ok, maybe not most. i'm pretty sure you can get other headunits with SQ that might be better than an alpine (nakamichi?) but it is better than most and MUCh better than most stock headunits. even their cheapest model.

 

I've loved my Alpines - among the best HUs I've had. I can't speak to Eclipse, never having one of its HUs.

One great reason to go with Alpine is its high-speed iPod interface, if you have an iPod.

 

I've owned 2 clarion units and 2 alpine units, (along with 1 sony and 1 kenwood). I amost always recommend clarion. They are easy to use. Alpine on the other hand, while fine units, are ever confusing. if you like to tweak settings all the time, you probably want an alpine. They are usually very well featured. I've thrown away the Sony (junk unit), and 1 Alpine unit. The other Alpine is currently in my truck though it occasionally malfuntions and the motorized door won't close correctly. I sold the kenwood and 1 clarion still in good condition. The other Clarion is Currently in the S2000. I bought that unit in 1999, and it is still working great! The S is the 5th vehicle it's been in. I have no experience with eclipse besides that when they first started making head units, they would constantly overheat. I'm sure that is fixed by now. I hope this helps some.

 

That I can agree with

 

Just because you own brand name doesn't make it better than other brands. I've had the chance to drove Lexus, BMW and Mercedes and by far hand down the Lexus is the best. However, did any of you ever wonder which Lexus, BMW and Mercedes model and year I drove? I went from a $100 Alpine to a $400 Pioneer receiver so I guess Pioneer is better/best compare to Alpine?.

 

I explained my reasoning. I know Apline has a lot of fans here. It's practically blasphemy to to say you like something else. I gave them props where it was due.

Edit: Both Alpines were/are mid to high end units.

 

I'm not trying to offend you in anyway. However, It would be much better for people to fully describe in detail of which brand and model they are comparing. My HU is the Pioneer DEH-7800MP. It wouldn't be valid for me to said this $400 unit outperform a $100 Alpine CDE-9872. I'm not saying Alpine is inferior than Pioneer, but it has validation by explaining in full detail.

 

OK... Let me "justify" my responses to the discussion:

I ran Alpine 7995, 9815 (7995 was a dead head model, 9815 was 2nd from top of the line for it's year)

I ran Eclipse 8445, 7100 (8445 was discontinued when I bought it, 7100 top of the line when I bought it brand new - have two, one in my S, one in my truck)

The switch from the 9815 to the 8445 was strictly a HU swap - nothing else was changed. I distinctly noticed a difference in sound quality - the annoying harshness at around 3-5Khz was gone. I'd say that makes Eclipse the better sounding HU (esp since Alpine is KNOWN to be the cause of the harshness).

 

Can anyone confirm if there is clearance for the front panel on the CD-3200 to open if installed on an S2000? I saw a CD-3100 on a display and it looked like when the panel opened it came out and dropped down a bit. It really didn't look to me like it would even work in our cars. I haven't seen the CD-3200 in person though, so I don't know if that has changed at all.

Since the OP mentioned both of these units, he might be interested in this info too!

 

I can verify that it will fit, Mother