Is there really that much difference in SQ between head units?

[ds0110 10+ year member]

The specs seem very similar. Are there any real differences in SQ between these HUs?? I was thinking of going "premium" but when i compare them on paper, I see no reason to go above the cheaper kenwood excelon. Am i missing something? Bluetooth, navigation, etc are irrelevant to me.

Kenwood KDC-395 - ~$90-100 used

4volt, 22watt rms

8x oversampling, 24bit DAC, 20-20khz freq response, .008% thd, 110db s/n ratio, 92db dynamic range

usb, aux in

Kenwood KDC-X993 - ~$125-150 used

4volt, 50wattrms

8x oversampling, 24bit DAC, 10-20khz freq response, .008% thd, 110db s/n ratio, 93db dynamic range

5band eq, usb, aux in

Alpine CDA-9805 - ~$125-150 used

4volt, 22watt rms

8x oversampling, 24bit DAC, 5-20k freq response, .008% thd, 105db s/n ratio, 95db dynamic range

5band eq, usb

Eclipse 7200 mkii - ~$300 used

8volt, no amp?

Frequency Response 20Hz˜20kHz, ±3dB

S/N Ratio (A-weighted) 100dB

Dynamic Range 98dB

Total Harmonic Distortion 0.008%

usb

Nakamichi CD400 - price varies

4volt, 47watt rms

24bit DAC, 20-20khz freq response, .005% THD, ~100 s/n ratio, ~90 dynamic range

aux in

Nakamichi CD700 - ++$$

5volt, ??rms

8x oversampling, 24bit DAC, 20-20khz freq response, .003% THD, ~105db s/n ratio, 100db dynamic range

aux in

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[Bettr n' Revrse 5,000+ posts]

Yes

 

[martiandancer31 10+ year member]

are you using the HU's internal amplifier?If not, are you running passive, active, etc etc etc. Lots to think about here. Is it a big deal to you if the HU has auto calibration or not? Bands of EQ?

lots to think about here dude, so the answer is yes

 

[kramer_212 10+ year member]

one of if not the most important part of the system.

 

[ds0110 10+ year member]

are you using the HU's internal amplifier?If not, are you running passive, active, etc etc etc. Lots to think about here. Is it a big deal to you if the HU has auto calibration or not? Bands of EQ?
lots to think about here dude, so the answer is yes

At first id use the internal amp (unless I had the eclipse 7200mkii) but the end goal is passive using external amp(s). Auto calibration is fine (kenwood/nakamichi), manual is fine (eclipse/alpine) also as I dont mind learning how to properly do it. Most of those HUs listed had 5 band eq, eventually I would get an external eq as i have a double din slot to fill.

I felt dumb starting this thread. The main thing im not understanding is what specs should i be looking at, or how can I tell what is a better head unit when comparing numbers if freq response, s/n ratio, and THD% arent indicators?

 

[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

All CD head units are going to have the same frequency response, or so close any variation is irrelevant. THD is also irrelevant as according to the ratings the distortion will be inaudible. Some people might be able to hear a difference between a 100 dB s/n ratio and a 110 dB s/n ratio, but even though they're 10 dB apart they're both excellent.

What really matters, when you're comparing excellent mid-range head units, is the features and ergonomics.

• Does it have enough pre-outs for my needs?
  
• Does it offer time alignment? (yes, you need this)
  
• Does it have a parametric EQ? (you want this)
  
• USB input? Front and rear USB? Aux in? iPod interface? etc.
  

You mentioned adding on an equalizer. If you get an Alpine head unit, for example, to add on a better EQ you need to buy a processor. Skip the graphic equalizers as they're typically not more powerful than a good built-in 5-band parametric EQ.

Nakamichi head units are generally very simple, offering a utilitarian, almost OEM appearance. To some people this is perfect. I've read that Eclipse head units tend to be difficult to operate, and I've read the same about some Kenwood head units. These are all things to consider, with price being the lowest concern.

 

[martiandancer31 10+ year member]

At first id use the internal amp (unless I had the eclipse 7200mkii) but the end goal is passive using external amp(s). Auto calibration is fine (kenwood/nakamichi), manual is fine (eclipse/alpine) also as I dont mind learning how to properly do it. Most of those HUs listed had 5 band eq, eventually I would get an external eq as i have a double din slot to fill.
I felt dumb starting this thread. The main thing im not understanding is what specs should i be looking at, or how can I tell what is a better head unit when comparing numbers if freq response, s/n ratio, and THD% arent indicators?

no need to feel dumb, it's tough to sift thru all the marketing BS sometimes and figure out what's actually good and what's not.

as far as THD goes, the THD of the internal amps is probably going to ****, and the THD spec on the RCA output should be low enough on all of those that it won't matter. I noticed that a lot of your possibles also have 24 bit DAC which IMO is a great thing to have. Personally, I use a pioneer prs880 and one of the main reasons I bought it was for the 24 bit burr brown DAC.

I think trumpet did a solid job - 5 band parametric EQ would be a great option and would let you tailor the sound quite well. Time alignment is big and I personally wouldn't buy a unit without it.

 

[globalminds_ent 10+ year member]

time alignment is important why? U want seem like your in the middle of the stereo image? Can someone explain this to me? My hu has 2v pre outs but I thought that's what a line driver was for?? Help

 

[Imtjnotu 5,000+ posts]

Buy the eclipse 7200 trust me

/thread

 

[Phoenix Risen 10+ year member]

^^^^ what he said.

i love mine. as much as i hate to say it it puts everything but the menus on my P860 to shame.

 

[BnGRacing 10+ year member]

Buy the eclipse 7200 trust me /thread

The Eclipse HU has the best sounding DAC of the bunch...by far.

 

[Canaan 10+ year member]

SQ Hu thread...dam. You know what, I was just thinking about this.

Of the HU's that rank at the top in recent 'mainstream' memory for a reasonable price....you will most likely see the Prioneer PRS880 (which I have run in the past), Alpine CDA9887, and Eclipse 7200mkII (which I currently run in my truck).

All are outstanding HU's, and deserving of their price point when they where first introduced to the 12v market.

But what disturbs me most it this...ALL OF THESE HU MODELS ARE 2008-2009 MODEL HU'S!!!!!!

Why the hell hasn't a single mainstream HU manufacturer released a model to best these in current production years at a competitive price point???

Hell, the technology to produce an equivalent or better HU has most certainly become less expensive given current advances in technology.

If the average 'life-span' of a desktop computer has been shorted to under 18months, then why has the basic tech we find in Hu's become so far outdate given the price?

Yes, mainstream HU manufacturers have been offering many low priced Hu's ($70 msrp for example), but where are the equivalent advances in higher-end Hu's?

I for one (as a 12v retailer) am sad to say that given currently offered lines, I can't even sell my customer a similar HU $-for-$ to the Eclipse 7200MKII that have run in my truck since 2009.

Yes, I know that stock HU integration is becoming the norm, but until a Manu can offer me an integration that will offer similar options and qualities of my 7200MKII/PRS880 (from 3yrs ago) for a similar price point....well, I guess I will just sit here and wait and wish.

 

[TaylorFade 10+ year member]

Good point, Canaan. My old school Eclipse 5506 and my Alpine phantom face (7897) are by far the bets HU's I've heard. And unfortunately, that seems to be the trend. New school units have all the bells and whistles but sacrifice SQ. My Alpine 117 seems to be a good comprimise though. It's not as nice as my old 7897, but I get the features I want in a new school unit without losing much sonically.

And to answer the OP. Yes, absolutely. There is really that much difference.

 

[smgreen20 10+ year member]

I ran a Pioneer P980BT a few years back, nice unit. I decided to take back my Eclipse CD8455 from the wifes car and put it back in my truck. Deck power to deck power the Eclipse blew away the Pio. I was amazed by how much better it sounded over the Pio. So yes, all things equal, there could still be a difference in sound.

 

[TaylorFade 10+ year member]

I mean, if you think about it... it doesn't matter how good your amps are or how awesome your front stage is. If your transport (source unit) is crap, then your system is going to be crap.