1ordinary-guy

Hi Guys,

I've been out of the car audio loop now for about 15 years. Grew up, went to college, got job, family, mortgage, etc and priorities changed. Now I'm trying to outfit my recently-purchased 2008 Tacoma with something better than stock, and am just curious what brands out there are still worth looking at.

Fifteen years ago, Alpine, Pioneer, and Eclipse were top of the class in terms of decks. Eclipse aren't available in Canada anymore from what I've seen, but I guess could be mail-ordered from the USA. I know several of you guys work in car audio, so I'm asking - what brands out there are decent right now and what should one avoid?

I guess I should tell you what I'm after. A good double-din, CD deck with USB and Aux In, maybe Bluetooth. Current choices include JVC KW-XR610 or KW-XR810, Kenwood DPX308U, Clarion CX609 (older model) or CX501, or Pioneer FH-P8000BT.

Are there any lemons in this batch?

thanks!

wasted911

iTrader: (2)

usually for a bit more money you can get yourself into a double din dvd player with those features.

I'm not a big fan of the pioneer or the kenwood, I've never seen the clarion, and the JVC is a great unit other than it can look goofy in some installs as the face sticks out quite a bit for my preference.

Sinemeup

JVC merged with Kenwood in 2008 I believe... I've always ran Kenwoods and they have served me well. Try to get a deck that "has" all the features you want, or you will be spending extra on peripherals to get what you want. The main downsides I find in the DD's is losing some of the features from a single din. ie 2v preouts instead of 4-5v sometimes 2 sets of audio outs compared to 3 sets.. My on screen sub volume is buried so far in the menu that I have wired it to an Audiocontrol volume contol in the centre console for easy analog access.

Boulard83

I alwais been a big Kenwood fan when it comes to HeadUnit.

novek

Look at the kenwood x794, its been discontinued but a audiosavings.com has some left.

AAAAAAA

iTrader: (7)

Not much has changed in the deck departement, it's the same usual suspects ...well accept eclipse as you noticed, they are no longer doing aftermarket.

DaVibe

iTrader: (9)

Kenwood and Alpine I like and use. Maybe a top of the line Pioneer.

1ordinary-guy

Thanks guys for the replies so far.

I'm intentionally trying to avoid a DVD/touchscreen deck - too complicated for my wife to operate, and too distracting for me too. Plus, I'm not fond of fingerprints all over a touch screen. Give me real buttons, and a simpler layout any day.

I did hear about the JVC/Kenwood merger; does that mean the current crop of JVC decks are really Kenwood? JVC wasn't a great name in terms of car audio from what I remember in the past, which explains my hesitation for going with one now. They are available everywhere and look pretty good, and I think would look OK in my Tacoma dash since most dash kits have a fairly deep recess for double-DIN. The other decks I mentioned are mail-order only from Woofersetc, or Sonic Electronix. So, any of those are also a bit of a gamble too. I've had good luck with Pioneer in the past, although I'm reading about a "pico-fuse" issue that has lots of people staying away from them now. Clarion seems to be either a love or hate thing. And the only Alpine double-DINs now are DVD touch-screens or the ipod-only models (I think the double din one of those is discontinued).

Still interested in opinions. Right now, leaning towards the JVC KW-XR810 or the Kenwood DPX308U.

CrankedPhelo

As of now i have a sony xplod i am pretty satisfied for a head unit that came with the car, but id like to buy a JVC with all the features i want. Im wandering is it complicated to swap headunit, could i do it myself like? or do i need a professional to do it?

AAAAAAA

iTrader: (7)

I wanted to add that a new comer to the good HU market would be epsilonpi,soundstream

Apparently they have gotten some good stuff...but mostly video\touchscreen stuff.