want to buy a SQ H/U to go with the Focal and u-dimension gear I just bought. I had the 9815 in mind or the 8051 Eclipse but want some other ideas as I've heard from some people that Alpine arent all they're cracked up to be (dont flame me please, its just what I heard!) and I dont like the fact Eclipse H/U's aren't detachable.

Any suggestions would be great

Maybe a nakamichi cd400 but i'd still say go eclipse for SQ or alpine for value & features.

You might get some good results out of a clarion too. 835mp or 935mp or something, the model number escapes me

i love alpine.

i certainly agree that alpine don't offer the best SQ HUs on the market, even at their various price points (F1 status excluded).

but what they do offer is top value for money in terms of:
*build quality and reliability
*inbuilt features
*SQ

plus they offer a complete range of accesories that integrate very cleverly. then there's plenty of retailers around for support. good after sales service too.

the 9815 is an example of a top value deck, with very high SQ and loaded with features. it's very hard to beat in terms of bang for your buck.

however, i also recommend eclipse ahead of alpine if you want all out SQ. they are high build quality, but don't have all the features. their accessories (eg: CD stackers, etc) are relatively more expensive, and they don't offer as extensive range of processors and accesories. so if you want stuff like a comprehensive EQ, you have to buy an additional component which adds to cost, complexity and installation space/time.

and nothing wrong with clarion stuff. they are certainly renowned for high SQ in their top range decks. i'm not familiar enough with nak stuff to comment, save for their reputation for top SQ as well.

in the end, it may boil down to what you consider best value for money. any slight difference in SQ may be outweighed by your ability to have optimally installed your speakers and their tuning.

but, i've been happy using alpine for years now, and certainly recommend them for what that's worth.

Just to educate you as to why this is. The face doesnt need to be detachable because no one would dare steal these units anyway. Every model Eclipse you buy comes with ESN, the companys patented traceable security system. Your details are recorded along with the electronic serial number of the HU when you purchase it.

Next step is to select the crappiest most apalling CD in your collection to use as a key disc. Once battery power to the unit is cut, it is rendered inoperable and will not play until this disc (as chosen by you) is inserted. Gives you 5 tries then the unit effectively shuts down. If someone happens to aquire the unit and tries to contact Eclipse to have it reactivated, they will pay all postage costs associated in getting it to them, and once it arrives they will match the serial number with its rightful owner, inspect the unit for damage, then return it to you.

Eclipse was the USA's highest selling headunit last year. And the least stolen.

[ December 26, 2003, 14:48: Message edited by: Iano ]