New head-unit for an audio newbie.. Opinions?

[nineball]

Quote: Originally Posted by Jim Z

what "sound quality?" aftermarket decks use the same integrated amp ICs that OE units do. not much to be gained there. And the miserable trash that aftermarket car audio recievers pass off as "EQ" can't hold a candle to what the OEMs have. "sound processing" like MX, BBE, or DSO is a bullshit; most of what they do is slightly boost harmonics to give the listener the perception that the fundamental exists. And given how aftermarket speakers are pretty much universally pieces of junk, it's only the harmonics that you'll ever hear.

my comments were based on a combination of personal experience and online reviews. i ran 4 different versions of the ida line and all of them sounded like crap compared to other units i have ran - muffled, lifeless and hollow would be the adverbs of choice. none of them lasted more than a week in any car.

the add-on "sound processing" i was referring to would be the alpine imprint system which has both auto-tuning ability and a slew of manual options, so if you are not familiar with it do a little reading ( Alpine Electronics of America, Inc. ). i ran it on two of the ida models i had and it did not improve it much, if at all, but it does give you much more flexibility than any factory hu which are preset during production and paired with the oem speakers so using any other combination would not be a wise decision. never once did i mention MX, BBE or DSO or commented on the internal amplifiers (which i never used).

i know you are usually bitter in your posts but maybe think a bit more before you jump the gun next time.

[nineball]

Quote: Originally Posted by Shadow

Is there anything else that would be better quality at around the same price or a bit more?

at this price range there won't be a huge difference in quality between major brand models, and even that is subject to your own hearing, you are really just shopping for the features you want and are willing to pay for. as long as you avoid brands like dual, boss, etc etc you should be fine.

[Jim Z]

I worked for Alpine for 8 years, then 5 more with Sony, man. I know what they do. Look, you have to try hard to wreck the performance of an integrated amplifier/receiver. It's easy as piss to take a 4-channel BTL power amp IC and integrate it into a car radio, and make it sound like any other car radio using a 4-channel BTL power amp IC.

[MightyWhiteSRT]

Just got this in from Crutchfield and I can't stop looking at it!






No CD player, just a USB and 1/8" AUX jack plus sirius and HD radio out the back. Also has the easiest bluetooth I've every used in an aftermarket head unit! Ordered it Monday, got it Wednesday and installed it in an hour. Beats my old Jensen flip up anyday!

[contraption22]

Don't forget to get one with Bluetooth capability. Both for phone calls and audio streaming. I have the same Sony head unit in my SRT-4 and my Grand Cherokee and really like them.

Streaming is nice in case you have an Android device like mine that doesn't communicate with the stereo via USB.

[MightyWhiteSRT]

This Clarion FZ502 is my 1st Bluetooth that streams audio and pretty well at that! And it's got some sort of pandora sync with it. The one button thing is a lil hard to get used to but I really like it makes the stock speakers really bump. Who really still uses CDs?!


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[Shadow]

^ Looks sick man!!

[2fast4u450]

Quote: Originally Posted by MightyWhiteSRT

Just got this in from Crutchfield and I can't stop looking at it!






No CD player, just a USB and 1/8" AUX jack plus sirius and HD radio out the back. Also has the easiest bluetooth I've every used in an aftermarket head unit! Ordered it Monday, got it Wednesday and installed it in an hour. Beats my old Jensen flip up anyday!

Nice and clean, doesn't have like 25 buttons on the front of it.

[808ACRSRT4]

Double din


PG86100 using AutoGuide.C

[Nafter]

Quote: Originally Posted by 2fast4u450

Nice and clean, doesn't have like 25 buttons on the front of it.

But it will have a cord hanging out in the front if you use the USB input for iPod/iPhone/etc. which is worse than buttons if you ask me.
Still alpine FTW at this price range, cord is on the back so you can hide it wherever you want: glovebox, center console, etc.
Also shows album artwork which is a nice bonus.

[nineball]

pull the cord when not in use. problem solved

[MightyWhiteSRT]

Quote: Originally Posted by Nafter

But it will have a cord hanging out in the front if you use the USB input for iPod/iPhone/etc. which is worse than buttons if you ask me.
Still alpine FTW at this price range, cord is on the back so you can hide it wherever you want: glovebox, center console, etc.
Also shows album artwork which is a nice bonus.

The Bluetooth carries calls AND my music, syncs up in seconds with no cables. The only time I plug in is to charge. I had a 5" flip up display and rarely ever used it. This has everything I need and it works flawlessly, plus it's sexy!


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[Nafter]

Quote: Originally Posted by MightyWhiteSRT

The Bluetooth carries calls AND my music, syncs up in seconds with no cables. The only time I plug in is to charge. I had a 5" flip up display and rarely ever used it. This has everything I need and it works flawlessly, plus it's sexy!


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It does look sexy, and if it works for you then that's all that matters. I bought my alpine mainly for the fact it connects to the KTP-445 which gives all my speakers 45 watts rms and hides right in the dash.
-Also flip ups are the worst thing ever created for car stereos.

[04COMPG]

do you still retain full use of the cd changer with any of these?

[nineball]

Quote: Originally Posted by 04COMPG

do you still retain full use of the cd changer with any of these?

the stock changer only works with the stock headunit.