Pioneer DEH-P940MP Is this a good deck!?!?!?!

[Josh Tayler]

I have been looking for a deck for quite a while now and this deck seems to
be pretty nice. I like the display, I like that it isn't all that busy
looking, and I have always had Pioneer. The other deck that I am looking at
is the Alpine CDA 9815. Can I get some opinions between the two decks. Any
help would be appreciated.

[Steve Grauman]

I looked at the same two decks about 2 months ago when I was shopping. The
Pioneer is a good unit, reliable and well made, but retail for it is over $700
and the only difference between it and the far less expensive DEH-P9400MP (the
940's non-Premier brother) are that the 940 has higher-voltage pre-amp outputs.
IMHO, the Alpine is a superior deck from an "audiophile" standpoint, but I did
find the Pioneer *far* easier to navigate. Adjusting the Alpine deck was a
frustrating ordeal, and that's a big part of why I passed it up. I ended up
going with Eclipe's new CD8443, and I feel that it's superior to either the
Alpine or the Pioneer in many ways. I know at least 2 people on the board have
bought the deck since I got mine, and are happy, as far as I know. Just for the
hell of it, look at Blaupunkt's San Francisco CD72 (it's their top of the
line). Retail is $550 and it's very easy to use, and a damn good deck. I'm not
sure it's quite on par with my Eclipse, but I'd take it over the Alpine or
Pioneer.

[Paul Vina]

"Steve Grauman" > wrote in message
...
> I looked at the same two decks about 2 months ago when I was shopping. The
> Pioneer is a good unit, reliable and well made, but retail for it is over
$700
> and the only difference between it and the far less expensive DEH-P9400MP



I wouldn't call $30 far less expensive.



(the
> 940's non-Premier brother) are that the 940 has higher-voltage pre-amp
outputs.
> IMHO, the Alpine is a superior deck from an "audiophile" standpoint,


Why do you say that? What about it makes it a more audiophile HU? From an
audiophile standpoint they both suck ass since they have WAY too much
processing in them coloring the sound.



but I did
> find the Pioneer *far* easier to navigate. Adjusting the Alpine deck was a
> frustrating ordeal, and that's a big part of why I passed it up.


The Pioneer is easier to use which is why I have two of them, but I'm going
back to Alpine when I sell my Pioneers.


I ended up
> going with Eclipe's new CD8443, and I feel that it's superior to either
the
> Alpine or the Pioneer in many ways. I know at least 2 people on the board
have
> bought the deck since I got mine, and are happy, as far as I know.


Eclipse always did make great HUs. If they had the multimedia capability of
Alpine I may go that way.


Just for the
> hell of it, look at Blaupunkt's San Francisco CD72 (it's their top of the
> line). Retail is $550 and it's very easy to use, and a damn good deck. I'm
not
> sure it's quite on par with my Eclipse, but I'd take it over the Alpine or
> Pioneer.


The Blaupunkt is a great HU as well and it's easily on par with the best
available. But being a Blaupunkt it will have it's own function quirks and
there doesn't seem to be too many Blaupunkt dealers.


Paul Vina

[Steve Grauman]

<< I wouldn't call $30 far less expensive. >>

My local dealer were selling the 9400 for just over $500 and the 940 for close
to $800.

<< Why do you say that? What about it makes it a more audiophile HU? >>

Just a b.s. personal opinion really. But the Eclipse deck seemed way more
friendly to people who need to make adjustmets.

<< From an
audiophile standpoint they both suck ass since they have WAY too much
processing in them coloring the sound. >>

I can turn off all the artifical processing in my deck. What deck these days
doesn't try to change the sound in some way?

[Paul Vina]

> My local dealer were selling the 9400 for just over $500 and the 940 for
close
> to $800.


Weird, in the Pioneer price book there is only a $30 or $40 difference
between every Premier unit and it's regular line twin. Methinks he's hosing
people.


>
> << Why do you say that? What about it makes it a more audiophile HU? >>
>
> Just a b.s. personal opinion really. But the Eclipse deck seemed way more
> friendly to people who need to make adjustmets.


That doesn't make it more audiophile, just more user friendly.

>
> << From an
> audiophile standpoint they both suck ass since they have WAY too much
> processing in them coloring the sound. >>
>
> I can turn off all the artifical processing in my deck. What deck these
days
> doesn't try to change the sound in some way?


Most HU's can have the processing bypassed or left flat. It CAN be a plus,
but most of it is just added garbage to please people that won't spend the
money on a real processor and want to impress their buddies.


Paul Vina

[sanitarium]

Heres something to consider... Make sure you can read the display in
the sunlight. Sounds silly but my pioneer DEHP5200 is invisible in
sunlight. I have to shade it with my hand to cover the glare off the
shiny face plate. They all look so pretty in the display board @
CC/BB/GG but in an outdoor lighting condition its terrible. I guess I
cant complain since I got the head for free. :~)

Never had this problem with my sony CDX-XXXX heads of 14 years ago

Garrett

Josh Tayler wrote:
> I have been looking for a deck for quite a while now and this deck seems to
> be pretty nice. I like the display, I like that it isn't all that busy
> looking, and I have always had Pioneer. The other deck that I am looking at
> is the Alpine CDA 9815. Can I get some opinions between the two decks. Any
> help would be appreciated.
>
>

[Steve Grauman]

<< Weird, in the Pioneer price book there is only a $30 or $40 difference
between every Premier unit and it's regular line twin. Methinks he's hosing
people. >>

3 different dealers quoted me almost the same price. You may want to call a
dealer in your area and see what they sell for.

<< Most HU's can have the processing bypassed or left flat >>

The Eclipse I use has a full Defeat that bypasses any processing.

<< It CAN be a plus,
but most of it is just added garbage to please people that won't spend the
money on a real processor and want to impress their buddies. >>

I found the PRO mode on my unit to be great. I'm still using my stock speakers
right now, and being able to make fine adjustments helped work out some of the
problems associated with the bad speakers. When I get better components, the
processing will get turned off. Eclipse makes a 30-band 1/3 Octave
"competition" EQ, but I'm not sure in what application it would be/could be
desireable.

[Josh Tayler]

Well I have thought about all of these things and just so you know I am
getting the DEH-P940mp for $470. I really looked at the Eclipse 8443 and
that is what I would probably get if I didn't have to add on the commander
in order to play MP3's. So that brings it down to the pioneer and the
Alpine, I think the Alpine is a little to confusing looking on the exterior,
I want to get something a little cleaner looking. As far as the display goes
on the pioneer I am a little concerned about it in the sunlight but I guess
that I will have to wait and see how it does (that is the big reason I liked
the Eclipse). I will probably go with the Pioneer and for the speakers I am
getting a set of Infinity INF6000CS for the front & INF62.5I in the rear, I
will look at getting a set of subs in the near future. I am getting the
whole setup speakers and deck for about $700. what do you think of the
speakers I have chosen. I was going to go with the Kappa series but decided
to go with the Reference series instead.

Thanks,

"Steve Grauman" > wrote in message
...
> << Weird, in the Pioneer price book there is only a $30 or $40 difference
> between every Premier unit and it's regular line twin. Methinks he's
hosing
> people. >>
>
> 3 different dealers quoted me almost the same price. You may want to call
a
> dealer in your area and see what they sell for.
>
> << Most HU's can have the processing bypassed or left flat >>
>
> The Eclipse I use has a full Defeat that bypasses any processing.
>
> << It CAN be a plus,
> but most of it is just added garbage to please people that won't spend the
> money on a real processor and want to impress their buddies. >>
>
> I found the PRO mode on my unit to be great. I'm still using my stock
speakers
> right now, and being able to make fine adjustments helped work out some of
the
> problems associated with the bad speakers. When I get better components,
the
> processing will get turned off. Eclipse makes a 30-band 1/3 Octave
> "competition" EQ, but I'm not sure in what application it would be/could
be
> desireable.

[Paul Vina]

> 3 different dealers quoted me almost the same price. You may want to call
a
> dealer in your area and see what they sell for.


I worked for a dealer. I've seen the pricebook with my own eyes.



> I found the PRO mode on my unit to be great. I'm still using my stock
speakers
> right now, and being able to make fine adjustments helped work out some of
the
> problems associated with the bad speakers. When I get better components,
the
> processing will get turned off. Eclipse makes a 30-band 1/3 Octave
> "competition" EQ, but I'm not sure in what application it would be/could
be
> desireable.


A 30 band eq will give you more control over the system than you can
imagine. If you or someone you know can really tune well, the 30 band is
the ultimate. if you like the eq in your HU don't automatically turn it off
when you get new speakers. Let them (and your ears) break in for about a
month and then do some more tuning, there is always room for improvement.


Paul Vina

[Paul Vina]

The OEL display Pioneers are awesome in the sunlight, he shouldn't have any
problems.


Paul Vina



"sanitarium" > wrote in message
...
> Heres something to consider... Make sure you can read the display in
> the sunlight. Sounds silly but my pioneer DEHP5200 is invisible in
> sunlight. I have to shade it with my hand to cover the glare off the
> shiny face plate. They all look so pretty in the display board @
> CC/BB/GG but in an outdoor lighting condition its terrible. I guess I
> cant complain since I got the head for free. :~)
>
> Never had this problem with my sony CDX-XXXX heads of 14 years ago
>
> Garrett
>
> Josh Tayler wrote:
> > I have been looking for a deck for quite a while now and this deck seems
to
> > be pretty nice. I like the display, I like that it isn't all that busy
> > looking, and I have always had Pioneer. The other deck that I am looking
at
> > is the Alpine CDA 9815. Can I get some opinions between the two decks.
Any
> > help would be appreciated.
> >
> >
>

[sanitarium]

Very good... I'll remember that when I replace mine.
thx!!
Garrett

Paul Vina wrote:
> The OEL display Pioneers are awesome in the sunlight, he shouldn't have any
> problems.
>
>
> Paul Vina
>
>
>
> "sanitarium" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>Heres something to consider... Make sure you can read the display in
>>the sunlight. Sounds silly but my pioneer DEHP5200 is invisible in
>>sunlight. I have to shade it with my hand to cover the glare off the
>>shiny face plate. They all look so pretty in the display board @
>>CC/BB/GG but in an outdoor lighting condition its terrible. I guess I
>>cant complain since I got the head for free. :~)
>>
>>Never had this problem with my sony CDX-XXXX heads of 14 years ago
>>
>>Garrett
>>
>>Josh Tayler wrote:
>>
>>>I have been looking for a deck for quite a while now and this deck seems
>>
> to
>
>>>be pretty nice. I like the display, I like that it isn't all that busy
>>>looking, and I have always had Pioneer. The other deck that I am looking
>>
> at
>
>>>is the Alpine CDA 9815. Can I get some opinions between the two decks.
>>
> Any
>
>>>help would be appreciated.
>>>
>>>
>>
>
>

[Steve Grauman]

<< I worked for a dealer. I've seen the pricebook with my own eyes. >>

3 dealers down here told me list price on the 940 was close to $800, and were
asking over $700. Oddly, all 3 dealers offered to give me the 9400 variant for
between $500 and $550. All three were Pioneer "certified" dealers, all are
reputable stores. I'm not arguing that you don't know what list is for both
units, just that you seem to be out of touch with what those units are actually
selling for.

[GeeRace]

Steve Grauman wrote:
> *I looked at the same two decks about 2 months ago when I was
> shopping. The
> Pioneer is a good unit, reliable and well made, but retail for it is
> over $700
> and the only difference between it and the far less expensive
> DEH-P9400MP (the
> 940's non-Premier brother) are that the 940 has higher-voltage
> pre-amp outputs.
> IMHO, the Alpine is a superior deck from an "audiophile" standpoint,
> but I did
> find the Pioneer *far* easier to navigate. Adjusting the Alpine deck
> was a
> frustrating ordeal, and that's a big part of why I passed it up. I
> ended up
> going with Eclipe's new CD8443, and I feel that it's superior to
> either the
> Alpine or the Pioneer in many ways. I know at least 2 people on the
> board have
> bought the deck since I got mine, and are happy, as far as I know.
> Just for the
> hell of it, look at Blaupunkt's San Francisco CD72 (it's their top of
> the
> line). Retail is $550 and it's very easy to use, and a damn good
> deck. I'm not
> sure it's quite on par with my Eclipse, but I'd take it over the
> Alpine or
> Pioneer. *

I was comparing the 940 and the 8443 myself. I noticed the 8443
doesn't play mp3 if I read all the info correct. You have to get the
Commander Advance unit, or is this incorrect? Because of that I was
leaning to the 940. In web searchs I'vbe seen as low as
$519.00..........


--
GeeRace
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[GeeRace]

Thanks for the info.... I take it there's no big deal with the 13 band
EQ on the 940 either. LOL

Do you have Eclipse speakers as well? I listened to their 5 1/4
component and 6x9 three-ways. Sounded good in the show room. No
surprise there..... It's just hard to find neutral advice. Everyone
trying to sell you the stuff they have.

Thanks again


--
GeeRace
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[Steve Grauman]

<< I take it there's no big deal with the 13 band
EQ on the 940 either. >>

That depends. The EQ(s) in my Eclipse deck have proven very useful. It's got a
"standard" mode with simple adjustments, and a "PRO" mode with more in depth
adjustment avaliable. How important that EQ function is varies from person to
person. In addition, the 9400 and 940 *both* have the 13-band EQ. They just
advertise it more on the 940. The *only* differences I can tell between the two
is that the Premier has 6 volt pre-amp outputs, compared to the 9400s 4 volt
outputs, and the Premier has a 2 year warranty compared to the 9400s 1 year.

<< Do you have Eclipse speakers as well? >>

No, but I've heard most of them.

<< I listened to their 5 1/4
component and 6x9 three-ways. Sounded good in the show room. >>

What you hear on the demo wall and what you'll hear in your car aren't even in
the same realm with each other. The demo wall has the speakers running on
whatever amp and deck the salesperson has picked out, not neccesarily the amp
and deck you're looking at or already own. Beyond that, the EQ settings in
those demo decks are rarely ever set properly. The demo boards are usually made
of wood, and allow the magnets to hang "open air" out the backside. Your doors
are probably made of some kind of plastic, kickpanels are usually done in
fiberglass, and the speakers will probably have a sealed area behind them when
installed in your car, not be hanging open air. Your personal EQ settings make
a difference, and what positions the spakers are mounted in your car makes a
difference. You probably won't be mounting them the same way they were
displayed on the demo board. But yes, Eclipse speakers are very nice. They're
very detailed and very clean, especially thanks to the silk dome tweeters and
"pentacone" woofers they use. They seem to come alive the most when running of
of a really smooth amp like a U.S. Amp. PG Titanium series work well with them
too. Eclipse's amps seem to brighten the sound a bit.