Opinions on stereo head units and speakers

(tazbike) · (tazbike) **Join Date: Nov 2003** 05-18-2006, 2:39 PM

I'm putting a stereo in my "new" 04 MC X2 and was wondering what people thought of Clarion or Sony marine head units or maybe get a Alpine car stereo unit. I've looked at the Clarion M455. Also speakers, do they need to be marine or regular car speaker. Any opinions?

(iagainsti) · (iagainsti) **Join Date: Apr 2004** 05-18-2006, 2:52 PM

If your planning on using a hardwired remote your choices on HU's get a lil limited. Your pretty much stuck with Kenwood, Clarion or Sony. No need to get "marine" speakers. They cost more and unless you boat in saltwater a good set of car audio 6.5 will hold up fine. Polk Momo or DB series are popular, sound really good, and are also marine certified.

(boarder_x) · (boarder_x) **Join Date: Mar 2006** 05-18-2006, 3:20 PM

MB Quart makes a really nice marine radio. They are on sale now for about $200. Plays MP3's as well.

walt 05-18-2006, 3:22 PM

Pioneer also makes a marine hard wired remote.

I've always had bad luck with Kenwood head units.

(cyclonecj) · (cyclonecj) **Join Date: Jul 2001** 05-18-2006, 4:11 PM

That MB Quart HU is problematic. There are lots of refurbed ones on Ebay for cheap. Kenwoods aren't great, their CD mechanism skips terribly. I like my alpine, lots of features and great user interface (volume KNOB) but no wired remote. I'd look hard at Pioneer or Sony if I wanted the remote.

Has anyone seen the aftermarket universal wired remote based on the Pioneer hardware? I thought that it was going to be released soon. It was supposed to work with many brands.

(iagainsti) · (iagainsti) **Join Date: Apr 2004** 05-18-2006, 4:33 PM

Psyclone- I thought I heard Alpine was just about to release their own wired remote ? Agian this may be just a rumor but worth checking into ?

(audiopro74) · (audiopro74) **Join Date: Jun 2005** 05-18-2006, 4:44 PM

Access technologies now makes a transom remote compatible with any H.U. with a wireless remote. It learns the signal from the IR remote . It then brodcasts the IR signal when you use it . Have to mount a small l.e.d. line of sight with the deck. Have not used one yet so I cant comment on reliability.

(cyclonecj) · (cyclonecj) **Join Date: Jul 2001** 05-18-2006, 7:33 PM

Hmm, I'd prefer wired but I'm gonna do it anyway. Thanks for the info, hijack complete :-)

(tazbike) · (tazbike) **Join Date: Nov 2003** 05-19-2006, 7:52 AM

Thanks for the input. I really want the wired remote and an Ipod interface, Alpine doesn't show a wired remote but it is what I'd like to get. Any one have suggestions on models for the pioneer, sony, or clarion?

(iagainsti) · (iagainsti) **Join Date: Apr 2004** 05-19-2006, 9:41 AM

I went with a Sony CDX-GT705DX $180 off Fleabay. It has rear aux port for Ipod and wired remote capable plus 4v preouts. Havent installed yet but looks like a good unit.

(flux) · (flux) **Join Date: Jun 2003** 05-19-2006, 10:07 AM

I just upgraded to the Clarion CMD4. I really like the rotary knob controls, don't have to go through a menu to adjust things. It has RCA AUX input on the back, I picked up a Nyko stereo link cable that plugs into the port connection instead of the earphone jack. Really great sound this way. The CMD4 does not do MP3 CD's, but we ipod anyway. It also has a 3 level AUX input adjustment. It's a nice unit and I got a new one on ebay for 225 on ebay.

(tdeneka) · (tdeneka) **Join Date: Aug 2002** 05-19-2006, 10:54 AM

"Access technologies now makes a transom remote compatible with any H.U. with a wireless remote. It learns the signal from the IR remote . It then brodcasts the IR signal when you use it . Have to mount a small l.e.d. line of sight with the deck. Have not used one yet so I cant comment on reliability."

I did this with an Alpine on my SANTE. While it is technically a wireless remote, the remote is next to my steering wheel, and the HU is in the glove box. Push a button, and it does what it is told. I think I have pics somewhere of the setup including the little IR LED . . . .

(tdeneka) · (tdeneka) **Join Date: Aug 2002** 05-19-2006, 11:18 AM

HU in Glove box:
Upload

Close up of the IR LED (arrow point to it):
Upload

Remote next to steering wheel (This was while I was building it, I now have the remote in a CNC-machined aluminum piece in the factory remote location):
Upload

Poor shot of what it looks like now:
Upload

(cyclonecj) · (cyclonecj) **Join Date: Jul 2001** 05-19-2006, 12:45 PM

That's very cool, it may be the way to go for me. Thanks for the pics and info.

(cyclonecj) · (cyclonecj) **Join Date: Jul 2001** 05-19-2006, 1:05 PM

One more, where did you get it? I can't find it on their website.

(tdeneka) · (tdeneka) **Join Date: Aug 2002** 05-19-2006, 1:46 PM

PAC IR Repeater (The HU half, the remote plugs into this)
http://www.hpdistributinginc.com/hpdist/shopexd.asp?id=912

I can't find the remote link, but the website is:
http://www.audiooutfitter.com/

I didn't really have a good experience with either vendor, but they were the only folks that I could find that sold the parts. I did not look very hard though.

Good luck.

(tdeneka) · (tdeneka) **Join Date: Aug 2002** 05-19-2006, 1:48 PM

Found other sources for remote:

http://www.teptronics.com/accessories28.html

just google:
RC-1B access technologies