Pioneer, Alpine, or JVC?

[SiR Medic]

I want a head unit that plays MP3s, has a decent display, and doesn't look too out of play in my EP.

I think I've narrowed it down too these three:

Pioneer DEH-5500MP(actually, I'd probably get the Premier version)



Alpine CDA-9807



JVC Arsenal KD-SX9350



I've heard and read nothing but good things about the Alpine and Pioneer units, and I have had very good luck with Pioneer in the past... But I like how the JVC has a multiple color settings (to match the orange of the ep's dash), and the AUX input in the front (to hook up my laptop or Pocket PC)

Any thoughts or suggestions? Keep in mind that these are in my price range, and I'm not going for a GONZO system here. I will be hooking up a modest sub, stock fronts, and pioneer 2-ways in the back.

[labelhunter]

If i had to choose one of the ones you have listed i would get the alpine. I like basic looks. I have the fosgate you spoke of a while back. The display during the day isnt that great but i never look at it anyways. It plays mp3 so i can put like 4 whole albums on one disk. so i dont look at it really. Hope i helped a little.

[SiR Medic]

I came close to getting the Rockford Fosgate... But when I last went to the dealer he had stopped selling the head units!

When I asked why, he said that he was getting too many complaints from people saying that they skipped pretty bad...:(

He still swears by RF amps, subs, and other stuff, but won't sell RF head units till they fix that skipping problem.

[Civicvtec1ps]

im pioneer fan. never had any problem wih my mp3 deck. no skipping no problem at all.

[ATRIOT]

JVC makes a great deck check out the
KD-SH9750

[labelhunter]

Have never had a problem with skipping. Just the display during the day isnt that great. I mean if i put a scratched cd in there yea its going to skip but if i burn a new one no problems. It also has sumed rca's for your subwoofer so you have control on the fly which i like.

[TripleJ02]

Id say go wit eclipse. They are said to make the best head units available for sound.

[EViLsneakyDUCK]

I would say Alpine since Im an Alpine fan. I got the 9815, but my sister has the exact one that you showed. Its a nice unit, but I dont know how it sounds since I've only been in my sister's car once since she had it installed.

[DumbNewB]

I think Alpine makes really really good head units but thats just me....

[SiR Medic]

A friend of mine just got the Pioneer DEH-3500. It's the same as the 5500, just without the MP3...

I got to say, it sounds GREAT, but the green is really bright and wouldn't look that good in the EP. I also don't like how you have to push one button to flip down the face and ANOTHER button to eject a disc... To me that should be strictly a one-button process.

I'm leaning towards the Alpine, but I would still like to hear and see the JVC up close.

[humanshield]

alpine.

here's why. searching for mp3s is easy. next to the volume knob is a blue button that has what looks like folders on it. if you push that button, and use the volume knob, you can look through the folders really quickly. it makes finding your favorites easier than any of the other decks you listed.

also side note. the alpine has a bass control. if you ever add subs. you can control the sub level from the radio, without adding an external bass knob. nice design.

[SiR Medic]

Looked at a couple of JVC units today, and a Rockford Fosgate...

Looked at a KD-SX990


Plusses: Looks (and works) great! Aux input in front. VERY AFFORDABLE! ($299 Cdn, and dealer said he "can do better than that"

Minuses: No Bass control. Not as "high zoot" as I'd like.


Also looked at a KD-LH3100.


Plusses: High zoot enough! Lots of options, funky custumizable display... All the features I would want.

Minuses: Ricey blue trim light.

And Lastly, the RFX9120 (EDIT)


Pluses: Cheap($299 Cdn), beautiful to look at. Fast MP3 access.

Minuses: Frustrating as hell to try and use!

I'm still trying to decide, but I like that Cheap JVC! Good deal on a nice deck, sure I won't be able to play with Sublevels, but I usually don't like tinkering with those things anyway.

[civic hatch boi]

kenwood and sony suck?

[zerofighter]

whats up tripleoj02, i have the eclipse cd8443 and eclipse pointsource 6 1/2 inch. this a great cd player and has tons of features.

[labelhunter]

What was so hard with the fosgate? Just wondering.