I'm not an ICE guru, but one thing I can advise is if youre really not a Sony enthusiast please refrain frm using a Sony HU.. why?

I dont know if its just me, but Sony HU's CD lenses are very sensitive and prone to break down. Before this I was using pioneer MP3 HU (DEH-3650mp) for 4yrs with no issues, then early this year I decided to use a Sony HU (CDX-GT450S) for my other car and after 3mths it already had issues when trying to play my CDRW's (hard to read).. went to claim warranty but now still facing the same issue.. again.

I cant comment abt Alpine HUs but frm what ive heard they are quite reliable and functional players, but recent Alpine designs (400-600 price range) seem to be less appealing... imho

If i were you i'd go straight for the pioneer players. They are very reliable, sounds great (even with stock speakers), very well functioned, and quite pleasing to the eyes. If u have the 'extra' cash why not take the DEH-6950 IB (rm680.. seen selling in garage sales).. Damn cool and i think its worth the money with loadsa functions (USB, ipod support, etc).. it also comes with an blue OLED display!

Try to ask around summore for feedback regarding these HUs.

All in all its all up to you to choose, cause its your money. but frm my experience with pioneer for all these years, I wont change to any other brand again..

cheers!

This post has been edited by Fasap: Oct 23 2007, 04:26 PM

Arent those the built-in amplifier ratings? guess you get more 'power' out of a 4x50W than a 4x45W..

pls correct if im wrong

also.. W (watts) is the unit for power, so bigger wattage bigger 'power' lol.. joking

Maybe.. as loon1031 stated pioneer has a little more bass in it.. come to think of it my old 3650mp really is a bit bass-y and I needed to set some tweeters to give a sound in my liking..

HU and ICE as a whole are quite difficult items to rate, they need proper (and sometimes difficult) setups to be heard properly. Summore, each person has their own preference of bassy-or-trebly goodness.. hell you can buy a CapAyam brand HU but use high-end speakers, xovers and such, and still get good sound..

imho.. nowadays all modern (branded) HU are so good they are incomparable in terms of sound to each other. In the end, its up to the buyer to buy one that suits his needs (looks, function, budget).

so whether its pioneer, alpine, sony, kenwood, clarion, CapAyam, all are good... but for ME ill go for Pioneer 1st because of its reliability and functions

cheers!

uh.. dunno..

but what i do know is the 4950 and 3950 have RCA outputs for front+rear+subwoofer..

so i say yes you can upgrade to a subwoofer..

I duno the mechanics of ICE setups but i do know the facts stated on the box only

cheers!

This post has been edited by Fasap: Oct 23 2007, 10:41 PM

Goodluck man.. hope your choice wont be in vain

do post some feedback ya!