Eclipse Quality?

I've heard plenty of props to Eclipse for a good quality product. I've recently lay-awayed the CD8454 head unit. I was wondering is this thing good? (I'm paying $390.99) Since it is the top of the line CD player and usually retailed there at $650.99 I'd say that it looks good, especially with all the support I've seen around here. Also any clue if it will fit nicely into this setup?

Head Unit: Eclipse CD8454
Door Speakers: Rockford 5.25" Power 2-way T152C (60wRMS)
Rear Deck Speakers: Rockford 6"x9" Punch 3-way FRC4369 (75wRMS)
Amplifier: Memphis 16-MCH1300 5-channel (75wRMS x 4 + 1100wRMS x 1 @ 1 ohm stable)
Subwoofer: 2x12" Kicker L5 Solobaric-2 Ohm (600wRMS DVC)

Looking for a nice interior sound quality with some good bump and an all around functioning sound system. Trunk will be dampened along with lic plate and some panels(6x9 are making noise, subs will just make that ugly). Going to be running off like a 180 amp alt if possible with a 2nd battery in the trunk wired parallel with the front.

Opinions? (1998 Monte Carlo LS)

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1998 Monte Carlo w/
Eclipse CD8454
2xRockford 5.25" Power 2-way T152C
2xRockford 6"x9" Punch 3-way FRC4369
1xMemphis 16-MCH1300 5-channel
2xKicker 12" L5 Solobaric-2 Ohm

I like everything this seems to be a ok system I the only thing i would do different would be the sub, If you put 112" punch stage 3 or power stage 1 in a ported enclosure would hit harder than the 2 12" l5's.

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I'm not sold on Rockford currently. Atleast not the punchers. I find them ok but I personally just, I dunno, get a bad vibe. The power series I was considering for later sometime. (I've already put like $60 into the Subs and box for the kickers and I wanna try them out.)

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1998 Monte Carlo w/
Eclipse CD8454
2xRockford 5.25" Power 2-way T152C
2xRockford 6"x9" Punch 3-way FRC4369
1xMemphis 16-MCH1300 5-channel
2xKicker 12" L5 Solobaric-2 Ohm

if you have a 180 amp alternator you may not need a second battery. but if you add a second one, i'd isolate it.

The 2nd battery isn't there for anything other than the most clean power source I can get to my amp. This should help fix issues with running a 5" or whatever cable from my engine battery straight to the amp. And I don't believe I will be doing anything. This isn't for sitting around and listening at all for more than 30 minutes. This is simply to make the most powerful and functional beast I can. :)

(Also note, I'm considering maybe trying out some Eclipse subs later, might do a couple 15s or something.)

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1998 Monte Carlo w/
Eclipse CD8454
2xRockford 5.25" Power 2-way T152C
2xRockford 6"x9" Punch 3-way FRC4369
1xMemphis 16-MCH1300 5-channel
2xKicker 12" L5 Solobaric-2 Ohm

ok i sell eclips line to the punch 1,2 are for beginners or low income buyers the stage 3 and the power series are great i would put them before my eclips any time. I would just sugest listeng to both and chose the one you love. I did not see that you have already purchased the l5 already. go with thel5's they are purchased givem a go until you want more

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Oh and also wanting to avoid porting, I don't know enough or have the resources to really make a tuned box currently. :)

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1998 Monte Carlo w/
Eclipse CD8454
2xRockford 5.25" Power 2-way T152C
2xRockford 6"x9" Punch 3-way FRC4369
1xMemphis 16-MCH1300 5-channel
2xKicker 12" L5 Solobaric-2 Ohm

I would definitely go for the Eclipse deck, especially at that price. They are incredibly clean decks in design and sound. The feature set is also very powerful.

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New Project: 2003 Pathfinder

I think its a good looking set up. Also personally I think the 2 L5's will out play a punch 3 or a stage 1 without much problem. I am also not someone who is sold on the new RF subs, esspecially since I sell them and have had to deal with all this cracked cone BS from them this year.

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double-secret reverse-osmosis speaker-cone-induced high-level interference distortion, Its a killer

Word... good score on a good cd player. The 2 L5's will lump quite good if they are put into a huge beyatch ported enclosure. They will sound much better in the smaller recommended sealed enclosure. They will definitely not keep up with the Eclipse Aluminum or Titanium subs. For the front and rear speakers, if you have them that is great, if not, head out and listen to some MB Quart, Focal, higher end Infinity. Everyone hears different and we all have different cars and music. It is highly important to pick a speaker that you like ths ound of and will work within the install parameters of the vehicle. I dropped the Rockford line over warranty issues, issues just like my flatland (haha) friend above spoke about.

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

I currently have some 8615's that I bought in like 98.  2 actually.  I had them sitting around for a few years, so I'm using them again.  On an alpine m350, they are 8ohm and bridged parrallel.  I'd say they sound really good, even for the age. 

Eclipse equals excellent quality! You will be happy with that deck it has so many features its unbelieveable. I don't care for Rockford and wouldn't put the junk in my ride. I run Diamond speakers with Eclipse amps, subs and wouldn't run anything else.

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Eclipse "Approaching Perfection"

Thanks for the reply guys. Like to hear the support. (For some reason I hold raven's opinion highly on the boards and I like hearing the approval.) Esp since I've put some effort into obtaining this stuff. Now given, the rockford touch is courtesy of BB, eventually I'll be looking at components in the door probably or a kick panel setup to handle a nice 3-way or 4-way. Not even considering that right now, so not looking for any suggestions. I am looking at putting a center channel in sooner then that though, anyone know of a good center channel design/company to refer me to? (Website perferably). I get the head unit put in tomorrow, yay.

ANYONE with EXPERIENCE with the CD8454, can you tell me how hard it will be to do the imaging process for the car? Like does memory stick come with, what kinda adapter will I need? Basically what additional materials will I need to sync up the stick to the PC and interact with the HU

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1998 Monte Carlo w/
Eclipse CD8454
2xRockford 5.25" Power 2-way T152C
2xRockford 6"x9" Punch 3-way FRC4369
1xMemphis 16-MCH1300 5-channel
2xKicker 12" L5 Solobaric-2 Ohm

Eclipse isn't exactly my favorite right now... they've had my 5423 Headunit on and off since september for warranty work. And honestly i'm gettin a little pissed off with there service... but go for it if you want

Eclipse is good stuff! Just be nice to it and it will be nice to you :)

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"I don't play games. I play Nakamichi and that for real yo" - Probably some japanese kid said this in the early 80's trying to sell stereo out of his trunk lol.

Ok, a slight problem I'm finding occuring since I've gotten this Thursday. Had it installed by the dealer that I bought it through. Worked great until Sunday afternoon where I was driving down the highway and it just completely stopped, like it turned off instantly without any good bye. Couldn't get it back on, took it all the way there for a reset (DOH). Never lost it's power since it didn't require my CD. Well then last night on the way to work the screen froze up and when I tried to change to the display config it went pissy and just stopped working for sound. Reset it myself, works again. Anyone have a clue on the problem? The 2nd time the guy said it might be a voltage spike problem. All my elecrical is working(Horn, dome light, etc) and the fuse at the head unit is fine.

Sidenote: I did take my 6x9 speakers out Friday so I could get on my rear deck and fix the vibration problems with some dynamat.

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1998 Monte Carlo w/
Eclipse CD8454
2xRockford 5.25" Power 2-way T152C
2xRockford 6"x9" Punch 3-way FRC4369
1xMemphis 16-MCH1300 5-channel
2xKicker 12" L5 Solobaric-2 Ohm