Best Headunit around $500

**acse36m3** · 03-09-2003, 08:01 PM

anyone have input on what the best headunit is for around 5 bills? I'm looking into the pioneer 840mp, alpine 7894, alpine 7897 and alpine 7995. this would go into my 99 e36 m3 w/ hk sound (which sucks). i would greatly appreciate it if u audio guys could steer me in the right direction with one of these decks or suggest another one. thanx!!

**kevin7909** · 03-09-2003, 10:42 PM

in MY opinion your wasting money on a hi-end(read: purpose built sound quality) deck to use with the stock system...go with a 9813 or 9815 i think the new models are...those play mp3's and look fairly good compared to the competition...if u were going with aftermarket amps i could open up a whole new world....and anyone else that offers up some SQ headunit, please remember that for satisfactory output he is gonna use the speaker outputs, not line level, so a purpose built headunit would be a waste....
Kevin

**jayhudson** · 03-10-2003, 10:40 AM

IMO, the CDA-7894 will look the best. The 2003 Alpine models seem to have dropped the amber lighting feature. Except for the CDA-7998. Haven't received the CDA-9813 yet.

The new Eclipses are very, very nice looking. But, I think they still have some blue lighting. We haven't gotten any of the new models hooked up yet, so we can play. If it weren't for the blue, the new Eclipse would definitely be my choice. Very classy.

Jay

**kevin7909** · 03-10-2003, 10:55 AM

Jay:
i totally agree with you..BUT..bang for the buck nowadays the 9813/5 are a much better buy in MY opinion than the 7894....
Kevin

**HK_M3** · 03-10-2003, 11:09 AM

You should DEFINATELY check out the new lower end Eclipse units....they pack a PUNCH they have a tuner nob!!!!!! And they are very inexpensive starting at ~$289 installed....the biggest insult to that deck is it's price tag!

-Nathaniel

**jayhudson** · 03-10-2003, 11:12 AM

Yeah....it's just the green thing I don't like. I haven't found a reason to replace my Nak........yet. I'd drop that baby in a minute if the new Eclipse lighting option looks OK. The rep told us there was some ability to change lighting. Haven't been able to try it out yet.

Jay

**HK_M3** · 03-10-2003, 11:20 AM

Jay:

To tell you the truth I have been -severely- dissapointed with Eclipse decks over the past 3 years.....they sounded great but their looks and features lacked....

That said....I have never been more excited about a company's product line....I feel like a kid in a candy store....they finally FREAKIN' got it.....beautiful work......thank you Ray Windsor!

-Nathaniel

**///MINI** · 03-10-2003, 11:26 AM

I just ordered the Alpine 9815 and will be installing it this weekend. I'll post my thoughts soon. The one turn-off was the blue lighting. I would've gotten the 7894 with it BMW-matching orange lighting. But, having the ability to play both mp3 and wma files seemed like it was worth it. Plus, I don't think I will mind the blue lights anymore. My interior needs a little spice.

**acse36m3** · 03-11-2003, 01:57 AM

thanx for the imput guys...really appreciate it...anyone else have an opinion?

**EstorilBlauM3** · 03-11-2003, 02:04 AM

I have the CDA-7894 and love it. It really makes the HK Sounds sound so much better.

**ClubSport332ti** · 03-11-2003, 10:10 PM

Why would Alpine drop the Amber feature? Man that totally sucks.

**96m3** · 03-12-2003, 01:07 AM

I am looking for the amber lights only,what are the choices and the best to replace my OEM head unit?
Thanks ,Martin

**///MINI** · 03-12-2003, 07:19 AM

I think you can still switch back to amber in the 9815. I should know by this weekend.

**5mall5nail5** · 03-12-2003, 09:21 AM

Let me know what you think of the CDA-9815... I have a CDA-7897 and the coolest feature by far is the Fantom Face... its a 1.3 DIN size, it adds to the "wow this is a great radio" image. It does lack the amber glow, but, when in the EQ and T-Corr menus, it lights up amber.... im not sure why it wouldn't light that way full time?!

Anyway, let me know what you think o fhte 9815, I may be picking one of those up if it's nice enough and does amber.

**abakos** · 03-12-2003, 09:57 AM

My Kenwood will change to most any color scheme I choose, but doesn't play WMA files...which has screwed me up a couple times.

Seems like you folks are die-hard Alpine/Eclipse though...so I'll shut my yap

**acse36m3** · 03-12-2003, 07:39 PM

i thought the alpine 7897 had the amber lighting feature like the 7894

**Franchise** · 03-14-2003, 07:57 PM

i like the new jvc head units because u can change the color to over 1,700 different colors!

**HK_M3** · 03-14-2003, 08:43 PM

Did I mention Eclipse Decks? ;-]

-Nathaniel

**Chongus** · 03-15-2003, 05:54 AM

cda-7998 = bio-lite screen, amber lighting and can only be used with external amps.

cda-7897= standard lcd display, internal 50X4 amp and no amber lighting option.

**acse36m3** · 03-15-2003, 09:41 AM

man, one of the reasons i was looking into the 7897 was for the amber lighting option. was considering the pioneerg 840mp, cause the graphics are good, but i think the blue lighting might be a little contrasting and a little "rice". Hmmm....may have to reconsider my options. 7998 is nice, but a touch to expensive for me.

**kevin7909** · 03-15-2003, 12:40 PM

u could get something like this used and then buy a cheap changer for the trunk...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=14946

it has an amber light function on the display i used to use since it matched my lexus....u also have video capability...might be worth it...the buttons are only green tho...not amber if i recall correctly...
Kevin

**///MINI** · 03-15-2003, 03:42 PM

Ain't no amber lights in the 9815, FYI.

**Buddah323i** · 03-15-2003, 07:44 PM

Clarion..........

Thread: Best Headunit around $500

Thread Tools

Best Headunit around $500

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions