Best SQ headunits in the market today in order...

[adam71 5,000+ posts]

My list of affordable units.
1) Pioneer P9 combo

2) Clarion 9255

3) Eclipse 8053

thats all I really care to list right now.

NOTE: I would have put the Alpine 7990 in this list but its not exactly affordable. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

I sort of made one earlier of affordable decks which is why Denon is NOT on there.

Japan actually has some of the highest quality car audio equipment available in the industry because there is actually a market for it over there. Don't know if you've ever noticed, but all of the major manufacturer's (Pioneer, Alpine, Denon, Eclipse, etc) sell very, very high end decks in Japan that aren't even available here in the states.
Why? As you said; no market here. Flash and bling sell in the States, not high quality.

I totally agree. Its actually the American car audio "consumers" that have ruined its own high end market. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/uhoh.gif.c07307dd22ee7e63e22fc8e9c614d1fd.gif

 

[JLCivic 10+ year member]

I agree....I think its a knock out. Its just different from the norm which makes it seem ugly to some.
Now this deck is very UGLY !! in my opinion.

http://www.eclipse-web.com/cd/cd5425.html

It certainly is not the best looking Eclipse ever, BUT it does look better in person. It is still a great sounding deck for next to no money, though.

 

[djbass_mekanik 10+ year member]

Eclipse

Alpine

Clarion (high models)

Excelon

Premier

Panasonic

Xplod ES

 

[azbass 5,000+ posts]

nakamichi gets my vote. did an install with a CD-700II and fell in love with it.

then eclipse. out of all the HU in my shop. they soud the best, and play the more beat up cds better. just freekin ugly.

then alpine. looks, and features.

 

[Randy Savage 5,000+ posts]

Alpine/701 combo= //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

 

[adam71 5,000+ posts]

EclipseAlpine

Clarion (high models)

Excelon

Premier

Panasonic

Xplod ES

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/hilarious.gif.02a037aad04aa96f19982b298a3d70a8.gif :hilariou: Hey nice of you to show your loyalty to the brands you have in your car. I like Pioneer but I realize there is better stuff out there. Get a grip.

 

[adam71 5,000+ posts]

nakamichi gets my vote. did an install with a CD-700II and fell in love with it.

Hey don't get me wrong man the only reason that deck wasn't on my list is because I was under the impression that the 700II was NOT a very affordable deck. I wouldn't mind owning one of those myself.

 

[OnYrMrk 10+ year member]

McIntosh MX406

Clarion DRZ9255

Alpine F#1 Status

Nakimichi CD700II

Eclipse CD8455

that is my list. McIntosh all the way if you want TRUE sound quality, those who oppose it have never owned one or heard one. If you want the closest thing to the McIntosh but can't find a McIntosh dealer, then get the 9255. Internally it is the same unit with one exception....the 9255 has the DAC onboard instead of an external DAC unit attached. The Alpine F#1 I have had the pleasure of listening to just the other day. Outstanding unit! The specs tell me that it is a very musical head unit. But apart from these others, you HAVE to buy their signal processor with it. Major Bucks! The Nakamichi is one of the greats. I would put it up against my old Alpine 7909 and that was one fantastic HU. With the features of the Nak, you can't go wrong. I listed the Eclipse last since it truly isn't in the same class as the other 4. Price wise it is the least expensive, feature wise, it shows up the Mc and the 9255. It is, IMHO, the best of the sub-$1000 Head Units.

 

[adam71 5,000+ posts]

McIntosh MX406Clarion DRZ9255

Alpine F#1 Status

Nakimichi CD700II

Eclipse CD8455

that is my list. McIntosh all the way if you want TRUE sound quality, those who oppose it have never owned one or heard one. If you want the closest thing to the McIntosh but can't find a McIntosh dealer, then get the 9255. Internally it is the same unit with one exception....the 9255 has the DAC onboard instead of an external DAC unit attached. The Alpine F#1 I have had the pleasure of listening to just the other day. Outstanding unit! The specs tell me that it is a very musical head unit. But apart from these others, you HAVE to buy their signal processor with it. Major Bucks! The Nakamichi is one of the greats. I would put it up against my old Alpine 7909 and that was one fantastic HU. With the features of the Nak, you can't go wrong. I listed the Eclipse last since it truly isn't in the same class as the other 4. Price wise it is the least expensive, feature wise, it shows up the Mc and the 9255. It is, IMHO, the best of the sub-$1000 Head Units.

I would put the Eclipse 8053 in there before the 8455 any day. Also, the 7990 is no longer being made. Also, I don't know how you could leave the P9 off that list but to each his own. Not to mention the Denon DCT-1 which owns ANY Alpine or Eclipse EVER made.

 

[Shugarra 10+ year member]

Scott Buwalda imports (or did) Japanese spec units, including the Denon Z1 and DCT-1. If you are actually interested in getting one I'm sure he could help you out but as posted they are $2500-$3000.

http://www.buwaldahybrids.com

 

[adam71 5,000+ posts]

Scott Buwalda imports (or did) Japanese spec units, including the Denon Z1 and DCT-1. If you are actually interested in getting one I'm sure he could help you out but as posted they are $2500-$3000.
http://www.buwaldahybrids.com

Thanx for the link.....and.......BTW, I love your sig.

 

[99StangGt 10+ year member]

McIntosh MX406Clarion DRZ9255

Alpine F#1 Status

Nakimichi CD700II

Eclipse CD8455

that is my list. McIntosh all the way if you want TRUE sound quality, those who oppose it have never owned one or heard one. If you want the closest thing to the McIntosh but can't find a McIntosh dealer, then get the 9255. Internally it is the same unit with one exception....the 9255 has the DAC onboard instead of an external DAC unit attached. The Alpine F#1 I have had the pleasure of listening to just the other day. Outstanding unit! The specs tell me that it is a very musical head unit. But apart from these others, you HAVE to buy their signal processor with it. Major Bucks! The Nakamichi is one of the greats. I would put it up against my old Alpine 7909 and that was one fantastic HU. With the features of the Nak, you can't go wrong. I listed the Eclipse last since it truly isn't in the same class as the other 4. Price wise it is the least expensive, feature wise, it shows up the Mc and the 9255. It is, IMHO, the best of the sub-$1000 Head Units.

I dont think the eclipse shows up the 9255 for DSP features. The 9255 has 4-way active crossover (Eclipse 3-way) and more time alignment, but less EQ.