Eclipse (Fujitsu Ten) 4441

Price Paid:  $175.00 from Hippo's - Albany, NY

Year / Model Reviewed:
 '95 Nissan Altima GXE

Summary:
I had owned an Eclipse CD headunit about 5 years ago. Didn't have that one a week before some immigrant in Florida stole it out of the dash. Filed the police report, sent all the info to Eclipse, and had a brand-new replacement unit within a month. All I had to pay for was the re-install by the dealer, and I started with another new warranty. I'd recommend that even if you're a good DIY'er, go ahead and shell for the initial dealer install on the headunit so you can get the 3-year parts, labor, and theft warranty. I didn't think mine would get ripped-off either, but Eclipse was great about the whole thing. (...and the KEWL part is - for all of his trouble, the thief wouldn't be able to use that deck!) Performance-wise, this 4441 is an excellent piece of gear. It has the best sound from a mobile cassette player I've ever heard. The tuner section sounds great as well; it's sensitive, and has good "real-world" alternate/adjacent channel rejection and noise rejection. The amp section is fine, but I'm only using the front channel's temporarily until I get another separate amp. I actually was looking to buy the 4502 model with no amp section. The retailer was clearing out their remaining mobile audio, and offered me a good price on this 4441. As far as I know, the only other differences between the two models are the 2.7V pre-amp output on the 4441 vs. 5.0V for the 4502, and the 4441's RCA terminals are selectable for IN/OUT, where the 4502's are OUT only. Also, the remote control comes standard with the 4502, optional for the 4441. All other specs are the same. If you still use tape as I do, get the 4502 or 4441, and add a 5083 or CH5061 CD changer if you want. You can't do much better than that! Bottom Line: the 4441's tuner/cassette/pre-amp sound is excellent. Eclipse won the 1999 & 2001 "Product of the Year" Auto Sound Grand Prix Award for these cassette/receiver's - and rightly so!!

Strengths:
~ "HYBRIDECK" Cassette player sounds and functions flawlessly, tape hiss seems very low even for Dolby B standards. Best design on the market I've seen - not just an "after-thought". ~ Doesn't have the 'Game Boy'-type display with the goofy cartoons, i.e. Alpine, Kenwood, Sony, etc. Hey - you wanna watch video games while you're driving (STUPID), or are you trying to PLAY MUSIC?! ~ Lots of useful features without unnecessary 'bells & whistles'. ~ White display is easy to read in bright light, and can be turned off while controls remain illuminated. ~ 3 sets of RCA outs. ~ You'll be glad you have Eclipse's Security Network if your deck ever gets stolen.

Weaknesses:
~ Some front-panel controls might be a bit small, but not bad once you learn where everything's at. I'd rather have the more refined look than than big, gaudy buttons any day.

Similar Products Used:
Other system components: ~ Eclipse 5083 CD changer; 2101 EQ; 32430 power amp. ~ JBL BP 600.1 power amp. ~ a/d/s 300i/s 'Limited Edition Anniv. Series' plate spkrs; 346i/s component spkrs.

Price Paid:  $337.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
 1989 Audi 90

Summary:
I was disappointed in this player. It has a strange faceplate and tiny control buttons which are not at all intuitive. All in all, very "Japanese," and not very user-friendly. Car stereos should have a simpler layout, so that you don't have to look down each time you want to start/stop/search etc. The digital readout has misshapen letters which harken back to the opening credits of "Star Wars," and displays annoying messages like "Good Morning" or "All Off." It doesn't fit in at all very well with a European interior, and only has excellent sound quality going for it.

Strengths:
Features as far as song search, and expandability are strong points.

Weaknesses:
Busy faceplate, tiny buttons and strange digital readout. Annoying messages on readout such as "Good Morning" and "All Off" (when turned off).

Similar Products Used:
None

Price Paid:  $295.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
 1994 Maxima

Summary:
I thoroughly tested this unit to see what it could handle. Needless to say, I came away impressed with the tape section and its full logic controls. As far as the clarity of the radio, I was impressed with that and equally impressed with the credit card sized remote. I turned the radio up near full volume and there was not a hint of distortion in the bass. Plus the mid and high frequencies were crisp and clear. The controls are very intuitive, even with the NOB (No Ordinary Button) control and they have the ability to daisychain CD changers off of one 4441. Also, I love the security features that Eclipse has on their products which gives me a greater peace of mind.

Strengths:
The tape section is the clearest this side of an Alpine. Controllability, expandability and the security features are also a huge plus.

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
I looked at Alpine, Sony and Clarion. When I checked out the Alpine, Clarion, and the Sony, I did not care for the aesthetics of either. All three actually looked like I had something aftermarket whereas the Eclipse blends in rather nicely with my dashboard.