The_Gza

Hi guys,

I'm currently looking at replacing my HU after my last one went with the car when I sold it. My last 3 head units have all been Kenwood single CD players (KDC8090, KDC9070 and other), and my initial thoughts were to replace the standard HU with another Kenwood (nothing if not predictable me ).

However, I've had a look at the 2002 Kenwood range, and none of these really take my fancy this time around

From looking on a few sites and reading the chat in here about MP3 capable players, I've narrowed my favs down to

Pioneer DEH7400
or Alpine CDA7893R or 7894RB (when it comes out)

Anyone have either of these head units or like to offer an opinion on the relative pros and cons? Any other suggested MP3 compatible head units that are recommended?
Also, is the 7894 really worth an extra £140 odd over the 7893?

The rest of my system goes something like:

Infinity front end
JBL amp bridged to run 12" Rockford Fosgate sub in bandpass box

Can't remember the model numbers etc off the top of my head!

Not basing this on actually listening to either of these HU yet, but my initial perceptions would be that the Alpine would probably be better in terms of SQ, but the Pioneer *looks* more hi-tech but slightly gimmicky?

Cheers

ozzy

Chris,

Alpine have never been known for cutting edge looks, so the Pioneer and even the JVC HU's win hands down. When it comes to sheer SQ, then only the really expensive HU's can match the Alpines.

IMHO of course

Stefan

BTW, what car have you got know you've sold the Scoob ?

ids

Ive just ordered a Pioneer 7400 ... should be here tomorrow. Check out http://www.letsbuycaraudio.com for some very good prices...

Ill let you know how I get on once its in !!!

Kev

Luke

Did you want your dashboard in your scoob to have stupid "Dolpins"Etc floating around......
Peopleare realy taken in with these toys. Alpine are Market leaders . Buy quality not gimmicks... unless you think 14 year old girls will be impressed.

audio g man

I'ts got to be Alpine everytime.
Ask yourself this question; Do I buy a stereo to look at or to listen to?

The_Gza

Looks like the Alpine for quality or Pioneer for gadgets then.

TBH I quite fancy the Alpine for a wee change - my Kenwood had plenty of gimmicks which kept me amused for the first day and then were promptly never used again!

Any idea where I can get myself a cheap Alpine CDA7893R?

Ozzy - YHM

audio g man

£242.67 on mcs-direct.co.uk
I'd phone em 4 availability first.

The_Gza

Cheers Mr G Man

scooby_si

Just been perving at the prices on mcs & is that right £79.19 for infinity 605cs r u sure that's not just for 1 speaker
Credit card guna get another wooping then
Si

Brun

This thread seems to have gone anti Pioneer. If you sat in a car for a prolonged period, there is no way in this world you could tell if the unit was a pioneer or an Alpine. So how can anyone say that Alpine quality is a cut above.
Incase anyone is wondering, i have owned both makes and there is nothing to separate them, apart from the Alp being butt ugly and the Pion being full of useless graphics. So for me it comes down to looks.
1-0 to Pioneer.

Vinesh

Alpine everytime. Sound quality is much better than the Pioneer, more clarity and control over the sound.

ozzy

Brun,

Don't think anyone actually said that the Pioneer was cr@p, just that some of the HU's rely on gimmicks instead of pure SQ.

If you clean your ears more often you'd be able to tell the difference

But who could persuade a man who buys ICE on looks alone

Stefan

scooby_si

Am i the only 1 here who prefers the look of the decent sony's without the buttons etc on view? Dunno if i'm missing sumin but that's wot i'm guna splosh me dosh on me thinks
Si

scooby_si

NB not that i'm just after looks lol
Si

scooby_si

Ozzy roflmao but seriously r u selling that & is it a double din?
Si

audio g man

Scooby-si.

I happen to think the new sony CDX-M630 is a wicked piece of kit, sound and looks.

With my current setup (which includes Alpine front and rear speakers, Infinity subs, 3 amps and Sony active filtering) I was using a Pioneer head unit but I thought I'd give a Sony unit a try. I was shocked at the difference it made, the improvment was MASSIVE.

davek

i've had the pioneer 8400 for about a month now and it really is the nuts.i was after the 7400 but when i saw this one i had to get it.im well pleased with the sound with 140 various mp3 tracks coming off a 50p blank cd, and it looks awesome all lit up at night, i've gotta say i have yet to see a better looking one.

chiark

We're close to being moderated on some of these comments.

Pioneer have made some better units than alpine in the past, and will continue to do so. There's no hard and fast rule at all.

Quality-wise, I think you'll be very hard pushed to say which is better without a double blind test and some pretty transparent speakers.

Graphics on the Alpine can be just as bad, and the new Pioneer displays are awesome.

So keep it objective, eh? Unfounded comments like "pioneer = graphics, alpine = quality" are bordering on libellous so please have a thought about what you're saying!!!

Nick
(moderator hat on for a change )

kryten

I've been running alpine stuff for years, but at the mid/higher end there's really very little difference between any of the manufacturers and unless you have a _very_ good system you won't notice anyway.

These days, I'd say pick a budget and buy the unit that you like the look of and find easy to use and has the features you want.

<flame suit>
With MP3 you're not going to get perfect quality anyway... (IMHO)
</flame suit>

chiark

Spot on - ease of use is very high on my list

audio g man

What do you use Chiark?

chiark

kenwood - buttons on the unit are too fiddly, but the steering wheel remote makes up for that

ozzy

Si,

Rumours are that the ugliest thing in your car is you You could fit one of these and it'd still be better lookin



Stefan

[Edited by ozzy - 6/12/2002 7:14:54 PM]

Brun

Ok, my ears are full of ****, Pioneer = Looks , Alpine = Sound.
Still like my Pioneer though.

[Edited by Brun - 6/12/2002 8:01:05 PM]