Pioneer DEH-P860MP

 

New member
Username: Minime

Portland, OR

Post Number: 3
Registered: Mar-05
I wasn't really looking to buy a new deck, but I stumbled across this awesome deal (I love the internet). I can get a DEH-P860MP for $330 shipped... should I go for it?
 

Silver Member
Username: Joe718

Brooklyn, NY

Post Number: 343
Registered: May-04
I say go for it Nick. That HU easily goes for 4 or 5 hundred in some places. 6 volt preamp outputs, plus it has whole lot of features to play with.
 

New member
Username: Minime

Portland, OR

Post Number: 4
Registered: Mar-05
Yeah, I've noticed a lot of people on here recommending eclipse and alpine, but I don't really like the look of them. Plus the OEL screens are pretty cool, and having a 13 band parametric EQ on the HU is nice.
 

Silver Member
Username: Tafkam

Texas

Post Number: 145
Registered: Apr-04
Hey Nick I was looking to get one of those models in the next few months, where did you see it at that price??
 

New member
Username: Minime

Portland, OR

Post Number: 8
Registered: Mar-05
ebay, here's a refurb for cheap
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=39752%26item%3D5762637618 %26%26
Mine is new but it was a little cheaper. I got it from here, but it doesn't look like he's got any more.
http://stores.ebay.com/StereoCity1
 

New member
Username: Minime

Portland, OR

Post Number: 9
Registered: Mar-05
oops, I meant to say it was a little more expensive than that refurb
 

Silver Member
Username: Tafkam

Texas

Post Number: 146
Registered: Apr-04
Thanks Nick was looking on eBay myself. When you get yours let me know if it got to you quick and if you like it, maybe that seller will have some more by the time I am ready to get mine. Have to wait until tax refund, probably another month or so....
 

Bronze Member
Username: Minime

Portland, OR

Post Number: 18
Registered: Mar-05
Heh, I used my tax refund to pay for mine too... it's supposed to be coming tomorrow, so I'll let you know.
 

Silver Member
Username: Tafkam

Texas

Post Number: 147
Registered: Apr-04
Thanks.....I was comparing the 860 and 960 Premiers, my truck has a black dash so the color of the 860 is going to match it better, and I think the only difference is the colors and the 960 has a full moving face where the 860 only as the flap that goes down to put in a cd. The specs looked the same otherwise. Let me know when you get a chance, I don't think we can go wrong with the 860 it looks like a very nice unit for the money.
 

Bronze Member
Username: Minime

Portland, OR

Post Number: 27
Registered: Mar-05
Yep, they are identical except for the cosmetics. Well, I got mine (ordered it on Tuesday, got it Saturday) It's going to be a week or two before I have some time to install it though, but so far so good. I can't wait, I've read the manual like 3 times already and figured out how I'm going to set all the settings. I even got an SPL meter and made a test CD so I can check out the frequency response curves and adjust the equalizers. Luckily Spring Break is over so I'll have school to keep me busy.
 

Bronze Member
Username: Nitescort

Post Number: 34
Registered: Mar-05
"QUOTE" Yeah, I've noticed a lot of people on here recommending eclipse and alpine, but I don't really like the look of them."END QUOTE".......What has looks got to do with sound quality? Alpine and Eclipse are 2 of the best headunits you can buy.
 

Bronze Member
Username: Minime

Portland, OR

Post Number: 29
Registered: Mar-05
Nobody said looks have anything to do with sound quality.
 

Silver Member
Username: Tafkam

Texas

Post Number: 149
Registered: Apr-04
Yeah I am sorry but I am not a big fan of Alpine's controls. I had an Alpine a while back in another car and the ones now look about the same to me. I do NOT like a button that controls the volume, I prefer a knob. I also like TWO knobs one for volume, one for tuning which the Pioneers, or at least some of them, still have.

Add the color display and the ability to add neat features like put your own pictures and video on the display and the Pioneer does it for me. Not to put down the Alpines or Eclipse, the audiophiles on here recommend them, but I always see the Pioneer mentioned at least third in the list, so I take it that is still a decent unit.

I don't mind giving up a little sound quality for features I want, and especially the volume knob. Call me old fashioned (and I guess I am at 39) but I prefer to turn the volume up and down with a knob rather than push buttons because it is safer and quicker when on the road, especially when I am drinking, don't have to take my eyes off my beer to adjust the volume (kidding but you get my point I hope)

Not starting an arguement Nick but I have researched Alpine VS. Pioneer to death trying to figure out what head unit I like best to replace my stock and the Premier 860 came out on top. The Alpines are nice but just not for me as far as the ergonomics go.
 

Silver Member
Username: Tafkam

Texas

Post Number: 150
Registered: Apr-04
Whoops I typoed, I meant to say I did not want to to start an arguement NiteScort not you Nick....sorry
 

Bronze Member
Username: Minime

Portland, OR

Post Number: 30
Registered: Mar-05
I also think your choice in drivers and amps and especially how well everything is installed has a lot more effect on sound quality than the difference between a Pioneer Premier 860 and a comparable Alpine or Eclipse.
 

Silver Member
Username: Tafkam

Texas

Post Number: 153
Registered: Apr-04
Yep, I agree, well I am going to shut up until I hear how you like the unit Nick, please post again when you have everything hooked up. I am going to order me a 860 Premier in the next month or so depending on verification that you like yours, please let me know...

Thanks again man

Mike
 

Bronze Member
Username: Minime

Portland, OR

Post Number: 33
Registered: Mar-05
Well, I just got everything finished a couple days ago and I must say I'm more than happy with it. Sound quality is a million times better than my old DEH-P9300 (using same speakers), especially at higher volumes. Setup was pretty straightforward even using NW mode. My only complaint so far is that you can't set the High Pass Filter's slope to "Pass" on the High Freq channel, but that was just a minor setback that was pretty simple to work around. Anyways, let me know if you have any specific questions about it, otherwise just go get it... you won't be disappointed.
 

Silver Member
Username: Tafkam

Texas

Post Number: 156
Registered: Apr-04
Thanks, I will stick with that one, good to know you like yours. One thing I wondered about, on a bright day do you have any problems seeing the thing? I heard that the organic displays are supposed to be good in daylight, is it true? I also wonder if I could get one of those steering wheel remotes like the ones that come from the 760 and work it with the 860, did your old one have one of these remotes?
 

Bronze Member
Username: Minime

Portland, OR

Post Number: 34
Registered: Mar-05
Well, if it's really bright out and the sun hits the display at the right angle it can be tough to see, but for the most part it works great and is definitely a lot better than most. Other than that the only time it's hard to see is if you've got polarized sunglasses on and you tilt your head to the side (since LCD displays use polarized light).

Yeah, my old HU did have a steering wheel remote, but I don't think you could get one to work with the 860 because AFAIK the steering wheel remotes use RF and the 860 remotes are IR. I didn't really like the whole steering wheel remote thing anyway. It was VERY short distance so if I was turning left the remote wouldn't work, and since it was so small they could only have a few buttons which had to do a lot of things so it was too hard to learn how to do anything... the only thing I really ever used it for was volume control, but I still had to go back to the deck to change songs or radio stations or adjust any audio settings. I like the remote on the 860 much better. It has more buttons, so they make sense and are easy to learn... it also works from farther away, so I can run it from outside the car or give it to a passenger or back seat driver if they want to mess with it, but usually it's sitting in my lap.
 

Silver Member
Username: Tafkam

Texas

Post Number: 157
Registered: Apr-04
Nick, thanks again for the info, I will be getting mine soon I hope, as soon as Uncle Sam sees fit to send me some of MY money back. Aggg, pay about 12 grand in income taxes and hope for a third of it back, but I wont bi*th about that here that is a different forum.

I am hoping this head unit will be the perfect finish to my system. I have been at this for over a year getting things one by one. Here is what I have and thanks again to everyone on this forum for helping me with this research and decisions!!

99 Blazer Zr2 4 wheel drive


Replaced all factory speakers ...Dash Infinity Kappa 4x6 plates to run on head unit power with the new Pioneer (not running yet)

Replaced door speakers with Infinity Kappa Perfect 6.5 inch (runing off of head unit for now until I get the Pioneer head unit then they will go to the amp)

Replaced factory rears with Infinity Kappa 3 way 6x9 running off amp (sounds damn goood)!!!

Amps: Hifonics Brutus 1500D mono amp at 1500 watts (or so advertised) into one ohm.

Hifonics Nemesis 100X4 or so advertised powers the Infinity Kappa 6x9 for now and will also power the Perfects when I get the head unit installed, should sound a LOT better.

Oh yeah, my "little" sub running off the Brutus is an Orion H2 10 inch 10.2, runs at one ohm. Got it right behind the driver seat for a great thump.

So far so good, could not afford all the best I know the Hifonics are questionable but they work good so far. Thanks again to everyone on this board for your great advice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mike

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