Eclipse vs Alpine - Low/mid end Headunits

[ece2k2]

Hi,

I could not find much information about the Eclipse headunits in this forum particularly when compared to Alpine - probably because Eclipse is not widely available in India. I am trying to understand which headunit is better out of Eclipse & Alpine - considering only the low/mid end models. From different car audio sites, I came across the info that both Alpine/Eclipse have their quality coming down these days.

The comparison I am looking at:

1. Eclipse CD1200 (US $140) vs Alpine CDA-9884 (US $160)
2. Eclipse CD3200 (US $220) vs Alpine CDA-9886 (US $240)

I am planning to buy either of the above four HUs from US. Eclipse 1200 has USB whereas Alpine 9884 doesn't. Eclipse 3200 has bluetooth while Alpine 9886 doesn't. Eclipse supports Indian FM frequency steps, but am not sure about Alpine.

- SKB.

[simply_sunny001]

Basic use of headunits is to provide music so decide on the basis of the quality of the music and various features to enhance that not the add ons

just my 2 cents

[yogi1771]

Alpine HUs from US do not support Indian FM frequency steps

[BHAGWAN]

Originally Posted by yogi1771

Alpine HUs from US do not support Indian FM frequency steps

Sirji,

Is that so ?

I have 3 Alpine HU's
All play radio for me.
Just have to choose Area 2 that is all.

All mine are previous [not current] top of the line HU's

9835
9855
9855

I have never faced this problem.

Although I have never used an Eclipse, I am very keen to try the 7200 HU. Hope I can get it [afford it actually] !!

Originally Posted by simply_sunny001

Basic use of headunits is to provide music so decide on the basis of the quality of the music and various features to enhance that not the add ons

just my 2 cents

Sunny Sir,

A HU is the foundation of any ICE install;
It is the source of the music.
It is also the control centre of your set up.
IMHO it is most important part of an ICE install.

You need to set the X-Overs from here.
Frequency + Slopes
Time Alignment + Bass Management
Equalizers [I never use them]
Faders + Balance etc.

So much is done by the HU.
It controls the Amplifiers, send signals to it etc.

Please do choose your HU very very carefully.
I always do...

[zucchero]

very true bhagwan.i bought my 9887 from u.s and they do play radio for me.cant say about the two but the 9887 cleary was a winner in sq terms when compared to the pio p80.

[iraghava]

Most high-end Alpine's have the Area1/2 feature which allows you to play both US & Indian radio frequencies.

[blueraven316]

I dont know about the EClipse mid level players, but the CD5100 sounds nice and the CD7100 sounds absoultely marvellous.
Now I am in two minds for my HU upgrade which has been pending for a long time.

It will be Eclipse CD5100 Vs Alpine 9887.

I am currently running on a Alpine 9807 which is just not up to the mark though it sounds nice even now.

[JayD]

Nowadays most players(if not all) have support for different regions of FM.

[navin]

Originally Posted by simply_sunny001

Basic use of headunits is to provide music

Originally Posted by BHAGWAN

A HU is the foundation of any ICE install;

Besides when you consider SQ, GIGO rules. One the sound is garbled by a bad source no ammount of processing will fix it.

[low_bass_makker]

Originally Posted by zucchero

cant say about the two but the 9887 cleary was a winner in sq terms when compared to the pio p80.

In what terms do you say SQ is better of 9887 when compared to P80

[yogi1771]

Originally Posted by zucchero

very true bhagwan.i bought my 9887 from u.s and they do play radio for me.cant say about the two but the 9887 cleary was a winner in sq terms when compared to the pio p80.

Hi zucchero did you get the 9887 online and does it tune to all radio stations,last time when i had mailed Crutchfield regarding the FM tuning thing they said US Alpine HUs don't have European tuning so it won't work in India.My mom right now is in US if its working fine i will tell her to get it by the way how is this HU
Alpine CDA-9886 CD receiver with MP3/WMA/AAC playback at Crutchfield.com

[simply_sunny001]

Originally Posted by BHAGWAN

Sunny Sir,

A HU is the foundation of any ICE install;
It is the source of the music.
It is also the control centre of your set up.
IMHO it is most important part of an ICE install.

Bhagwan ji

this is what i was saying and the add ons i referred were the bluetooth,USB thing etc etc.

they are nice to have features for me but never a deciding factor.

[nilesh111]

Guys

Eclipse is the best u can get, but its helluva costly and the specs are really mindblowing, I am dying to get a CD7100 in my SX4, but the cost is 44K, i cant afford that much , waiting for price to come down, but believe me i heard one setup in mumbai and it blew me away

[Bass&Trouble]

Originally Posted by nilesh111

Eclipse is the best u can get, but its helluva costly and the specs are really mindblowing, I am dying to get a CD7100 in my SX4, but the cost is 44K, i cant afford that much , waiting for price to come down, but believe me i heard one setup in mumbai and it blew me away

You've waited so long for the price to come down that now there's the new 7200.

What was the other equipment in the car you heard?

[DerAlte]

What is the prevailing price of the 7200, boss? Who is the distributor / service agent in India?