http://www.crutchfield.com/S-DPvDWRj...700&I=113MP228

This is a KDC-MP228... are they any good? (I know kenwood makes excellent public saftey an ham radios...) I know nothing about car stereos.. I just want one that does MP3,cd, fm, am and has the XM Sirius ready... I think one cd will be enough but this one has the option to add a changer later... This may be a good thing... SO if any of you stereo guru's know anything I would appreciate your input.. Thanks, Doc

 

Kenwood is great and all, and a few years ago I would have suggested nothing else.

Nowdays, their quality in head units has really gone down unless you get something in the eXelon series.

Cardomain has a slick Pioneer head unit for sale with all of your needs for the same price as that kenwood, and the Pioneer quality is there.

Link: http://www.cardomain.com/item/PIODEHP4700MP

But I can't see where the kenwood would do you wrong. I just know that all that I have seen in the lower price range from Kenwood, the face just doesn't like to work after a year or two. Mechanical or not.

Just my opinion.

 

Ok, well I will have to take your word on them... I know nothing of car stereos... LOOKS NEAT!
So what do all those numbers mean... Preamp... RMS bandwith.. What do they mean for me and what should I be looking for???
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-DPvDWRj...70=on&x=27&y=5

 

RMS is the amount of power that amp can produce 24/7 without any damage to itself. This is referred to as "continuous" power.

Peak power is the peak output the stereo is "capable" of, but only under optimal conditions. After messing around with car stereos for over 1 decade, I've decided peak values mean absolutely nothing.


Preamp is another word for "RCA" cables. Basically there are two values to look at. # of Preamp outputs (in pairs), and preamp voltage. 3 pairs is what you want for 4 channel speaker and stereo subwoofer amplification. The higher the voltage, the better, as long as your amplifier can take it. (Some brands can only take 4 or 5 volts max.) Of course if you don't have, or ever plan to run external amplifiers, then you don't need to even care about pre-amp outputs.

Just remember internal amplifier becomes useless if you use the preamps. And preamps are useless if you only plan to use the internal amplifier.

Listen to alot of MP3's? Alpine has the best in dash MP3 player. Plus it makes it easy to add an ipod or external changer to it if you want (Just look for the AI-Net compatible Alpine decks).

Also look at the CD signal to noise to noise ratio on the decks you selected. Kenwood ( and AlpineS) have 105 dB rating. That means you can play your CD's louder and will have less background noise. Sony's lead the pack at 120 dB.

Notice kenwood doesn't have Random File MP3 play?

Look for ergonomics on the display face. Is there a easy to get to mute button? Nice looking volume control? Remember flashy gameboy like displays are nice for the first few months, but get old after a while. I'd rather have a head unit devoted to sound quality than glitz and glamor.

Crutchfield has a new review section, which I find is awesome. You can really get a good impression on what real people think of the product.



If you want XM OR Sirius ready head unit, go with this unit:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-66qBTJD...9847&s=0&cc=01

Don't forget you can get these for much cheaper on ebay, but they may not come with all the parts you need for installation.

 

Alpine

 

Michael is the new ////Alpine spokes person.....he really likes his new job and wants to tell everyone.......lol

j/k

 

"Do you work for Alpine or something???"

"well...unofficially...."

 

ok... My thing with that alpine is that it does not look to have an easy to get volume control... I do not want to spend an hour scrolling through to change the volume.... Any other ideas? I do like that Alpine one though... Thanks for all the input... AND FREE SHIPPING!

EDIT:So is this ID3 tags... Are theythe tags that you give the song in windows media? Or is this a special tag? I need to be able to see at last the song title...

 

???? Volume control? hard to get? i don't understand

 

Ok... WELL THEN....
I saw a few Alpines in the store... You needed to hit a mode button to get to volume... Then you could adjust it. I guess that rotory switch would be the volume then..... Ok well ignore that comment...

 

i have the 9833 and it rocks.... before I had liked Pioneer but now... alpine all the way!!!!

 

By default the rotary switch is the volume. Hit the mode buttons and you can then use it to adjust subwoofer gain, fade and balance, and others that I forget/rarely use. I can crank the volume from quiet to "freakin loud" with just a flick of the wrist. But it will always default to volume if you don't touch anything for like 5 seconds. I like it, it sticks out far enough, has a rubber surround for easy "Grabbing", it even has a notchy/tactile feedback when it rotates for precise volume control. It's just a well thought out design, which is prevalent in all other features.

I know I preach Alpines, but it's for a reason. I've owned probably 7 head units in my lifetime, installed probably 15-20 in friends and family rides, and never have I had someone dissappointed with an Alpine unit. I've tested all the MP3 players on the market (last year) and Alpine had the quickest file change of them all. This means it has the least amount of "pause" between songs, even sequential tracks in the same folder.

 

Ok... it is down to 2 choices...
Pioneer DHP-4700MP for 169.00 from crutchfield or....
Alpine CDA-9847 for 199.99 from crutchfield.

Seems to be a strong push for Alpine at this point... Only real difference that makes any sence to me is no remote on the Alpine... SO if I am wrong let me know!

 

Hmm. I didn't see the lack of the remote on the Alpine, but I do see the lack of a "pause" button and/or a mute button on the Pioneer. Both have other pros and cons though. The Alpine will be better quality CD and MP3 playback, while the Pioneer has 4 extra watts and a slightly more sensitive FM Radio receiver.

Just for reference:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-66qBTJD...47=on&x=27&y=4

 

Thats the deck I just bought-
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1099388650496

Along with:

Amp - (Alpine Amp, but i think mine was a step above this one)
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1099388650720

Speakers - http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1051826174215

Then I got all the hook ups and stuff to make it run right. Will be ordering the Thunderform tomorrow.

It will be getting installed next monday. I really hope it sounds good.

 

Ok.. Well is 4 watts that big of a deal? I am not a rice or anyone who likes big bass!! Just want a radio that plays music LOL... What is our stock radio? I am assumming it is much less? As for the remote.. I guess not a big deal.. It says one is not included but I think I read one is avail as an option. I guess if I need a remote to reach my radio I have issues..... LOL

 

yeah.. you probably wont even notice...

 

I did not think so.... LOL

 

You won't notice the wattage difference. I think the Alpine is a better deal, simply because it will sound better, but I like the looks of the Pioneer better. It is really just preference.

If you like the look of the Alpine, then buy it. It will be a better radio and cd/mp3 player for you. Who needs a remote anyway. I think I might have used mine twice since I have had it, and that was only because I was outside of the truck.

Just my opinion though.

 

Go for the Alpine.....They rock

 

Put it this way, you have to Double the wattage to gain 3 dB of sound. So 4 watts (18 vs 22) might be worth about 1 dB. Basically it shouldn't be a feature that makesyou buy it.

Instead look at the other features I've mentioned. Pause and Mute are two of the most used features on any head unit, second maybe to volume. Those would be important to me, plus you know that Alpine is quality.

If it were me, I'd get the Alpine, but both decks would be an improvement over the stock one. Just weigh out the features, and see which ones you use the most. Check how the deck looks and see if it fits what you want in your truck. Test drive any similar models in local stores.

 

Well I think you sold me on the Alpine... Thanks all for the input. I went to BB and they wanted nothing to do with me.. till I said I knew nothing.. Then they had the 400 buck ones avail!! I knew where I needed to go for help.......

 

good choice!

 

ok, being that my brother owns a stereo shop, he has always been a pain in my ***, when i do something to my system. but i also get everything at cost, so i guess it balances. My suggestion would be to go with alpine or clarion. Myself, I will use nothing other than alpine except amps. Only because they don't make them strong enough, and the biggest one is way too damn expensive!!!!!!!!! I depends on what you are looking to spend. but I would take a mid-grade alpine over the best kenwood anyday. If you go alpine, avoid getting one with bass engine pro, unless you can have them set your controls. It is a real pain in the *** to get your sound tuned. especially if you don't know what you are doing>

 

Strange, I have never seen a best buy that was authorized for alpine, usually because their installers are hack artists!!!!!!!!