924Board.org

CMXXXI · Joined: 05 Nov 2002 Posts: 1939 Location: Vicksburg, MS

I'm looking for some advice from those of you out there who are a bit more "stereophonically inclined". I want to install a new car stereo to replace the 1982-vintage cassette deck that is in there now with a reasonably priced CD/MP3 player. I will also upgrade the speakers in the stock position with something "modern", but will not be adding any power amps, subwoofers, CD changers or anything like that.

I've done some on-line research and have come up with a short list of receivers that I'm hoping to get some feedback on. If anyone is "in the business", or has first/second-hand knowledge about these particular models, or knows of something else along these product lines, I'd appreciate the input and/or feedback.

JVC KD G800
Kenwood KDC MPV5025
Kenwood KDC MP522
Panasonic CQ C5410U
Panasonic CQ C8300U
Pioneer DEH-P4600MP
Sony CDX-F5700

I'm looking to spend no more than $250 on the receiver and another $100 on the speakers.
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'79 Eurospec 931

Neil924 · Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 4225 Location: Canada

I too am looking for a new set up. I like to listen to music from time to time but I don't want a glow in the dark, glimmering, flashing cd player either.
I found a couple that looked low key. The cheap ones are the ones I like the look of and I'm not going to turn it up to max. so I don't think quality is a problem.

Info for 1st:
http://www.canadiantire.ca/assortments/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302193557&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524443271644&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395348027&bmUID=1092082588579&assortment=primary

&

Info for 2nd:
http://www.canadiantire.ca/assortments/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524443271704&FOLDER%3C%3EbrowsePath=2534374302192103&FOLDER%3C%3EbrowsePath=2534374302193489&FOLDER%3C%3EbrowsePath=2534374302193557&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302193557&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395348027&bmUID=1092951779378

J1NX3D · Joined: 06 Feb 2003 Posts: 1333 Location: New Zealand

im getting a rockford fosgate mp3 player for my next headunit. zillions of song and no stacker!
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'86 944

wdb · Joined: 02 Nov 2002 Posts: 2024

I hear its best to have as many speakers as possible , you get a stronger claener sound without having to turn itup loud . also most inexpensive head units dont have the power to drive speakers well , and you should have at least a 40 watt amp/equalizer .

some advice on sound systems .

http://www.caraudiogalaxy.com/caraudio_headunits.htm

some reasonable prices for everything youll need , never bought from them so I cant say what kind of service youll get .

http://www.123av.com/Car_Stereo.asp

-nick · Joined: 16 Nov 2002 Posts: 2699 Location: Cambridge, MA

I'm not familiar with any of those models above, but here is some of mho-

Sony has had a pretty bad reputation as to the quality of their products. I might recommend you to avoid them unless you hear otherwise. In fact, there are some online electronics customer review sites you might want to check out to avoid the possibility of getting a lemon (it happened to me with a high-end home cd changer, wish I would have checked the feedback first...).

I would suggest seeking out a unit with rotary volume control (if those above don't have it already).

Otherwise, I've found that all the newer units have about the same features and one is just as good as another for the ordinary listener. I went with a new Alpine and I really like it. I'm running it with 4 Infinity 4x6's and a small sub and I think it sounds great for anything I need it for.

Diesel (on here) recommended the Kenwood WooX subwoofer to me and I would highly recommend too. It's small (I sit it in the floor behind my seat), it's powered so there are no need for extra amps, and it really livens the music. 4x6's just can't produce any bass notes at all. It has a remote volume control that is really nice to crank up for those good Santana congo drum hits, or to crank down to keep the bass on some songs from getting out of control.

-nick

CMXXXI · Joined: 05 Nov 2002 Posts: 1939 Location: Vicksburg, MS

Sleykin · Posted: Sat Aug 21, 2004 10:47 am Post subject:

I simply went to the stereo store and told the lad there I wanted a unit that I didn't have to read directions to turn down the volume or change the channel. It has a nice big knob for volume and 4 little buttons around that for changing the channel and switching to CD. ... don't know what the 4th button does... (AM/FM) .. had to look then there are a bunch of other buttons for looks that you can do stuff with if you read the instructions.

It is an Alpine 45 Watt unit. about as basic as you can get for $170 installed.
Only downside is it has a button you have to hold for like 5 mins to turn the stupid thing off! Next time I open the console I am gonna mount an on off switch where the fader knob is so I can turn that sucker off when I want to hear the motor

btw I'm deaf so this was meant to be funny ... but true

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Glenn Neff
Medford, OR
87' 924S

Llamaguy · Joined: 02 Jul 2003 Posts: 711 Location: Indiana

I am very happy with my Blaupunkt RPD-552, it's easy to use, big buttons, puts out good power and sounds great with newer speakers, PLUS it was only $120US shipped to my door!! Blaupunkts are kinda hard to find since they won't let everyone sell them anymore though. I would prefer a RPD-550 but only because it is black and doesn't draw attention

http://www.blaupunktusa.com/BlaupunktUSA/Products/Archive/RPD552.htm
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1987 924S Guards Red
1997 Suzuki Tl1000 Supersport

arsy · Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Posts: 7

If anyone is into do it yourself jobs, I found crutchfield to be great option in that they send custom installation instructions from a company called Scosche, and a lot of other free tools/materials needed to complete the task. I personally ordered the Dual Xd7500 Receiver for $143.99, the Polk Momo Carbon MMC-460, $89.99, for the door panels, and a pair of the Kicker K46, 71.99, for the rear panel. I also bought a Crimp tool kit for $2.99 for added convenience. The combo was 308.96 with free shipping and guranteed 2-3 day shipping. If anyone is interested I can get you another $20 off with a refferral code. Just send an e-mail.
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'87 924S

RobE · Joined: 03 Nov 2002 Posts: 96 Location: Honolulu HI

I have had 2 Kenwood head units over the years and have never had a problem. The current one that I have is a couple of years old ( I don't remember the exact model #) is pretty basic and has good output, I just blew a set of 12 year old JVC 6x9 3 ways with it. My first Kenwood was in my competion car some 11 years ago and finally died last year. Get some dececent speaker to go with your new unit and you shouldn't have any complaints.
Rob
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Rob E.
Sold '79 White 924 NA
Very sadly missed!! On the lookout for a new baby.

Llamaguy · Joined: 02 Jul 2003 Posts: 711 Location: Indiana

I did see a nice Alpine CD player in a 944 I looked at once, only problem was it only played Fleetwood Mac! Apparently, the owner didn't drive it for about 3 years and the cd got stuck or something
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1987 924S Guards Red
1997 Suzuki Tl1000 Supersport

wdb · Joined: 02 Nov 2002 Posts: 2024

not sure what your looking for ,but this is about as inexpensive as it gets .
standard disclaimer .

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/hypaudio/ii901gc.html

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/hypaudio/meq800.html

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/hypaudio/peq71.html

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/hypaudio/ii403g.html

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/hypaudio/car-audio-equalizers---crossovers.html

I think someone said the stock speaker was 4x10 .

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/hypaudio/t8410.html

J1NX3D · Joined: 06 Feb 2003 Posts: 1333 Location: New Zealand

i just picked one of these up yesterday:

CMXXXI · Joined: 05 Nov 2002 Posts: 1939 Location: Vicksburg, MS

Thanks to everyone for their input. I've settled on a Pioneer unit after talking to several folks "in the know" and countless trips to various electronics stores to play with the things. I'm glad I took the time to actually do some hands-on comparison, as I found many units with controls that are difficult and/or confusing to operate. It comes in under my $250 limit (found a local dealer who will sell it below internet price) and it's not a "mass market" model. It seems the more money you pay, the more bells and whistles you get, but I just want some tunes, not animated graphics on the display (should be driving, not watching the radio anyway). All I have to do now is wait for my birthday to get here...

If you are interested, click the image for specs.

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'79 Eurospec 931

kike924 · Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2004 9:51 am Post subject:

I bought exactly the same model and I´m very pleased with it ....
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Euro 924 1980 N/A
Daily driver + week end racer