Ers
11-06-2009, 10:19 AM
Well, even though I cant update my thread due to lappy being broken....
I have installed an Eclipse CD7200 last weekend.
Here's a brief review/overview from an intermediate level user:
http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/products/2008/099/p099CD7200-F.jpeg
Here's someone elses pic of the copper chassis
http://www.stereointegrity.com/images/Lexus/HUcopper.JPG
Initial thoughts:
Rather simple layout, face sticks out a fraction more than I would like, about 1/2 cm more than my pervious Pioneer.
Design is not 'flash', does not have a colour screen with lots of motion wallpapers.
Looks: I personally love it, was reccommended to me by Fhrx as I was after an SQ deck but dont like Alpine/Pioneer higher end decks, and dont like touch screens.
You can change the colour of the keys (from blue, blue red, green, blue green, amber, amber green). Which is a nice touch.
Screen is easy to read, and only displays what you need it to. Deck probably looks like most decks from a few years ago - but thats not why I bought this deck.
You can turn the screen off via the text/screen button aswell.
Functionality: Damn good, once you figure out where the menu for sound is hidden (its the telephone button....eh). Menu's are easy to follow, cant get lost like in some decks.
Buttons are clearly marked, well lit up at night.
Rotary wheel is easy to use, large enough so you dont fumble for it. Though the button for the fader/SVC/loud setting is a bit small.
Remote control is simple, with very few buttons so you dont need to memorise 30 buttons.
Very easy deck to get used to, mainly due to its extremely 'simple' design - which to me is a bonus, I hate cluttered head units.
Sound Quality:
Cant fault it, with an 8V set of preouts the amps dont need to do much work. No noise (wether this is partly due to the copper chassis is debateable).
Sound Adjustment:
You have the usual balance/fader left/right - front/back.
When you get into the Sound Menu, you have the Xover, PEQ and Time Alignment to play with (plus Harmonizer and Nf...dont use either).
Xover is suprisingly easy to use - which is a godsend, as sometimes working out the Xover point for LPF and HPF on an amp is tricky and guess work.
Since I am running a 2way passive set up, I dont quite use this deck to its full potential. As if you had a 3 way active set up, you can use the Xover on the deck to control all your Xover points - very easy to do.
Time Alignment could not be easier to use, measured in msec - also gives you the option of increasing or decreasing each side in dB during time alignment, so you can reduce say your front right speakers by 1dB and time align aswell. Very handy for fine tuning.
Final words:
If you're after an SQ deck, and are not fussed about a fancy screen - I dont think you can go past the Eclipse CD7200. Specially with them selling for $600 including the Ipod interface.
Not a bad price at all IMO.
I have installed an Eclipse CD7200 last weekend.
Here's a brief review/overview from an intermediate level user:
http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/products/2008/099/p099CD7200-F.jpeg
Here's someone elses pic of the copper chassis
http://www.stereointegrity.com/images/Lexus/HUcopper.JPG
Initial thoughts:
Rather simple layout, face sticks out a fraction more than I would like, about 1/2 cm more than my pervious Pioneer.
Design is not 'flash', does not have a colour screen with lots of motion wallpapers.
Looks: I personally love it, was reccommended to me by Fhrx as I was after an SQ deck but dont like Alpine/Pioneer higher end decks, and dont like touch screens.
You can change the colour of the keys (from blue, blue red, green, blue green, amber, amber green). Which is a nice touch.
Screen is easy to read, and only displays what you need it to. Deck probably looks like most decks from a few years ago - but thats not why I bought this deck.
You can turn the screen off via the text/screen button aswell.
Functionality: Damn good, once you figure out where the menu for sound is hidden (its the telephone button....eh). Menu's are easy to follow, cant get lost like in some decks.
Buttons are clearly marked, well lit up at night.
Rotary wheel is easy to use, large enough so you dont fumble for it. Though the button for the fader/SVC/loud setting is a bit small.
Remote control is simple, with very few buttons so you dont need to memorise 30 buttons.
Very easy deck to get used to, mainly due to its extremely 'simple' design - which to me is a bonus, I hate cluttered head units.
Sound Quality:
Cant fault it, with an 8V set of preouts the amps dont need to do much work. No noise (wether this is partly due to the copper chassis is debateable).
Sound Adjustment:
You have the usual balance/fader left/right - front/back.
When you get into the Sound Menu, you have the Xover, PEQ and Time Alignment to play with (plus Harmonizer and Nf...dont use either).
Xover is suprisingly easy to use - which is a godsend, as sometimes working out the Xover point for LPF and HPF on an amp is tricky and guess work.
Since I am running a 2way passive set up, I dont quite use this deck to its full potential. As if you had a 3 way active set up, you can use the Xover on the deck to control all your Xover points - very easy to do.
Time Alignment could not be easier to use, measured in msec - also gives you the option of increasing or decreasing each side in dB during time alignment, so you can reduce say your front right speakers by 1dB and time align aswell. Very handy for fine tuning.
Final words:
If you're after an SQ deck, and are not fussed about a fancy screen - I dont think you can go past the Eclipse CD7200. Specially with them selling for $600 including the Ipod interface.
Not a bad price at all IMO.