So I am picking up my 02 S2k tomorrow. I have heard the stoke speakers and head unit just don't cut it. I listen to rap and hip hop, so tight (but not super strong) bass is a must. I prefer clarity over straight volume, but I want to be able to jam at 80+ mph on the highway top down.

I do NOT plan on upgrading to an external amp, so internal power is important. I do plan on upgrading the door speakers and probably the tweeters. I am also partial to Alpine units becaue I have had great success with them.

I don't own and Ipod, but do have a 3G Iphone, although I doubt I would plug it in to jam. A USB port would be cool for a thumb drive or my 320gb HD.

I may want Satellite radio down the road, so one with internal controls (no external controller, maybe external boxes ok) is a definate plus.

Any recommendations? I tried to be as specific as possible.

 

Oh and also, what's the current fix for being able to retain the dash controls with an aftermarket HU?

 

Alpine CDA-9886 would qualify as "mid-range" or better, and specs say USB compatible. This is a rather traditional head unit. On the other hand, the IDA-X100 (or older X001) are designed primarily as ipod controllers, but can also play other formats from a usb mass storage device. They do not have a built in cd player, but can control a changer.

all are compatible with satellite radio w/ an external receiver box.

as for retaining dash controls, check: http://www.modifry.com/products/dci/buy.htm
he also offers a plug-n-play wiring harness for alpine head units, which makes the install extremely simple.

 

Thanks philbert, I found modifry's site a little after posting this. I was looking at the IDA- series, but I really need to play with one to see how easy the navigation is and maybe I can get an Ipod for Christmas.

I was never a big fan of the Itunes idea, but I am coming around to it in favor of higher quality tracks.

 

i have the IDA-X001 and like it overall. it's a great concept, with pretty good execution. there are some improvements with the 2nd generation, but i like the button arrangement of the older one better (minus the center button being search vs enter).

be sure to check ipod compatibility, as i believe the usb connection only works with a 5th generation ipod, though you can probably get a used one inexpensively. while i download songs here and there from itunes, the majority of my ipod is filled with music from my cds in apple's lossless format. the result is something of a mega-changer in my car. and the IDA series is by far the best way to navigate a music library through a head unit.

 

Just keep in mind most aftermarket HU's although much better than the stock HU do not really offer even a fair amount of power in order to power your speakers. Those HU's you see advertising 4x45 watts of power... is peak not RMS. You'll be getting maybe 17watts RMS on average... which is better than the 7watts you maybe get from the stock HU

If you really want to hear you music at 80mph with the top down and what it to be clear you'll need an amp.

 

I've had many good experiences with the Pioneer 6000-series head units. They're usually right around $250.