I know alot of people talk about these HUs on here but I dont hear people comparing the two. I'm in the market for one of these units but I'm having trouble deciding. If anyone who has one of these units could give my honest opinions on them that would be great. I have a budget right now around 1000. Plus i would be more into the movie and music quality (DSP-RMS ratings)rather then the NAV.

Thanks for any help!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Well I have the Kenwood DDX and I have a friend who has the Eclipse. He is going to switch to the Kenwood because the Eclipse can't handle large sound systems. Also, the DVD controls on the Kenwood are WAY easier to use than the Eclipse. On the eclipse, the you have to use the touch screen and navigate through the DVD menus, whereas on the Kenwood you can use the remote like any other dvd player. And since you don't care about the NAV, the kenwood with only the HU can be had for like 800-1200 brand new, whereas the Eclipse go for around 1800 because its an all in one unit.

 

Well, if you're looking for NAV, the AVN2454 is better. The Kenwood is better for audio features. I wouldn't say that the Eclipse can't handle large systems, but the 2454 has relatively low preout voltages. Alpine usually has 3V or so -- the new 5435 has 5V preouts and will soon have an XM module.

If you do want nav, there are a lot of people with the Eclipse AVN2454 looking to sell their old units for around $1200. I know I paid around $2000, but that's because I bought it right after the unit debuted as CES.

 

Thanks for the info! Do you happen to know the preout voltages on the Kenwood?

 

what if we did want navigation as well, which one would be better?

 

Well considering I got my AVN5435 from an authorized dealer for $1500+tax (do not buy this from ebay... average price is well over 1500 even with tax), I'd go with the Kenwood for the NAV. The Kenwood has a separate Brain for the NAV. From official sellers with both the headunit and Nav you're looking at around $2000. Ebay (with no warranty of course) you're looking at around $1800.

Downsides of Eclipse AVN5435 for me no digital out and doesn't play WMA files(not that I have very many anyways).

Downsides of Kenwood for me 2V preouts and more expensive and takes more room because NAV is in a separate unit.


Upsides of Eclipse AVN5435. People frequently mention the better video quality on the Eclipse as compared to the DDX7015 (which I was not able to see one in person so don't know, but compared to an AVIC-N1 the Eclipse looked better to me.) They OEM for Toyota/Lexus for their NAV units and it has one of the highest rated NAV system software. 5V Pre-outs. Eclipse is known for their sound quality. 9 band equalizer and DSP built in.

Upsides of Kenwood DDX7015. Can add more features. Won't have to eject the Navigation DVD if you want to play DVD music/movie. Digital output to plug up to an external decoder to have 5.1 surround in your vehicle. (Find a DualDisc or DVD-Audio of someone you like and check it out. They'll play on regular DVD players too. I recommend Nine Inch Nails The Downward Spiral on DualDisc. Even Dolby Stereo sounds good. Better than a CD even.)

I've lost my train of thought. Oh well hopefully that helps.

 

I have read that the NEW 05' Kenwood DDX6017 comes with the DSP chip.

About the picture quality, the Kenwood has alot more pixels, i think like around 330,000 compared to the Eclipse which has around 280,000.

 

I have the Kenwood 7015 in my xB and love it man. I didn't need the nav either. Kinda pointless where I live! LOL

 

Picture quality good?

 

im definately looking at one of these for my birthday gift.. Is the eclipse navigation all built in, or is there a separate hideway unit? I definately want the nav..

 

Yeah it's very good. Very clear!

 

Eclipse units are all in one. No hideaway boxes.

 

as for me i love my kenwood, had no problems, as for the navi. i guess in hawaii i don't need it either. you either head to the ocean or to the mountain. lol. but i'm finally giving it up. not because of quality, my buddy is working on another project for my box which i'm loosing my 7015. now i gotta look for a buyer.

 

i have the kenwood and love it. clear pictures

 

I went through trying to pick either the Kenwood or the Eclipse. I ended up comparing both and chose the Kenwood and have no regrets.

 

I did the same thing. I just ordered the Kenwood DDX6017. I will be sure to post pics and stuff on it when it comes in.