# Need Some Help on Car Stereo Questions **URL:** \ **Category:** Shift518 Automotive\ **Created:** [May 2, 2010, 11:34am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-some-help-on-car-stereo-questions/251877 "2010-05-02T11:34:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Kefhr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/91b2a8/32.png) [@Kefhr](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Kefhr)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2010, 11:43am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-some-help-on-car-stereo-questions/251877/21 "2010-05-03T11:43:11Z")
> [@Are kak rings reusable?](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/are-kak-rings-reusable/31614/7): > > i’d suggest eclipse or alpine. those sound nice and clean > **[Dual XDVD710](https://www.crutchfield.com/S-4KXMW9vweXJ/p_070XDVD710/Dual-XDVD710.html?tp=20217&tab=features_and_specs)** > > DVD receiver [http://outlet.crutchfield.com/p\_070XD1222/Dual-XD1222.html?tp=5684](http://outlet.crutchfield.com/p_070XD1222/Dual-XD1222.html?tp=5684) as of right now debating between those two. You think any good? ---
**Author:** ![votblindub](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/votblindub/32/6280_2.png) [@votblindub](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/votblindub)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2010, 12:15pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-some-help-on-car-stereo-questions/251877/22 "2010-05-03T12:15:14Z")
i would say no. now don’t jump down my throat guys, let me explain why. the cd player has an absurdly weak internal amplifier. its 5 watts continuous(which is most likely a perfect conditions lab rating at 100% efficiency and we live in the real world where this doesn’t happen). it will not sound clean, even if u you get expensive speakers. its got a poor excuse for an equalizer, even by 1999 standards(im being serious here). the output signal on this is low volt, so if you hook up an amp to it later, it will sound like louder poop. garbage in, garbage out. this is basically sub-par even for an average listener. the one with the screen is also not that great. it will be somewhat louder than the cd player, but it wont be clear either. its lacking a proper equalizer or pretty much any other control over output other than volume. it doesnt list the screen resolution on it either. this kind is a wallmart type brand, i wouldnt recommend buying that. you wont enjoy listening to music. youre better off taking that 250 bucks and buying a NICE used headunit. u dont need dvd, its not like ull be watching movies on your way to NYC on the 3hr trip. if ur going to get one with a screen, may as well get a good nav system, so its worth it. if ur going with a cheaper deck, this is better [http://www.crutchfield.com/p\_020CZ100/Clarion-CZ100.html?tp=5684](http://www.crutchfield.com/p_020CZ100/Clarion-CZ100.html?tp=5684) here are the nicer ones under 250 > **[Alpine iDA-X303](https://www.crutchfield.com/S-I9MZAZLfBWa/p_500IDAX303/Alpine-iDA-X303.html?tp=5684)** > > Alpine gives you lots of ways to play your digital music in the car Have you moved beyond CDs? Alpine designed the iDA-X303 digital media receiver to be the most intuitive solution for using an iPod in your car. The centrally located jog dial... [http://signature.crutchfield.com/s\_500CDA105/Alpine-CDA-105.html?tp=5684](http://signature.crutchfield.com/s_500CDA105/Alpine-CDA-105.html?tp=5684) [http://signature.crutchfield.com/s\_500CDE103B/Alpine-CDE-103BT.html?tp=5684](http://signature.crutchfield.com/s_500CDE103B/Alpine-CDE-103BT.html?tp=5684) ---
**Author:** ![offroadzj](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/offroadzj/32/6428_2.png) [@offroadzj](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/offroadzj)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2010, 1:16pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-some-help-on-car-stereo-questions/251877/23 "2010-05-03T13:16:29Z")
pioneer decks are very good for their price. I actually prefer them over Eclipse/Alpine for non-competition because they can be difficult to operate for the average person. ---
**Author:** ![Kefhr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/91b2a8/32.png) [@Kefhr](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Kefhr)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2010, 1:31pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-some-help-on-car-stereo-questions/251877/24 "2010-05-03T13:31:22Z")
> [@Are kak rings reusable?](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/are-kak-rings-reusable/31614/23): > > i would say no. now don’t jump down my throat guys, let me explain why. the cd player has an absurdly weak internal amplifier. its 5 watts continuous(which is most likely a perfect conditions lab rating at 100% efficiency and we live in the real world where this doesn’t happen). it will not sound clean, even if u you get expensive speakers. its got a poor excuse for an equalizer, even by 1999 standards(im being serious here). the output signal on this is low volt, so if you hook up an amp to it later, it will sound like louder poop. garbage in, garbage out. this is basically sub-par even for an average listener. the one with the screen is also not that great. it will be somewhat louder than the cd player, but it wont be clear either. its lacking a proper equalizer or pretty much any other control over output other than volume. it doesnt list the screen resolution on it either. this kind is a wallmart type brand, i wouldnt recommend buying that. you wont enjoy listening to music. youre better off taking that 250 bucks and buying a NICE used headunit. u dont need dvd, its not like ull be watching movies on your way to NYC on the 3hr trip. if ur going to get one with a screen, may as well get a good nav system, so its worth it. > > if ur going with a cheaper deck, this is better [http://www.crutchfield.com/p\_020CZ100/Clarion-CZ100.html?tp=5684](http://www.crutchfield.com/p_020CZ100/Clarion-CZ100.html?tp=5684) > > here are the nicer ones under 250 > [http://www.crutchfield.com/p\_500IDAX303/Alpine-iDA-X303.html?tp=5684](http://www.crutchfield.com/p_500IDAX303/Alpine-iDA-X303.html?tp=5684) > [http://signature.crutchfield.com/s\_500CDA105/Alpine-CDA-105.html?tp=5684](http://signature.crutchfield.com/s_500CDA105/Alpine-CDA-105.html?tp=5684) > [http://signature.crutchfield.com/s\_500CDE103B/Alpine-CDE-103BT.html?tp=5684](http://signature.crutchfield.com/s_500CDE103B/Alpine-CDE-103BT.html?tp=5684) I appreciate the input. However I have a clarion now and its broken… So I will probably stay away from Clarion for a bit. I think I might just pick up a cheap used on clist somewhere for 50-100 bucks? Are there any certain specific SPECS I should be looking for? Out wattage? or power etc? ---
**Author:** ![TurboTravis](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/turbotravis/32/6406_2.png) [@TurboTravis](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TurboTravis)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2010, 1:34pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-some-help-on-car-stereo-questions/251877/25 "2010-05-03T13:34:30Z")
> [@OMG, More Smilies!!](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/omg-more-smilies/31621/2): > > pioneer decks are very good for their price. I actually prefer them over Eclipse/Alpine for non-competition because they can be difficult to operate for the average person. Older Pioneers are great, but I’d consider my late 2008 Pioneer as being nearly impossible to operate. ---
**Author:** ![votblindub](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/votblindub/32/6280_2.png) [@votblindub](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/votblindub)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2010, 4:19pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-some-help-on-car-stereo-questions/251877/26 "2010-05-03T16:19:02Z")
u want a good eq in the deck, a 5 channel at least, crossovers, internal amp to ~25watt per channel continuous(rms rating number). cd/mp3 capability. from a good brand. ---
**Author:** ![ninety1two40](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/ninety1two40/32/6332_2.png) [@ninety1two40](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ninety1two40)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2010, 6:48am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-some-help-on-car-stereo-questions/251877/27 "2010-05-04T06:48:24Z")
Alpine or Pioneer ---
**Author:** ![Kefhr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/91b2a8/32.png) [@Kefhr](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Kefhr)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2010, 7:53am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-some-help-on-car-stereo-questions/251877/28 "2010-05-04T07:53:09Z")
> [@Another rocket down....](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/another-rocket-down/31623/3): > > u want a good eq in the deck, a 5 channel at least, crossovers, internal amp to ~25watt per channel continuous(rms rating number). cd/mp3 capability. from a good brand. I am shopping around for one now. Thanks for the heads up. ps (unrelated): I just realized your the guy with the Audi I saw at the show.I will definitely be taking your advice lol. [Previous page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-some-help-on-car-stereo-questions/251877.md?page=1)