Quake3World

hey bitches... I don't know dick about car audio.

I need a HU that will play mp3s off a burned CD.
(off a memory stick would be wild, if they've gotten fancy enough to have usb ports on them)

basically i'm just looking for something that's *good* for < $100USD...

you could probably find a bottom of the line pioneer for that money or close. the great thing about pio's HU's is that they handle VBR better than most and go (iirc) 3 deep in directories if yours is set up that way.

very reliable hu's.

throw a stone and you'll hit a stereo that can play mp's from a cd, and more and more are being released with usb ports. you uk?

Dr_Watson wrote:something that's *good* for < $100USD...

lol

Get a V3 like I've got. You can find them at Walmart for $80. They support USB drives, xD cards, and MP3 CDs - with sub-out, and an input jack on the front.

I nailed the Kenwood EZ500 MP3 and WMA support and and AUX input (RCA in the back) for my omnifi mp3 player. Damn good sound quality worth every penny.
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-kMwWpP0OlU ... i=113EZ500

It can easily be nailed on ebay for about $125

A friend of mine has an alpine CDA-9855, it has a quick menu system where you run your finger across a white strip (works quite well). Also you can get an iPod conneter so it interfaces with one if you want it, and has satellite radio.

Not to mention it has millions of different colour combinations for the LEDs at the front so you can customise it.

edit: $100 limit


Heres a picture I took of it in his car whilst he was driving .

yeah, i dont' think i can afford an alipine.. i'll have to take a peak at what poineer and kenwood have to offer.
(all i know is this JVC shit pile that the previous owner put in the car sucks ass. fucking thing skips like mad even when playing new stamped cds)

hmm... i'm thinking i definately want to grab a usb capable one.
looking at : Kenwood KDC-MP532U
any opinions?
(amazing how quickly budgets change when you find a feature you want )

edit:
hmm, after reading user reviews... i think this is my bitch.
seems to be the best one with good usb support that isn't retardedly expensive.

I've noticed that you can get new Alpine units on ebay for far cheaper than from a dealer. Don't exepect much of a warranty and you'll have to install it yourself. I've owned six Alpine heads never once needed warranty service on one. Installing isn't too tricky if you're at all handy with tools.

Buying from crutchfield is cool because they send you all of the kit you need to install the thing for free. The price of those items can really add up. That's one thing you won't get from ebay.

Panasonic makes a pretty nice one for around 100 bucks.. Preouts for everything and proper EQ setup.

Forget the model. have one in my truck. if i remember ill snag i pic

Dave wrote: Installing isn't too tricky if can follow directions and know basic colors.

Fixed

My dad knows basic colors and he has people install his windshield wiper blades... A mechanical aptitude will serve you better than knowing red from black.

Dave wrote:My dad knows basic colors and he has people install his windshield wiper blades... A mechanical aptitude will serve you better than knowing red from black.

Guess thats true. Sadly tho, almost any car is a 30 min deal. Match the right colors, bolt 2-4 bolts/screws, Done.

:-|

Dr_Watson wrote:hmm... i'm thinking i definately want to grab a usb capable one.
looking at : Kenwood KDC-MP532U
any opinions?
(amazing how quickly budgets change when you find a feature you want )

edit:
hmm, after reading user reviews... i think this is my bitch.
seems to be the best one with good usb support that isn't retardedly expensive.

You Bastard,

Now I am thinking of getting rid of my omnifi system and change it up for one of these head units. The Omnifi system was nice but the wireless sync gimmic has worn off and the shuffle sequence sucks ass. I have about 2000 songs in there and it seems to keep plauing the same ones over and over...

SOAPboy wrote:

Dave wrote:My dad knows basic colors and he has people install his windshield wiper blades... A mechanical aptitude will serve you better than knowing red from black.

Guess thats true. Sadly tho, almost any car is a 30 min deal. Match the right colors, bolt 2-4 bolts/screws, Done.

:-|

You also have to create the mounting bracket using one of those this-kit-works-for-300-cars kits. And GM cars (potentially more) use a smaller antenna plug than aftermarket stereos accept so you need an adapter. And some cars use external power amplifiers which makes the install even more of a pain in the ass.

I know what your saying, I think its easy too. But there is no way I would tell your average techno-noob to install their own. Shit my roommate can barely setup one of those home theater in-a-box.

Oh and you might be able to find a Clarion on ebay for around that price. Any model number ending in MP or USB will play MP3s.

bitWISE wrote:

SOAPboy wrote:

Dave wrote:My dad knows basic colors and he has people install his windshield wiper blades... A mechanical aptitude will serve you better than knowing red from black.

Guess thats true. Sadly tho, almost any car is a 30 min deal. Match the right colors, bolt 2-4 bolts/screws, Done.

:-|

You also have to create the mounting bracket using one of those this-kit-works-for-300-cars kits. And GM cars (potentially more) use a smaller antenna plug than aftermarket stereos accept so you need an adapter. And some cars use external power amplifiers which makes the install even more of a pain in the ass.

I know what your saying, I think its easy too. But there is no way I would tell your average techno-noob to install their own. Shit my roommate can barely setup one of those home theater in-a-box.

Looks like he's buying from crutchfield. They supply (for free) the dash kits, conversion cables, wiring harnesses and instructions. You can also call them and they have people on the line that know your cars wiring inside and out.

I had no idea why my stereo wouldn't work. I called up, waited on hold for about 3 minutes, then the tech tells me to connect a green and black wire to the harnesses blue wire and BAM radio works. I didn't know I had the "premium sound" amp in my car and it required that line to be connected
:icon31:

By the way I am now selling the Kenwood EZ500





And my entire omnifi sytem (home and Car)



Any takers?[/url]

I'd love a system with features like the omnifi but I detest "piggy-back" systems like that. Even with a perfect install it still looks a bit tacky having that remote control stuck on your dash while you listen to MP3s being played over a weak FM transmitter.

SOAPboy wrote:

Dave wrote:My dad knows basic colors and he has people install his windshield wiper blades... A mechanical aptitude will serve you better than knowing red from black.

Guess thats true. Sadly tho, almost any car is a 30 min deal. Match the right colors, bolt 2-4 bolts/screws, Done.

:-|

sure, if you have the kit and aren't using external amps.

bitWISE wrote:I'd love a system with features like the omnifi but I detest "piggy-back" systems like that. Even with a perfect install it still looks a bit tacky having that remote control stuck on your dash while you listen to MP3s being played over a weak FM transmitter.

Auxiliary input FTW,

[lvlshot]http://pages.prodigy.net/dpfalandys/Files/mycar/Omnifi/donenight.jpg[/lvlshot]

Lol