Alpine CDA-7998 v Clarion 9255 v Eclipse 8445 v Clarion HX-D1

[Nightscrawler 10+ year member]

Hi Guys, I am a guy from Hong Kong and new to here (actually a newbie in audio as well). Hello everybody~

I have a BMW E36. The audio system is still original except with the HU changed to Alpine 9847. However, I am looking forward to do a major upgrade to the system. I plan to get the following:

Front Speakers: 3 way system, DLS UR36

Rear Speakers: No big deal for the current moment....//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/rolleyes.gif.c1fef805e9d1464d377451cd5bc18bfb.gif

Amp: Not yet decided...

From my discussion with an audio shop owner, he said that my current HU may wasted the capabilities of the speakers and amps. Hence, I sort out some candidates and would like to know your comments on these HUs.

Actually, I look for better SQ. However, I am a lazy person. Sometimes, I will just listen to MP3...

How do you guys think? Any comments is welcome.//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

Many thanks~

Ted

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[jeepintn 10+ year member]

after u get the external amps, i REALLY love that alpine deck, should never have sold mine :-\

 

[Nightscrawler 10+ year member]

Thanks for comment. Actually, I really like the current deck. The problem is it does not come with much features for tuning. And the preout is just 2v.

 

[alphakenny1 10+ year member]

hey ted, welcome.

if you are use going to listen to mp3, out of those 3 i'd get the 7998 or the 8445 which are mp3 capable i believe. not quite sure on the 7998 if its mp3 capable. both will offer exceptional eq capabilities.

but the clarion 9255 has been herald for sq but doesn't support mp3. but in your case, i wouldn't get it. too expensive for capabilities, from the looks of your post, that you aren't going to use.

 

[Nightscrawler 10+ year member]

Actually, I wonder how these HUs will affect the sound quality. I think all these models are pretty cool ones.//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/rolleyes.gif.c1fef805e9d1464d377451cd5bc18bfb.gif

However, I am not too sure if there are very substantial differences in play CD (in terms of SQ)....

Would appreciate any comments. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

Ted

 

[jeepintn 10+ year member]

well, u have seen my suggestion, but keep in mind, the 7998 only works with an external amp, so if u dont have an amp for your speakers yet, u wont be able to use it until you get one, since it has no built in amp.

 

[alphakenny1 10+ year member]

read this on how compression affects the just the wave form of a song, http://www.caraudio.com/forum/showthread.php?t=114272.

as far as HUs affecting sound quality, to me i haven't heard differences in HU (maybe because i'm a noob //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/tongue.gif.6130eb82179565f6db8d26d6001dcd24.gif. lol) but IMO there should be things considered more than HU. such as speaker placement, correct level matching, tuning with the eq, phase adjustments, install, and crossover points and slopes.

 

[Nightscrawler 10+ year member]

Thanks, Jeepintn and Alphakenny1 for the comments.

Actually, its the audio shop guy who ask me to look for a better HU like D1 or 9255 from somewhere to match with the capabilities of speakers and amps. I am quite sure he is not having a beneficial interest here cos he ask me I can get a 2nd hand one to lower cost. Maybe he is a little bit too picky??//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/rolleyes.gif.c1fef805e9d1464d377451cd5bc18bfb.gif

Alphakenny1, I think you are right. Only 7998 and 8445 are able to play MP3 directly. But the D1 and 9255 should come with AUX-IN which can still match with the I-pod (in case I am lazy again...//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/naughty.gif.94359f346c0f1259df8038d60b41863e.gif ) These make them still under my considerations.

Ummmm....//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/rolleyes.gif.c1fef805e9d1464d377451cd5bc18bfb.gif

If in terms of sound, the 7998 should be more electrical while the Clarions are more natural, am I correct?

 

[camry_tuner 10+ year member]

what do u define "electrical" and "natural"

i personally own a 7998, and love it, do you plan on going active? if you plan on going 4way active (3-way front stage, sub stage) go with the 9255, otherwise, you wouldnt be disappointed with the 7998, juss not sure if one if readily availiable... it was manufactured in 2002 afterall

 

[Nightscrawler 10+ year member]

Thanks all. I read through the compression article. That is a real nice information. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

Hi camry_tuner, I am not sure about what is "going active"...? Would you mind telling me a bit more? Actually, for the current moment, I may stop at the 3 ways components and may not want a subwoofer with the car (I need the trunk's space and want to save some weights: ...). But I always like to reserve for future development potential in case I feel not enough again. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/rolleyes.gif.c1fef805e9d1464d377451cd5bc18bfb.gif

Actually, all my HUs used are Alpine. I really like them. I also heard of a frd's system with the 9255 and DLS 3 way at the front. The sound is natural, a bit warm and in depth. Comparing with my experience with Alpine, I think Alpine's sound is more clear, cold. That is why I feel its more "electronic".

Do you guys feel too?