Well, it looks like it is time for a new radio. I have a Kenwood headunit but recently have lost the left channel when playing the radio and the right channel when playing the tape. I believe this is due to the fact that I have no rear support on the radio and it was probably bouncing around which caused loose connections. I will need to fix the support issue with a new radio. As I was diagnosing the problem with the radio I ended up spiking my speakers and they blew.

This is my current set up. Kenwood headunit (which I want to replace), two amps US Acoustics (100 watts/ch) in the rear running a/d/s 300i speakers (really old but they still work great) and a Kenwood amp (50 watts/ch) running the front speakers which are now blown (via speaker level inputs).


I am unimpressed with the available two shaft units out there and really want 2 pair of pre-outs (all of the two shaft headunits only have one pair of pre-outs). I have decided to cut my bezel and go for a DIN unit as my bezel is broken at the top anyway.

Can anyone recommend some reasonably priced but quality headunits with CD or with CD & tape. Can I get a decent headunit for under $200? Also, I will need another set of 4" speakers and I am willing to spend up to $150 but alot them appear to have external crossovers and I don't know where I would mount the crossover or how they really work or if they are needed (although I know it is better to have one). I have considered the Infinity Kappa but it also has an external crossover.

Can anyone make some recommendations. Thanks for any replies.

 

you will not find a cd/tape head within the confines of a single DIN.

I would recommend Alpine, they have some nice tape decks that support CD Changers.

or, a straight on CD head unit.

Either way, you will get the outputs you need.

 

bogus, thanks for the advice. Any recommendations for speakers? I know probably the pioneer, kenwood, sony level speakers are not that good but is there another brand I should be looking at that won't blow so easily but also doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

 

Price? Performance? A lot here have had good luck with Infinity. I like Boston Acoustics A LOT!

CDTs are very popular, also... but can get pricy.

BA has a nice entry level series that sounds great! You might be able to find some lightly used stuff here or on Ebay.

 

bogus, thanks again. In my original post I had indicated a price ceiling of about $150. I know this isn't a ton of money as the sky can be the limit with these stereo systems. I believe the 4" speakers I just blew were Boston Acoustics so I guess I will try Infinity. Can you give me some advice on external crossovers. It seems a lot of the speakers have them and I don't even know how large they are or where they can be mounted etc. Can the speakers be run without them? In the past I've had the problem of getting decent bass response from a 4" speaker, so, although I know it's kind of contrary to ask for good bass from such a small speaker, if there were one performance aspect that I was looking for, that would be it.

 

a 4" with good bass response?

Sorry, your killing me with that one!

Not to be a smart ****, but you ain't gonna find bass outta 4" driver. The only ones that actually produce some bass are the 4" drivers in the Bose enclosures used in C4 vettes, but those won't work... so forget that idea.

I assume these speakers are in the dash? what about a custom door enclosure? Then you can get some 5.25 or even 6" drivers in there.

 

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know, I know. Bass repsonse from a 4" speaker, but hey, if you don't ask...but I figure as anemic as it may be, one speaker might be better than another. Anyway, the speakers are going in the kick panels and although my car is not NCRS perfect, I will not be cutting the doors or door panels. I think I will try the Infinity Kappa's, they seem to be pretty durable. My wife had a set of 3.5" Infinity Kappa's in her car years ago, and they really took some abuse. I am concerned about this whole external crossover business, I guess I'll try the Infinity website to see if there's any info there. bogus, thanks for all your help.

 

Also check into Polk Audio.