Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Audio MP3 CD Head Unit Experience?

I'm itching to replace my factory head unit (currently have Ford 'premium sound' with Pioneer speakers) with one of the new in-dash MP3-CD players. Does anybody have any experience with these things?
The only two that I know are on the market are:
Kenwood eXcelon Z919 (MSRP $750)
Aiwa CDC-MP3 (MSRP $350)

Naturally, I'm inclined towards the expensive one.

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1999 Contour SE Sport MTX75 Toreador Red/Greystone
Current MODS:
Mobil 1 5W-30, Pioneer TS-A6855 Speakers x4, Bosch wipers
'Soon' MODS:
Foglight fix w/ 50W Ambers, cargo net, cup holder, Mondeo side markers, K&N Filter, 3 window and visor tint
'Stuck in Appropriations Commitee' MODS:
MP3 CD-Player Head Unit, Donelly Mirror

You can get the eXcelon for 650 from crutchfield. Only a couple downsides to it (since it is first gen). You can't fast forward through mp3's. It only has 1.5v preouts (not a problem if you aren't running lotsa amps). No detaching face or MASK features. I was gonna get that one, but I'm waiting for their second gen model. If you aren't interested in going gun-hoe on an overly elaborate setup, this'll be fine. Can't go wrong with the eXcelon's!

I think Crutchfield is the ONLY place selling the Kenwood right now. Do you have any idea when Kenwood's second generation may come out? Or for that matter, when anyone else's first generation is coming?

I don't have any plans to go all out with my sound system--at most some 6x9s in the back tray with another amp (and maybe a power antenna, like that matters)--so I'm not worried about the pre-amps. I could see where not being able to <> through a song would become annoying. That, and I haven't seen any spec on how much of the file is being buffered as skip insurance--so I'm assuming that isn't there yet either.

But I want it, I want it!!!

Probably won't see their second gen. piece until the next model year for their lineup, which means probably late this year or early next??

i've heard rumors that clarion, alpine, and rockford are planning MP3 in dash players for the next gen.

actually, clarion's AutoPC unit has an actual CD-ROM which i think can play MP3s, but they market it as a "mobile office". it also has a slot for a flash memory card. http://www.autopc.com

[This message has been edited by baco99 (edited September 07, 2000).]

rockford fosgate makes a cd head unit, that has mp3 changer control capabilities. They also make the actual mp3 changer, it is a little black box that you can connect to your pc via usb or serial(forget) to download your songs. This might be an option for you guys, it was in my latest crutchfield.

Yeah, I saw the Rockford Fosgate. I also saw the price for the media. Ouch! I want the convenience and price of the CD-R media. Then again, the Fosgate wouldn't have any issue with bumps...

I just got the Aiwa from best buy. I really like it. It has a scrolling display that shows either the file name or id3 tag info. You can also fast forward throught to mp3s. Nice diplay too. Check out the message boards at mp3.com, they have a lot of info about both of the in dash ones.

damn.... i am sooooo leaning towards getting that aiwa mp3 head unit at best buy.... the free installation is always a plus... the only reason i want to wait is cause of the sound quality on that head unit.. S/N ration of like 85 or something like that. seems pretty sub-par for a cd player. anyone know whether a little difference like that would actually be audible??

- Jake

hey has anyone been to a best buy and checked out their selection of other audio stuff? perhaps if and when i get this head unit, ill go the whole route and have them put in an amp and four new speaker as well... does best buy have a good selection though, i wonder....