Which stereo is better for powering 4 speakers (I don't have an amp), and will probably not get one for a couple years. Each I would be able to get for $75. Thanks!

SONY:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-Aw4APWr...ml#details-tab
17W rms x 4
4V preamp voltage
10db sensitivity

KENWOOD:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-Hzv5YJL...ml#details-tab
22W rms x 4
2.5V preamp voltage
11.2db sensitivity

 

had that sony for a bit.. liked it, but decided i'd rather have something that could also play cd's as well. ended up going with a kenwood instead. got the kdcx-696 so i could stream audio from my phone via bluetooth

 

I got a Kenwood with same specs, minus the usb and BT. Powers the stock speakers great. Plenty of power. Plus its got one of the easiest menus to navigate.

 

What kind of sound quality difference did you notice between the two brands? I will probably be buying new speakers to replace the stock ones if that matters at all in this decision.

 

honestly, you're not going to notice much of a difference in sound between different brands.. just stick to a known brand (kenwood, alpine, pioneer, sony) and you'll be fine.

i will say if you plan to have music on ipod/usb, browsing thru it is waaaaay easier on the sony. they did a damn good job on that interface

 

Kenwood. All the way. IMO, Sony head units have become junk in my recent experience.

Or Spend a few more bucks and get Alpine. The best.

 

Sony has alwasy been junk when it comes to car audio IMO

Kenwood, Alpine, Clarion, and some Pioneer is what i would go with...

 

One other thing, I would like to be able to control the my music from the iPod itself rather than the unit's display. I know this is usually possible via aux but many times with USB's i've seen that they disable the iPods controls. Will either of these allow me to use the iPod?

 

If they have an aux input then yes, you'd hook the ipod up through the aux.
With the usb, you can plug in a usb flash drive.

 

The reason I ask for USB control is so that it will also charge my device at the same time. Also the SQ on usb is slightly better than with AUX. I'd rather not use a flash drive.

 

I've never tried it that way. I've always used AUX cable to the headphone jack on my phone. Either way, you won't be happy with the Sony.

 

Well yea. Swap the first two and your preferences are in the order I'd pick as well.

Alpine, Kenwood, Clarion, Pioneer. I wouldn't choose anything else.

 

Well yea.

Alpine, Kenwood, Clarion, JVC, Pioneer - in that order. I wouldn't choose anything else.

 

lol at alpine being the best.. maybe a decade ago. the day they ditched the motorized faceplate is the day I lost all faith in them. they cut corners in order to bring down prices and increase production for big box stores. I like their amps and type r speakers, but that's pretty much it.

I wouldn't touch sony's speakers or amps with a ten foot pole, but that deck is pretty sweet. if I didn't go double din in my xj, I'd probably have it again.. my ride is too bouncy for cd's most of the time, so I usually stick to usb drives.

not sure if the sony allows iPod control while using usb (never tried) but I know the Kenwood does. just have to hit a button to switch over to iPod control mode.

 

ive had several sony headunits, my last one crapped out after 3 yrs, so i decided to spend some money on a nice kenwood, 6 months later it randomly changes between fm and ipod, hit the next track button and it will search for the ipod, wont read the ipod, no its not an issue with the ipod. i am very dissapointed with the kenwood. used to be better quality. all my sonys would just quit working after a couple yrs never gave an issue until they just quit......