Attending the IASCA SQ competition this Sunday in Orlando. I hope to hear some decent car audio systems. I am sure they will have some opinions and advice.

 

I am sticking it out with my android HU for a bit longer. I have a MiniDSP 6x8 I am working on getting implemented. I have it installed and using crossovers just no time for REW yet.

i keep thinking I should just install my Nakamichi CD400 and be done with it..lol but I do like the Touchscreen features

 

I know some of you guys are hating on Pioneer, but I must say I have the 8200nex and love it so far. It sounds much better than the stock unit ever did and it's full of features, easy to use, and I must say it looks pretty good in the car too. I've never really been a fan of Alpine because I feel like they are sometimes overpriced and short on features. Maybe I would feel differently if I was running a high end system but right now I still have the stock Bose and speakers. I'm looking to do amp, speakers, sub soon but it still will not be a high end system but more like a most bang for your buck system. I'm not really the type to play my music super loud but just want something that sounds a little better than the crappy Bose speakers can deliver. For the most part, I'm not really the type that changes out factory sound systems for aftermarket. The vet has been my one exception in many years though because I feel like the factory sound and head unit/navigation were just so bad that I couldn't live with it. Adding the 8200nex has been a nice improvement so far, and i'm looking forward to the next step.

 

just listen

one oddity you're likely to find on top tier cars are lower .qts midbass drivers. in perfect enclosures they work really well. in car audio for most of us mundane people they don't because we have half *** dynamat infinite baffle configurations.

what decks and amps people gravitate towards would be interesting.

i have a few guesses on amps, see if i'm right on any

1. audison thesis
2. modified linear power
3. modified phoenix gold ZPA
4. mcintosh
5. possible old Z series or studio zapco

* other honorable mentions that may or may not be there. old school precision power power class , JL audio slash v2 or v3, vintage soundstream reference

of all these i think the thesis is my personal favorite

speakers. off the top of my head guesses

1. dynaudio
2. morel
3. JL audio, the w6 subwoofer specifically
4. possible showings from hertz/audison
5. a rare car using raw scandinavian drivers, scan speak etc that actually pulls off a good balance

 

Different audio components in the non NEX units...step down.

The 2300/and 3300 series actually uses the new generation of audio components, best that Pioneer offers. The 2300/3300 theoretically has better sound than the 4200 series as per Pioneer.

 

In 1997 I competed in IASCA SQ, took 3rd in Novice at Finals in Dallas.
I was running Eclipse head unit, Dynaudio 8", 3", and tweeters, in kick panels, Soundstream Class A amplifiers, PPI 31 band eqx2. Maybe I will compete again.

 

Which Eclipse Headunit? I miss my ECD-413

 

the cd7200mk2 was the best eclipse HU ever made. they still come up used and a few NOS decks exist

 

That was some serious equipment right there.

 

The INE-W960 can be had for in the 400's somewhere if you don't need HDMI. Best bang for the buck in my opinion for sound quality.

 

x2 $49x shipped from a seller on newegg

 

Probably not anymore.. i can not find it..

I like the android radio, but going to a Kenwood or Alpine would give me much better sound I would imagine.. I have a limited budget of are $400 though

 

sent you a link. few more left for 488. now on ebay

 

thanks..

 

I am planning on stopping at a local audio shop today. They sell Alpine and Kenwood.. going to see if they have anything on the sound board I can touch/feel/listen

 

I think you said that 400 dollars is your price range for head unit..
I recently replaced my Pioneer AVH-5700, and put in a Alpine INE-W960HDMI because i got it for a good price of 500.00..And now i will have NAV..
So after install and all other thing's being equil as per setting of head unit's filter's all flat. I heard No diff in sound quality adding the Alpine ??????????? and i have pretty good ear's.. And im not here to bash any product or stick up for it..
So maybe alpine has some models that are no better than Pioneer or kenwood at the 500 dollar price point. ????????????....
Kinda makes me feel i may be correct as the place i bought it at said anyone nuts to pay over 500 for the W960 as prices are a dropping very soon...
Dont get me wrong, maybe alpine doe's have better sound quality than say a pioneer. BUT i think it may be on their higher price head unit they may have...Just like i would never bye a kenwood head unit that is 500 and lower because of their known reliability issue's.. Would only go top of the line with kenwood..
So i think to here any better sound out of a kenwood or alpine over pioneer you def need to look at their higher end models.. My 2 cents
So if your going to go to a local place with sound board,, just be sure all comparison is legit like same speakers same flat settings on everything on the head unit..
Alpine guy's are going to go nut's on me now... lol

 

if you go kenwood the 9904s is well liked

i'm not sure about these good ears if you can't hear the difference between alpine and pioneer. to me it's night and day. like completely different planets.

you may pick up on it if you ran the decks back to back on the same system

 

I swapped back in forth in my car. and heard no diff with all the audio settings flat..
Maybe it is like i said, Only higher priced Alpine like INE-W957HD and have the better gut's ????????????? I did the Alpine W960HDMI vs 5700 pioneer and the alpine 960 is their lower unit double din..
Starting to think it may be wishful thinking on alpine, or at least with my model..

 

When to the audio shop. They had the DMX7704s, ILX-207, ILX-107 and the W560 was there somewhere but none were on sound boards.. so much for that..

their prices were a bit higher too

 

Their all nice but dont jump on one until you search for best price.. Example is i bought a new Alpine W960HDMI with nav for 500.00... My Sterio place had no issue on letting me have it for this price...
Also do you need cd/dvd drive as i think one of tho's you listed doe's not have it.. correct me if im wrong