Head Units

(festivus) · (festivus) **Join Date: Jan 2006** 02-06-2006, 1:45 PM

Looking for a great head unit. I would really like to have Sirius Sat and Mp3 capability. I also want one or two wired remotes. I Haven't been able to find a HU to fit those requirements. The Sony is close, but with XM. THe clarion is close, but no MP3 capability. Any ideas?

(acurtis_ttu) · (acurtis_ttu) **Join Date: May 2004** 02-06-2006, 1:57 PM

Pioneer or Kenwood

(Message edited by acurtis_ttu on February 06, 2006)

(Message edited by acurtis_ttu on February 06, 2006)

(brucemac) · (brucemac) **Join Date: Dec 2005** 02-06-2006, 2:28 PM

i don't know much about the pioneer, but i like our kenwood kdc-mp4028. it has mp3/wma/aac capability and i added rca inputs for an ipod/portable. the one thing that is a real drag though, and i should warn you about is, that only kenwood's marine head units support wired remotes. a real bummer considering my head unit is on the passenger side. their new kts-mp400mr is over $350 and that doesn't include the wired remote. so i guess i'm going to try the pac-audio infrared learning remote extender and pad. it's a tossup though because it's $180 and i could buy a new head unit for that, one that supported wired remotes. :-(

(lcky275) · (lcky275) **Join Date: Jul 2002** 02-06-2006, 3:08 PM

Kenwood KTS-MP400MR
I've got this one and it's got the capabilities you mentioned.

http://www.kenwoodusa.com/products/ListProduct.aspx?k1=2&k2=34&k3=130&pr=2118

(festivus) · (festivus) **Join Date: Jan 2006** 02-06-2006, 5:00 PM

I think the HU slot in the 247 is the regular size, not that taller marine size. Is this right?

(cbrown) · (cbrown) **Join Date: Jan 2004** 02-06-2006, 10:36 PM

That is correct it is single din in size. Pioneer will support xm or sirius and will give you mp3 and wired remote capability. I do not know if you can run more than one remote though.

(festivus) · (festivus) **Join Date: Jan 2006** 02-06-2006, 11:03 PM

Thanks, one may just do it. Any recommended Pio HU's? Or any to avoid? They don't have marine specific HU's do they? Just speakers.

ilovetrains 02-07-2006, 11:00 AM

Festivus, I ran this post about a month of so ago as I have an LSV and will be doing the stereo sometime this spring. From what I learned the Pioneer does not support multiple remotes and the Kenwood options are not that great. I think we are stuck with Sony or Clarion.

(festivus) · (festivus) **Join Date: Jan 2006** 02-07-2006, 9:41 PM

The Pio looks the best, but you're right, only one remote. The Clarion doesn't support MP3 playback, so not even an option, and the Sony is XM, but may be the way to go if you want more than one remote. I haven't heard good things about the MB Quart, plus it doesn't have ANY satellite.

(malibupilot) · (malibupilot) **Join Date: Nov 2005** 02-15-2006, 8:50 PM

Fest - I am going Alpine primarily. They have a few decks that are MP3, WMA, and DVD! Think about it, you can load all your MP3's (atleast 1000 of them) on 1 DVD at home and put that bad-boy in your deck. POOF! - no IPOD needed. They typically do NOT come with a built in SAT rcvr....you can hook one up no problem though. But then again, you could easily just get the protable rcvr and transfer it from car-to-boat, etc. You can either plug it in or do the radio freq thing.

Like you, I want to buy the Tyrants or addictions... but they are slow to get the mounts made. I am putting a 12 by the driver's feet and possibly in the dry storage behind the observer seat. There is a TON of room in there. I figure I can easily mount 3 to 4 good size amps(10"x14")in there. I'm stuck on one thing....should I use coax's or seperates all around? Coax's are a cleaner install, but may lack in sound quality.... that's where the plentiful amps come in!

Lemme know what you think Fest....

(festivus) · (festivus) **Join Date: Jan 2006** 02-16-2006, 12:27 PM

hugh- do they make remotes for the Alpine? That would be nice.
As for the speakers, the components will, for the most part, sound better, so it is a trade off- space-clean install/for sound. I am going with coax's, I think the sound difference in the middle of the lake is negligible. I am looking at either the Polk MMC650's or the Bose 131's. I like the clean look on the Bose, and my kids can't poke twigs, licorice, or any other crap through that grill. I think I will also end up with 3-4 amps. I am leaning towards the Zapco, but Phoenix Gold is nice as well...
Let me know which H/U u are leaning towards, and if you can find a remote...

walt 02-16-2006, 5:19 PM

Every Keenwood that I've owned was a POS.

I've had great luck with Pioneer.

(cyclonecj) · (cyclonecj) **Join Date: Jul 2001** 02-16-2006, 9:04 PM

I concur with kenwood head = POS. I love my Alpine but there is no remote. I think you can get a universal wired remote that is basically the Pioneer remote but with interfaces for different head units. It doesn't matter for me anyway, I hop in the water and my wife turns it down.

(malibupilot) · (malibupilot) **Join Date: Nov 2005** 02-16-2006, 11:34 PM

the only thing that sucks is that the 247, as i'm sure youre aware.... has that little flat round spot in the back between the two spkrs.... meant for a remote. im afraid if i dont put anything there it will look funny.

(greatdane) · (greatdane) **Join Date: Feb 2001** 02-17-2006, 12:14 AM

Pam Anderson.

(bob) · (bob) **Join Date: Feb 2001** 02-17-2006, 5:41 AM

One of the reasons I got the sony cdx-f7715 is that there is NO motorized face, as well as all the other good things about it. Your in a boat bouncing along while someone trys to change a cd and bam the face motor is jacked or moisture gets to it and it never works right again.