Looking to first upgrade the headunit in 04 WRX then the speakers. I already have the Kenwood CD changer (got them to throw it in when I bought the car), so I was looking at getting a Kenwood head unit (9027). Is this unit any good? Or would I be better ditching the whole lot and going for e.g an Apline headunit and changer - but at greater cost. Help please!

 

alpine all the way, and as they all do mp3/wma now you may not even need a changer.

 

Depnds on your cash. If you;re short, get another Kenwood and spend on a high quality head unit. If cash is less of an problem I'd always recommend Apline, but others will have their own preferences. But dump the speakers as the first point of call for far better sound quality with any head unit. Any head unit can be fantastic, but you have crappy speakers (and the standard are very crappy) and you'll never get a decent sound quality and will question your choice of h/u.

Chnage the speakers, then decide if the h/u needs changing would be my strong recommendation.

 

Alpine

 

I've just ditched my head unit and changer for an Alpine CDA9812RB which plays mp3/wma as well as new speakers and a sub. The difference is unbelievable!
If your funds are tight just go for new speakers in the front doors.

 

Alpine, and the best you can afford to spend. go for the top mp3 standard size face if you can.

 

Nakamichi

Rest assured that, no matter what you choose, the sound isn't terribly coloured by the head unit. The speakers are much more of a personal choice and have the greatest impact on sound.

Ergonomics are the most important thing on a head unit, aside from features (a given) and decent sound (a given if you're going for a decent member of a decent brand's range)