JohnnyRock1588

iTrader: (22)

Hey guys!

So it's time to try a new head unit because i just sold my 880prs on the board here.

the units im currently looking at ar the alpine 9887, kenwood x993 and eclipse cd5030. I'm also wondering if you guys know any other decks that fall into this category without going skyrocketing in price. I can get all of these units BRAND new to my front door step for under 290$ I've used alpine and pioneer units for the past 5 years so i know them pretty well.

Needless to say i have done EXTENSIVE research the past few days and comparing of the 3 units in everyway. I'm basically looking for more opinions on what i should do. So lets hear what you guys think I should do! I know absolutely everything about these units aside from the fact i have not heard in person the kenwood or eclipse. 4voltvs5volt preouts is not a big deal since it's virtually an inaudible difference.

by the way if i hear the conventional answers such as "check the specs or just listen to them" I will control, alt, delete my computer into a million pieces. Oh and I WILL be buying another unit by the end of the week so yes your input matters!!

vrdublu

iTrader: (5)

Double post.

vrdublu

iTrader: (5)

By selling your 880PRS and replacing what you have mentioned, you're actually downgrading IMHO. The Alpine is the closest thing to the 880, but at a higher cost once you figure in the seperate T/A you have to purchase. I'm using the 980BT after also selling my 880 here, the only reason for that was bluetooth, otherwise I would still have the 880. Unless you go into the really high end HU's, 880 and 980 are as good as it gets.

JohnnyRock1588

iTrader: (22)

the kenwood and eclipse are bluetooth ready. I dont think im downgrading at all IMO. I liked the 880 and all but just didn't need it and these units are capable of pretty much the same things and more since BT. eq's are lesser yes but i can deal with less band eq fine. i'm not going back to pioneer.

MTA

iTrader: (1)

if u havent spent the money yet ..buy the kenwood for sure... many features( i own one) such as parametric eq, selectable x-over front/rear/sub each individual... also buitlt in T/a with preprogramed or manual settings.... BT works awsome ... well and ofcourse i dont know how the others stack up but it does have the 24bit burr brown DA .... the color display is kinda nice to match to your dash also... not a big concern but some ppl actually care about it... ummm the only thing that I miss compared to many of older Kenwoods is the motorized face... but atleast no more faulty ribbon cable problems..also full ipod/iphone controls direct connect with the use of the original ipod/iphone cable plug into the USB plug( fed from back i believe its 3ft long)
you can mount it anywhere...and yeah its got good voltage out for RCA line...dont remember if its 4 or 5 volt

jonesbrooklyn

iTrader: (5)

I would have to agree with mta but the only thing is if you can get a Kenwood x991 if you are looking for a serious sq deck. the X993 doesn't have the same functions as the X991. You might not even be able to land an X993. They have been discontinued and the new line of kenwood is coming out in march if they haven't come out already. Alot cheaper than the X991 that retailed at $800 but does not have even half the features of the X991. At least this is what I was told today by time and frank at car audio haven.

lpchouinard

like mentioned b4 the 880 is a superior deck, but I understand your need for change ;-)

So here's my experience, so all IMO

9887
Pro:
sound good, lots of feature if hook to a PXA, nice interface, bright display
Con:
time display to small, bluetooth with bt400 module suck, $$$ for all the add on

5030
Pro:
sound good, bright display, bluetooth (sound good too), big time display, Ipod/USB support out of the box, AUX input in the back
Con:
Bluetooth phonebook synch only one # per contact, no bandpass between rear and front, look a bit cheap

993
no clue

So if i had to choose ill probably go kenwood since i never played with it...

JohnnyRock1588

iTrader: (22)

hmmm thanks lp. i agree from what i know and have heard... and yes the 9887 seems to want to get expensive with add ons and i really want bluetooth since the laws have changed

JohnnyRock1588

iTrader: (22)

do you know where i can get a x991? but keep in mind im not about to drop a ton of money into a deck at the moment because i wont be competeing or anything

MTA

iTrader: (1)

good luck with getting an x991... its a 2007 model deck and carried over into 2008 because it was a hard sell item even though it was an amazing deck for its time... they revamped it in 2009 into the x993 took away a few features but added blue tooth and brought the price down significantly... it still is an amazing deck and you get alot more features then with any other deck in its price range...also 2 year warranty and excellent service unlike other brands I know