Finally got my system in my car and I am just not satisfied with the crappy *** 2-band parametric EQ on my Alpine (9857). I can't believe they took out the tuning of the mids for the 2006 models, not to mention just about everything sports 2v preouts. :\ It sounds like my speakers have this big hole where the mids should be.. bleh

The Eclipse 3100 is catching my eye. The price is right, it has a 3-band EQ, and you can get an iPod adapter for it. Anyone have experience with this unit? Cnet has a decent video review of it but makes no mention of how well the ipod integration works.

Thanks for any input. When it comes to car audio I usually have an issue with regretting my purchase several weeks later so want to be sure I'm making the right decision this time.

 

ermmm the plot thickens:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-P4Xtdb9...500CDA9887#Tab

 

yes the 9887 is leaps and bounds above everything Alpine has created in the last 2 years... should be a fine copetitor.

 

Budget?...

 

400 smackers

 

Why keep your HU and spend the coin on a DSP?

 

PM Don. Not exactly sure, but I bet he can get you into a nice Eclipse for that.

 

Just bought this used, http://www.crutchfield.com/S-dOtTR1A...sp?i=020DXZ775

So far, after being installed for a couple hours I LOVE it, look for a review in a few days, its three way capable, 3 way parametric EQ for left and right side, Time alignment for each channel, individual speaker levels per channel which is unheard of for this price range...iPod hook up of course, its very easy to use. So much easier than my Alpine 9831 (yes, the last of the good ones) and CLEANER.

Ill be comparing all the features with my 9831, except of course features not present on the alpine like the 3 way crossover...With that budget, you can get the ipod adapter with it...

Edit: BTW on the site is says 2 band EQ, but I have confirmed that it is in fact 3 band. Crossover points and EQ points appear to be 1/4 or 1/3 octave steps...

 

CD5100 should be in that price range...

 

If it were, I would have bought that, instead of the DXZ775

 

Couldn't agree, more. Great head unit. The file browsing, on USB could be a bit better, though. Doesn't allow you to differentiate between folder levels when scrolling through folders. i.e. You might as well not have different folder sublevels as you have to scroll through each and every one anyway. Kinda sucks, when you have over 1500 CD's on a hard drive.

 

It can be had in the $400 range....

 

Now you tell me

 

Sell and get it

 

Once you go eclipse it is hard to go back to another brand of CD units. I have competed with eclipse for many years and always loved my decks!

 

Im going with an Ipod, and its a pain in the *** when you have a **** load of music anyway, which is why I'll have playlists In reality, nothing works perfectly when it comes to USB connections so im not too worried about that. Only so much control a HU can have...Whats nice is the Aux input, Ipod controller, and USB are all separate, unlike the older alpines that require the AiNET input adapter...

Ive noticed that Mp3s actually sound better, and it loads them so much faster (on a CD). My alpine would take 10 seconds or more, this thing takes a couple

 

Actually I have a demo unit I can let go for $300 shipped. Still with full warranty.

 

dibs & pm sent

nahnahnahnah-nahhhh!

 

Gratz

 

Don to the rescue once again

 

save up and get the 7100

 

He already made a purchase.

 

Is this what you plan on doing .

 

already did

 

Damn you should have got the 880 instead.