Best Current model HU for under $600?

[DavidPartay]

Hey all,

I'm looking at doing a new HU for my car at Tax Return Time (assuming Rudd doesn't try to take the stimulus package back) and I'm divided as to what I should get.

I've always been a Pioneer man but I'm not opposed to high quality other brands.

Couple of provisos:

- Has to have USB. Don't care about Bluetooth or iPod/iPhone.

- Obviously, RCA outs for fronts and sub, don't care about rears

- Double din - optional, as it's going in a VX.

- LOTS of adjustments! I love being able to tweak my stereo to get the absolute best quality sound out of it. I'm not happy with a parametric equalizer with only 3 bands, so the 7-band Graphic in the 5150UB (current model) is a comparison point. Obviously, bass boost and low pass filters are a must.

- $600 is my absolute maximum, I'm not going to spend any more than this amount and I don't even want to spend this much if I can avoid it

- Easy to use. I use a remote too for some features on the 3050UB in my work car. And a Pause button on either the HU or remote is a must.


I have no problem whatsoever with buying another Pioneer but I am more than interested in buying say - Alpine or Kenwood (morally objected to Sony, never been keen on Clarion.. dunno why) as long as the quality is top notch and the features are comparable to the Pioneer.


I am going to be checking out the units on the Kenwood and Alpine sites but I can't speak from the experience of ever having used them which is where I need you guys to help me .

[StoneX]

Tax time? Do you mean July? Most brands will have new models by then!

Get a single DIN, they generally get more features for less cost.

[DavidPartay]

Yeah I mean in July . I know Pioneer have the x250 series coming out this year and I'm keen for the 5250SD .

[06vzcalais]

go pioneer double DIN put away any spare money you have to get a top notch unit i payed 1500(cant remember the model #) for mine a year ago and i dont regret it....
as for clarion i had a double din unit that i sent away atleast 4 times (they sent me a new unit each time) i ended up smashin it the 5th time

[StoneX]

Don't get a Pioneer double DIN, they have less audio features than the single DIN models. Pioneer doesn't even do a high end double DIN model unless you're talking about navigation units but none of those have decent audio adjustment features anyway.

[DavidPartay]

06vzcalais - thanks for the tip, but I'm the sort of person who is VERY happy with the 3050UB in his work car I'm perfectly happy to save as much money as possible and get a mid-range unit, thanks for the tip on the Clarion though, I knew I didn't like them for a reason .


Thanks StoneX - I haven't seen any double din Pioneers since the 6150 version which is too old now anyway... So far I'm more keen on the 5250SD than anything, Kenwood and Alpine both don't seem to come close to matching the features for the price.

[Joe Bellissimo]

I'm not sure if it has everything you listed there but there's also the Eclipse 7200.

[MasterOfReality]

I always found that JVC were quite good for the price.

I bought a JVC Exad touchscreen unit for $500 6 years ago and its still like new. Also hd 5 or 7 band eq in it, unlike the shitty presents a lot of head units have.

this one goes for $439 but only has 3 band eq.

JVC Products Australia : Welcome