CES 2006 Headunits: Alpine, Clarion, Eclipse, Pioneer

[BodegaBay]

[BodegaBay]

[BodegaBay]

[BodegaBay]

[BodegaBay]

[alphakenny1]

wow, nice. did you take those pictures? if so, did you get to play with the cd7000. the eclipse units pretty much look the same as of the 05 line.

[jer_stud56]

DAMNNNNNNN the P880PRS pioneer looks ****ing kick assssssss. (drunk = more swear words) But yeah I'm definatly picking up one of the new top end pioneers this year.

[faulkton]

yeah the lower end eclipse dont look much dif. Are those the actual product names? The cd7000 being the highest? I dont know what i tihnk about the new look of the higher end lines..have to see one in person and see how they work.

[BodegaBay]

Yep, I took those pics. I only attended one day (Friday) but had to tour ALL the exhibits, not just auto aftermarket. By the end of the 8hr bussle, my feet were dying.

Actually the Eclipse overhauled their upper line. The CD7000 (I believe Manny/MaxSpd alluded to this unit in his other thread) took over the 8455 spot with a different look using OEL display and a huge rotary mode switch. Interestingly Eclipse is abandoning the 8v pre-out in favor of 5v; the rep noted that Eclipse Japan decided that 8v was just clipping alot of the amps out in the market, but I'm just not buying that. The CD7000 now has their new "Twin Security System" which contains both ESN and a detachable front panel.

The CD5000 is the ONLY 8v unit left and is basically the 8445 unit with now protruding knobs vs. flushed knobs in 2005. All the other single DIN CD units are pretty much 2005 models renamed; all with 5v and ESN.

A lot of emphasis was placed on their multi-media DIN and Double DIN units, not just Eclipse but also with all other mfgs. I'm not so much into video so I didn't pay too much attention.

I love Eclipse's performance but their styling has been all over the place in recent years; the CD7000 is another styling departure. Tactile, functional, odd, and that rotary knob is huge.

I have the Eclipse 2006 Catalog but am just too pooped to scan anything right now.

[orangeblast]

wow....hrm........... I really still do in my heart want a DRZ9225 HU....but I know the Eclipse will allow for better control in an active setup....

those Eclipses look fugly...I hate that crap all glowy and bright....bah!! but that DRZ mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm classy..


EDIT: Well...actually that CD7000 doesn't look to bad....I like that it has a big display and nice dark greyish black surround...and that funky looking adjuster thing look. O.K. I would be sold once I find out what it can do and also if it can change to Amber color to match my interior.

mmmmmmmmm.....

[BodegaBay]

DAMNNNNNNN the P880PRS pioneer looks kick assssssss...

I agree. By far the best looking unit (not counting the Clarion DRZ, which has been on the market for 2yrs now). Too bad I wasn't able to have time to play with it but it looked sweet. If it can give Eclipse a run for their money, then I might bite...

[faulkton]

Yep, I took those pics. I only attended one day (Friday) but had to tour ALL the exhibits, not just auto aftermarket. By the end of the 8hr bussle, my feet were dying.

Actually the Eclipse overhauled their upper line. The CD7000 (I believe Manny/MaxSpd alluded to this unit in his other thread) took over the 8455 spot with a different look using OEL display and a huge rotary mode switch. Interestingly Eclipse is abandoning the 8v pre-out in favor of 5v; the rep noted that Eclipse Japan decided that 8v was just clipping alot of the amps out in the market, but I'm just not buying that. The CD7000 now has their new "Twin Security System" which contains both ESN and a detachable front panel.

The CD5000 is the ONLY 8v unit left and is basically the 8445 unit with now protruding knobs vs. flushed knobs in 2005. All the other single DIN CD units are pretty much 2005 models renamed; all with 5v and ESN.

A lot of emphasis was placed on their multi-media DIN and Double DIN units, not just Eclipse but also with all other mfgs. I'm not so much into video so I didn't pay too much attention.

I love Eclipse's performance but their styling has been all over the place in recent years; the CD7000 is another styling departure. Tactile, functional, odd, and that rotary knob is huge.

I have the Eclipse 2006 Catalog but am just too pooped to scan anything right now.

That ***** about the 8volt ;(

[DiamondFanatic]

DAMNNNNNNN the P880PRS pioneer looks ****ing kick assssssss. (drunk = more swear words) But yeah I'm definatly picking up one of the new top end pioneers this year.

I agree... can't wait to play with one of those. That deck, the DRZ9255 or possibly one of the new alpines will be in my car in the very near future...

[revrider1]

The Pioneer is f****n sweet. I am for sure going to get one of those when they come out.

[BodegaBay]

It's very interesting to see Alpine marketing their head units for the market. Clearly the days of affordable high end headunits in the Alpine line is gone. The 9857 is just a shadow of what the 9853 once was. It's now only 2v with not that great of features. Alpine is drawing the roadmap to three distinct markets:

High End: F1 Status
Mid-Fi: 9857 and 9856
MultiMedia: all their touchscreens and DVD DIN units

Maybe it's my imagination but it seemed this year, Alpine, Eclipse, Clarion, etc. are all cutting features that were once std. for their affordable flagship models and favoring either ultra high end or multi-media DVD/LCD with outboard processing.