Ok I plan on getting a new head unit. The reason is because I want XM Radio and my stock cd player obviously dosn't support it. I want it all in one rather than a cd player & an XM Controller.

My car is a 98 Integra Type R. It has a Viper alarm. Now here are the newb questions so please bare with me.

When I disconnect my battery, my radio usually resets. I have to then put in the radio code. Does this have anything to do with the viper alarm? Will a new cd player be effected by this at all? Or is it a simple as buying a new head unit and tossing it in?

Lastly what cd player do you guys recommend for me and why (Whats the best out there). Again I want XM radio but other than that I just a good overall head unit. Price is not an issue. If i were to ever (I highly ever daubt I would) put a "system" in it would be one 10'' sub. I like my stock speakers but may one day change them out for something a little better who knows.

I was looking at these head units:

IVA-W200
2-DIN DVD/CD/MP3/WMA Receiver/AV Head Unit
http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-e...-W200

iDA-X001 Digital Media Receiver
http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-e...-X001

Alpine 50W x 4 Apple® iPod™/Satellite Radio-Ready CD Deck
Link: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/ol...09012

Pioneer 50W x 4 MOSFET Apple® iPod™/Satellite Radio-Ready CD Deck
Link: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/ol...54732


Modified by Doostur at 8:52 AM 2/2/2007

 

Go with the Alpine, any Alpine that has the features you like and want... http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-e...AV_HU you can't go wrong with an Alpine, Pioneer also makes a pretty good product, although IMO not as good as the Alpine. 94

 

Any recommendations on an alpine? Who has the best prices online to buy at?

 

^ Anyone?

 

I don't have any personal experience with aftermarket units, but I've heard great things about both Alpine and Pioneer. And if price isn't an issue, then you can't go wrong.

The ONLY thing I can add of value to this is go and see the head units yourself and see which you like best in terms of face layout. You don't want to be doing 70mph on the interstate in traffic and be looking too long at the face to find the > button. hehe.

For the record, my PM:

I'm not much of a music guy, so the stock one is plenty good enough for me. I'd rather spend the money on performance parts or a helmet which I still need to get for Expo

If you do get something different, try to find one that lights up red like the stock. It's gotta match the rest of the interior dash lights

 

Both of the units that you are looking at are good solid units. Your alarm will/does not effect the radio, also most aftermarket radios do not come with a lock code. I myself am biased toward Alpine wit Pioneer being my second choice. I would recommend the Alpine 9856. It is a solid unit that has the features you want and it will cost you around $200.


Modified by 94_DC4 at 6:57 PM 1/20/2007

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Doostur &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Any recommendations on an alpine? Who has the best prices online to buy at?</TD></TR></TABLE>I can't help you on price, but take my advice, buy from an authorized Alpine dealer, so you get a manufacturer's warranty and I also recommend you use a retail dealer, support your local retail dealers, you pay a little more, but you get what you pay for.
Go with BestBuy, they are an authorized dealer, $349 is $51 less then MSLP of $400 US, I believe you can buy on line and pick it up at your local BB. 94

 

if you just want to install the head unit now...

you can do it yourself, easily with a wiring harness for your car...

if you buy from Crutchfield they give you everything you need for your car... and installing that unit..

their prices aren't the best, but they give you full customer support.

now if you want to go more serious with it, then your local shop is a better choice.

 

Yea I plan on putting the head unit in myself. Hard to decide. That Pioneer got rated better... but costs 500+! Hrmm.

 

The pioneer has more features and is the one I would go with between the two you mentioned. The only reason to buy that alpine is that it has a better ipod interface and is cheaper.

Heard of nakamichi?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by misanthropist &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The pioneer has more features and is the one I would go with between the two you mentioned. The only reason to buy that alpine is that it has a better ipod interface and is cheaper.

Heard of nakamichi? </TD></TR></TABLE>

What is nakamichi?

 

I was looking to buy a new deck too and I'm going with the Pioneer just because I like how it looks visually as well. If you don't need the bluetooth capability from the Pioneer you can get the 7800 which is the same thing minus bluetooth for $100 less.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/ol...98351

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Doostur &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What is nakamichi? </TD></TR></TABLE>

http://nakamichi.com/flash.html

I'd recommend at least the cd-400. You'd have to use the aux input for standalone xm, but the sq and look is worth it imo

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by foam &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I was looking to buy a new deck too and I'm going with the Pioneer just because I like how it looks visually as well. If you don't need the bluetooth capability from the Pioneer you can get the 7800 which is the same thing minus bluetooth for $100 less.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/ol...98351</TD></TR></TABLE>

Good choice too

 

Nakamichi is a dangerous choice at best - they have virtually no support for car audio any longer in the US.

On top of that, they are known for having terrible cd transport mechanisms that break often.

Sure it's an oem looking headunit, but at what price?

If you want a non-flashy unit that has a lot of features, the winner is the Pioneer Premeir DEH-P880PRS.

Superior to the the other's posted in this thread IMO. However, I feel that Alpine has the best iPod implementation, so it depends on what is most important to you.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rcurley55 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Nakamichi is a dangerous choice at best - they have virtually no support for car audio any longer in the US.

On top of that, they are known for having terrible cd transport mechanisms that break often.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

Around here they have support

And I was under the impression it was only the air ride transport that was having issues...

 

Yes go with Alpine as mentioned above. Pioneer is a little more difficult to operate IMO, but Alpine is pretty straight-forward and has IPOD and SATELLITE direct connect compatibility. Model ALP CDA9856 or above should suit your needs just fine.

 

^ You have pics of your civic somwhere? Curious to see how your tint looks

 

I'll PM you tomorrow when i get them developed.

 

I guess i might as well throw my two cents in.

Between the alpine and pioneer, you can't go wrong with either one. I personally prefer alpine and i have the cda-9857 installed in my 96 accord.

also, if you buy it at Best Buy, they will install it for free (that doesn't include the kit and harness you need, which are 19.99 a piece)

Now, in an attempt to NOT be deceptive, i do work at best buy as an installer, but i'm not gonna talk trash on circuit city. either place you buy it will give you free labor and both stores warranty the work for as long as you own your car. that way, if you have problems, you can take it back and they wont charge you to look at it.

also, with the alpine, all you need is a $30 cable to hookup your ipod and be able to control its functions through the radio. the pioneer requires a $50 "box" in order to hook up the ipod.

 

Which to buy.. hrmm.

 

I bought my self an alpine CDA-9856, i love it...
the bbe works great, the bass engine is easy to work with, and i like how they did the face plate removal/install... it is better than the pioneer i bought my friend.

I bought my friend a pioneer DEH-P4800MP, i played around with it, it is alot more complex than my alpine, some of it I don't really understand.. but you can customize the settings alot more(3band eq some loudness settings, some weird multipier thing with various settings), only thing i don't like about it, is how the face plate is installed/removed..

pioneer designed it to be "clipped" in and out, vs alpine's spring-and-pin hinge..

also the pioneer tuner is better than alpines...

so theres my take on the two brands and their middle level heads.

 

What do you guys think about this alpine... i guess its new...

http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-e...-X001

 

A little too "fancy schmancy" for me. But it looks nice.!

 

CDA 9852 just got it and is really nice looking especially for the price, ipod hookups etc.

 

No other suggestions?