midnight AMG

What are the best headunits for our w209?

Pioneer:
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PU...on/AVIC-Z120BT

(I think can get these for $850 now)

or

JVC:
http://mobile.jvc.com/product.jsp?mo...hId=126&page=1

Kevwood

The best? The best is right here mate;

http://www.kenwoodusa.com/Car_Entert...gation/DNX9960

Between the two you listed, Pioneer by a mile.

ahmadk

Pioneer is the best between those 2

dynomite05

I have the Z120 sitting in my room waiting to be installed. I paid $970, where can you get it for $850?

bheng

i would get the pioneer. performance wise, kenwood is better; however, kenwood gui sucks. lol

i mean its not all about performance when you looking at the damn thing in the interior of your car. my vote goes to pioneer. then again, im a bit biased. i have the z110bt.

AMGfan

+1...between the two...Pioneer.

I have had the Kenwood Excelon HU's...2 8120's (SL65 and E55) and now the 9960 (Suburban). I have been pleased with their performance...the Garmin nav to me is the best. The Ipod control is relatively fast and easy to use. The ability to "shape" the sound quality is extensive...equilization, surround, sound positioning, crossover/slope points, and vehicle and speaker configuration.

How much can you get the Pioneer for and which avenue are you taking to get it (internet or stereo shop)? I have purchased all my Kenwoods via an Ebay reseller which happens to be located close to me (I live south of Tampa and they originate from Clearwater)...which is very lucky.

I had an issue with a bad output on the 9960 and they swapped the unit out for a new one the same day. That would be my only fear of buying of the internet from a non-authorized dealer...warranty issues (but that goes with any brand off Ebay/internet).

If you go to a authorized shop that sells the eventual brand that you choose you can also negotiate the price...The Kenwood 9960 was retailed between $1500 to $1800 (depending on where you look...much lower on Ebay) but I was able to deal one for $1300 cash when I thought I was SOL with the bad unit I got...

Bottomline...most shops are hurting and need the business and are willing to deal a bit...wouldn't hurt to ask.

Good luck...changing out the OEM system in my cars was a great move for ME.

dr_npz

I would go with ALPINE or CLARION, the higher range of models. Definately not kenwood or JVC.

Thats what I would have done.

Kevwood

Kenwood eXcelon sound quality is surprisingly superior in many ways to both Alpine and Clarion mate - trust me on this one...

midnight AMG

I have a 500x1 Rockford Fosgate amp running a t1 12" sub

Do I need another amp to pair with my new hu ?

Kevwood

Yes, unless you want to run the speakers off the head unit.

2MCHCAR

+1! Kenwood FTW!

Ha, Ha! Kevwood endorses Kenwood!

Kevwood

heres the story;

I had a license plate KEVWOOD (as a matter of fact, it's here in Dubai right now in my storage room!) starting back in '00 because at the time I was a Kenwood sales rep/territory manager in Canada & was heavily involved in car audio competition (since '96). I didn't start using Kenwood because I worked with them, I actually went to go work for them because of the success I was having using their product!

So, all these years past, then name still sticks and I still stand behind the eXcelon line, my set-up blew away ALL the demo cars from the other major audio brands it competed against - and my car was a private ride, no corporate sponsorship.

Here Carlos, even though I'm having an absolute $h!t night dug this out just for yor mate;



Kev... wood

midnight AMG

wow +1...

will seriously consider kevwood er kenwood HU now lol

midnight AMG

http://cgi.ebay.com/PIONEER-AVIC-Z12...ht_4504wt_1139

actually you're right..i was looking a bit closer.. this one is refurbished

Kevwood

They certainly aren't the cheapest, but for those looking for outstanding sound quality, the eXcelon line is a very solid choice - it's on my mod list for 2011.

And no, I don't get paid to say stuff like that anymore.