Stereo Opinions Please

Hi guys. I am narrowing down my selections for my boat installation.  I wish to spend around 200. for the head unit. I see three units that are very close in price. They are the Alpine CDA-9827, the Rockford Fosgate RFX9020, and also Blaupunkt has two models, the heidelberg, and a Skyline which is on sale for 170.  Could you rate them in order for me? Also f.y.i, I will be getting  the  Infinity Kappa marines 692's for up above, and the Alpine sps171a components for down below in the cabin. For an amp, I will be getting the Hifonics warrior eagle. Trying to do the best I can on a budget. Which H.U. do you think will work the best with this combo, and which will probably last  the longest in a boat?  How does this combo sound to you, or would you make any changes, within price range of course .Thanks, Rich

Skyline is a series of models.... which model within the Skyline series are you looking at?Kevin Gerry

Certified Electronics Technician

MECP First Class Installer

Owner/Installer

Classic Car Audio

since 1979

 Sorry about that. It is the orlando. Now on sale for 170.

Of the ones you listed, I'd say go with the Alpine.Duane...

If you think you're confused, imagine how you feel.   

actually it's a bit of a toss up,  you've listed 3 good brands there... i've owned Alpines and Blau's over the years and wouldnt hesitate to buy another and the RF has a pretty good reputation.....Kevin Gerry

Certified Electronics Technician

MECP First Class Installer

Owner/Installer

Classic Car Audio

since 1979

I would buy the Blaupunkt Orlando over the Alpine, and the Alpine over the Rockford Fosgate.

BangBang wrote: Never new you could put sound system on a boat. Hmmm good luck.!

Oh yeah....boat installs are even more elaborate than auto installs. Here's an example. Duane...

If you think you're confused, imagine how you feel.   

I would add an Eclipse cd player, have alook at the CD3414 or CD3424 if you need sub preouts(no one else mentions this except me - what gives). If it is installed by a dealer it will have a 3 year warranty and a 1 year theft replacement guarantee. Something to consider as your boat crashes around on the wavesand is left in the lonely marina. The suspension system is also totally different than the ones you have listed. It uses a differentially tuned suspension rather than all the same components, this means that it will resonate less. Next the laser sled is controlled by 5 servos to control real world applicaton like consant distance between the surface of the cd and the laser lens. No other cd player that you have listed used servos to my knowledge. If you can really stretch you may also want to consider the true 100% marine cd player from MB Quart with marine coated circuit boards and a 30 second anti skip buffer. (I can see this making it's way into the SPL lanes).Top Secret, I can tell you but then my wife will kill me.

I would go with an eclipse or an alpine over the fosgate or the Blau. The eclipse and alpine will haev better anti-shock and wont skit when you go over those waves.