Celica Forums General Discussion Exterior Top of the line Eclipse

Ok so i am going to be putting a lot of work on my sound system now. I am deciding between the Kenwood Excelon KDC-X979, which top of the line. But I have heard the Eclipse makes well made headunits. So what is the top of line Eclipse headunit?

here is the Key Features for the Kenwood

Key Features:

> 3D MASK Pro motorized, detachable face
> fine-dot 3-D multicolor FL display
> plays CDs, CD-Rs, and CD-RWs
> plays MP3 and WMA files
> 24-bit Burr-Brown D/A converter
> CR-2 tuner
> 18 FM/6 AM presets
> seek tuning
> digital signal processor (includes seat position and cabin size settings, 3-band parametric EQ)
> Dolby Pro Logic II
> SRS WOW sound enhancements (raises the soundstage, improves imaging, and strengthens bass)
> System Q EX Sound Control (6 EQ presets, speaker size matching)
> System E's+ crossover system
> source tone memory
> SIRIUS tuner controls (SIRIUS radio subscription, tuner, and antenna required to receive the satellite radio signal) service is available only in the lower 48 states, not available in Alaska, Hawaii, or U.S. territories
> HD Radio-ready (will control Kenwood's HD Radio tuner)
> CD changer controls
> dual zone audio control
> 5-volt front, rear, center, and subwoofer preamp outputs
> Amplifier Management System (AMS) provides remote control over compatible Kenwood Excelon amplifiers
> rear auxiliary input
> wireless remote
> clock
> 22 watts RMS/50 peak x 4 channels
> CD frequency response 10-20,000 Hz
> CD signal-to-noise ratio 110 dB
> FM sensitivity 9.3 dBf
> warranty: 3 years

I got the cd8443 which was last years top of the line along with the passive cd8053. This years model is the CD8454. You can maybe find the 8443 at your local tweeter on clearance for $329 if they have any left, if not the 8454 is around $500. Either way Eclipse is allot better than the excelon units.

i have heard this time and time again. I just want some of the Key Features. Most importantly the

RMS
CD frequency response
CD signal-to-noise ratio
FM sensitivity

i have yet to find a place that tells me that

i got eclipse but it's not top of the line it's up there though and i love it

If those are what you call key features I suggest you buy another deck, if you are looking for all digital circuitry with 8 volt preamp output then get an eclipse.

Most of those parameters are useless but here they are.

FM Sensitivity- 13dbf
CD S/N Ratio- 100db
CD frequency Response- 20-20,000Hz
RMS- 13x4 RMS

i dont think you can go wrong with either, i have had some awesome eclipse decks from back in the day and kenwood, now i use sony...im cheap and like the appearance so sue me, thats a flame waiting to happen i know it either way, both great stuff

Why do you need "top of the line"? What exactly are you looking for? That Kenwood sounds great. 5 volt preouts is nice. The Eclipse CD8454 has 90% of what the Kenwood has but the preamp outputs are 8 volt. Kenwood is more fancy and might have some more features but i found i do not use half of the features i have on mine. I have the JVC LH3100 which you can import pictures to the display face and i did it like one time. I would go with the Eclipse CD8454.

here is a link to all the info:
http://www.eclipse-web.com/index_cd.html

well what would you call key features? i mean im looking for great sound here and those all tell me how great sounding the deck is. where did you get the info from?

I think you mean KD-LH300. Thats the one I want. I'm in love with it. I'm still waiting for the price to drop, though.

I'd go with the CD8454. Kenwood is great, but Eclipse is much better, imo. More powerful, too.

Eclipse all the way bro - I have the 8443, but the new model has a better face plate and memory stick built-in...

never had eclipse, but i've been using excelons forever, both are good brands...

LMAO...Umm yeah, I got the factory toyota radio...lol

yea, i got the KD-LH3100 sorry. haven't looked at the box in a long time. It is sweet. the price will not drop for a while. Besides decks with hard drives, what other decks can you create your own pics for your display? Thats why i do not think the price will drop anytime soon.