Need help/advice QUICK on picking a headunit: Pioneer vs. Kenwood

[cyoonak]

I am VERY pressed on which head unit I want to purchase... I've allotted some cash flow on this, and am wondering if A) i should spend the extra money now B) save it and buy a cheaper deck now... I can afford the most expensive in this list of four, but is it worth it for the the price?

These are the decks in order of price.

1) Pioneer DEH-P7400MP
2) Kenwood Excelon KDC-X869
3) Pioneer DEH-P8400MP
4) Kenwood Excelon KDC-X969

All these decks are available at best buy, and am wondering which is the best... the 7400 is about 150 more than the 969... is it worth it for the more money? or will I be satisfied with the 7400... my only beef with the 869 is that it doesn't come with a screensaver... or does it?

Thanks for ANY input!!!

[qwik99gt]

Here's the quick advice you asked for:

1. Don't buy any car audio from a retailer like Best Buy or Circuit City. Prices are high, and helpfulness is almost nil. All you get are commision-driven opinions. Try an internet retailer like Ikesound for low price, or even Crutchfield if it's your first time doing a HU, as they include wiring harnesses and adapter plates with your purchase.

2. IMHO, Pioneer is of a slightly higher quality than Kenwood. If you want the best available in your budget try Premier, which is Pioneer's better brand. All three have great features though. It's personal opinion what you want.

3. Always save and get what you really want. Otherwise you'll never be truly happy with your purchase. If it takes an extra month to buy it, you'll just appreciate it that much more.

These things being said, I suggest the Pioneer PREMIER DEH-P840MP for $359 on Ikesound. And free shipping. Hope this helps.:thumbs:

http://www.ikesound.com/Prod_Details.asp?Prod_Id=675

[grandGTR]

What he said. :):thumbs:

Pioneer is loaded with easy to use options and has a great price tag! Kenwood is also a godo HU, but I had an eXcelon one and traded up to the Pioneer I have now and have been happy since.

Yes that website above does have awsome deals, but you get no warranty if you care about all that. I got my gear from www.thezeb.com and am going to be getting me new gear from that webiste www.ikesound.com they have killer prices and so far good service :)

Good luck on the purchase, but I would look more into the Pioneer brands and save up until you can get what you really want. IF you are going to buy online I would not get the premier line, the option difference is none, but you do get a longer warranty with that line due to better components used inside, but I have always gone pioneer regular line and have never had a problem with them or used the coverage.

[GregFarz78]

I've personally used the excelon line and wasnt impressed at all especially for the price tag they hold. I'd go pioneer over kenwood any day. Remember buying online you usually get on warranty unless they are a certified retailer for that brand. Just a chance you take buying stuff online.

[cyoonak]

you guys are great. i've actually done HU's for a long time, but haven't done it in a long time... last time i bought a deck was about 4 years ago, and i've lost what knowledge i knew about what was good and what isn't...

that said, i looked more and more online, and found that pioneer is coming out with the 7500 and the 8500 this april, so looks like i'll just wait and get either of the two when the time comes!!

thanks again! appreciate it all!

ps... from what i remember, premiers usually came with more preouts and higher voltage on them... this is still true, correct?

[quinton]

ikesound carries a 1 year warranty on about all of their products.
the premiers have a 4v outputs instead of 2v. and i believe my 740mp has more outputs than my friends 6400. he bought his at best buy for 400, i bought mine from ikesound for 245.. i guess you could say he was rather ****ed and only buys through me now.

[CappsCity]

The following pre-outs are included in Pioneer's HUs:

6 Volt
DEH-P940MP


4 Volt
DEH-P8440MP
DEH-P9400MP
DEH-P740MP
DEH-P840MP
DEX-P9? (Just says Hi-Volt pre-outs)


All others not listed under 6 Volt and 4 Volt come with 2 Volt pre-outs. Just a little info I found while I was looking for a HU myself. I ended up with the Premier DEH-P550MP for $200 shipped and I'm quite happy with it (only 2volt pre-outs) but it does the job quite nicely.

[AmIGrand]

The new Panasonic stuff should be STRONGLY considered, and everyone knows I am a huge Eclipse fan (though Eclipse doesn't do the flashy graphics you all seem to like so much).

That said, my new deck will most likely be the new Clarion 835. 24 bit DAC's, clean preamps, external sub control, MP3 playback, and with 748 possible colors, I can make it match my red dash lights almost exactly!!!