hey guys,

when considering a $300 mp3 headunit, which brand has the better sound quality, and better/ higher quality expandability options such as volts on the preamp's and is better overall in it's reputation; Eclipse, Pioneer, Panasonic, Kenwood, Alpine, JVC, Sony, Clarion or Blaupunkt?


Modified by SPARTUS at 8:01 PM 7/29/2003

 

Of that list I would go with eclipse, pioneer, alpine. Kenwood and clarion are ok also.

 

thanks, now out of the list that you narrowed down, which would be your top choices?

Also, are there any other companies which i failed to mention but are also very good?

Can you please explain to me what the volts mean in preamp outputs. I know the higher the volts, the better. Do higher volts contribute to sound quality of the subwoofer/amp when i connect it to the headunit?

 

if you want the best sound quality, eclipse is the best you can get

 

What makes eclipse head units the "best" and have better sound quality when compared to others?

 

Alright, the volts on the pre outs, alow for the amp to get a better/stronger signal. Alpine is my top choice, eclipse is equal in quality, but at least where I live there aren't any licenced dealer of them. Alpine has great functions for the price, and durable parts.

 

I prefer alpine also. Especially at the $300 price area. You seem to get more features compared to eclipse. The higher model eclipse are nice. Though I would not give up my 7998 for one

 

When comparing the Kenwood KDC-MP822 with the Alpine CDA-9813, which would you choose and why? The Kenwood has 5 volt pre amps vs. Alpine's 4 volt. Will there be a difference in the sound quality, after connecting an amp and or sub?

 

The raising of the preout voltage was done to raise the signal to noise ratio because cars are noisy environments.

 

Also voltage out ratings are like wattage on head units. Some companies overrate. And some just lie

 

That's a no brainer go for the CDA-9813 and here's why.

*You like MP3z and some MP3z are crap listen to a Mp3 song on the Alpine with and without the Media Expander...one word WOW. Song's sound fuller and more like the original.
*Time Correction. Who cares about the rest of the passengers in your car it's your car and you should take advantage your sound system.
*Quick search feature. You have Mp3z and probably 200+ songs on a CD. Do want to hear beeps or silence when you go from track 1 to 60 or folder through folder looking for that song? I think not. Listen to a track and when you want to look for another song hit a button and go through your folders and tracks while that track you had on first IS PLAYING WHILE you search.

KDC-MP822
*flip panel, HD ready, 5v preouts, blah blah blah
I say anything with atleast 4v preouts is sufficeint.

NOW QUIT PLAYING AROUND AND GET THAT ALPINE!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Which companies tend to over rate their head units in terms of RMS wattage, voltage,....?

Which companies are the most accurate with their factory specs?

 

Amen to the time correction, screw everyone else in the car. CDA-9815 is a step up from the 13, but both are quality units. Alpine is reliable whatever they tell you you can trust. I wouldn't trust sony, jenson, legacy, boss, all thoseother brands.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SPARTUS &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Which companies tend to over rate their head units in terms of RMS wattage, voltage,....?

Which companies are the most accurate with their factory specs?</TD></TR></TABLE>

There is no basic rule. You have to read the reviews. I have seen some where they did not hit 4 volts even thought they claim 5. Or some pay peak there. The one volt possible difference should not be the deciding factor in your purchase.

 

Forget these chumps.

The only spec. you should worry about is B/ D ratio (Bling to dollar ratio).

shiny bits , moving parts, flashing lights, cool little animations.... you can't go wrong.

If it were my choice, I'd pick either the Alpine, or the Eclipse.

 

we've never had a problem with an alpine radio that was alpine's fault. We've had people install them wrong, physically force cd's into them, etc. The only alpines we see die are those abused really bad (soda spilled on them.. like drenched) or those that are sold old I've never even heard of the model anymore

 

B/D ratio, that's priceless.

Actually the truth is that most of the people that get in my car have no sense of what good sound is so the only thing they judge my system on is the Bling, like last night I took out my subs, and was just playing my components and this kid was like, "you have an awesome system" I thought it was so funny.

 

Chumps huh... Well if you make your decisions on flashing lights and shiny displays and then say you would go with either Apline or Eclipse then you have no idea what you're talking about. For one Eclipse has one of the most cleanest and plainest looks in the market.

 

*sigh*

 

<FONT COLOR="blue">/////Alpine</FONT> all the way!!

 

Alpine has very low bling to dollar ratio. One of my friends was like, "your 600 hu has no color face"

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vteg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

There is no basic rule. You have to read the reviews. I have seen some where they did not hit 4 volts even thought they claim 5. Or some pay peak there. The one volt possible difference should not be the deciding factor in your purchase.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Correct.
Only if you have a very noisy car should you care about the preout voltage. Most amplifiers are designed to run from 2V-whatever they are putting out now. Old amplifiers will see no benifit from the increased preout voltage. I'd be willing to bet most high preout decks that are connected to amplifiers are incorrectly set up. Seeing how most people use the gain on the amplifier as a volume ****.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nsxxtreme &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Seeing how most people use the gain on the amplifier as a volume ****.</TD></TR></TABLE>

u mean its not?

 

best deal is the EClipse CD3403 mp3,cd. awsome sound quality and well worth every penny. I can sell it for 230 plus shipping..
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