I'm going to buy a new headunit (with subs coming in about a month or so) and I want your opinion on what the best value out there is. I don't know much about car audio, so I'm not exactly sure what I'll need to get to make sure my subs play optimally. I know that I don't necessarly need a new headunit to run subs (i thought i read that somewhere), but I have heard that a new headunit will make my stock speakers sound better. Is there any truth to that? I want to stay around the $100 range...what do you guys have, and what do you suggest?

 

For one bill, your going to be kinda hard pressed to find a decent head unit. Personally, if your budget minded, I would tell you to look at Pioneer. Even if your budget was higher, I would probably still push them.
Through my experience, the lower end brands like Sony, JVC, and Awaia are all very finicky with their amps. IE, it's really easy to blow one channel out of the amp and cause problems.

If I were in your shoes, I would save up until you had about 200 in your pocket. This will give you some cushion when your buying.

What kind of subs are you getting?

Here are some options:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1199494646121
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1218056226796
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1218063831559

This last one might not be the best idea for you, because I know that once you get the audio bug, you wont stop until you have upgraded your wall/door speakers. It has only one set of pre out RCAs. This means that only one set of RCA wire can be ran to it. (Yes, I know you can buy splitters, but it's not recommended.)
Preferably, you want at least 2 preouts and one of those preouts being a dedicated sub out. Meaning that what ever fade and balance change you make, the subs won't be affected.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1218063831559
Let us know what you decide to go with.
Laramie

 

Like he said, $100 probably isn't going to get you a very good quality headunit...I have had an Eclipse head unit which I loved. If you set the locking CD thing and it gets stolen, the thieves can't even use the headunit and Eclipse will send you out a new one (They have a warranty thing if you set it). The only annoying thing is that if you unhook your battery you have to do it, but it's not that big of a deal as long as you don't lose your "code" CD that does so.

Other than that, yeah pretty much all headunits have a preout, and will make your stock speakers sound better.

My most recent headunit I just got a JVC with a detachable faceplate. Mostly I just got one of the cheaper ones I could find that had an ipod hookup and I ran it to come out of my ashtray so my ipod sits in that (it's a nano and fits perfectly lol).

You can save money if you buy them online and buy an unassembled wiring harness and make it yourself. It's pretty easy to do and won't take much more than an hour, two TOPS. Those guys up at bestbuy wanted to run me like 100 bucks labor just to install it and for the wiring harness. Was gonna cost me like 300 to get it all put in, but I saved over 100 dollars doing it all myself.

Hope that is at least somewhat helpful

 

100 bucks would get you a decent used HU. I was going to talk about DD HUs until I seen the 100 bucks problem. Will they make the stock speakers sound better? Sure but they will still suck. You can replace all the door speakers for less than another 100 if you shop right.

 

kraco

When I read "Best Headunit?" in the title I was expecting to come in here and see people talking about Pioneers or something. For $100... put it back into the bank until you have around $350. All you'll get for $100 is something that sounds just like the stock stereo.

 

here are some good websites
www.audiovideodimension.com
www.onlinecarstereo.com
www.dealercostcaraudio.com

 

Pioneer or Kenwood Id say.

 

To be honest Kenwood and JVC are not good brands for car decks, You much better off saving an extra $75 and spending $175 on a used ALPINE or ECLIPSE with a 4volt Pre-Out for highs and sub control..
Example
Alpine 9815 or 9831 or 9835 or 9855 i have owned all these deck and all purchased used below $200 and all amazing tuning control and sound..

 

yea ive had my eclipse for 2 years now and still love it

 

Well what would you guys reccomend for about $200 if you were putting it into your own truck?

So do you guys think I should get new door speakers as well as subs? If its only an extra ~$100 - $150 then I mind as well get that done at the same time right? My buddy is doing the install so I'll be saving alot of money there I'm sure. Thanks for all the help guys!