I always see people standing by Alpine and Pioneer and telling others to stay away from Sony, so I was wondering, is it all a matter of personal preference or is there really some major defect that Sony has that I am unaware of? Also, when people choose a brand of electronics, what are the things they consider when choosing a brand?

 

What I think it comes down to is each and everyones experiences with the products that leads to their preferences. As far as asking "which is better" you are going to get plenty of different answers which can be debated individually. I can only speak for myself but my preferences for equipment are solely based on my experiences with them.

 

As are mine, but my preferences are also based on other factors, such as reliability, durability, ease-of-use, and the quality of the product. I also look at the number of features and the price range. Would I have to pay $500 for a head unit with all the best features or could I get the same features on a cheaper head unit? That's one of the questions I ask when I look at electronics.

 

There is no allmighty great headunit out there. Thats why there are brands. And thats why brands compete to give features that some don't. Some more for the money. There will never be a monloply on car audio. You pay for what you get.

 

Wrx-killer, the reason I stick with Sony is because they provide an impressive list of features and great quality for an affordable price...I have a $110 Sony Xplod head unit that has 10Hz to 20kHz frequency response with <0.5% THD, 120dB signal-to-noise ratio, 52W max power x 4 channel built-in amp, a selectable sub/rear preout with low-pass filter, 18FM and 12AM presets, EQ3, blue 13-segment negative LCD display, CD/CD-R/CD-RW/MP3/WMA playback capability, ATRAC3plus/Connect ready, Best Tuning Memory, and CEA-2006 power compliant and a wireless IR remote commander...I have not yet seen any other similarly-priced head units that even come close to this many features.

 

The DEH-P3800MP. Just does not have the atrac3plus which most people don't use anyway.

 

The thing about ATRAC3plus...Its not only Sony's proprietary audio format, but its also making MP3's go the way of the dinosaurs...ATRAC3plus is to MP3's what CD's were to tapes. With ATRAC3plus, you get higher quality at lower bitrates, built-in copy protection, the ability to copy MP3 and ATRAC3plus files on the same CD or portable audio player. A 48kbps ATRAC3plus file has the same sound quality as a downloaded 320kbps MP3 file. MP3 can compress a CD to 1/10 its normal size, while ATRAC3plus can compress a CD to 1/22 its normal size. Plus, unlike MP3, ATRAC3plus Advanced Lossless format can compress to bitrates as low as 48kbps without sacrificing sound quality.

 

Its not going to mean anything if people don't use it. Mp3 are not going anywere anytime soon. I burn my cd's at the highest quility possiable and don't seem to have a problem with my mp3.

 

When MP3 was first created, it was touted as the only way to get smaller file sizes for audio, but people soon realized that MP3 sacrificed quality for those smaller file sizes...When people start making a demand for smaller file sizes, ATRAC3plus will gain traction and take over the market. A 4 minute song played at 64kbps makes a 1.9MB file...For MP3, that would mean ****-poor quality...For Sony, that means at or near CD Quality. I have 190 songs on my playlist, so if each song is averaging 1.5MB in size, that means a total average of 285MB, which is less than half the capacity of a CD-R disk. I could spend $200 or more on a 2GB iPod Nano and only be able to store 500 songs, or I can spend $30 on a spindle of 100 52x 700MB CD-R's and store up to 490 songs on each CD.


Modified by mnaines at 6:56 PM 8/16/2006

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mnaines &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">When MP3 was first created, it was touted as the only way to get smaller file sizes for audio, but people soon realized that MP3 sacrificed quality for those smaller file sizes...When people start making a demand for smaller file sizes, ATRAC3plus will gain traction and take over the market. A 4 minute song played at 64kbps makes a 1.9MB file...For MP3, that would mean ****-poor quality...For Sony, that means at or near CD Quality. I have 190 songs on my playlist, so if each song is averaging 1.5MB in size, that means a total average of 285MB, which is less than half the capacity of a CD-R disk. I could spend $200 or more on a 2GB iPod Nano and only be able to store 500 songs, or I can spend $30 on a spindle of 100 52x 700MB CD-R's and store up to 490 songs on each CD.


Modified by mnaines at 6:56 PM 8/16/2006</TD></TR></TABLE>

Ok... It's a freaking car. The highest quality sound doesn't matter because of the car's poor acoustics. So I would argue that in a car, most people wouldn't be able to tell the difference between and mp3 and regular cd formats. So what you're saying does not even matter. Sony isn't as great as you crack them out to be. My clarion sounds freaking amazing and i only paid 250 for it. It even has a 24bit d/a converter and it's THD is better than your sony's (not that it's really noticeable in a car again, but you're spouting off specs so i thought I may as well) and it has everything your sony does and more. Sony is for people who just want aftermarket, not quality.

 

You can use WMA format for smaller file sizes if bytes is a big concern for you. No Acrap format will make me wanna own that ugly Sony.

And to answer the original question: I buy what gets good reviews, has what I want, looks nice (that's a preference), and then if I like this brand (after I bought it), I buy more from them. Price means little when you can afford more, and you get what you pay for.

 

Well, when I consider buying a product, I look primarily at three things: How reliable is the product? What kind of quality will I get? and what is the reputation of the manufacturer?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mnaines &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Well, when I consider buying a product, I look primarily at three things: How reliable is the product? What kind of quality will I get? and what is the reputation of the manufacturer?</TD></TR></TABLE>

You obviously didn't research all that much... if you would've checked this site for information regarding sony's rep and quality... you wouldn't have bought a sony.

 

This guy keeps pimping Sony. He IMed me on AIM earlier doing the same thing, makes me think something fishy is going on.

 

^^^Same with me. He IM'ed me asking why people hate Sony so much. I thought that was odd..................

 

I base my hatred for Sony car audio solely on how many times I've had problems with them. I've never owned one, but installing for 8 years I've seen a lot of them go bad, and only a few (literelly less than a half dozen) pioneer or alpine go bad...

 

Guys, sony has made two, yes count it, two exceptional headunits (outside of the XES system):

C90
C910

And guess what, both had SHITTY displays, so they didn't even get those right.

Sony's XES system is up there with Pioneers ODR system as far as early digital processing packages - truely audiophile stuff - think Alpine F#1 status or the high end, JDM varients of Pioneer's P9 system.

Hook either of those heads to a 4000x and we are talking about a nice sounding source unit.

To sum it up, if you are using sony, and it's not from the mid 90's and doesn't have an ES marking on it, it's probably crap. It's never a good sign when an audio company has to a) remove its high end line, b) introduce a low end line with a fancy name (xPlod) and "bling" it out so someone will buy it....

With that said, you are wasting time comparing numbers and specs on headunits - you need to decide for yourself what is important for your system and buy ther right unit.

As for Sony's new compression scheme - well, Beta was "better" than VHS and MiniDisc was "better" than CDs - I suspect that this will be ANOTHER failed attempt by Sony to introduce a new media format - why? No adoption.

Apple has sold a bazillion iPods - is anyone going to throw their iPod away just so they can get more songs on it? Nope, not a chance. At the same time, hard disk mfgs are making smaller drives with more capacity and flash memory is taking off.

Let's see what happens with BluRay and HD-DVD as well.....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mnaines &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Wrx-killer, the reason I stick with Sony is because they provide an impressive list of features and great quality for an affordable price...I have a $110 Sony Xplod head unit that has 10Hz to 20kHz frequency response with &lt;0.5% THD, 120dB signal-to-noise ratio, 52W max power x 4 channel built-in amp, a selectable sub/rear preout with low-pass filter, 18FM and 12AM presets, EQ3, blue 13-segment negative LCD display, CD/CD-R/CD-RW/MP3/WMA playback capability, ATRAC3plus/Connect ready, Best Tuning Memory, and CEA-2006 power compliant and a wireless IR remote commander...I have not yet seen any other similarly-priced head units that even come close to this many features.</TD></TR></TABLE>

you can play the numbers game all you want but in the end it comes down to how it actually performs in your car and whether or not any of those features actually make a difference in terms of sound quality.

PS. &lt;0.5% THD is not exactly impressive nor is listing 18FM and 12AM presets as a feature. Does anyone actually have 30 radio stations they listen to?

 

You can't win this "debate" mnainesno matter how many of us you IM or how many treads you start, if it is not apparent to you yet that yes Sony used to have some kick *** car audio, what you call "top of the line sound quality", but as must be clear by now, is as far a Sony Xplod is concerned it does not fit in that category.
I asked you why you think everyone is down on Sony Xplod, did we all just get together to slam it, is it a conspiracy or what?

You say you have not had any problems with any of the Sony Xplod you have, good for you, you are among the few, you have heard from a lot of people that say they have had problems, you have also heard from installers that don't like it for the same reason, [too many problems] I ask you again, do you think we all got together and decided to slam Xplod for some reason?

You need to drop it, be happy that you have not had a problem with it, keep your fingers crossed that you don't. 94

 

I am sorry for dragging this issue on, but I based my thoughts on Sony from the reviews I read at circuitcity.com. I read all of Circuit City's reviews for the CDXGT200 Sony Xplod head unit and the Pioneer DEH-2800MP head unit. The CDXGT200 head unit had 96 reviews, with a total average of 4.4 out of 5. The Pioneer DEH-2800MP only had 7 reviews, with an average of 4.2 out of 5. Both head units run $110 to $120, so I was comparing two products within the same price range. The CDXGT200 and the DEH-2800MP...I was comparing those two models (both are $120 at circuit city) when I started this thread about Sony being better. Look up those models for yourself at circuitcity.com, read the reviews, and then tell me if you think that particular Pioneer model is better than the Sony model.


Modified by mnaines at 3:08 PM 8/17/2006

 

I've delt with lots of differen't brand stereo's...

alpine
pioneer
sony
clarion
JVC
panisonic.

they all had similiar options with each deck. and as far as quality and sound. I would have to say alpine and pioneer had the best sounding and quality in there product. I like alot of differn't car stereo companys.. but for quality and reliablity from hands on experience alpine and pioneer... no doubt. but thats head unit's.. when you start talking about speakers etc... it changes alot...

 

tacticalcustoms, I agree...When it comes to quality, speakers and subwoofers are a whole different ballgame. I have the CDXGT200 Sony head unit, two Sony XS-V6942A 6x9's and two Sony XS-V1642A 6.5" speakers, two Sony XS-L123P5B 12" subwoofers, the MTX Thunder TA3404 4-channel amp, the MTX TA3401 Mono amp, a 1.5 Farad Tsunami capacitor, 8-guage Monster Cable speaker cables, 4 guage Monster Cable power cables, Monster Cable THX-Certified subwoofer RCA cables, and an Optima Yellowtop battery all in my car with Dynomats on the door frames, in the trunk, and surrounding the engine compartment. The only difference between that setup and the Turtle Beach Montego DDL soundcard I have on my PC is that the Sony setup makes more bass. Other than that, even with super-sensitive hearing, I cannot tell a difference in quality between the two. As everyone else has been saying, there is no one radio that is the best. Its true with computer stuff, too. ZoneAlarm is the best firewall, but Norton has a better antivirus, and there is no one antispyware program that can do all the work. Its the same with car audio...While Alpine and Pioneer make good head units, Rockford Fosgate, Bose, and Eclipse make better speakers, MTX and Bazooka are the two best amps, Monster Cable and Tsunami have the best accessories, and Optima has the best batteries. There is no one brand that can call itself the best. Sony Xplod is middle-of-the-road quality compared to the higher-end setyups like Rockford Fosgate, Infinity, or Bose.


Modified by mnaines at 3:52 PM 8/17/2006

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mnaines &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">tacticalcustoms, I agree...When it comes to quality, speakers and subwoofers are a whole different ballgame. I have the CDXGT200 Sony head unit, two Sony XS-V6942A 6x9's and two Sony XS-V1642A 6.5" speakers, two Sony XS-L123P5B 12" subwoofers, the MTX Thunder TA3404 4-channel amp, the MTX TA3401 Mono amp, a 1.5 Farad Tsunami capacitor, and an Optima Yellowtop battery all in my car with Dynomats on the door frames, in the trunk, and surrounding the engine compartment.


Modified by mnaines at 3:30 PM 8/17/2006</TD></TR></TABLE>
If you think sony is so badass why don't you have their amps?

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mnaines &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I am sorry for dragging this issue on, but I based my thoughts on Sony from the reviews I read at circuitcity.com. I read all of Circuit City's reviews for the CDXGT200 Sony Xplod head unit and the Pioneer DEH-2800MP head unit. The CDXGT200 head unit had 96 reviews, with a total average of 4.4 out of 5. The Pioneer DEH-2800MP only had 7 reviews, with an average of 4.2 out of 5. Both head units run $110 to $120, so I was comparing two products within the same price range. The CDXGT200 and the DEH-2800MP...I was comparing those two models (both are $120 at circuit city) when I started this thread about Sony being better. Look up those models for yourself at circuitcity.com, read the reviews, and then tell me if you think that particular Pioneer model is better than the Sony model.


Modified by mnaines at 3:08 PM 8/17/2006</TD></TR></TABLE>
Those reviews were probably all posted the day the consumer bought it. I read a lot of reviews as well but I factor in the time: I don't pay attention to reviews that don't tell how long they've had the unit. Internet forums are a better place to get info than reviews as well... unless it's like consumer reports kinda things... reputable.

 

Mrdeadman, I know Sony is not the best, and the reason I don't have Sony amps is because their amps suck, and are just plain ugly. Sony's amps lack many of the features of higher-end amps, like a MOSFET power supply. Plus, Sony tends to exxagerate the power ratings on their amps...Their amps are almost always rated less than what Sony says they have. Plus, I have been to some quality comps in my hometown...I was the only one at those comps with Monster Cable speaker and subwoofer cables as well as the only person there with a capacitor. Needless to say, I was the only one at those competitions who was actually getting the full dynamic soundstage out of my setup. Most of those people made up for the additional demand for power by installing hiogher-output 16V, 200A alternators. The alternator in my car is a 14.4V, 80A alternator, and the car runs just fine thanks to that 1.5 Farad capacitor and the Optima Yellowtop battery.

The Monster Cables, the Optima Yellowtop battery, the Tsunami 1.5 Farad capacitor, and the Dynomats are why I'm getting better quality out of my Sony setup. The Dynomat is a carpet-like silencer that you attach to the inside of the trunk or to door frames and is used to reduce distortion and interference from outside noises.


Modified by mnaines at 4:09 PM 8/17/2006

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mnaines &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I am sorry for dragging this issue on, but I based my thoughts on Sony from the reviews I read at circuitcity.com. I read all of Circuit City's reviews for the CDXGT200 Sony Xplod head unit and the Pioneer DEH-2800MP head unit. The CDXGT200 head unit had 96 reviews, with a total average of 4.4 out of 5. The Pioneer DEH-2800MP only had 7 reviews, with an average of 4.2 out of 5. Both head units run $110 to $120, so I was comparing two products within the same price range. The CDXGT200 and the DEH-2800MP...I was comparing those two models (both are $120 at circuit city) when I started this thread about Sony being better. Look up those models for yourself at circuitcity.com, read the reviews, and then tell me if you think that particular Pioneer model is better than the Sony model.


Modified by mnaines at 3:08 PM 8/17/2006</TD></TR></TABLE>

here's your first problem - you trust anonymous reviews at a website like circuit city...