[xtremevette]

So what do you guys think? I know its pretty opinionated but focusing on features, cost, ease of use...what gets the top spot in 2014/2015!

 

[sirbOOm]

Go to a shop and try them out from a user interface perspective. Honestly, especially in the upper price ranges, they're all great. I like Alpines. I do not like Kenwoods (except maybe the most recent ones) due to their bubbly dumb interface) but they do have the best mapping software, easily. I tolerate Pioneers. I'm liking what Sony is putting out but not much play time. Wouldn't touch a Clarion 2DIN with a 10ft. pole... every one I've encountered freezes up.

All of this from a user interface perspective. I've never noticed a singly audible difference between them.

 

[jpswanberg]

Pioneer _700 series. DD, 3way active, t/a, 13 band eq...

 

[brett]

interesting that you say that about clarion. i was actually thinking of going with the nx702 for t/a options, but it seems that other have this as well.

not to hijack the thread, but which current models of dd units have t/a options beyond the clarion and the pioneer?

 

[rxonmymind]

Very happy with my Kenwood DNX691 that pairs well with my 2011 Droid razr xt910.
Sound is excellent, intuitive UI, easy to navigate and made easy to understand. I'm also a knob guy which I appreciated this HU had which make it easier on the big fingers.
I also appreciate it's fast boot up time of 15 sec
I was a Pioneer guy but decided to switch up. No regrets.

 

[Roper215]

Kenwood, especially the new capacitive touch screen ones.

I won't pay for nav as I'm tearing the stock one out of my car now or I'd have one of these decks.

 

[hot9dog]

Ive had pioneer and kenwood excelon- both were navigation units and both had some really strong point and very few weak points. Now im running the new Alpine X008U- Ive had it for a few months now and I truly feel that its the best unit ive ever had. Its not overly graphic based like the Pioneer with motion based backgrounds, nor is it like the "sterile" Garmin based kenwood units. Don't get me wrong- my last kenwood was very cool- but someone spent a lot of time figuring out this Alpine unit that I have.
Its very intuitive based, but simple and to the point. The sound is very neutral and has a crap load of features. If your looking for something that has customizable backgrounds or button arrangement's- then this model is NOT for you. I will be doing a review of it within a few weeks- Plus the giant 8" screen is fricken out of this world!!! and yes, it will hook up to and control an Alpine PXA-H800 processor without the need for the RUX.

 

[ChrisB]

I went with the Kenwood DNX891HD because it had better data integration with the iDatalink Maestro RR unit and Volkswagen. Alpine was my second choice due to less features available through the iDatalink Maestro RR.

I didn't even consider Pioneer because their iDatalink Maestro RR data bus in 2014 was nothing but vaporware, or shall I say an empty promise by Pioneer, like car play. I learned long ago not to trust manufacturers who claim that they will add features through a firmware change. Either let me see a beta demo, or I'll use a competing product that gives me what I want NOW.

 

[ChrisB]

interesting that you say that about clarion. i was actually thinking of going with the nx702 for t/a options, but it seems that other have this as well.

Good luck with that NX702! Mine had a horrible noise floor, was terribly slow, and locked up/crashed constantly. It was installed for less than 24 hours before being returned!

 

[chillaxing]

Pioneer _700 series. DD, 3way active, t/a, 13 band eq...

I second this, I just bought a 2700bs and for the price you pay. You get a lot of tuning abilities and features.

 

[james2266]

Ive had pioneer and kenwood excelon- both were navigation units and both had some really strong point and very few weak points. Now im running the new Alpine X008U- Ive had it for a few months now and I truly feel that its the best unit ive ever had. Its not overly graphic based like the Pioneer with motion based backgrounds, nor is it like the "sterile" Garmin based kenwood units. Don't get me wrong- my last kenwood was very cool- but someone spent a lot of time figuring out this Alpine unit that I have.
Its very intuitive based, but simple and to the point. The sound is very neutral and has a crap load of features. If your looking for something that has customizable backgrounds or button arrangement's- then this model is NOT for you. I will be doing a review of it within a few weeks- Plus the giant 8" screen is fricken out of this world!!! and yes, it will hook up to and control an Alpine PXA-H800 processor without the need for the RUX.

I was under the impression that no in production Alpine DDIN deck could make an H800 function without the RUX. How does the H800 power up without the RUX unit? Also, what kind of control (if any) does your unit give for the H800?

 

[hot9dog]

After further review the referees go to the replay.... At the time of purchase of my Alpine unit I was told by the Crutchfield "tech" that the X008U would control the PXA h800.
After being told by several people, that my head unit will not control the processor, just send a digital signal. Soooooo, I call Crutchfield support today and asked them specifically - "how could my unit control the process without having a AI-NET output??"
All I heard was crickets for several seconds thru my phone. "oh Mr. Wanamaker I think you mis-understood our comments, your unit will only send a digital signal but will not control or adjust the PXA-H800" is what they said. Now did I do my homework completely on this one....? "no". normally im a big research freak, and analyze everything to the wits end.. this time I did not.
But still - even after understanding this point, I still am happy with my head unit.
Im not a big fan of using the RUX for volume control, I feel it would clutter up my install and also then I could not use my steering wheel controls for volume.
So thats a big "POO-POO" to Alpine for not having PXA h800 controls on their flagship unit. And that's a even bigger "POO-POO" to Crutchfield for the smoke and mirror information.
Sorry gentlemen for any confusion on my behalf.

 

[james2266]

Thanks for clarifying that. It really is a shame that Alpine did not allow any of their current units to control the h800 or even just turn it on and control its volume. I am running mine off of an older Pioneer Z110BT hu (with the rux of course). I just crank the rux's volume and still use my steering wheel controls and/or hu volume control for ease's sake. I don't notice too much diff. on a daily basis. If I do what I am ultimately planning tho, I will have to use the rux's volume control. I plan on using the digital in (hopefully) from some form of hi-res audio source. It's also a shame the h800 doesn't output or process a 192/24 file without downsampling. I might have to look at alternative processors down the road ultimately too.

 

[Disarmer]

My Pioneer AVH-2700bs is absolutely awesome for the price. Wouldn't trade it for anything (except maybe a nicer Pioneer AVH). Bluetooth works great, easy to use, has 3 way active setup, time alignment, 13 band EQ, individual speaker level controls, etc. Plus, it's expandable with almost any adapter you would want (HD radio, XM, steering wheel controls, navigation). Really great features for ~$250.

 

[Hillbilly SQ]

Pioneer _700 series. DD, 3way active, t/a, 13 band eq...

Quoting this to assist in a shameless plug for myself. I have an AVH-1700 for sale in the classifieds. I know someone on here wants it. They just don't know it yet

 

[AAAAAAA]

edited

How is boot up of newer DD's. I use to find they took forever to get started. Didn't like getting in the car and waiting 10 seconds or so for the music to start.. especially painful on short trips requiring lots of stops... when stock starts right away

Does the AVH-2700bs
-have RDS? YES
-Can it display and navigate music via Bluetooth from a phone like you can from usb (see artists\titles cover art ect)? YES
-anyone ever try mirror link? Seems like a great way of getting navigation without paying for it. Drive Link application must be downloaded from Samsung Apps

Is there a AVH-2700bs but with a volume knob?

 

[Disarmer]

edited

How is boot up of newer DD's. I use to find they took forever to get started. Didn't like getting in the car and waiting 10 seconds or so for the music to start.. especially painful on short trips requiring lots of stops... when stock starts right away

Does the AVH-2700bs
-have RDS? YES
-Can it display and navigate music via Bluetooth from a phone like you can from usb (see artists\titles cover art ect)? YES
-anyone ever try mirror link? Seems like a great way of getting navigation without paying for it. Drive Link application must be downloaded from Samsung Apps

Is there a AVH-2700bs but with a volume knob?

Unfortunately not. That is my one and only complaint with it. However, I'll be buying the steering wheel control module next month so that I don't have to use the volume buttons on the stereo anymore, so won't bother me much at that point.

 

[nineball76]

I had the Kenwood dnx9980hd from when it was new in 2012. It had its issues, freezing up of used too soon after boot up, slow or unresponsive menus, but it had dual usb, a flawless Ipod control system (I don't carry CDs in a vehicle, all ripped lossless and I carry them on a 240gb msata Ipod), and I like to get out and get lost so having a good nav to get me home was a must. I bought the alpine h800 and after reading everyone's thoughts and opinions I decided to get the w910 to run the optical and ai-net to control it. Realizing after I'd sold the 9980hd that the optical only works when playing a CD , everything else was analog through ai-net. The Ipod UI was terrible, the GPS is in 2d, and really, the sound seems no better than my old 9980hd Without a processor. I'd like to consider a newer model, full Digital alpine, but the Ipod UI still looks clunky. The nav looks a little updated. HDMI screen mirroring for iPhones.

On the other hand, if I'm going to have to give up ai-net control anyway, and use the Rux for nearly everything, is the Digital signal worth it to lose a great nav and Ipod UI? Plus the new Kenwood model won't be out till maybe April or May. It also supports HDMI screen mirroring and also has Wi-Fi. Not sure what I can use that for yet.

 

[l a r r y]

I picked up a DNX9990hd right before the new Kenwood hit the market for a real good price. I've always been a fan of Kenwood's h/u. The only complaint that I have on this unit, is the slow boot up, but everything else is golden with the unit. The Nav, HD Radio (when/if I will ever use that) dual USB, front/rear camera, it can also be ran in a 2way active config.....I'm still learning all its functions, but so far, I am pleased

 

[BlackHHR]

Had the top one of Sony, Kenwood, Pioneer and Alpine.
Alpine 957HD>>> H800/Rux Controller. This is the kit that made the magic happen. Optical out to the 800 . I can add this, the Alpine head units will NOT control the 800. You must use the rux to turn the 800 on. If you use optical out, then you must use the rux to control the volume.
The navigation is in 3D and works very well. The HD tuner is the best I have had off all the DD units I have used in the last 3 years.
Alpine is a good kit.