3 Way Active HU

solacedagony · Post by **solacedagony** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 6:10 pm

Hey guys. I'm looking at some options now. One guy on diymobileaudio.com is selling an Alpine 9815 for 200+shipping, another guy is selling an Eclipse 8053 for 300+shipping. I can buy a brand new Eclipse 8445 from millionbuy.com for 300+shipping. I haven't used any of these HUs, so I need you guys to help me out here! Thanks!

JeremyC · Post by **JeremyC** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 6:16 pm

8053 was a Bad Boy for its day. If its a refurb, or lightly used its well worth the price.

The 8445 is a great unit as well, but if you want to run active look into the 8455. The 8445 doesn't really have the options you need to run active. If you want more info check out my review.

The alpine, well I have heard mixed reviews. The one that worries me the most is the higher failure rate. I beleive they were having some problems with some of the early 2005 models.

joeyc · Post by **joeyc** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 6:18 pm

eclipse avx5000!! well thats what I would like to have anyway

solacedagony · Post by **solacedagony** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 7:01 pm

joeyc wrote:eclipse avx5000!! well thats what I would like to have anyway

Yea I don't quite have that kinda budget :)

Jeremy: The only thing keeping me from buying the 8053 is 1) It's an older unit. 2) No MP3 capability. That may not seem like a buying point (which it really isn't), but from the way I see it, the easier everything can be, the more enjoyment for me, which is really what this system is. If I can listen to 10 different albums at the click of a button like I can now, that makes my life so much easier. :)

Edit: So you guys suggest I should be looking for the 8455? If so, do you know anyone getting rid of one in at least decent condition or anywhere to buy one new (not sure I can afford new though :-X)?

JeremyC · Post by **JeremyC** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 2:38 am

Yeah if I had an 8053, there is no way I would want to listen to an MP3. That thing is a strait up SQ head unit. Very little frills, just great SQ.

I still think the 8455 is your best bet. Might be a little more money, but you will thank me later.

solacedagony · Post by **solacedagony** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 3:39 am

Is anyone on here a dealer for Eclipse and still have some 8455s? I can only find 8445s online and there are no 8455s on Ebay.

OnYrMrk · Post by **OnYrMrk** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 4:48 am

well since the 8455 is last years model, you might find someone who still has them. Check the classifieds at carstereo.com They might have one. I know someone who has a Blaupunct Bremen that will do what you want and I think I can get it for you for about 350. It was in his wife's car, or ex-wife that is.

Anyway, he didn't need it, the F1 Status he is definately going to keep.

That Bremen was 700 bucks new.

if you want to check out the specs, I would understand. Let me know.

Joe

solacedagony · Post by **solacedagony** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 6:28 am

Seems like a nice unit. Lots of options. Does it have fully active crossovers on all of its 4 channel pre-outs? Also, how is the build quality on those Blaupunkts. I know their speakers aren't anything to particularly take time out of my day for. The only real problem I see is that there isn't that much option when it comes to crossover points on the bandpass. I can't seem to find information on crossover points/slopes for the Eclipse 8455, though.
I'm thinking more and more, as I do more research into this, that I should be looking for an outboard fully variable 3 way electronic crossover, but I'm not sure. Please advise guys!

Edit: The only thing I noticed about outboard units is that I can't find any with T/A adjustments! So it seems like this is a choice of the lesser of 2 evils lol

OnYrMrk · Post by **OnYrMrk** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 7:34 am

I personally thing this: That the CD8455 is the best HU bar none for under $1000 in the American market today. There is a writeup that Jeremy did that since I am on a solaris box right now, linking to it would be more difficult than I tend to like.

But anyway, you get a true 3-way crossover, T/A is user programmable in Pro-mode and preset in normal mode, 10PEQ available, Sirius, HD, Nav-ready...and can be had for about $650 brand new.

solacedagony · Post by **solacedagony** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 7:59 am

OnYrMrk wrote:I personally thing this: That the CD8455 is the best HU bar none for under $1000 in the American market today. There is a writeup that Jeremy did that since I am on a solaris box right now, linking to it would be more difficult than I tend to like.
But anyway, you get a true 3-way crossover, T/A is user programmable in Pro-mode and preset in normal mode, 10PEQ available, Sirius, HD, Nav-ready...and can be had for about $650 brand new.

Do you happen to know what crossover point/slope options there are on the 8455?