Need a radio recommendation

[hammersley]

Ok - I know this is like asking for a favorite Pizza - so please go easy on me. I'm going to have some info for your help:



1. I need a Combo CD Radio for my truck hey it's a rolling dog kennel for my two yellow labs - Sophie (4) and Abby (13).



2. Cost is a concern - I'm retired and as such my ears aren't what they used to be, and I'm not going to be installing competition stuff - just want good sound to listen to all of Martins'a stuff - the ball games, news, some talk radio etc.



3. What do you have to spend - I know - what's your budget. I'm thinking under $500... ... . But don't know if say a $250 dollar Eclipse is better than say a $450 Alpine etc.



I've noticed that a lot of the new stuff has a ton of animation ... ... Sone neat - a lot for show. Really I would like to know what to STAY AWAY from also... .





Anybody know aboiut Eclipse????? Seems to be what a lot of folks recommend.

Recommendations Please??????

 

[WMonroe]

What kind of radio is in the truck now? I like both Clarion and Rockford Fosgate AM/FM cd players. The prices can vary from $200 to over $1000. Hope this helps.

Will

 

[snowracer69]

I'd suggest staying away from the Rockford stuff. I run a Rockford Power amp, and a Rockford Punch 12" sub, but that's it, and I won't spend my money on them again. Yeah, they work good, and sound decent, but there's better stuff out there for the money.



As far as head units go, Kenwood and Pioneer are the only two I would consider. Have had lots of Alpines, and they're good for a while, then go downhill, really quick! My current Kenwood (KDC-X917) I've had for a little over 2 years now, and it's still working great. It has the moving face that flips around and goes to all black when you shut the rig down... have had absolutely no problems with it (knock on wood).



One of my good friends is big into the stereo stuff, and he swears by Pioneer. From what I've seen of his, and the 6 he's installed in buddies rides, their nice equipment, and work really well. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one.



I know you don't want loud, but for others out there, if you're going to buy subs, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Phoenix Gold Titanium 10" subs or 12" subs. They run about $250-$300/sub and sound INCREDIBLE!!! My roommate has two under the back seat of his '03 CTD, but is only running a 600 watt amp. My other friend has a single 10 on the rear floor of his quad cab furd, firing up and towards the rear seat, and it is just nuts! I've never heard bass that clear and sweet from a single sub... 'course, he's running a single channel 800 RMS amp to it, so it's got plenty of power! It never distorts either!



My $0. 0175



Josh

 

[elamb]

I just installed a Kenwood CD player (a 222 or 220 model) and Polk speakers (6x9's & 6. 5's) in my truck. Sounds alot better than factory. I believe the Kenwood deck was $130 -$140. Everything was well under $500. I am very pleased with the way it sounds. I have always had good luck with Kenwood decks.



Good luck



Eric

 

[JLEONARD]

I have a Blaupunkt CD/stereo in my truck for 1 1/2 years. Had it in a VW diesel pickup for a few years before that... . so it has endured the test of time , vibration, moisture. It was an inexpensive unit... . about $150 I think.

Try Crutchfield

Jay

 

[shendren]

XM radio with pioneer cd installed $550. NICE. .

 

[SMorneau]

I purchased an alpine deck from Crutchfields for $200 and it is as clean and quiet as any deck I have ever heard. Excellen FM reception. It can also be part of a hands free phone system and will control an XM unit as well.



I'm sure the same $200 will buy you a lot in most car audio lines but you should concentrate on a deck with good tuner sensitivity if you are going to listen to a lot or radio in outlying areas.



Pioneer has good tuners but noisy CDs.

 

[Murietaman]

Costco has a Pioneer with a remote control for around $130. 00

 

[StephenThomas]

Alpine...

I know opinions vary on this stuff, but I've used Alpine for a few years now and have had excellent results. Prices vary, but I know you can find one within your budget that fits your needs.



For speakers I am using Alpines Series R -- these are a bit pricey. They are so crisp it is almost piercing and they provide good (not great) bass. I love these speakers, but I would not recommend them to you based on your description of your needs.



Lastly, the green face on the Alpine head units match pretty well with the Ram interior.

 

[IdaH.O.Train]

I just got done putting a new pioneer system, minus a sub, in my truck and I did alot of price comparisons in the process. I ended up going through Crutchfield, because of their outstanding customer service and support. However, if you are savvy with installing car audio, you can find the same stuff for considerably less. To replace my deck and speakers I spent $440. Like I mentioned, I could have gotten it much cheaper. Here are a few sites I stumbled across that appear to have good prices:



http://www.audionmore.com/



http://www.thezeb.com/



http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/



http://www.crutchfield.com/



Another great resource is: http://www.nextag.com/Car_Audio___Video~car+stereosz500058z0zB10zmainz5-htm



If you're not familiar with it, this site will list several different online vendors that sell the item you are looking for and you can compare pricing.



Bottom line is you can put together a decent system for relatively cheap. Especially if you do it yourself. A word of warning, if you have the Infinity system, and you plan on replacing the tweeters in the A-pillars, the replacements (at least the Pioneer component speakers I got) are not direct fit.