Time for Headunit & Speakers

[700 sportsman]

Hey guys, I've been out of the loop for quite a while with school work and whatnot. But anyways, I blew a speaker over the weekend and I'm going to be replacing all 4 speakers and decided that I'm finally going to cave and go for a new headunit as well. I was going to buy one of the iSimple interface modules for my iPhone but figured a headunit with it built in would be nice too.

So just looking for some reccomendations from you guys.

Headunit requirements are:
Rear usb input for my iphone (preferably charges it as well)
Must have red backlight option
Bluetooth would be a plus but not an absolute necessity
Cd player is probably a given but will consider some without.
Looking to stay under about $250

At the moment I'm leaning towards a Kenwood, Alpine, or possibly a Pioneer. But I'm also wondering about these new Sony's with the "tune tray" are these quality units or junk?


Speakers:
I'm just wanting good quality sound with decent bass. I was reccomended by crutchfield kicker's, boston, or infinity's because they aren't as bass oriented because I already have a sub but I'm taking that with a grain of salt because IMO you can't have too much bass since it can always be turned down.

I've been eyeing up the boston's, alpine type-s (to match my sub), and the Rockford Punch series, crutchfield just began a buy one get one half off, which makes them the cheapest. So this may be my best option?

Thanks in advance guys

 

[nubuilder]

I love my Kenwood KDC-X994. It has red back-light option too! Rear USB and AUX input, bluetooth. You'd have to look into the iPod though; I don't have one (have a different MP3 player).

If you're willing to go refurbished, here's one for $170. I can't remember what I paid for mine new; still searching.

Apparently it has been replaced by the KDC-X995...not sure of the differences. Here's the 995 for $237.

 

[bubbatrucklover]

I have 2 pairs of these:

http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/p_22024_Rockford_Fosgate_T1652-S.aspx

They might be a smidge to bassey for you, but IDK.

The HU I'm going with might be to pricey for you(it's a little out of my price range right now too )

Kenwood DNX6160:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...nkw=Kenwood+DNX6160&_sacat=See-All-Categories

I linked to e-bay only because a buddy of mine has been helping me shave off a few $$ on them. It has been replaced by:

Kenwood DNX6180

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw...DNX6160&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313

So you might be able to get it closer to the lower price range as it becomes more phased out.

 

[bubbatrucklover]

To add, I'm not sure about the red. I know that was what I was going to go with (not sure now red or blue) at one time for my interior lighting theme and I can't remember if there was a red display option (standard or downloadable) or just the back lighting on the physical button.

 

[Z71 Kris]

I would try to stay away from Pioneer, a lot of them have that ground noise issue, where you can here the engine through your speakers, totally sucks ass to find the problem and fix it. The Alpines are always good choices, Kenwood if you go the Excelon, at least when I was shopping(like 6 years ago) they were the better ones, as for Sony not many of us ever ran Sony's in our cars...cant say anything about them...

 

[Boilerup15]

I would try to stay away from Pioneer, a lot of them have that ground noise issue, where you can here the engine through your speakers, totally sucks ass to find the problem and fix it. The Alpines are always good choices, Kenwood if you go the Excelon, at least when I was shopping(like 6 years ago) they were the better ones, as for Sony not many of us ever ran Sony's in our cars...cant say anything about them...

I have had 5 different Pioneer head units and I have never ever had that problem. I love Pioneer head units and won't buy anything else. I have tried a few other brands and always go back to Pioneer.

 

[Z71 Kris]

I would try to stay away from Pioneer, a lot of them have that ground noise issue, where you can here the engine through your speakers, totally sucks ass to find the problem and fix it. The Alpines are always good choices, Kenwood if you go the Excelon, at least when I was shopping(like 6 years ago) they were the better ones, as for Sony not many of us ever ran Sony's in our cars...cant say anything about them...

I have had 5 different Pioneer head units and I have never ever had that problem. I love Pioneer head units and won't buy anything else. I have tried a few other brands and always go back to Pioneer.

I have had one, that had the issue and then on a few audio forums I frequented I saw many many many many more that had the issue...

 

[Boilerup15]

I would try to stay away from Pioneer, a lot of them have that ground noise issue, where you can here the engine through your speakers, totally sucks ass to find the problem and fix it. The Alpines are always good choices, Kenwood if you go the Excelon, at least when I was shopping(like 6 years ago) they were the better ones, as for Sony not many of us ever ran Sony's in our cars...cant say anything about them...

I have had 5 different Pioneer head units and I have never ever had that problem. I love Pioneer head units and won't buy anything else. I have tried a few other brands and always go back to Pioneer.

I have had one, that had the issue and then on a few audio forums I frequented I saw many many many many more that had the issue...

Weird, I have never even heard of that. Guess I have just been lucky.

 

[Z71 Kris]

for good luck

 

[Black02Silverado]

Sounds like you got a good plan started. I like my Alpine but it doesn't have a red backlight option, just blue.

I would get all the info together and prices and then see what KC Autosound one of our site sponsors could do for you. They help pay the bills here at