headunit recommendations

stevewm · 02-16-2005, 11:29 PM

Well the 6-disc in-dash receiver in my Ford Focus is on its last leg. Everything has been stripped so much the mechinisim that moves the CDs no longer works right. It barely plays anything anymore.

Do any one of you have so recomendations on a good HU? I want one that at least has the following features:

Aux Input (on the rear!)
RDS (Radio Data System, shows song titles, call letters, etc.. nearly every major station in the US is broadcasting this now!!!)
Seperate and adjustable Sub Out, built in crossover would be a definate plus!
Mp3 playback
multiple line display with named mp3 folder navagation, not numbers like I have seen on a lot of HUs
display that actually shows full name of mp3 being played
actual adjustable EQ would be great too! (not one with just Rock, POP, etc... presets!)

Don't care about HDRadio or XM/Sirius support.

I've looked and not seen so far a single radio that had at least the features above. So maybe someone else on here has!

My Focus is a so called "Mach" edition. Basically its upgraded poly speakers, with a 10" dual voice coil sub in the trunk (with 2 amps) The amps are driven from a single output on the factory HU. I plan to hookup the aftermarket HU right to the factory amps. The amp's input are line level so I won't need any level adapters

0l33l · 02-16-2005, 11:34 PM

Why bother with a headunit? Connect the carputer directly to the amps.

AM/FM/RDS coming soon

migel628 · 02-16-2005, 11:48 PM

If you can wait until March, then Alpine's new line looks nice. If not, then go w/ Alpine's old line.

stevewm · 02-16-2005, 11:54 PM

When someone makes a decent LCD touchscreen that won't break in a few months, is readable in any light, has hardware controllable dimming, has a native resolution that video cards actually support, and doesn't cost a arm and a leg I might go the other route

But anyways, back on topic

0l33l · 02-16-2005, 11:55 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by stevewm

When someone makes a decent LCD touchscreen that won't break in a few months, is readable in any light, has hardware controllable dimming, has a native resolution that video cards actually support, and doesn't cost a arm and a leg I might go the other route

But anyways, back on topic

Ok, so if you're not using a screen, then how are you going to be controlling the carputer?

migel628 · 02-17-2005, 12:02 AM

I think he meant that he's not ready for the total conversion just yet...

stevewm · 02-17-2005, 12:03 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by 0l33l

Ok, so if you're not using a screen, then how are you going to be controlling the carputer?

Don't have a carputer right now. Its too expensive to go that route at the moment.

I did have a old music only setup, and I may resurrect it once I get a HU with AUX input (currently I use a wired FM mod to get my SkyFi 2's audio in...) It was a old pentium 233 with severely stripped down Win98 install with Winamp 2.xx. A 20x4 LCD and a number pad for control. Built from parts laying around

Ripped it outta my old car, but never put it in the Focus because it had no Aux input....

0l33l · 02-17-2005, 12:05 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by stevewm

Don't have a carputer right now. Its too expensive to go that route at the moment.

I did have a old music only setup, and I may resurrect it once I get a HU with AUX input (currently I use a wired FM mod to get my SkyFi 2's audio in...) It was a old pentium 233 with severely stripped down Win98 install with Winamp 2.xx. A 20x4 LCD and a number pad for control. Built from parts laying around

Ripped it outta my old car, but never put it in the Focus because it had no Aux input....

Ok, I guess that might work as a temporary solution

hd54321 · 02-17-2005, 12:12 AM

I just got the Pioneer Premiere DEH-P860MP (Premiere is Pioneer's top brand). I just got rid of my Sony CDX-M8800. All I can say is Pioneer is really good at what they do. I am unbelievably happy with this new headunit. You can get it on eBay for $300 + S/H. It has everything you can ask for - here are some of the features that I thought were the most important and which Pioneer has implemented extremely well:

- Auto Time Alignment and EQ Adjustment (via included microphone)
- Knobs and buttons (believe it or not, the CDX-M8800 is designed with no buttons on the outside which makes you operate the radio solely through the remote)
- A Color OEL display
- Real audio adjustments. This isn't a cheap headunit, it's very high end and has an infinite number of audio settings.
- You could go directly to a track on your mp3 cd or just scroll through the songs via the multi-control knob.

One drawback is that it does not have RDS. The only other headunit in the same price range with RDS is the Kenwood KDC-X889 or 989, but you're giving up the color display and I hate Kenwood's complicated MASK system.

Again, I am EXTREMELY happy with my Pioneer (premiere) headunit. I recommend it to anyone.

-HD