Eclipse, clarion, or other?

[Dan5767]

I am currently designing a system to put together and I am looking for the right head unit.

What one would you recommend: Eclipse cd8445 or clarion DXZ955MC? Are there another choices I should consider and most importantly WHY?

For this system I am getting a JL 300/2 amp to power a set of qsd 216. Then a 500/1 to power a 12w6v2 sub.

Thanks for your advice!

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[iceteebone 5,000+ posts]

eclipse. low impedence rca's and they play almost any condition cd you throw at them.

 

[smgreen20 10+ year member]

eclipse. low impedence rca's and they play almost any condition cd you throw at them.

As will the clarion. I'm torn. Thought I'd never own another brand HU other than Clarion, now I have an Eclipse CD8455. Was toying w/the idea of the 955 from clarion, but the biggest reason (80%) was the 8volt output. I have a Phoenix Gold ZPA0.3 that NEEDS the 8v output to perform at its optimium. E-iSERV was anothe factor as well. Both will be supurb HUs. Just look at what features will siute you best. After all, you're the one that's going to enjoy it the most.

 

[alphakenny1 10+ year member]

i love my eclipse. i haven't tried out the clarion but the 8445 and 8455 is basically the same HU except for the PEQ and xover.

 

[iceteebone 5,000+ posts]

As will the clarion. I'm torn. Thought I'd never own another brand HU other than Clarion, now I have an Eclipse CD8455. Was toying w/the idea of the 955 from clarion, but the biggest reason (80%) was the 8volt output. I have a Phoenix Gold ZPA0.3 that NEEDS the 8v output to perform at its optimium. E-iSERV was anothe factor as well. Both will be supurb HUs. Just look at what features will siute you best. After all, you're the one that's going to enjoy it the most.

the clarion doesn't have the low impedence rca's like the eclipse and why do you NEED 8 volt rca's? and from experience the clarion doesn't play stratched cd's as well as the eclipse.

 

[Dan5767]

I have decided to get the cd8445. Just to make sure this system would be passive, right? So the cd8455 would not be worth it. Thanks for you help.

 

[iceteebone 5,000+ posts]

I have decided to get the cd8445. Just to make sure this system would be passive, right? So the cd8455 would not be worth it. Thanks for you help.

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/confused.gif.e820e0216602db4765798ac39d28caa9.gif so did you buy the eclipse or not? since you are running components i imagine with the xover that came with them would be passive.

 

[azbass 5,000+ posts]

the clarion doesn't have the low impedence rca's like the eclipse and why do you NEED 8 volt rca's? and from experience the clarion doesn't play stratched cd's as well as the eclipse.

agreed. clarion dose not play scratched cd's well.

 

[Dan5767]

No I didn't get it yet, but I will very shortly:veryhapp:

 

[937DYTBOI 5,000+ posts]

I have the clarion 855 in which im happy with, but everybody knows the eclipse has the best SQ. I would have gotten the eclipse but it wasnt detach face, that was the only drawback for me.

 

[937DYTBOI 5,000+ posts]

yea my clarion sucks playing scratched cd's.

 

[alphakenny1 10+ year member]

I have decided to get the cd8445. Just to make sure this system would be passive, right? So the cd8455 would not be worth it. Thanks for you help.

i think you should wait until the CES to see what eclipse will be releasing in 2006 to see if you want the newer stuff. if you don't like it then the 8445 isn't a bad choice. But if you ever plan on going active the 8455 is a good choice. i think the option to go active is worth the extra $100. just my opinion of course.

 

[adam71 5,000+ posts]

but everybody knows the eclipse has the best SQ.

Not necessarily. Everyone has different ears. Therefore everyone likes a different sound. SQ is totally dependent on the user's ear. I happen to love Pioneer's sound which is why I will not go with another brand of head unit. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[smgreen20 10+ year member]

Not necessarily. Everyone has different ears. Therefore everyone likes a different sound. SQ is totally dependent on the user's ear. I happen to love Pioneer's sound which is why I will not go with another brand of head unit. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

That's what I thought about clarion. As for why I needed the 8volt output. The Phoenix Gold ZPA0.3 I have NEEDS it to achieve optimium performance. States in the manual, a min. of 3 volts to a prefered 8 volts.

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

. States in the manual, a min. of 3 volts to a prefered 8 volts.

ftp://208.187.38.55/Phoenix_Gold/Manuals/Amplifiers/ZPA/zpa2chan.pdf

Where? I see where it says the input sensitivity ranges from 1V to 8V, but I see no mention of needing atleast 3V or 8V for optimal performance (to the contrary, with an input sensitivity range down to 1V, that means they designed the ampliifer to perform with as little as 1V input).

Not saying that having 8V input and keeping the gain to a minimum isn't advantageous......just that I see no mention of 8V or 3V being a necessity for optimal performance.