If you are not looking for a touchscreen/nav or DVD player HU (which is pointless IMO... the hand held Garmin GPS is miles better...you would have to mount an antenna on the windshield anyway and I like having my GPS eye level...and who watches DVDs in their car on a tiny 6 inch???), I highly recommend Pioneer Premier FH-800BT! I did a lot of research before buying this HU.
Aside from the excellent sound quality, which is expected in any aftermarket HU as standard, this HU offers the following:
1. Flawless Built-In Bluetooth (by Parrot, the leader in handsfree car audio):
Note: IMO, it is really stupid to buy a HU without Bluetooth now-a-days. This unit has it built-in (built-in devices generally function better) and add-on generally runs $150-200 if it is optional.
Automatic connection when start.
Phonebook + other features, ability to set sound to back speaker (completely eliminate distortion and echo).
Advanced echo cancellation setting (zero echo on other end if sound comes from the furthest speaker only, which is the rear left, but there will be distorted sound (instead of echo) if the echo is too close)
AWESOME sound quality with bluetooth audio streaming! I have tried using a blackberry and pandora radio... the quality was EXCELLENT and worked flawlessly (makes me wonder what the point of getting a tuner when you can bluetooth with your smartphone...)! A con here is that you can't be have your phone be used with bluetooth as a telephone or as a bluetooth player at the same time.
2. High quality USB sound:
Automatic USB player start when plugged in and saved progress! It is designed for Ipod use as well (comes with cable) features the ability to use your Ipod to controls and sound comes from the the HU.
Advanced sound retriever allows the HU to make your compressed MP3, WAV, or ACC files sound CD QUALITY (very noticeable highs and bass and does not sound compressed AT ALL). Note: The sound will depend on the quality of your MP3 files... I use 196 kbps (256 is what you get from buying from Itunes and 302 is rare) and if you use 128 kbps, it will sound a lot more dull.
High power, fast USB! It powers a portable hard drive (but must be format with FAT16/32). I use my phone with a 9g card to play songs. A con here is that there is no way to "random skip." Note: I mounted my USB cable where the Hill Decent button should have been (09 SE didn't have this feature, but 2010+ SE will).
3. Great expandability:
This HU has 3 sets of 4v RCA jacks (front L/R, rear L/R, and sub) and the ability to turn off internal amp if using an external amp.
You can get a HD radio tuner, 6 disc changer (CD sound quality is by far the best...1411 kbps), XM/Sirus tuner, steering wheel mount remote (that actually works), and the HU can be used to deliver sound for a TV or DVD player (sold separately). For example, you can buy a ceiling mounted monitor with DVD player/ TV tuner and the sound lead goes to the HU.
4. Reliability, dependability, functionality, usability, and value:
Pioneer is a great international brand. This HU comes with a 2 year warranty.
The internal amp is certified 14w RMS (Pioneer rates it as 22w RMS). Note: To cleverly market themselves, Kenwood DOES NOT certify their amps, so it they always put 22w RMS/ 50w max RMS, but there is no way of knowing this due to no certification; when certified, Alpine HUs will have 18w RMS, which is higher class Kenwood units will have. In reality, there is no noticeable sound difference between 14w, 18w, and 22w; only 50w+ RMS a difference kicks in, which is based off your speaker quality (not RMS quantity) and whether they can take the RMS.
What is important in the HU is the functionality. This HU is REALLY simple to use and is well laid out.
The top complaint about this HU is that it is so bright at night. SOLUTION: There is a dimmer option when you turn headlights on and IT IS NOT ENABLED by default; AND you can turn off illumination completely (the HU still works and can be controlled via remote). The funny thing is that at least people aren't complaining about not enough illumination during daylight (VERY common complaint about aftermarket HUs and is really annoying to not be able to read a HU...it completely destroys functionality). Note: Careful with selecting a Kenwood HU...they have horrible usability and REALLY annoying knobs that simply don't work...I would ONLY buy a Kenwood HU with a touchscreen.
You can buy the 1 year warranty model (8000BT model number instead of 800BT) for ONLY $260 from the cheapest seller (just make sure they are authorized to sell Pioneer products). I bought the 800BT from Crutchfield for $350 (the adapters and metra kit included).
By not spending $1000 on a HU (really easy to do now-a-days), I save $650 to spend on an AMP and speakers (though I don't think I want to do this because the current setup sounds just fine)...or new wheels...or a sunroof...or you can buy your girl some sexy jewelry. ;-)
I would get one of these ASAP because they have been discontinued.
Aside from the excellent sound quality, which is expected in any aftermarket HU as standard, this HU offers the following:
1. Flawless Built-In Bluetooth (by Parrot, the leader in handsfree car audio):
Note: IMO, it is really stupid to buy a HU without Bluetooth now-a-days. This unit has it built-in (built-in devices generally function better) and add-on generally runs $150-200 if it is optional.
Automatic connection when start.
Phonebook + other features, ability to set sound to back speaker (completely eliminate distortion and echo).
Advanced echo cancellation setting (zero echo on other end if sound comes from the furthest speaker only, which is the rear left, but there will be distorted sound (instead of echo) if the echo is too close)
AWESOME sound quality with bluetooth audio streaming! I have tried using a blackberry and pandora radio... the quality was EXCELLENT and worked flawlessly (makes me wonder what the point of getting a tuner when you can bluetooth with your smartphone...)! A con here is that you can't be have your phone be used with bluetooth as a telephone or as a bluetooth player at the same time.
2. High quality USB sound:
Automatic USB player start when plugged in and saved progress! It is designed for Ipod use as well (comes with cable) features the ability to use your Ipod to controls and sound comes from the the HU.
Advanced sound retriever allows the HU to make your compressed MP3, WAV, or ACC files sound CD QUALITY (very noticeable highs and bass and does not sound compressed AT ALL). Note: The sound will depend on the quality of your MP3 files... I use 196 kbps (256 is what you get from buying from Itunes and 302 is rare) and if you use 128 kbps, it will sound a lot more dull.
High power, fast USB! It powers a portable hard drive (but must be format with FAT16/32). I use my phone with a 9g card to play songs. A con here is that there is no way to "random skip." Note: I mounted my USB cable where the Hill Decent button should have been (09 SE didn't have this feature, but 2010+ SE will).
3. Great expandability:
This HU has 3 sets of 4v RCA jacks (front L/R, rear L/R, and sub) and the ability to turn off internal amp if using an external amp.
You can get a HD radio tuner, 6 disc changer (CD sound quality is by far the best...1411 kbps), XM/Sirus tuner, steering wheel mount remote (that actually works), and the HU can be used to deliver sound for a TV or DVD player (sold separately). For example, you can buy a ceiling mounted monitor with DVD player/ TV tuner and the sound lead goes to the HU.
4. Reliability, dependability, functionality, usability, and value:
Pioneer is a great international brand. This HU comes with a 2 year warranty.
The internal amp is certified 14w RMS (Pioneer rates it as 22w RMS). Note: To cleverly market themselves, Kenwood DOES NOT certify their amps, so it they always put 22w RMS/ 50w max RMS, but there is no way of knowing this due to no certification; when certified, Alpine HUs will have 18w RMS, which is higher class Kenwood units will have. In reality, there is no noticeable sound difference between 14w, 18w, and 22w; only 50w+ RMS a difference kicks in, which is based off your speaker quality (not RMS quantity) and whether they can take the RMS.
What is important in the HU is the functionality. This HU is REALLY simple to use and is well laid out.
The top complaint about this HU is that it is so bright at night. SOLUTION: There is a dimmer option when you turn headlights on and IT IS NOT ENABLED by default; AND you can turn off illumination completely (the HU still works and can be controlled via remote). The funny thing is that at least people aren't complaining about not enough illumination during daylight (VERY common complaint about aftermarket HUs and is really annoying to not be able to read a HU...it completely destroys functionality). Note: Careful with selecting a Kenwood HU...they have horrible usability and REALLY annoying knobs that simply don't work...I would ONLY buy a Kenwood HU with a touchscreen.
You can buy the 1 year warranty model (8000BT model number instead of 800BT) for ONLY $260 from the cheapest seller (just make sure they are authorized to sell Pioneer products). I bought the 800BT from Crutchfield for $350 (the adapters and metra kit included).
By not spending $1000 on a HU (really easy to do now-a-days), I save $650 to spend on an AMP and speakers (though I don't think I want to do this because the current setup sounds just fine)...or new wheels...or a sunroof...or you can buy your girl some sexy jewelry. ;-)
I would get one of these ASAP because they have been discontinued.
