best deck at best buy
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From: Oconomowoc, WI
best deck at best buy
I just got 100 dollars worth of bestbuy gift cards and was wondering what is the best deck i can get for my car (i have the 6 speaker + sub setup). I would like it to be under 200 bucks. Thanks. Oh and reasons why it is the best would help + Links. Thanks
well if its under $200. you won't find it at best buy. and there really isn't a "best" of any item in the world. everything is arguable.
it depends what youre looking for.
preamp outputs
ipod use
interface
ease of use
etc
etc
ya know what i mean?
it depends what youre looking for.
preamp outputs
ipod use
interface
ease of use
etc
etc
ya know what i mean?
well. any aftermarket speakers will give you SOME inprovements over stock. i normally just go with alpine because in all my other cars i've done alpine subwoofers, speakers, tweeters, amps, headunit...
but you can go alpine, kenwood, jl audio...anything really. just not like dual and walmart **** hahah
go to crutchfield.com, they are very helpful. a little pricey, but good for information and they send every last nut and bolt you'll need for your install usually free of charge
but you can go alpine, kenwood, jl audio...anything really. just not like dual and walmart **** hahah
go to crutchfield.com, they are very helpful. a little pricey, but good for information and they send every last nut and bolt you'll need for your install usually free of charge
Last edited by EXsoccer1921; Sep 17, 2008 at 01:33 AM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
If you have the 6 speaker + sub setup then upgrading your HU alone isn't going to do much. The Pioneer systems that come in our cars are running off an amp so the wattage of a HU isn't going make a difference, maybe if you get a deck with higher pre out voltage, but I don't think the stock amp can handle to much and for under $200 I don't know if you'll find anything higher than 2 volts.
If you really want clear sound you need to first get a HU with USB input, not just for Ipod, cuz I hate that sh*t, Itunes=paying for music, don't even get me started. But with a USB port any jumpdrive will work, and the sound quallty is much better, picture the difference between VHS and DVD.
Then you need to upgrade at least your front speakers, I'd sink more money into the front doors and not even replace the rear 6x9's (untill a later date).
6.5 or 5.25 components will sound great, don't get JL's they sound like there under water, Kenwoods...ahh don't waste your money, if your going to run them off the stock amp then look for something that is designed to run at 2ohms, this is what the stock amp runs at.
Infinity has a 2ohm line, there decent speakers for a decent price. JBL has some decent lower end speakers, but for the price you'll pay for those you could get the base line of speakers from Hertz, there worth the money.
Oh yeah and before you go to crutchfield try
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/
or better yet
http://www.woofersetc.com/
If you really want clear sound you need to first get a HU with USB input, not just for Ipod, cuz I hate that sh*t, Itunes=paying for music, don't even get me started. But with a USB port any jumpdrive will work, and the sound quallty is much better, picture the difference between VHS and DVD.
Then you need to upgrade at least your front speakers, I'd sink more money into the front doors and not even replace the rear 6x9's (untill a later date).
6.5 or 5.25 components will sound great, don't get JL's they sound like there under water, Kenwoods...ahh don't waste your money, if your going to run them off the stock amp then look for something that is designed to run at 2ohms, this is what the stock amp runs at.
Infinity has a 2ohm line, there decent speakers for a decent price. JBL has some decent lower end speakers, but for the price you'll pay for those you could get the base line of speakers from Hertz, there worth the money.
Oh yeah and before you go to crutchfield try
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/
or better yet
http://www.woofersetc.com/
If you have the 6 speaker + sub setup then upgrading your HU alone isn't going to do much. The Pioneer systems that come in our cars are running off an amp so the wattage of a HU isn't going make a difference, maybe if you get a deck with higher pre out voltage, but I don't think the stock amp can handle to much and for under $200 I don't know if you'll find anything higher than 2 volts.
If you really want clear sound you need to first get a HU with USB input, not just for Ipod, cuz I hate that sh*t, Itunes=paying for music, don't even get me started. But with a USB port any jumpdrive will work, and the sound quallty is much better, picture the difference between VHS and DVD.
Then you need to upgrade at least your front speakers, I'd sink more money into the front doors and not even replace the rear 6x9's (untill a later date).
6.5 or 5.25 components will sound great, don't get JL's they sound like there under water, Kenwoods...ahh don't waste your money, if your going to run them off the stock amp then look for something that is designed to run at 2ohms, this is what the stock amp runs at.
Infinity has a 2ohm line, there decent speakers for a decent price. JBL has some decent lower end speakers, but for the price you'll pay for those you could get the base line of speakers from Hertz, there worth the money.
Oh yeah and before you go to crutchfield try
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/
or better yet
http://www.woofersetc.com/
If you really want clear sound you need to first get a HU with USB input, not just for Ipod, cuz I hate that sh*t, Itunes=paying for music, don't even get me started. But with a USB port any jumpdrive will work, and the sound quallty is much better, picture the difference between VHS and DVD.
Then you need to upgrade at least your front speakers, I'd sink more money into the front doors and not even replace the rear 6x9's (untill a later date).
6.5 or 5.25 components will sound great, don't get JL's they sound like there under water, Kenwoods...ahh don't waste your money, if your going to run them off the stock amp then look for something that is designed to run at 2ohms, this is what the stock amp runs at.
Infinity has a 2ohm line, there decent speakers for a decent price. JBL has some decent lower end speakers, but for the price you'll pay for those you could get the base line of speakers from Hertz, there worth the money.
Oh yeah and before you go to crutchfield try
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/
or better yet
http://www.woofersetc.com/
Junior Member
Joined: 07-29-07
Posts: 495
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From: Wisconsin
you guys hate Ipods also?? I thought I was the only one in the world.... Well...this might help... Not sure I am upgrading my stereo the right way yet... but this is my plan..... buy a set of decent front 6.5" component speakers... (got a set of POLK audio for $180 from Crutchfield).... I also bought a set of 6x9's for rear, but probably did not need them....and I just today got a Clarion 7 bar EQ on Amazon for $60 shipped. Not sure how good it is, but the reviews seemed ok. It has one line in, two out, and a line in for an aux. input, with an aux switch. So, I can plug my SANSA Mp3 player right in with a cable, no FM radio transmitter...could use with any music player....The EQ also has a sub output for later system expansion, with a seperate sub sound level control right on the EQ... So, you could run your stock front stereo output lines to the EQ, then to an amp....and have a little control of the front sound, like an adjustable cross-over....keep the rear output going to your factory amp along with your factory Sub. Later on, you could add an extra amp and a sub box right to the EQ ouputs. The EQ has a built in cross over for 60 and 90 Hz freq. The EQ can also act as a line-driver, putting out up to 7 volts, the box claims.. Maybe these other guys can explain what line voltage is good for.... i am a little puzzled.... and also need some help designing my total system....hope that all helps... just some decisions I made doing a little research recently....
for the first time im puzzled at wtf ur trying to say... What all ur saying is sorta half possible but going to be a pita. Yes you can use the EQ as a preamp persay if and only if you have an 07+ with the aux in. in which case plugging the mp3 player in that would be a million times easier.
Junior Member
Joined: 07-29-07
Posts: 495
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
for the first time im puzzled at wtf ur trying to say... What all ur saying is sorta half possible but going to be a pita. Yes you can use the EQ as a preamp persay if and only if you have an 07+ with the aux in. in which case plugging the mp3 player in that would be a million times easier.
I probably did not explain it correctly, using the right terms.... To the OP, I am suggesting buying a nice set of 6.5" component speakers with the Best Buy $'s, or maybe a nice little amp under $200, whatever that would be. Replace the front stock speakers with the new ones, mount the tweeter where the factory tweeter goes, 6.5 in the door. Power those with an aftermarket amp, whatever size fits the speakers you buy. Mine were something like 80-100 Watts RMS rated. They really put out some mid bass. NOW, the problem is getting a signal from the stock HU to the front amp you just bought. I think the stock HU output is a low-level signal. Just tap the stock HU wires that send the front speaker signal to the stock amp, and send it to the new amp for the new front speakers. Use a line converter thingy if you think the signal is a "high-level" signal or whatever. Just keep the factory amp and factory rear 6x9's and factory sub. Little work with nice results. The Clarion EQ is just a nice addition for about $60, adding a possible output for additional subs later on, an EQ function for the front speakers obviously, and an auxillary input for some type of MP3 player. Did I explain it better??
Last edited by stangthang; Sep 18, 2008 at 10:48 AM.
Thats alot work for little reward.
Just put a new HU in, run RCA's
I may be wrong here but I was under the impression thet low level signals were RCA's and high level were speaker wires. so what you want to do is rip a set of RCA's apart, seperate the ground from the signal wire, and splice them into the low level wires running to the amp, then run your ghetto riged RCA's to the aftermarket amp.
If so, I don't know what to tell you, RCA's are very sensitive wires, and when sitting in a place like up under your dash are very sensitive to interference, thats why there shielded, what your talking about doing is having a section of them without shielding sitting in a bunch of wires and metal, you just lost all kinds of sound quality.
As for the MP3 player if you hook it up to the AUX input then your still going to be running it analog, the point behind the USB input was the digital factor, the 3.5mm plug on the MP3 player creates all kinds of "hiss" or background noise, when you run it through a USB port it gets rid of all the back ground noise thus why the sound quality is better.
once again just get a new HU one with USB, trust me
Just put a new HU in, run RCA's
I may be wrong here but I was under the impression thet low level signals were RCA's and high level were speaker wires. so what you want to do is rip a set of RCA's apart, seperate the ground from the signal wire, and splice them into the low level wires running to the amp, then run your ghetto riged RCA's to the aftermarket amp.
If so, I don't know what to tell you, RCA's are very sensitive wires, and when sitting in a place like up under your dash are very sensitive to interference, thats why there shielded, what your talking about doing is having a section of them without shielding sitting in a bunch of wires and metal, you just lost all kinds of sound quality.
As for the MP3 player if you hook it up to the AUX input then your still going to be running it analog, the point behind the USB input was the digital factor, the 3.5mm plug on the MP3 player creates all kinds of "hiss" or background noise, when you run it through a USB port it gets rid of all the back ground noise thus why the sound quality is better.
once again just get a new HU one with USB, trust me
^^
3 sets of 4 volt preouts
USB interface
MP3 compatable
Sat. ready
CD text
built in x-over
Remote control
All for $189.99
Well done
I'm not even that a big of a Pioneer fan but thats a good deck for a good price
3 sets of 4 volt preouts
USB interface
MP3 compatable
Sat. ready
CD text
built in x-over
Remote control
All for $189.99
Well done
I'm not even that a big of a Pioneer fan but thats a good deck for a good price
Junior Member
Joined: 07-29-07
Posts: 495
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
I may be wrong here but I was under the impression thet low level signals were RCA's and high level were speaker wires. so what you want to do is rip a set of RCA's apart, seperate the ground from the signal wire, and splice them into the low level wires running to the amp, then run your ghetto riged RCA's to the aftermarket amp.
As for the MP3 player if you hook it up to the AUX input then your still going to be running it analog, the point behind the USB input was the digital factor, the 3.5mm plug on the MP3 player creates all kinds of "hiss" or background noise, when you run it through a USB port it gets rid of all the back ground noise thus why the sound quality is better.
As for the MP3 player if you hook it up to the AUX input then your still going to be running it analog, the point behind the USB input was the digital factor, the 3.5mm plug on the MP3 player creates all kinds of "hiss" or background noise, when you run it through a USB port it gets rid of all the back ground noise thus why the sound quality is better.
Yes, I was trying to wire RCA cables to the low level wire going from the stock stereo to the stock amp. Not sure how else I could get the low level signal to my aftermarket amp, or my pre-amp. Having a HU with an USB port does sound great though. So, could you use any type of USB memory stick or "pin drive" to play music?? That would be awesome. a 4GB stick for what, $20 or $30?? So, the input jack on a 2007 stock HU would also use the analog signal. I was trying to find a way to replicate that idea. I just bought some RCA jacks from Radioshack and made my own cable to split in. I do like your idea of the new HU, I was just suggesting a way to keep the stock one for now....
Senior Member
Joined: 09-21-06
Posts: 2,270
Likes: 1
From: Midwest
Ok guys, I have a question in a similiar line, myself. I'm looking for a standard style head unit (1 or 2 din) without any fancy monitor style display (any normal radio screen is fine, I'm just not intending to use it to view video), that can play mp3 DVDs and DVD audio.
Any ideas?
Any ideas?
You can pick up a DD with a screen for the same price as media unit that just plays the DVDs (single din no screen) the DD monitors look so much nicer than the single din units do
http://cgi.ebay.ca/Clarion-Double-DI...QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.ca/NEW-JVC-KW-AVX710...QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.ca/Clarion-Double-DI...QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.ca/NEW-JVC-KW-AVX710...QQcmdZViewItem
Ok guys, I have a question in a similiar line, myself. I'm looking for a standard style head unit (1 or 2 din) without any fancy monitor style display (any normal radio screen is fine, I'm just not intending to use it to view video), that can play mp3 DVDs and DVD audio.
Any ideas?
Any ideas?
Yes, I was trying to wire RCA cables to the low level wire going from the stock stereo to the stock amp. Not sure how else I could get the low level signal to my aftermarket amp, or my pre-amp. Having a HU with an USB port does sound great though. So, could you use any type of USB memory stick or "pin drive" to play music?? That would be awesome. a 4GB stick for what, $20 or $30?? So, the input jack on a 2007 stock HU would also use the analog signal. I was trying to find a way to replicate that idea. I just bought some RCA jacks from Radioshack and made my own cable to split in. I do like your idea of the new HU, I was just suggesting a way to keep the stock one for now....
Last edited by EmperorJJ1; Sep 19, 2008 at 11:00 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
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Joined: 03-11-08
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From: Tampa
IMO alpine have the best sound processors. and you can use the ainet cable to hookup your ipod. and you can still play mp3/wma cds and you can control it with the radio.
take a look at this one
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1199494645912
take a look at this one
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1199494645912
Junior Member
Joined: 07-29-07
Posts: 495
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
"ur idea will "work" but imo its not the best decision. the whole point of going aftermarket amp is for more SQ and more power. Rigging RCAs will let you have the power but doesnt really provide the SQ. Best bet if you keeping the stock HU is finding an amd that uses High level inputs"
I know i have more power.... maybe not better sound quality... but with the new speakers it sounds way better to me already.....Will it help if I "shield" the RCA cables i made??...Better quality RCA cables just have better shielding, correct?? What if I coat the cables with thick rubber tape, that aluminum foil tape they use to seal metal duct work, and put it all inside a clear pvc rubber plumbing tube, maybe 1/2 " diam. ?? Think that will help to improve the signal noise?? It will only be about 12 inches of cable from the HU to my clarion EQ. From there, I have OK RCA audio cables, JL audio "standard" class or something....I am going to post my planned set-up for you guys in a new post... you have ben a great help so far....
I know i have more power.... maybe not better sound quality... but with the new speakers it sounds way better to me already.....Will it help if I "shield" the RCA cables i made??...Better quality RCA cables just have better shielding, correct?? What if I coat the cables with thick rubber tape, that aluminum foil tape they use to seal metal duct work, and put it all inside a clear pvc rubber plumbing tube, maybe 1/2 " diam. ?? Think that will help to improve the signal noise?? It will only be about 12 inches of cable from the HU to my clarion EQ. From there, I have OK RCA audio cables, JL audio "standard" class or something....I am going to post my planned set-up for you guys in a new post... you have ben a great help so far....