Thanks RSM & Vibhor.
This is something i have always read & heard- If you are looking for pure SQ, then go for Alpine or Clarion HUs. These cost upwards of 15k. However, they feel flat at high volumes. If you are interested in SPL (especially those setups which have a sub), look at Pioneer HU. They are a pinch low in SQ but can be quite loud when asked to be!
This is the reason i prefer Pioneer HUs. I have not heard too good reviews about HUs from Sony, Kenwood, Blaupunkt, etc.
Another debatable topic is - How good are Sony products? Of course, they are not bad when it comes to reliability but they are pretty average when it comes to sound! This i am saying from personal experience. Whether its speakers, HUs or amps, other brands have left Sony far behind & most importantly, offer better products at the same price!
I think reason is- car audio is just a small part of a huge brand- Sony, unlike other brands who are solely into car audio products like JBL, Illusion, Pioneer, etc.
yes, there are some Sony loyalists who will never agree to this & will only opt for sony speakers without auditioning other brands.
Also, Pioneer HUs are great but i have not heard too good reviews about pioneer speakers. One thing i have noticed is that pioneer speakers play loud but at the expense of sound quality. All these are just my personal observations. Opinions may vary.