What head unit are you using and Why?

Post by **Jacampb2** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 11:48 pm

I don't know about eclipse's current offerings. But, I did look at the 7200MkII and thought it looked like a bad ass HU.

I would suggest that you go with a "dead head" if you have another external amp you could use, and you have the room to install it. There is a reason that The very top of the line HU's do not include amplification. IMO even a external amplifier of medium quality is a significant improvement over most HU's internal amp. They provide more tunability, and much, much higher real power output then is even possible to get out of a HU's IC based amp.

I personally am running the internal amp in my CD-8445 in my p/u. I am only doing it out of necessity though. I have plenty of PG amps to go full externally amped, but, with the stroker crammed under the Ext. Cab seat, and it's amp, I literally have no room left for more amps-- not unless I pulled the back seat, or decided to build a custom console or something. Since I have a full scale project in the works, I am compromising for now. I do have to say, that as far as internal HU amps go, the 8445 has the absolute best sounding one I have ever heard. I have not however heard to terribly many of them though, because this is the first system that I have ever even had a amplified HU in...

IMO, if you can swing it, go for the 7200. If you absolutely have to have the internal amp, maybe you should consider doing w/o the USB and buy a used 8445. You can always use the analog input for the MP3 player...

Later,
Jason

KHPower · Post by **KHPower** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 4:59 am

Jacampb2 wrote:I don't know about eclipse's current offerings. But, I did look at the 7200MkII and thought it looked like a bad ass HU.

I would suggest that you go with a "dead head" if you have another external amp you could use, and you have the room to install it. There is a reason that The very top of the line HU's do not include amplification. IMO even a external amplifier of medium quality is a significant improvement over most HU's internal amp. They provide more tunability, and much, much higher real power output then is even possible to get out of a HU's IC based amp.

I personally am running the internal amp in my CD-8445 in my p/u. I am only doing it out of necessity though. I have plenty of PG amps to go full externally amped, but, with the stroker crammed under the Ext. Cab seat, and it's amp, I literally have no room left for more amps-- not unless I pulled the back seat, or decided to build a custom console or something. Since I have a full scale project in the works, I am compromising for now. I do have to say, that as far as internal HU amps go, the 8445 has the absolute best sounding one I have ever heard. I have not however heard to terribly many of them though, because this is the first system that I have ever even had a amplified HU in...

IMO, if you can swing it, go for the 7200. If you absolutely have to have the internal amp, maybe you should consider doing w/o the USB and buy a used 8445. You can always use the analog input for the MP3 player...

Later,
Jason

I was contemplating this for a while , to go with a "dead head" or not. I do have 2 amps I can run my van speakers with a Hifonics Hawk 45 x 2 or I could wire up the Phoenix Gold ZX500

My van has 6 speakers total: Front 6x9's or 6.5's , rear doors 6.5's and the top Pillars are 4'' s .

denim · Post by **denim** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 4:59 am

Daily driver:
Premier PRS-880

Show Car:
8053

I think it is pretty obvious why I chose those two.

KHPower · Post by **KHPower** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 5:09 am

denim wrote:Daily driver:
Premier PRS-880

Show Car:
8053

I think it is pretty obvious why I chose those two.

How do you like your Eclipse? Also , why do you choose to run the Pioneer PRS-880 for your daily driver?

denim · Post by **denim** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 5:16 am

KHPower wrote:
denim wrote:Daily driver:
Premier PRS-880

Show Car:
8053

I think it is pretty obvious why I chose those two.
How do you like your Eclipse? Also , why do you choose to run the Pioneer PRS-880 for your daily driver?

I love the eclipse. I have run nothing but top model Eclipse units for a while. The 8053 is outstanding for control and voltage out. I have the BLA, but it is not installed, my currently installs amps will not like that much signal.

The PRS-880 is a solid unit, and it has a little less fine control then the 8053, and a little less signal. But the clarity, ease of changing crossover points in traffic, and it is perfect for an active front stage. Excellent unit for anyone that does not want to pay top end eclipse money. The new PRS-800 is out, but I have not compared features yet.

eyesofra · Post by **eyesofra** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 3:51 pm

the pionner premiers sounds really good...might look into that when the time comes for upgrade....

at the moment my Naka CD-400 is working just great and sounds excellant though it doesn't have any of the advanced processing build-in.
It doen't have mp3 palyback either but an ipod thru the aux in solves that problem.
If one is after a KISS system and want a premium sounding HU but not the price..then the naka's a winner.

soth · Post by **soth** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 6:54 pm

If you're looking for eclipse then you should be able to get a good deal on ebay for sure.

Some models I would buy.
cd-7000
cd-8455
cd-7100
cd-5000
cd-5100

KHPower · Post by **KHPower** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 10:26 pm

soth wrote:If you're looking for eclipse then you should be able to get a good deal on ebay for sure.

Some models I would buy.
cd-7000
cd-8455
cd-7100
cd-5000
cd-5100

Those seem like the models that would be my type and lately I have been eyeing the 7200 mkll , its a dead head and I ahave a few amps that could get some good use and it seems to have all the features i want

What do you think of the 7200 MKll???

soth · Post by **soth** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 6:28 pm

KHPower wrote:
soth wrote:If you're looking for eclipse then you should be able to get a good deal on ebay for sure.

Some models I would buy.
cd-7000
cd-8455
cd-7100
cd-5000
cd-5100
Those seem like the models that would be my type and lately I have been eyeing the 7200 mkll , its a dead head and I ahave a few amps that could get some good use and it seems to have all the features i want

What do you think of the 7200 MKll???

7200 mkII, That HU looks very nice IMO. I wouldn't mind selling my cd5000 and purchasing that one. If you don't mind paying 500+ for the HU then I would recommend it.

8v preouts
24 bit dac

Let me just give you the link instead

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/ ... 00&tp=5684

KHPower · Post by **KHPower** » Sun Jul 20, 2008 7:36 am

I found what DAC they used on the net but now I cannot find it for the life of me

I know its not a Burr Brown but one I have never heard of.

Does anyone kbnow what DAC they use?? Its not listed anywhere that I can see in the manual or on the Eclipse site

flogger11 · Post by **flogger11** » Sun Jul 20, 2008 8:12 am

Personally, I wouldnt even worry about it. Buy the 7200 mkII or a CDA-9887 and forget about it.... You cant go wrong with either.

soth · Post by **soth** » Sun Jul 20, 2008 6:24 pm

Yeah KH, either one will be great man. Just look at the specs on each one then decide on the pros/cons for both.

KHPower · Post by **KHPower** » Sun Jul 20, 2008 6:38 pm

Indeed , both of you are right. With the Eclipse 7200 it will be a different trasition for me because this will be the first time I had to use external amps to run my speaker system

I ran 6 x 9's before a long time ago.

I always need new projects

so this should be fun

Thanks Guys!

flogger11 · Post by **flogger11** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 6:16 am

KHPower wrote:Indeed , both of you are right. With the Eclipse 7200 it will be a different trasition for me because this will be the first time I had to use external amps to run my speaker system I ran 6 x 9's before a long time ago.

I always need new projects so this should be fun

Thanks Guys!

All that gear and you havent had anything more than by-nines? Come on, you must be kidding, right?

KHPower · Post by **KHPower** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 7:08 am

flogger11 wrote:
KHPower wrote:Indeed , both of you are right. With the Eclipse 7200 it will be a different trasition for me because this will be the first time I had to use external amps to run my speaker system I ran 6 x 9's before a long time ago.

I always need new projects so this should be fun

Thanks Guys!
All that gear and you havent had anything more than by-nines? Come on, you must be kidding, right?

ha ,ha , ha Well I have never had any component sets or anything cool. The only time I used added speakers was some 6 x9 s in little boxes running off a amp just to add to my system. Currently I just use the Alpine 6x9's that are in my dash and they are set to high pass(The Immortal is soooo loud) and the rear speaker I never hear unless I turn off my sub.

No need to make fun lol!

flogger11 · Post by **flogger11** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 7:11 am

Your audio world will change with a solid pair of seperates!

soth · Post by **soth** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 7:20 am

Oh man KH, indeed the HU will make a difference, but yeah, when you get a good pair of components you'll be happy i'm sure. I was very happy when I went from components to HLCD's and a dedicated midbass driver.

Nothing wrong with just having x9's, but once you hear a very good sq oriented system then you just want to have more, more more

Or at least that was the way it was with me.

Everybody has to start somewhere

Good luck with the new stuff KH.

KHPower · Post by **KHPower** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 7:26 am

soth wrote:Oh man KH, indeed the HU will make a difference, but yeah, when you get a good pair of components you'll be happy i'm sure. I was very happy when I went from components to HLCD's and a dedicated midbass driver.

Nothing wrong with just having x9's, but once you hear a very good sq oriented system then you just want to have more, more more Or at least that was the way it was with me.

Everybody has to start somewhere

Good luck with the new stuff KH.

Thanks I may need some luck

I have not purchased the head unit yet but soon

Kinda stinks because I have no idea where I would place some components. I roll in a 88 GMC Safari van(Astro) 6x9's front , 61/2 rear doors and 4'' in the pillars(above the doors towards the ceiling)

Can I run lets say some of the new PG components in my dash?

Sorry I have no idea how and what , where to place components

flogger11 · Post by **flogger11** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 7:35 am

You can either buy pre-fab adapter plates for your 6x9 holes or make your own with a little wood and a jig saw. Also many quality component speakers come with a 6x9 adapter ring already, I know my polks did!

KHPower · Post by **KHPower** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 7:41 am

flogger11 wrote:You can either buy pre-fab adapter plates for your 6x9 holes or make your own with a little wood and a jig saw. Also many quality component speakers come with a 6x9 adapter ring already, I know my polks did!

Thats awesome! I may need to pick up a set of components for my front 6x9's spot's. Would it be a good idea to place components in the dash speakers slots?? I have always seen them in the sides of doors

flogger11 · Post by **flogger11** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 7:43 am

Just say no to the dash...

KHPower · Post by **KHPower** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 7:53 am

flogger11 wrote:Just say no to the dash...

Then where do I put them? Picture in your head my van or any van. Where would you put them? It would be nice to custom mount them in my side drivers and passengers doors but as of now that is alot of work

I was hoping components would work well inthe dashspeaker slots

soth · Post by **soth** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 1:43 pm

KHPower wrote:
flogger11 wrote:Just say no to the dash...
Then where do I put them? Picture in your head my van or any van. Where would you put them? It would be nice to custom mount them in my side drivers and passengers doors but as of now that is alot of work

I was hoping components would work well inthe dashspeaker slots

Put em in your kick panel if you have them. If not how are you with fiberglass? If not fiberglass then wood/bondo and shaping? If you're after SQ then the kickpanel is the way to go.

KHPower · Post by **KHPower** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 2:52 pm

soth wrote:
KHPower wrote:
flogger11 wrote:Just say no to the dash...
Then where do I put them? Picture in your head my van or any van. Where would you put them? It would be nice to custom mount them in my side drivers and passengers doors but as of now that is alot of work

I was hoping components would work well inthe dashspeaker slots
Put em in your kick panel if you have them. If not how are you with fiberglass? If not fiberglass then wood/bondo and shaping? If you're after SQ then the kick panel is the way to go.

I am not a SQ guy , but would like to be. Right now my immortal sub is satisfying me but there are times when I just want to listen to some nice music

I have never fiberglassed but I am pretty good with stuff and I think I could do it

soth · Post by **soth** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 2:59 pm

^ Ahh, ok. Here is a good link that shows a simple fiberglass enclosure.
http://phoenixphorum.com/simple-fibergl ... vt437.html

I usually put some aluminum foil on the kick panel area then blue painters tape. There I would apply some chop mat on the first layer along with resin. Keep building up the ground (back part of the mold) with 3-4 layers. After it's done then draw out the design (contour) you wish to keep with the floor and panels and cut it out. Then just follow the steps in the link above. Just takes time is all, be patient (not with the fiberglass/resin) though, the whole process

Good luck