CD8454 vs. DEH-P880PRS

[joshs98runner 10+ year member]

Well I have been HU studying for a while and would like some input other than my own. My delima is simply I have 2 goals I want to accomplish with the HU and both HU's I listed would make an excellent combination for what I want from a HU.

The 8454 has an excellent reputation to produce amazing sound, have excelent SQ options and great build quality. The looks are ok but not great and it doesn't have any way I know of to hook an IPod up to it. Although I don't have an IPod it would be nice to have the option to use one if I did buy one.

The 880PRS has good SQ and great looks (looks are last on the list). They have a good reputation for SQ, good pre out voltage and ease of operation. The best part about the 880 is it can be adapted to a IPod if I do pick one up in the future.

That being said I would like to have the bada$$ SQ, and I would like to have an IPod option, but I cannot have both in this case of my budget. Lets hear some opposing arguements of what they would pick and why (other than looks). I am leaning towards the 8454 but the only thing holding me back is not having the IPod option even though I don't have an IPod yet...

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[azngotskills 10+ year member]

Eclipse CD8454 is the clear winner IMO b/c it DOES have AUX-IN and you can buy an RCA to mini-plug from Frys or radioshack, but the only drawback is that you have to control it using the iPod itself

 

[joshs98runner 10+ year member]

Ok, I wasn't sure you could do that with an IPod but it is nice to know. Now the next concern is the what deck is going to be more convenient to operate. If I understand correctly, with the 880, you can adjust the tweeter settings seperate of the mids which is cool, but isn't that what going active is mostly about? I think I am spending too much time exhausting details..?

 

[joshs98runner 10+ year member]

I have added one more unit to my list, the Alpine CDA-9855. Does anyone know what has better sq between the 880 and 9855??

 

[99StangGt 10+ year member]

I have had all 3 decks, well a 9835 instead of 9855. The eclipse has the better sq. All the decks do active crossover. The 9835 and 880 are better to use with mp3s. I hear the 9855 is kind of a pain to use, the glide touch thing. the 8454 and 880 have a lot more EQ then the alpines. They all have good sq. should be happy with any of them. The eclipse does have better rca voltage. as far as sq between the 880 and 9855 I would say a toss up. If you are wanting a 8454 let me know , I have an extra.

 

[faulkton 5,000+ posts]

8454 sucks for MP3.

The new pioneers have bad *** mp3 controls.

 

[ravendarat 10+ year member]

If someone is concerned about having great SQ than playing ipod/mp3s/burnt downloaded music in general should be last on the list anyways. I would go with the Eclipse in a second, and I really like the Pioneers stuff, but for someone concerned with SQ, eclipse is the choice I think

 

[joshs98runner 10+ year member]

pm sent to 99stanggt. I removed the 9855 from the list because I came across a review thread with tons of folks having problems with the glide touch and alpine admiting they sent out some bad batches. I would just rather not deal with common problems so I'll stick with the Pioneer or Eclipse.

 

[faulkton 5,000+ posts]

I used to always run eclipse decks, for many years. But the last deck i bought is a pioneer. Im glad i made the switch. The pioneer menus and shit are just easier to use imo.

 

[Slaugh 10+ year member]

pm sent to 99stanggt. I removed the 9855 from the list because I came across a review thread with tons of folks having problems with the glide touch and alpine admiting they sent out some bad batches. I would just rather not deal with common problems so I'll stick with the Pioneer or Eclipse.

but the Alpine CDA-9835 would be a strong contender among these aswell... try it

 

[khail19 10+ year member]

I don't know about the 880PRS, but between the Alpine 9835 and Eclipse 8454 I would say decide if you really want SQ at the expense of MP3 functionality. The Eclipse wins the SQ dept. with more tuning options, but the MP3 player is slow to read and harder to navigate than the 9835.

edit: Also, if you get the Alpine iPod adapter (KCA-420i), you'll be able to use your future iPod with the deck as well. I don't know if Eclipse has something similar for the 8454.