Which Stereo

[shak]

hi everyone!!

Well I've had my IS for almost 3 years now and my standard cd player has decided to pack in for the second time. So instead of getting it repaired again, I've decided to put a single din stereo but i'm struggling to choose what to get. I think i've narrowed the search down to 2 units, which are:-

Alpine cde-103bt (Linky

Kenwood kdc8041u Linky

I think the Kenwood is a 2008 model and the Alpine is a 2009 model.

The big advantage of the Alpine is that you can change the display colours to match the cars dash colours, which I think is a big plus.

Does any one have either of these two stereos?? which one is the better option, also if you have any other stereo suggestions which are similier spec, please let me know. Finally, will there be much differance in sound quality compared to the standard stereo fitted to the car??

Thanks

Shak

[Rob's Lexx]

have u thought about double din units mate??

[shak]

have u thought about double din units mate??

Yeh I did mate, I looked at the Pioneer FH-P80BT which was about £300, but had the same features as the kenwood and Alpine. I don't know if its worth paying an extra £100 for a double din. What do you recknon??

[Unforgiven]

I've got the Alpine 101 which looks identical but only has amber lighting (matches the car's), I added the Alpine drawer underneath to hold the ipod but it only takes a nano. The sound is excellent though the stock speakers.

[shak]

I've got the Alpine 101 which looks identical but only has amber lighting (matches the car's), I added the Alpine drawer underneath to hold the ipod but it only takes a nano. The sound is excellent though the stock speakers.

Thanks for that mate, I went to Halfords today and had a look at the Alpine, its a very nice head unit, I'm very tempted. Could you post a pic of the unit in your car please. Just want to know how it looks installed.

Thanks

Shak

[Unforgiven]

I'll try to post some tomorrow, if I can't do it IM your email and I'll send them that way. I'm at work all night so it won't be till the afternoon.

[shak]

I'll try to post some tomorrow, if I can't do it IM your email and I'll send them that way. I'm at work all night so it won't be till the afternoon.

Great, thanks mate. I'll just im you now

[eddieblock]

I'm having an alpine w404 double din unit fitted in the morning. it's a dedicated iPod stereo. I'll post some pics when it's done ! I've also done the facia mod !

[shak]

I'm having an alpine w404 double din unit fitted in the morning. it's a dedicated iPod stereo. I'll post some pics when it's done ! I've also done the facia mod !

Thanks pal

[eddieblock]

have just posted a couple of pics in the audio visual forum !

[shak]

have just posted a couple of pics in the audio visual forum !

Wheres that?

[eddieblock]

have just posted a couple of pics in the audio visual forum !

Wheres that?

it,s the lexus audio/video/electronics/security forum where all the forums are

[Unforgiven]

Check your email Shak, just sent them.

[Rob's Lexx]

well i'd certainly reccomend a double din unit like i have. its been faultless and works a charm!!!

my thread on it can be found here: http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/ind...c=60681&hl=

[shak]

Check your email Shak, just sent them.

Thats great mate, thanks for sending them pics. I like the fascia adapter, I hope the one I get will be the same

[shak]

well i'd certainly reccomend a double din unit like i have. its been faultless and works a charm!!!

my thread on it can be found here: http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/ind...c=60681&hl=

Very nice mate, you've done a good job on that fascia adapter. I have already oredered my adapter, I hope its like the one you and Unforgiven have got, theres no telling untill I receive it

[Monster-Mat]

double din will look better in the dash, as thats what is supposed to be in there

i am looking at this one for the GS, or maybe a model or 2 lower, depends if i can justify Nav and Bluetooth

Kenwood DNX5240BT

[aaronabbott]

the jvc kw-avx820 is a really good unit and easy to use

[Monster-Mat]

just looked a bit more and found the Zenec ZE-NC520, has all that i wanted in the kenwood, but is also 5.1ch, so i can get the centre speaker working on the GS

anyone have any views on , it, ive never heard of Zenec, cant seem to find anything bad about them

[shak]

Hi there

Just wanna say thanks to every one for there help with the stereo issue. I decided to get the Alpine cde-103bt, I am over the moon with it, I've put in some Alpine 6 x 9's in the rear too. The sound quality is awesome, can't believe how much better it is.

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[redz_UK]

just looked a bit more and found the Zenec ZE-NC520, has all that i wanted in the kenwood, but is also 5.1ch, so i can get the centre speaker working on the GS

anyone have any views on , it, ive never heard of Zenec, cant seem to find anything bad about them

The zenec are good units. they wont have the SQ of the higher end units but they are good and not to be confused with the cheap rubbish of eBay.

IIRC they orginally dod OEM units and moved into aftermarket units..

This seems to be the best price on this unit.. zenec ze nc250

One thing to bear in mind is that the centre channel need sto be powered by an external amp but there is a very small one that bassjunkes that i can t see on there website.

Pm if you want one and i will give em a call..