New Deck or Processor/EQ
 

I was thinking about getting a new deck to replace my sony with only 1 preout
But what do you guys think of just getting a processing unit like the Clarion EQS746 instead ? theres nothing wrong with my deck but the lack of preouts

i would get another h/u,im in the process to buy a new one now and im still undecided to buy an eclipse.

New headunit is the better choice in this case.

That EQ is awesome, worth the buy.

Why is the new head unit the way to go ? The deck works well has all the features I want but the pre outs I may just try the EQ out, that way if I still want something different at least I still have the EQ right ?

Do you have room to mount it? You open yourself up to another point of noise entering the system. Is it a band aid or a problem solver? Can and will a deck do what the EQ does to solve the problem. Combine the value of the cd player (used and sell it to a friend) + the value of an eq and what does it total. There was a time that cd players once only had 1 preout, sure it was usefull then. With todays units of higher output voltage, lower output impedence and multiple preouts, it is indeed the better way to go.

Im not sure that you will be able to tune a deck the way you could tune a real EQ is the thing, but the 2 decks I was looking at were the
Clarion DB365USB and DXZ465MP both seem to have everything I really need.

So why is it that people still get Processors/EQs if a deck has everything you need on its own ?
sorry if theyre dumb questions I just dont know :smokin:

Because 99% of the people use them as a band aid for the real problem (like lack of preouts or just a plain shatty tonal response from real shatty speakers) and the other 1% use them to solve an identified problem in the system that makes a EQ necessary.

Figure out if you are in the 1% or the 99%, my bet is the latter.

A real EQ is not a graphic eq that adjusts all the frequencies around the one indicated. A real EQ is a Parametric device that allows you to zero in on a specific frequency and either boost or cut that frequency while adjusting the width around that frequency at the same time. It is most commonly used with a RTA to zero in on that problem in the audio spectrum.

IMO - if you like the Sony and it's capabilities and your only issue is the number of pre-outs then I would get a crossover or an EQ or a combination EQ/crossover. I would look into some other crossovers/EQs like Audiocontrol. After ten years of tweeking and tuning my sytems the EQ is the only way to adjust the right frequencies to get the best sound out of the system, regardless of the HU and components I am running. Most decks I have owned adjust only "tweeter, mid and bass" - not enough. External EQs offer adjustments to a dozen, 30 or even more bands (which may or may not be overkill in your case).

Anyways - I would definately go to some stores and search online for more info on both. Make sure you consider budget, car space, installation etc. If more pre-outs is all you need then an external crossover might cost the same as a new deck with additional pre-outs (depending on the deck of course) so check both out.