Trying to decide on a new headunit

deadlift425 · Post by **deadlift425** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 10:15 am

Goal is mainly sound quality. Been looking at the Eclipse 5030 headunit that just came out, as well as the Kenwood Excelon 993. Both look to be top notch receivers, as the Eclipse has the 7 Band PEQ and Kenwood has the 5 Band PEQ. Both have usb input, bluetooth built in, and high voltage preouts. Kenwoods S/N ratio is higher(110 vs 95), but not sure how much of a factor that is in todays car audio.

If you had to choose, which one would you pick? Also open to other suggestions.

Post by **stipud** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 10:19 am

Kenwood. I've been really impressed with their Excelon lineup. Tons of bang for the buck.

Post by **Wakeup** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 11:32 am

CAn't help myself...I am a Kenwood fan....

Got the 991 version myself....
and a 25th anniversary deck still..

Audiophiliac · Post by **Audiophiliac** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 4:16 pm

I am looking at the 993 as well. But I am going to go play with the top of the line JVC single DIN touchscreen unit. AVX77 I think. Has pretty good specs...just not sure I will like it yet.

Post by **Bfowler** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 4:33 pm

kenwood excelon.

Post by **smgreen20** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 4:37 pm

I'll be the only one chiming in for the Eclipse.

I don't like the looks of the Kens and I haven't much quality luck w/them too. Two friends of mine have used Kens and they've fallen apart. Buttons/knobs coming off. They just don't seem to hold up against the test of time.

Take what I've said w/a grain of salt as well as> I look at Ken as a whole. Their amps don't make, and the ones that do barely make, rated power. Their speakers are cheap both of build and looks and their performance just doesn't measure up. IMO.

Post by **stipud** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 5:40 pm

Were they Excelon headunits? I don't like any of their other gear...

Post by **Wakeup** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 6:08 pm

I've never had trouble with my kenwood units knobs etc....
I still have my X815, x959, 879, 25th anniversary, and of course the 991.
They all still work perfectly.

Post by **Wakeup** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 6:10 pm

actually the x879 is the only one with trouble...but it wasn't from my doing, it was doing from the previous owner. And that is one of the caps(plastic cover piece...which is just cosmetic) fell off.

Post by **smgreen20** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 7:13 pm

I don't recall if the HUs were the EXCLs or not,but I do know that the amps that couldn't do rated power were.

Post by **smgreen20** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 7:21 pm

I don't recall if the HUs were the EXCLs or not,but I do know that the amps that couldn't do rated power were.

Post by **Bfowler** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 7:24 pm

yeah....no one is gonna fight you on their amps.

Post by **ttocs** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 7:37 pm

I was curous about this myself. wow, no alpine love? I used to be a die hard fan but I guess I am about the same as everybody else.

I have also been considering the newer JVC models. I have had good luck with JVC in the past.

Post by **Bfowler** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 7:43 pm

its not that i dont love alpine...i just feel they arent any better then the excelons for more money

neverman · Post by **neverman** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 2:28 am

I'm really liking the Alpin 305 for what it's worth. Don't miss having a CD player at ALL! Excellent SQ S/N numbers and it connects digitally to iPods. Forget thumbdrives and clunky interfaces.

What I can't stand on the Alpine is their display of FM presets. Yucky!

tristan20 · Post by **tristan20** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 8:04 am

Steve you should be familiar with this one

One of the first true balanced decks

oldskoolmseriesfan · Post by **oldskoolmseriesfan** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 9:59 am

Ive got the KDC-MP4032 model and I hate it! Nothing but problems and its only2-3 yrs old

deadlift425 · Post by **deadlift425** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 11:46 am

What is everyone's take on the display being hard to read in sunlight(the 993)? What about the button function on the second knob? I remember those being complaints from some on CA.com, but wanted to hear your opinions.