Head Units

Try one of the Alpine 98 series HU. I just installed a 9807 in my friends 2003 Toyota Camry and this box really puts out some nice sound.  It also contains different settings where you don't need a separate EQ and it has (3) 4 volt pre-amp outputs for front, rear and sub woofer.

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Harv

What's the price tag on the Alpine HU? 

I've got an Alpine 9805 and it sounds great. I hear you can't go wrong with Eclipse, if you want to spend a few more clams.

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LivnLouder by the paycheck

I would definitely look at Eclipse.

Alpines range from $200 to $500. I paid $199.00+ shipping for a 9805.

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LivnLouder by the paycheck

if you get an eclipse from an authorized eclipse dealer you get a 3 year warranty plus they give you a 1 year theft warranty which means if it gets stolen within a year of the install, you send them a copy of the police report and they send you a brand new deck and if the police end up finding your original deck you get to keep them both

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what!?!?! you want some??

So everyone likes eclipse and alpine I see. I had an eclipse deck a while back. Probably my best deck ever owned. Thing is in the last year I havnt kept up with stuff and now I have no idea what the good ish is on the market. I appreciate the help.

So that does not help, sorry mross014, all that I see is specs and specs do not tell you how the cd player is going to sound or perform. Take any manufacturers specs with a grain of salt. You have a budget, that is a good start, after that consider the options that are most important. Another vote, be it biased but biased with fact for Eclipse. In your price range the CD8454 or CD5444 and you will never look back.

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Top Secret, I can tell you but then my wife will kill me.

I just wanted to give the guy an idea of what the Alpine decks go for. Those are pretty typical prices. And I believe you about the Eclipse Forbidden. I've only heard good things about them.

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LivnLouder by the paycheck

Everything is helpful. The great thing about this forum is everyone helps everyone to the extent of which they can. I for one appreciate everything I have gained from this site and the people responding to the forums.

There is alot of really good brands in the industry, why I recommend Eclipse is simple. At the end of the day after wading through all the BS about "specs", the Eclipse is a solid performer that is backed up by a great warranty and theft deterrent system. Alpine is probably my second choice of a head unit and I don't sell Alpine.

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Top Secret, I can tell you but then my wife will kill me.

It depends what you are using the head unit for. If it is for a system, i would go with Alpine. They have nice features such as bass boost, sub level and a nice mp3 file search button on the newer models. However, with so many features, it is hard to get the hang of using them and knowing what all the features do. Eclipse is more of a simple head unit that is nice if you are just wiring full range speakers and no external amp. That is just my opinion, but for 300 big ones, you can get a real nice alpine, CDA-9807, would be the choice i would pick. Eclpise also tends to be more expensive for comparable features found in alpine.

I would say the Eclipse 8443 for around $350 to $400 depending on where you are.  Nice tight unit, exceptional quality.  But finding a dealer can be bothersome in some areas.