Looking to upgrade HU
09-27-2014, 02:30 PM
#1
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 692
Car Info: http://goo.gl/XpkO0b & '99 SF 'S'
Looking to upgrade HU
So, I think I've narrowed down what head unit (HU) I want. It needs to have BT (bluetooth) with mic, streaming via BT, Pandora control with my Android (or iPhone), as well as HD Radio with 3 pre-outs F/R/Sub at 4 volts.
The three units that I am considering are:
Alpine CDE-HD149BT - Alpine CDE-HD149BT CD receiver at Crutchfield.com
Kenwood Excelon KDC-X998 - Kenwood Excelon KDC-X998 CD receiver at Crutchfield.com
Pioneer DEH-X9600BHS - Pioneer DEH-X9600BHS CD receiver at Crutchfield.com
I'm sorta leaning toward the Kenwood. Anyone have any of these HU and can talk about what you like to help me make the decision?
The downsides, or what you think needs to be better, useless features?
I believe only the Alpine is able to download your contacts from your phone to scroll through and select. Not sure if that's a really needed/wanted.
I like listening to HD Radio, and probably Pioneer has the better HD tuner, followed by Kenwood and Alpine.
The Pioneer has only rear USB ports, but a front AUX port, so will need to have cables attached and routed, and or ports mounted.
The Pioneer has MixTrax which might not be desired.
Not sure I can think of anything else. But here is all three compared via Crutchfield - All Car Stereos Comparison
The three units that I am considering are:
Alpine CDE-HD149BT - Alpine CDE-HD149BT CD receiver at Crutchfield.com
Kenwood Excelon KDC-X998 - Kenwood Excelon KDC-X998 CD receiver at Crutchfield.com
Pioneer DEH-X9600BHS - Pioneer DEH-X9600BHS CD receiver at Crutchfield.com
I'm sorta leaning toward the Kenwood. Anyone have any of these HU and can talk about what you like to help me make the decision?
The downsides, or what you think needs to be better, useless features?
I believe only the Alpine is able to download your contacts from your phone to scroll through and select. Not sure if that's a really needed/wanted.
I like listening to HD Radio, and probably Pioneer has the better HD tuner, followed by Kenwood and Alpine.
The Pioneer has only rear USB ports, but a front AUX port, so will need to have cables attached and routed, and or ports mounted.
The Pioneer has MixTrax which might not be desired.
Not sure I can think of anything else. But here is all three compared via Crutchfield - All Car Stereos Comparison
09-29-2014, 10:13 AM
#5
From a personal standpoint, Kenwood's sound the best, but pioneer does tend to be more user friendly. As for that Alpine, there is a lot going on there.
That being said, I do have an X-997 in my Tacoma, the previous year version of the excelon you're looking for. Sounds great, works pretty well, haven't had any real issues other than lots of user error to get BT to sync up.
If you can swing it, try to pick up this 890HD. It does EVERYTHING you need it to do, all while making it a lot easier to navigate. I had one of these in my Subaru until I swapped it out for this years version.
That being said, I do have an X-997 in my Tacoma, the previous year version of the excelon you're looking for. Sounds great, works pretty well, haven't had any real issues other than lots of user error to get BT to sync up.
If you can swing it, try to pick up this 890HD. It does EVERYTHING you need it to do, all while making it a lot easier to navigate. I had one of these in my Subaru until I swapped it out for this years version.
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