[escape05xls]

I havent bought a head unit for almost 10 years. I got a pioneer back then, I hear they are still good now. BUT I have 4 needs it has to satisfy.
1. USB port for external usb flash drive or ipod/iphone
2. Bluetooth for cell phone
3. HD radio(?) figure I should as the old stuff is phasing out sometime.
4. Be under $200.

My cobalt SS has the usb and bluetooth and I freaking love it, now that the escape is my DD and winter car I need something more than the freaking radio. I have a 2005 escape XLS no mach audio, 1 cd HU.

On crutchfield I see a Jensen, Sony, Boss and Dual. Ive never heard of Boss, Dual I think they made subs when I was in highschool. I have no want for an audio system, the stock stuff is fine.

Perfect fit:

Dual XHD7714

- HD radio, BT, USB, AUX, 1CD, $159

Missing HD
Sony Xplod MEX-BT3700

-BT, USB, AUX, 1cd, $199 but missing HD stock ($149 add-on)

Kenwood KDC-BT742U

- BT, USB, AUX, 1cd, $219. No HD radio. The HD version is $250

Jensen's BT1611I

- BT, USB, SD port, 1cd, music recording to SD or usb, $109. NO HD radio upgrade.

Missing HD and CD

Boss Audio's 755DBi

- BT, USB, AUX, SD, $149. Kinda cool but no cd and the ipod "tray" may break?

Any thoughts?

 

[escape05xls]

ugh the Dual has poor reviews of its compatibility with the iphone and the sound quality on its BT... I may look more into the pionners even though they cost more.
Pioneer DEH-P6100BT
-BT, 1cd, aux, usb, $259, HD radio is only $99. Users said sound quality on BT was excellent and iphone/ipod compatibility was good.

 

[kkreit01]

I would stay clear of Dual, Boss, Jensen, Soundstorm, Pyle, etc. Stick with the better names like Pioneer, Kenwood, Eclipse, Sony, JVC, etc. You don't have to spend a paycheck to get a decent HU.

 

[fourthmeal]

I would stay clear of Dual, Boss, Jensen, Soundstorm, Pyle, etc. Stick with the better names like Pioneer, Kenwood, Eclipse, Sony, JVC, etc. You don't have to spend a paycheck to get a decent HU.

+1.

Avoid the flea-market brands.

 

[jonas1022]

I would stay clear of Dual, Boss, Jensen, Soundstorm, Pyle, etc. Stick with the better names like Pioneer, Kenwood, Eclipse, Sony, JVC, etc. You don't have to spend a paycheck to get a decent HU.

+1 for the above. Loved my Pioneer equipment, although they only send the USofA the lower level components now. Kenwood used to be very fine, I don't know that it's so good now. Eclipse, Sony and JVC were okay, always sound harsh to my ears though. Take a good listen in a sound room. Read the specs and compare.

Dual actually got started, or so I beleive, building needles for record players. And expanded from there. Boss? Never heard of them. Jensen was (I dunno if they still are) a British brand that was famous back in the 70's, not so much now. Soundstorm, Pyle: see Boss... :worry:

 

[fourthmeal]

Brands with proper processing and well-designed circuitry:

Alpine
Pioneer and Pioneer Premier
Eclipse
Clarion
Kenwood and Kenwood eXcelon
Panasonic
Blaupunkt

Those are the main players in the electronics game.

 

[escape05xls]

yeah after talking to some audio nut friends on other car sites and reading reviews the one I'll get is the, Pioneer DEH-P6100BT

Its just $260 or so with HU, mounting kit and wiring harness. Figure I'll just get the whole bundle from crutchfield and call it a day.

 

[fourthmeal]

yeah after talking to some audio nut friends on other car sites and reading reviews the one I'll get is the, Pioneer DEH-P6100BT

Its just $260 or so with HU, mounting kit and wiring harness. Figure I'll just get the whole bundle from crutchfield and call it a day.

That's fine. At those prices you are playing with, you are dangerously close to a PRS800-880 which offers time alignment, active crossover control, and superior sound quality. It might be worth the jump provided the unit does the other stuff you want. Sound Quality-wise, the PRS 800-880 units are top-of-the-line, especially for active systems.

 

[escape05xls]

which are you referring to exactly? how much? link?

The one I listed has the basics for what I need, I wont be using any sound system or upgraded speakers. I just want a usb and aux in the front and a cd. Nothing fancy, its just so I can have my cellphone hands free and play music off a flash drive and/or iphone and charge it.

 

[fourthmeal]

which are you referring to exactly? how much? link?

The one I listed has the basics for what I need, I wont be using any sound system or upgraded speakers. I just want a usb and aux in the front and a cd. Nothing fancy, its just so I can have my cellphone hands free and play music off a flash drive and/or iphone and charge it.

<<<< Hates the word "fancy" when people talk about audio or sound quality in general. Your ears are worth it. Even better if it can be done cheaply but usually any upgrade in audio will be worth the investment.

http://cgi.ebay.com/PIONEER-DEH-P800PRS ... 4ceb79ca76
refurb, but good..these refurbs come from Pioneer directly.

http://cgi.ebay.com/PIONEER-DEH-P880PRS ... 4cea96fe1e
new, older unit.

It doesn't do cellphone stuff on its own, so maybe I'm suggesting the wrong things. It does do the rest with the right adapters though.

This doesn't do some higher end sound things, but the product is nice w/ time alignment, and all the other stuff you wanted:
http://cgi.ebay.com/KENWOOD-EXCELON-KDC ... 41499aaa6f
That would be a nice setup.

 

[hattrick203]

just a suggestion, I prefer the USB and aux input in the glove box instead of on the faceplate. otherwise you'll have a usb flash drive sticking out of the front

 

[escape05xls]

I actually wanted it in the front so I can grab it and go quick. I was going to order a very small black 16gb flash drive and it then can be swapped between the escape and SS with ease along with the iphone/ipod cable.

 

[hattrick203]

ah well it all depends on what you want. sounds convenient