Audio help

[dkmiller16]

So msp i bought has no HU and from doing some research a factory unit can be plenty expensive . what HU and kit have you used to replace factory unit . Oh and there are no brackets just an ugly hole right now.

 

[haveahotcarl]

Almost any HU will work in the MSP. You can get either a single or double DIN HU and most car audio shops should have the install kit for both. I personally have a double DIN Alpine nav unit and I love it. But, if you don't want to spend a whole lot, Kenwood is a great choice. Lots of options for the price and they usually have good audio controls to get the sound just right.

 

[super1chow]

Any single din will work. i have a clarion HU i really like it, but ya theres alot of choices out there!

 

[isbre]

The MSP has a standard double din slot where the lowest one is filled with a small storage compartement to use a standard single din player from the Kenwood Excelon series stock. Except for no USB connector the stock unit is pretty decent with remote, MP3 playback, Sirius and cd changer control, motorized MASK faceplate and triple RCA outputs - when it works, there is a problem with the connection between the front panel and the unit. There usually are some for sale in the F/S Section here on this forum.
If it has the original cables there are a short adapter from the normal Mazda plug to the Kenwood connector so that would be the simplest to install and they do have some decent double din players.

I'd still go Alpine though...

 

[GreezyG]

I like buying HU's from crutchfield. Same price as everyone else with free shipping and installation kit.

Personally, I'm a JVC man

 

[hornsfan10609]

I like buying HU's from crutchfield. Same price as everyone else with free shipping and installation kit.

Personally, I'm a JVC man

I'm very happy with my JVC HU, it has HD radio, a USB port and it can change to 25 different colors, including an orange that matches the interior lights pretty well.

I was also very fond of the Pioneer Premier HU I had a couple years ago, it was a nice deck with lots of tuning options.

 

[03SLVRMSP]

dont mean to thread jack here but haveahotcarl, did you have to mod your din to fit the alpine nav hu? i am looking at one also and crutchfield says you have to remove a bracket? as for my advice, i am a huge alpine fan. i have never had one problem with any of their head units. i used to be a fan of HUs that had the coolest screens, but now i am about sound quality and reliability. i have owned several different brands and not one even comes close to the way alpines performs IMHO. the like to keep things simple and give you the best product for the best price. you will pay more for a flashy screen but if you dont car about that then their entry level decks are perfect. do your research and you wont be disappointed.

 

[haveahotcarl]

dont mean to thread jack here but haveahotcarl, did you have to mod your din to fit the alpine nav hu? i am looking at one also and crutchfield says you have to remove a bracket? as for my advice, i am a huge alpine fan. i have never had one problem with any of their head units. i used to be a fan of HUs that had the coolest screens, but now i am about sound quality and reliability. i have owned several different brands and not one even comes close to the way alpines performs IMHO. the like to keep things simple and give you the best product for the best price. you will pay more for a flashy screen but if you dont car about that then their entry level decks are perfect. do your research and you wont be disappointed.

PM Sent.

 

[dkmiller16]

i got the alpine cda-9886 but having trouble with the install process cant locate brackets or kit for my hu

 

[GreezyG]

i got the alpine cda-9886 but having trouble with the install process cant locate brackets or kit for my hu

What brackets are you referring to? The HU should have come with a sleeve you stick in the dash and then slide the HU into. Or are you missing the dash insert?
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_142MA1537/Mazda-In-dash-Receiver-Kit.html?tp=3121

 

[haveahotcarl]

i got the alpine cda-9886 but having trouble with the install process cant locate brackets or kit for my hu

If you ask nicely, many independent car stereo shops have the metal sleeves lying around from old installs and might give you one. As for the install kit... see above, that's what you need as well.

 

[dkmiller16]

yeah i did get the sleeve with the hu but yes i do need the dash insert . i wasnt sure what it was called ( i was calling it some kind of brackets , no wonder everyone gave me that weird look when i was asking ) and have spent a lot of time trying to find what i need . looking at reviews i am not sure this will be my first choice . thanks for the help though haveahotcarl