Unsure on what Head Unit?

[Oh_Your_Blind]

Hey guys,
I'm looking on upgrading my stock HU in my VY. I have been shopping and lookin around, and havnt found anything to my liking yet. I have about 350-400 for the unit itself, any cheaper and I can upgrade speakers, so cheaper is a bonus. I need a USB front and/or ipod connection options. What do you guys reccomend or what are you crankin tunes from in your car so I get an idea for brands too.

[holdenboy]

I have the Kenwood KDC-5043U in the missus' car, very impressed with it.....not the greatest of looks (she wanted something with blue lighting haha). But has USB and you can plug your Ipod straight into it (using just a regular Ipod - USB cable) and control the Ipod from the head-unit etc etc.

Ryda Car Audio - Kenwood KDC-MP5043U Car CD & USB Tuner($219.95)

If you want something a little better, also from Kenwood is this:
Ryda Car Audio - Kenwood KDC-MP6043IP USB Car CD MP3 Tuner ($298.95)

Ive installed a few of these Clarion units, might not look "high tech" but has built in HPF/LPF and also plays Ipod etc.

Ryda Car Audio - Clarion CZ309A Car CD MP3 USB Ipod Player($239.95)

Also fitted one of these the other day, looks really cool...but has most of the needed features and Ipod ofcourse
Ryda Car Audio - JVC KD-R606 Car MP3 CD Ipod Tuner($229.85)

Want more suggestions? Havent got to Alpine or Pioneer yet

[Lumps of cheese]

I'm running a pioneer 6150bt unit. Has usb port in front for ipod connection and also has bluetooth which is excellent and clear. Soryy i can't quite remember the price but it falls in your range i think.

[Oh_Your_Blind]

Cheers holden boy, man if you feel like typing, feel free, I just am stuck at a headunit atm! Oh by the way, preouts too!, im running 2 12 inchers, component (or coaxle.. Whatever one isn't splits) and splits.. I havnt gone to buyin amps.. I got a 200w for the splits.. Dunno wetha to get 2 1000w monos, because there 2 seperate subs.. Or a 1000w 4ch? So yea preouts is another must have

[Joe Bellissimo]

One amplifier for the subwoofers is typically the easiest way to do it.

Give the exact model numbers if you need us to recomend sufficient power and amplifier arrangements.

[Oh_Your_Blind]

Of the subs?

[holdenboy]

As Joe said go with a single monoblock amplifier for the subs. You'll have to give us model numbers and / or impedances / power handling to better match you with an amp.

Generally, something with 800-1000wrms at your subs impedance is ideal.

For preouts, you'll only need 2 sets (front and rear/subwoofer switchable) which all of those units have, some even have 3 sets (front, rear and sub) so that isnt a problem.

[arrow224]

Another option is the Alpine CDE-102 available at JB Hi Fi for about $293. Decent HU for the price: 2 preouts, Full speed iPod cable included, front USB, front 3.5mm aux, wma/mp3/aac.

[Oh_Your_Blind]

One amplifier for the subwoofers is typically the easiest way to do it.

Give the exact model numbers if you need us to recomend sufficient power and amplifier arrangements.

As Joe said go with a single monoblock amplifier for the subs. You'll have to give us model numbers and / or impedances / power handling to better match you with an amp.

So you can run 2 subs off a mono? i thought mono ment one, hence one sub?
Well that just saved me money haha!

[Joe Bellissimo]

Yes, you can run as many subs as you would like as long as you wire them correctly and the amplifier can provide sufficient current.

[holdenboy]

Yep, Joe is correct.

Heres a few suggestions on what to look for:

2x 4 ohm single voice coil subs = 2 ohm load
2x 4 ohm dual voice coil subs = 4 ohm or 1 ohm load
2 x 2 ohm dual voice coil subs = 0.5 ohm or 2 ohm load

Basically you want to match the subs with an amplifier that puts out its maximum power at the subs impedance. All monoblock amplifiers will be able to run at 2 ohm, some will run at 1 ohm load.
Heres a few examples you probably should be looking at (depending on budget):
SPL Dynamics S-1200D, 800wrms @ 2 ohm and 1200wrms @ 1 ohm.
Shopping Secure - Car Audio Specialists - SPL Dynamics S-1200D
Option Audio OAX801, 500 wrms @ 2 ohm and 820wrms @ 1 ohm.
Shopping Secure - Car Audio Specialists - Option Audio OAX801
Clarion APX-1301, 400wrms @ 2 ohm.
Ryda Car Audio - Clarion Car Audio APX1301 Car Amplifier($172.20)
Sony XM-ZZR3301, 600wrms @ 2 ohm.
Ryda Car Audio - Sony XM-ZZR3301 Mono Block Amplifier($318.85)

On a different note, i installed one of the Alpine CDE-102 head-units today.....as with all Alpine units the build quality is a step above most others, the display was clear and easy to read.....looked good too. Didnt hook up the Ipod cable (older couple, didnt know what an Ipod was) so cant comment on the Ipod controls etc......but overall a decent unit

[Oh_Your_Blind]

I just saw a headunit, just liked the look and features from the start, the alpine IDA-X300. Purchased it for $220. Thanks for your help! Anyone know good place for installations in sydney, western to be specific?

[HCVP]

You know the x300 dosent play CD's right? meaning your always resticted to compressed quality music files.....

[Oh_Your_Blind]

I live off my ipod anyway! I hate carrying cd's around, they clutter, less the best!

[Tasmaniak]

Clarion FZ409a Mechless head unit. Does not pla CDs at all.You can pick it up for around about 300 6ch RCA outputs as well.

Am waiting on my Clarion rep to call me back to tell me when he is bringing me my FZ709a which will be the same unit but with built in blue-tooth.

[Tasmaniak]

oops....I fail. Didn't read that you had already purchased one.

[Oh_Your_Blind]

Sall good bro! That clarion one looks good ay man! Let me know how it goes.

[HCVP]

Off topic....but, personally i love CD's!! I also appreciate the difference in SQ between a CD recording, and IPOD/Mp3 player ect..
My ideal head unit would be one that plays a CD only, no radio/bluetooth/Ipod/Mp3/aux input/changable screen colour blah blah, just give me a CD drive, and the remaining money can go into tuning capabilites and so forth..

[2LOUD2OLD]

Off topic....but, personally i love CD's!! I also appreciate the difference in SQ between a CD recording, and IPOD/Mp3 player ect..
My ideal head unit would be one that plays a CD only, no radio/bluetooth/Ipod/Mp3/aux input/changable screen colour blah blah, just give me a CD drive, and the remaining money can go into tuning capabilites and so forth..

closest you are going to get for that will be a clarion HXD2 i reckon

[Tasmaniak]

lol, just because I don't use CD doesn't ,mean I have to listen to compressed music.