So im not set on particular models, but I have narrowed it down to these two brands driven by price and reviews so far.

Sony
or
Pioneer.

Which is better as a in dash double din? I have no subs, and do not intend to. just four 3 ways. From the specs it seems Sony has the upper hand but reviews say otherwise. any clarity to this matter?

 

IMO, Sony doesn't make any good car audio products. Go with pIoneer, they make great double dins.

 

Ive always liked my Pioneers. Played around with a couple Sonys and they just dont seem to have the same quality.

 

Thats what im reading elsewhere as well. Thanks guys. Pioneer seems to win in the car lower end car audio. Sony owns the home.

 

Ive always loved my pioneers. Infact the one I have currently is 6 years old and still works like it was brand new. But I am gonna get a new one soon just for a change in pace.

 

sony is crap

 

Im personally a Kenwood fan. But pioneer makes some good head unit but i'd never buy one. Sony is Epic fail. The only good Sony audio is in the new ford vehicles thats it

 

i like kenwood better than pioneer in general, but pioneers double dins are far better IMO

 

This. Sony has ONE single din unit that I like but other than that, all their products are junk. Definitely go with Pioneer.

 

Kenwood Excelon series are great headunits

 

Not saying either is better but I have always run Pioneer and I have a DD waiting for install in the Shop.

 

Pioneer DD's for sure. The full range tuning makes it worth it

 

Pioneer

 

I've got a pioneer single din h/u and its great. Check ebay for good deals if you are on a budget.

 

I've always been a fan of Pioneer in my vehicles and Sony in my house!

 

definitely pioneer. so much easier to use than any others.

 

So it looks like:

Pioneer = 20
Sony = 0

haha thanks guys, this is my only gift for Christmas and wanted ot make it right

 

I do not think you will go wrong with Pioneer.

SonicElectronix ( http://www.sonicelectronix.com/ ) has the best prices on Pioneer.
Crutchfield (http://www.sonicelectronix.com/ ) is over priced but there is a lot of good info on their site.

Now the Speakers and Amp… then maybe a sub, it’s only just begun.

I am starting with new speakers and a small amp sized for the speakers, if the sound isn’t deep enough, I like my Country Bassie (sp), I will pick up a small Sub and Amp or one of the Powered Sub.

I am not an audiophile but I like the sound to be good and just adding new speakers with a small amp will clean things up some.
Good Luck on your choices, Pioneer has some nice Units out there.
Make sure to get an iPod/3.5mm adapter either built in or as an add-on.

 

I have pioneers in my truck. I actually like my Sony head unit though.. besides my head unit they sell junk amps, speakers, and subs.

 

I am asking for the option on the faceplate to have the USB input, and the jack, and it plays mp3 cd's so no more 20 songs on a CD. I can now do 150!

Talking about good sounding music, Im totally there with you. I built myself a box with two 6" house woofers and it doesnt hit but it gives very deep lows. But I built the box so that one day I can ream it out to put two 8's comfortably. Thanks for the solid review. cant wait to have a working Cd/radio

 

PIONEER ALL THE WAY
SONY + CAR = CRAP

 

Another vote for Pioneer here!

 

Had once a Pioneer unit for about 2 years, loved it, simple ot use, good sound and was able to tune FM stations with more clarity than the stock unit that my truck had.

Another vote for Pioneer !

 

Yeah, if he came up here to hangout he'd leave with at least a 10. All my friends have gotten bit all because of me. haha I even got my aunt to let me put a ten in her truck.

He'll get the bass bug eventually.

Generally I wouldn't give Sony props, but I've had a few of the cheap xplod head units and they held up nice, I filled one with water, while powered (stupid windshield) dried it out, still worked like a champ.

The one I'm on now I got free and at the time it was a brand new model, I wasn't gonna use it but found myself impressed by it.

Sony in general is car audio crap, but a lot of their entry level stuff isn't half bad. I have piles of Sony speakers laying around, most new, always been good to me. I keep them for when someone shows up with a little money and wants some decent speakers.