooms just shaking my head.

Auto-reverse shall make a come-back.

[RANDY P]

Originally Posted by mikesride

I always find Alpine to have a thin tinny sound to them. One in the 911 now and not impressed....Is DENON still around?

D/A converter in the cheaper ones made since mid 2000's I never knew how bad it was until I dropped my Alpine and switched to a Kenwood with a better DA.

It hurts your ears.

[sammyg2]

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Rusty Heap

too much gayyy crap and features on most the new units that have techo beat strobing light effects and other do-hicky gizmos that you'll never use..............

(no offense to the last poster, but perfect example of fluff IMHO)

I go buy what I can simply operate, sound is subjective to all, but can you drive the units easily?

yeah I need one too, but leave all the showrooms just shaking my head.

Auto-reverse shall make a come-back.

Actually, most of the newer units I am looking at have moved away from the "rainbow disco" light show that so many of us mature folks dislike (get off my lawn!).

Just want a simple radio, CD (with MP3), RCA preamp out, and Bluetooth (hands-free phone and music streaming), all of the above stereo's have those features for $90-$110.

Pretty much torn between the Pioneer (because they have a great reputation)and the JVC (because I have had great first hand experience with them).

Thanks for the replies.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

This. Crutchfield is the Tire Rack or Pelican of the car audio world, fantastic company. They will not only provide you with a new head unit, but they will also include the correct installation kit, wire harness, OEM radio tools, antenna adapter, etc. Highly recommended.

I totally agree... and have bought a few car stereos from Crutchfield.

On the other hand... the exact same stereo can be bought off Amazon for $20-$30 less.

I know the is chump change for most of you however I'm a little buthurt that the current stereo (that I bought from Crutchfield) only lasted a year...

And like any sportscar/project the Miata has turned into quite the little money pit with all the little upgrades (and I'm not done yet). Kinda thought the stereo upgrade was done and over with now I have to backtrack and throw more money at the sound system.

All that to say I'm trying to this on the cheap.

[onewhippedpuppy]

If you don't need the adapter harness and install kit then going the Amazon route would be fine, I will totally shop around for $30 with the exception of Porsche parts (Pelican only). I'm sure you realize that you really can't blame Crutchfield for a cheap radio that only lasts a year. I have personally had good luck with Kenwood stuff, and would probably prefer them over your other options.

[Paul_Heery]

In my 944, I have this unit installed. It is the only non-original piece in the interior of the car.
Amazon.com: JVC KDX250BT Digital Media Receiver Bluetooth Front USB-AUX: Car Electronics

I found that I couldn't live without a bluetooth device in my car as I got so used to my DD being equipped with it. The sound is good, but the phone works fantastically. It has a separate microphone for the hands-free that I mounted just behind the steering wheel, below the gauges. I have a small windscreen on the mic. Even with the windows down and the roof off, I have never had anyone complain that they can't hear me or it is too noisy.

Based on your wish to keep price down, this may be a good option.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

If you don't need the adapter harness and install kit then going the Amazon route would be fine, I will totally shop around for $30 with the exception of Porsche parts (Pelican only). I'm sure you realize that you really can't blame Crutchfield for a cheap radio that only lasts a year. I have personally had good luck with Kenwood stuff, and would probably prefer them over your other options.

I totally agree and don't blame Crutchfield at all... I work with electronics and know the randomness of equipment failure... I'm sure many people bought the same Kenwood model I did and it will last for a decade.

I also know I am rolling the dice with either a Pioneer or JVC... but hey... that is how I roll!

No love for Sony? Never tried their automobile line of products... but like Alpine, they were top of the line twenty years ago... not sure where they are at today.

And Paul, great idea... but think I still want a CD player... even though I think I have played a CD once in the Maita so far.

[911boost]

My '92 911 had a mid level Alpine in it with the iPod control. It worked just fine, there was an amp as well. I honestly never messed with it, just got in and drove.

I bought a similar Alpine for my old Tahoe when the factory one pooped out, and kept it when I sold the Tahoe and put in my '68 Buick SportWagon. I attached it under the dash so no holes were drilled and had four speakers in boxes so no doors were ruined, and it worked just fine. I drove that car to the airport a lot so having ok sound was important. The head unit was wired directly to the speakers and sounded fine.


My '92 Mustang has a Kenwood with an Aux and USB port and seems to work well. The Alpines wouldn't charge my iPhone or iPods and the Kenwood does, so thats a bonus. It has a bunch of colors to choose from and I was able to choose one that matches the color of the interior lights of the Mustang, kind of a light green. The Alpines had bright blue buttons that I always felt were out of place in the 911.

I enjoy listening to the radio on my commute in, but am not super picky on sound etc, just something that functions well. In the warmer months I always have the windows down to get fresh air, so for me I'd rather spend the $$ on go-fast goodies than a kicking stereo.

Bill