Christmas is comming, and "Santa" a.k.a. my parents, need to know what i want for christmas.. I've narrowed what i want down to an Alpine CDA-9813 ( http://www.ikesound.com/product-product_id/1301 ) and, the Clarion DXZ835MP ( http://www.ikesound.com/product-product_id/1231 )

What should i get? They both look nice but the Alpine needs a direct fused connection to the battery. It'* also 60x4 with front rear and sub preamp outs.

The Clarion is 53x4 with the same preamp outs, but doesn't require a fused connection to the battery.

They both play Mp3'*, but the Alpine has a parametric EQ, whereas i think the Clarion only has preset EQ settings. The Clarion is cheaper and has multi color display.

Also, they both have wireless remote capability. Is this compatible with the steering wheel controls adapter? Or does it only send an infrared signal. I'm assuming maybe the term "wireless" could possibly mean the signal travels at RF frequencies??? This is the case with our satellite remote controls (for home TV); They can be used outside and still control the TV.

DECISIONS DECISIONS!!!!

Had an Alpine, did'nt much care for it. Get a Pioneer Premier unit. MP3/WMA, XM, 6 volt pre outs, steering wheel remote capabilities (wireless) EQ, graphical readout, removable face, etc, etc. plus a two year warranty when you have it installed an an authorized pioneer premier shop.

Check this out:

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pe...006488,00.html

Oh, and you can change the background graphics with your own stuff!

yeah go with the pioneer we have a alpine in my girls car and its sounds good but the makes some weird clicking noises when we open or close the face its all motorized and stuff. i got a pioneer mp5500 and i love much easyer to use then the alpine. sounds as good. eq is easy to use also.

I'd say go with the Clarion, they've been on the up and up, and have been putting out some quality stuff. Some of Alpine'* latest head units have caused me to lose faith in them.

Clarion has some hot stuff! I'd say get the Clarion, out of those two. Pioneer Premier is nice, and I have a Rockford Fosgate RFX-9000 MP3 deck. No parametric EQ but i've heard it on both stock, and aftermarket speakers (in a firebird) and they are nice! Lots of power for speakers, and plenty of pre-outs. And red to match interior lights.

you know i personally like clarion,and poineer and for alpine the are just over priced but i hate sony, RF is ok, i like jvc 2 if you want reveiws car audio and electronics mag did a reveiw on the clarion dxz435 head unit in the november issue i will see if i can get a link for u?

check this out
http://www.caraudiomag.com/specialfe...0205cae_crown/


http://www.caraudiomag.com/testreports/0112cae_pioneer/
http://www.caraudiomag.com/testreports/0110cae_kenwood/
http://www.caraudiomag.com/testrepor...9cae_rockford/

http://www.caraudiomag.com/testreports/0108cae_kenwood/
http://www.caraudiomag.com/testreports/0108cae_phoenix/
thats a good amp
http://www.caraudiomag.com/testreports/0310cae_eclipse/
http://www.caraudiomag.com/testrepor...2cae_mcintosh/

is guess im trying to say is read reveiws and get educated on this stuff that way you dont get dick around

How much better will 53watts per channel sound than the stock head unit? The stock unit doesn't make that much power right? If your speakers seem like they can't handle anymore power from the stock head unit, what is the point of upgrading? I'm still going to, but i just would love to know what kind of difference to expect. Will the sound quality completely change? How?

And the Clarion is actually what i was thinking of asking for. I'm also going to need a subwoofer amplifier, which i will be buying and i am probably just going to get a Kenwood KAC-8101D 1000watts, and it'* going to be wired in parallel to two 4 ohm subs (Infinity 1030W) which will give me a 2 ohm setup.

the SQ will change somehwhat...but if your still running factory speakers dont be surprised if you blow the crap outta them..a friend of mine put a cd player in her jeep...blew the speakers apart...sounded like crap after 2 months...so id look into getting some speakers...this coming summer im taking the polks out of my car and goin for infinity or alpines...speakers that is...i want to resize the fronts too...so i might be doin some custom molding...

I already have aftermarket speakers. I have Infinity 505cs components in the front doors(changing to Infinity Kappa 50.5cs because the right midrange is blown) and i have Infinity 6952i 6x9'* in the rear deck. So i don't have to worry about changing the speakers out.. I'm probably going to get a set of Kappa 692.5i'* for the rear deck because they can handle 30 watts more then the ones i have now, and have a better FR range than my current ones