need some advice

[lavon_andy]

I'm a car audio noob basically so please be patient with me...

I want to get a headunit that I can upgrade off of on my 2010 a/c. I've been looking at a refurbished kenwood DNX-8120 since it has everything I want (dvd, touch screen, multiple angle settings, backup camera available, ipod interface, and gps). What I want is to make sure that I don't end up buying a headunit that I need to immediately get an amp just to run my normal speakers off of, so I can slowly buy other parts of the car audio equation (amp, subs, new speakers, tweeter etc.)

so my questions are:

1. would this headunit (Kenwood DNX-8120) work well with factory speakers at the 50w X 4 output it has on it?
2. Would there be a more price friendly headunit that has everything I want? (kenwood is around 650 refurb)

then I've got questions about sub setup, I've been thinking about two options

1st option
subs in trunk, amps in trunk (sealed boxes behind rear fenderwells, either 1 or 2 subs not sure yet)

2nd option (not sure how it would turn out)
remove rear speakers and put subs in shelf instead (would I lose sound up front from loss of speakers, or can I relocate the speakers to somewhere else and fit subs in shelf still? not worried about passengers)

also what would be some quality subs to use? I don't need a ton of bass just a little kick, worried more about quality of the sound then just "boom boom"

I mostly listen to classic rock-metal so subs would have to work well for that obviously

any help would be greatly appreciated

[AppleBonker]

The 8120 is a good unit. Seems like a reasonable price too. It should work fine on the stock speakers, as long as you don't crank the volume too much (the stock speakers likely can't handle the power from the Kenwood head unit at full tilt). Personally, I like the Alpine units better (but that's totally just my preference). You may want to check with Broadfield (username of a member here) to see what he has and what the price is.

As far as the subs go, two subs will obviously be louder than one. The larger the sub you get, the deeper it should hit, but it will be less clean. The trunk of the coupe is difficult to squeeze subs into, and two (plus the amp/s) will consume basically the entire trunk.

You're second option is interesting. First, you don't need speakers in the rear. Everything you listen to basically is two channel, so you don't need more than that to reproduce it (again, this is an opinion - but pretty much any audiophile will agree, lose the rears). What you are referring to is called running the subwoofers IB (infinite baffle). This has been done, and with success, in many cases. However, it is important to select the proper subwoofers to be able to handle that type of application. Most subwoofers are designed for install in enclosures, and the lack of pressure generated from IB installs makes them perform poorly. Also, this would likely limit you to 8" woofers and even that would probably require cutting metal from the rear deck. It would be a more challenging install, but would save a decent chunk of trunk space.

When you get closer to buying subs, give us an idea of budget and we can be more helpful in guiding you in the direction of a few models to investigate.

[lavon_andy]

Thank you for your response!

I'm not heart set on a kenwood, it's just the only one I've seen so far that I've liked (but then again I haven't researched that much, so I'll check them out and see prices/features etc.).

Does Broadfield sell alpine headunits or something? Don't want to contact him about something I'm not clear on.

Again, thank you.

edit: after looking at a few of the alpine units on amazon it looks like the upper end units are about the same, alpine makes a few lower units but it looks like I'd need a separate module to get Nav which is kinda gay

Pioneer is cheap though lol but not sure if they are worth using, if the ipod integration blows I'd be upset. Looks like time for a car-toys trip to play with some headunits

[Broadfield]

edit: after looking at a few of the alpine units on amazon it looks like the upper end units are about the same, alpine makes a few lower units but it looks like I'd need a separate module to get Nav which is kinda gay

Keep in mind that most consumers don't want navi, they just want a double DIN screen. So it's not so gay that Alpine has units in their lineup that don't have navi. However, they make the navi an add-on hide away module just in case the consumer wants it down the road. The add-on is the same exact thing that is built into the W900... you would never know the difference. If you are concerned about iPod control, then you definitely want an Alpine. They are the ones that invented iPod control in the car audio market, and they are still the best at it. Please let me know if you have any questions on product. They are a lot of things consumers get confused on or assume incorrectly about the Alpine lineup. Like the fact that the W404 and the W407 do not have a CD/DVD drive. Only the W900 has CD/DVD playback, hence one of the reasons the 404/407 are much cheaper.

Thanks,

Toby

[lavon_andy]

edit: after looking at a few of the alpine units on amazon it looks like the upper end units are about the same, alpine makes a few lower units but it looks like I'd need a separate module to get Nav which is kinda gay

Keep in mind that most consumers don't want navi, they just want a double DIN screen. So it's not so gay that Alpine has units in their lineup that don't have navi. However, they make the navi an add-on hide away module just in case the consumer wants it down the road. The add-on is the same exact thing that is built into the W900... you would never know the difference. If you are concerned about iPod control, then you definitely want an Alpine. They are the ones that invented iPod control in the car audio market, and they are still the best at it. Please let me know if you have any questions on product. They are a lot of things consumers get confused on or assume incorrectly about the Alpine lineup. Like the fact that the W404 and the W407 do not have a CD/DVD drive. Only the W900 has CD/DVD playback, hence one of the reasons the 404/407 are much cheaper.

Thanks,

Toby

Ya I noticed that those ones didn't have a cd/dvd drive, which honestly wouldn't bother me most of my music is on my ipod anyways.

Is there a specific Alpine unit you would suggest?

I've still got a lot of time to decide and I kind of agree with you about iPod controls after watching some of the videos for the Alpine units, it looks nice.

[Broadfield]

So what features are you wanting besides the obvious iPod control? Do you need navi or BT? Does it need to be a 7" screen? Etc. etc. The 404 is the best one for iPod control, but it has the smaller screen. The reason I say it's better for iPod is because it has the easy to use jog dial knob and the return/back button is always active. Whereas on the 407 and 900, once you select a song, the return button is no longer active. So you would need to start your search over again, instead of being able to just hit back if you wanted a different album by the same artist. Something to think about.

[lavon_andy]

Basically (in this order):

1. expandability (ie good options to get subs and better speakers at a later date) and something that my factory speakers will work with without any extra equipment
2. iPod compatibility (easy to find a specific song then put back on random all music)
3. back up camera compatible
4. nav (or nav compatible with the module would work)
5. steering wheel control compatible
6. larger screen with cd input behind screen (screen isn't fixed so it can have different angles to adjust for glare)

doesn't have to be a top of the line unit just something can fulfill most of those features (which actually kinda makes it be a top model lol)

[Broadfield]

The W900 is the obvious choice if you want all of those features.

[AppleBonker]

And an excellent choice at that. I love mine, and the one I installed for a friend is enjoyed by her as well.

[lavon_andy]

Alpine INA-W900

brand new from 700 bucks off amazon it's got a nice price for sure, I'll check it out thanks guys

[AppleBonker]

Check with Broadfield as well. He works at a car audio shop that I know carries the W900. He might be able to find you a decent price, plus, through him you have the added benefit of buying from an authorized retailer. That would mean you'd enjoy the complete factory warranty, and Broadfield is knowledgeable as hell and can likely walk you through nearly any problem you encounter.

[headhunt3r]

Not just to purely go against the grain, but I've got the DDX-812 with the Nav add-on (Basically a DNX-8120) and I love this head unit. It fits the list of all the requirements you are looking for as well. I know the Doc has one and so do some others. All of them have pretty positive things to say about it. There's a thread about the unit somewhere in here...

[lavon_andy]

Not just to purely go against the grain, but I've got the DDX-812 with the Nav add-on (Basically a DNX-8120) and I love this head unit. It fits the list of all the requirements you are looking for as well. I know the Doc has one and so do some others. All of them have pretty positive things to say about it. There's a thread about the unit somewhere in here...

yeah the DNX8120 was my first choice for those reasons, but the alpine costs less and has a better ipod interface from the youtube videos of both I've seen so I'm leaning more towards the Alpine unit now

again thank you guys for your help, it makes my decisions easier then just googling and checking ebay/amazon