View Full Version : mp3 headunits
Hi all,
I'm after a new cd headunit (that reads mp3s from cdrw). I'm not too bothered about how it looks, just want good sound..but dont have lots to spend. These are some of the ones i've seen:
Car audio discount
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Blaupunkt Acapulco MP52 £200
Cel direct
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Panasonic CQ-RDP472N £150
Sony CDX-MP30 £150
Kenwood KDC-M6021G £190
letsbuycaraudio.com
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Pioneer DEH-P3500MP £140
Thoughts? Any brands to stay clear of?
Cheers,
Greg
Jubjubbird
03-02-2003, 09:42
I'd say for sound quality - Alpine, but for mp3 compatabilty, it would be one of the Kenwoods.
My system really shows up that thay are actually mp3's, but its worth it for the convenience.
Mate I have the Alpine7893R in the Mini. Its great. Awesome headunit and not a bad price. You get Alpine quality and MP3 compatability, what more can you ask for?
http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/shop/acatalog/CAD_CD_Radio_55.html
The Alpine looks and sounds great, its over my budget though. Im thinking of something like the Sony MP30. Its about 150 quid, supports MP3 and is the most powerful for the money.
Anyone here have a MP30?
I looked at that one too, but I didnt like the sticky out knobs! :eek: I also wanted a change cos have had Sony Headunits for the past couple of times.
I seriously recommend you stay away from Sony. The quality of their units have plummeted recently.
Like everyone else, I recommend Kenwood or Alpine. I would have an Alpine but I want a stereo that looks as OE as possible and unfortunately they do not do red illumunation.
I also recommend you avoid the Sony I've had a few ( my uncle works in car audio marketing for sony ). They really aren't that good
As toxxin said alpine do great headunits I also recommend Clarion I've had 4 Clarion units now and all of them have been superb. And they illminate in the exact same shade of red that seat use. In fact its a better match then the OE one.
I know what you mean about the quality of the Sony HUs. I've always been a fan of the HUs but in the past three years the quality and the features of the more recent HUs are a real put off, hence why my current Sony HU is now more than 3 years old.
I think the next head unit I'm going to get will be high end Kenwood (which also plays WMA as well as MP3)
I'd recommend the Clarion as well. Excellent products and excellent sound. As Rage mentioned the Clarion Red on my unit matchs the Seat red beter than the OE aura HU.
You could also try one of the Rockford HU.
Jubjubbird
05-02-2003, 16:48
Originally posted by toXXin
Like everyone else, I recommend Kenwood or Alpine. I would have an Alpine but I want a stereo that looks as OE as possible and unfortunately they do not do red illumunation.
My buttons are switchable red/green, but the display is still green. Looks ok though
Thanks for all the advice folks.
What about these?
Panasonic CQ-RDP472N (£150)
Pioneer DEH-P3500MP (£140)
I havent had a chance to look at these as my local halfords only stocks one or two mp3 hu's.
Opinions on the Panasonic / Pioneer?
Originally posted by gregrr
Thanks for all the advice folks.
What about these?
Panasonic CQ-RDP472N (£150)
Pioneer DEH-P3500MP (£140)
I havent had a chance to look at these as my local halfords only stocks one or two mp3 hu's.
Opinions on the Panasonic / Pioneer?
The pioneer stuff is usually very good, but I don't like the VW blue displays.
Jubjubbird
06-02-2003, 09:16
Originally posted by gregrr
What about these?
Panasonic CQ-RDP472N (£150)
Pioneer DEH-P3500MP (£140)
I havent had a chance to look at these as my local halfords only stocks one or two mp3 hu's.
Opinions on the Panasonic / Pioneer?
Had higher spec Pioneers before, generally good, but the OEL displays keep going wrong. Pioneer good sound for the money IMO.
Hope you are not planning to buy fron Halfrauds though:eek:
Don't get it from halfords.
And would have to agree with jubjubbird OEL displays are not the most reliable although they do look nice. I had a pioneer once that is still going strong in my mates car. It sounds good even though he has cr@p speakers.
I wouldnt buy hu's from Halfords at those prices.
Anyway, the Pioneer DEH-P3500MP seems the cheapest. Heres a link to it at:
http://www.mobiletoys.co.uk/acatalog/Mobiletoys_CD_Tuners_72.html
What do u think? Pioneer over the Sony? It has the same power rating, and marginally cheaper too.
Originally posted by gregrr
I wouldnt buy hu's from Halfords at those prices.
Anyway, the Pioneer DEH-P3500MP seems the cheapest. Heres a link to it at:
http://www.mobiletoys.co.uk/acatalog/Mobiletoys_CD_Tuners_72.html
What do u think? Pioneer over the Sony? It has the same power rating, and marginally cheaper too.
Looks good.
As most mention I would stay away from Sony.
driveforward
08-02-2003, 16:40
I have a Sony CDX MP30 - so far I have found it excellent. I paid £140 from http://www.mcs-direct.co.uk/acatalog/MCS_DIRECT_MP3_100.html - the unit is now £130 (I phoned them up due to their dodgy website!)
I agree with some of the earlier comments about the build quality etc of the unit - but for the price it provides a lot of features for the money.
Ian.
Originally posted by driveforward
I have a Sony CDX MP30 - so far I have found it excellent. I paid £140 from http://www.mcs-direct.co.uk/acatalog/MCS_DIRECT_MP3_100.html - the unit is now £130 (I phoned them up due to their dodgy website!)
I agree with some of the earlier comments about the build quality etc of the unit - but for the price it provides a lot of features for the money.
Ian.
Think you can get a better sound HU like the pioneer for only a bit more.
Originally posted by gregrr
The Alpine looks and sounds great, its over my budget though. Im thinking of something like the Sony MP30. Its about 150 quid, supports MP3 and is the most powerful for the money.
Anyone here have a MP30?
I've got the CDX-MP70 and it sounds amazing. It really makes a diff compared to the standard head uint. I saw the MP30 as well, seems to be the same thing but with out the good looks anc cool fold down fiasca.
Sorry to hijack the post but has anyone got any view on the VDO CD4802 CD/MP3 Tuner???
:cheers:
The Pioneer DEH-P5530MP looks really nice...if I had some money ;)