Sup guys, I'm ready to get a new head unit for my car. I currently own an alpine, I can't remember on top of my head which model it is, but it's about an year and a half old and I know it is XM ready.

Trying to decide between the two, Eclipse CD8053 or CDA9815. Ive been happy with alpine, but after working at a higher end home/audio and video and a pretty solid custom Car audio/video retailer, I've learned to appreciate better sounding equiptment. More into sound quality and staging than bumpin louder than the Tahoe next to me. I like the i-personalize feature on the alpine, which for those who don't know, adjusts delay automatically to give the driver as good as imaging as possible. But I do like the extra lengths that eclipse goes through to get better sound, like copper chassis and what not. I don't think I can go wrong with either, but would like ya'lls opinions.

I also plan on changing out my speakers. Either going with Boston Accoustic Z series, or the MB Quarts QSD216s. Not really concerned too much about the rear speakers, it's pretty much just used to fill the rear with sound. Going with either 10W6V2 or 10W7, also considering the Elcipse Subs. Going to be running JL Amps to power all speakers.

Any input and opinions would be greatly appreciated

 

Nobody has any opinions? Come on now!

 

Get the Alpine! I can't speak for the Eclipse, never heard it. I have an Alpine 9813 and it's kick ***. Tons of features and great sound. Only like $300 too.

 

had the 7995 for a while now and no complaints whatsoever and i also appreciate higher quality sound. Cant speak for the eclipse as as i have no experience with them.

alpine HU's

 

Eclipse is one of the best makers of head units out on the market, I have owned everything from clarion, sony, alpine, kenwood, to nakamichi. By far Eclipse has been the best unit i have ever bought and has lasted me the longest out of everything i have ever owned. I will never buy anything else other than Eclipse in the days to come. My current deck is rated at 13w x 4 but sounds cleaner and louder than my previous 45w x 4 decks. Eclipse also offers ESN which is kind of like lowjack for your head unit. If it gets stolen within the first 2 years of owning it, Eclipse will replace it for free if they cannot locate it.
Eclipse gets 10,000 from me

 

Damn, bold statement, but I can see where your coming from. We don't currently have the CD8053 at work, and I'm just going to wait till we have one that is not reserved for customers and have a listen for myself before I purchase any. QSD216 are ordered, damn great deal on them!

 

Never really had any experience with the Eclipse, so I can't comment on it, but my experience with Alpine has pretty much been positive so far. I just picked up the 9813 (same as 9815, but without i-personalize and the cool display) today. I'm installing it tomorrow. I was really happy with my old 7894, so I'm sure this one will be just as good, if not better.

 

IMO the Eclipse wins hands down. The SQ is amazing. The only thing that is lacking is time correction, but there are ways around that.

 

Eclipse is by far the best HU maker IMO. I love my eclipse HU. It looks simple so at a quick glance most people think i have a plain piece of crap deck.
Boston Acoustic speakers are awesome.
Eclipse HU and Boston 6.5 up front with one 12 chillin in the back.

 

What's up fellow tweeter employee.

I'm sorta in the same boat. I was considering a 7998, but I'll might have problems fitting it in the dashboard, because of the XL face. I love the display, processing capabilities since I plan on running my front stage actively with a separate amp (old Xtant stuff) to the tweeters and woofers. The crossover has so much flexiblity and the time aligment will work out great. And XM. I like this deck because it is a straight tuner. The CDA9815 is alright, because you can also run it 3 way like the 7998 and I think it has the same processing features/bass engine pro or whatever. I don't like the fact that the deck has an internal amp, is NOT made in Japan and the DC/DC converter is no longer externally mounted like the CDA7894 and CDA7995 was from last year. Even the new IVAD900 has an externally mounted DC/DC, which the IVAC800/1 did not have.

Then I saw the new Eclipse. CD8053 is a nice deck that I am also considering. It has everything a CDA7998 has and it's Eclipse and it's all new for less money. The only problem is the lack of a sat radio input directly... which is something I want. Rumor has it that eclipse is working on getting an xm or sirius input through the e-com/commander input.

Anyway, I haven't seen the CD8053 yet, but just by looking at it and what it can do, I'd put it on the same level as the CDA7998 instead of the CDA9815. I got $200 in speaker bucks I want to put on a DD for something.

 

I wish I worked at Tweeter. What kind of discount do you guys get?

 

any1 know how much CD8443 is worth at a store? I may be able to buy one used, but I can't find any info on the net except on the elipse website.

 

Eclipse-Web.com
To Find Your
Nearest Retailer
In Canada:
Jester International Inc.
(800)268-9044

 

Been using eclipse HU's for over 8 years and never will run anything else.

As for your statment about your speaks...look at some focals. If you really lvoe SQ, get the focals....i even built boxes for them as my home speaks....

Also got JL amp...love it too....

 

dc24me: How did you find me out?

I went ahead and ordered the Alpine, couldn't wait for the CD8053, still a great unit and price. Waiting on my JL stuff now!

Dude, would go with focals in a second if I could get a good deal on them as I did on the QSDs. Anything is better than the 2 year old polks I have in there now.

Work in Home Audio/Video, just in case you guys were wondering why I wouldn't know so much about car audio. Tweeter does have some great car audio associates, and excellent install!