MurseMatt

Hey guys,

I'm looking into getting a new deck for my 2009 next spring and I want one of the double DIN video screen ones. Alpine, Pioneer and a couple of other companies make them. I need a deck that will still integrate my Satellite Radio and Ipod. It doesn't matter to me that I'm giving up my 6 disc CD changer. What are your thoughts?

mustang_fr500

I got a 6.1" touch screen pioneer in my 05. I has a high rms power output which is what you want if you are going to change all the speakers eventually. I has the two things that you want, I have my ipod plugged in In my glove box and control it from the head unit. Will you be installing it yourself or paying someone to do it. I am assuming that you have at least the shaker 500 if you have the 6cd changer. I'll take a pic of mine and post it when I get a chance.

MurseMatt

Thanks for the info. Yes I have the shaker 500 system and will eventually like to change my speakers. Does it do bluetooth? I have an Iphone and was curious if I could use the radio, if not I was going to buy the clip on adapter for the visor. I'll be paying someoneto install it and was just curious if anyone else had it and if they liked it.

mustang_fr500

I don't think it does bluetooth but I'm not really sure because I never wanted it. I love my head unit and I have had compliments on it too, most people say that it makes the interior seem classier. All units are different though, they all have slightly different features so your best bet is to find a place that has someone who is knowledgeable. Also make sure that they know at the shop that the shaker requires a different harness than the basemodel. And that the 8" subs in the doors have their own amps in the doors with them, and that they turn on with 6V not 12V.

Graffs

Go with a good Clarion unit. IMO they're one of the best. Don't worry about RMS power from the unit...If you're spending the money to get a touch screen video unit then spend a little more and use an amplifier when you replace your speakers. You should be looking for high voltage pre-outs and at least 3 sets of them (front, rear, sub).

mustang_fr500

Clarions are mid grade. Alpine and Pioneer are now the top 2 for head units. High voltage pre-outs are good but you don't want them too high if you plan on using a set for the amps that power the 8"s that are in the doors. It all depends how crazy you want and how much you want to spend. Why add another external amp and have to wire EVERYTHING when you can use the head unit and all the wires that are there and just replace the 5x8's. A head unit with high rms is the way to go man.

VAEM

Graffs is right IMO.

Graffs

lol
Pioneer is nowhere near top end...That's why CT sells it. If you're going into the Pioneer Premiere line then the product gets better but still nowhere near the top. Clarions are great units for the money that they cost, and you're correct, so are Alpines. If you want to talk real high end though IMO you're looking at stuff from Eclipse, etc.

I don't get it...Pre-outs carry signal form the HU to the amps...Average voltage on POs is around 4v with high end HUs at 6v and some from Eclipse claiming 8v. Higher voltage in your POs means better sound quality. Has nothing to do with power to speakers and wont blow your speakers. Also, if you're going to run an aftermarket amp you should definitely run aftermarket speakers.

It's not going crazy to me. If I'm going to spend money on a system I might as well do it right and get the best quality (sound, etc) out of it that I can...After all, that's the reason for the install in the first place. RMS power on HUs is false advertising anyway. You'll be lucky to get 60% of the power claimed b the box.

Wiring an amp in a car doesn't take much effort. Hardest part is getting wire to the doors. I started doing that stuff when I was 16 and I didn't know anything about it at all....I figured it out fairly quickly. It shouldn't take longer than 3-4 hours to do a basic install in a car.

Using factory speaker wire is also the wrong way to go. Poor insulation on thin wire = poor SQ.

If I were on a budget I'd do a little at a time. HU then wiring/amps/speakers. Today you can get all of those components for under $2k and have a decent sounding/looking system.

It's just my opinion but running a good HU with factory speakers is like putting rims on a Chevette. Waste of time & money.

kena

iTrader: (1)

I have a pioneer AVIC (CD audio version) with GPS, Ipod connection, Sirius Radio, Bluetooth and USB that I use with an aftermarket GUI interface and Infinity Reference series speakers with no sub woofer which was a remarkable improvement over the stock audio system in the 05 Mustang. I had all of that for much less than a similar Fujitsu deck alone would cost.

It really depends on how much you wish to spend on audio for your car as well as the media you wish to use, if you are playing mp3's you will not get the same quality you get from a CD or DVD as MP3 compression clips the audio samples to make way for storage concerns and no stereo will put back what isn't there to begin with.

VAEM

Again ..... Graffs is right! (Thanks Graffs - your saving me a lot of typing!)