Alpine car audio worth the price?

[z1ggy]

I am looking to upgrade my car audio system sometime in the near future and now that I actually will have a good income I can afford more than my small little $400 system. I noticed however though, that went I added up the costs of all the parts I would want ( mostly top of the line for the respective category) the price was in the $1500 range. I guess I would pay that much if the sound quality was really worth that much, but that seems a little steep to me for a head unit, one mono amp, one 12 inch sub and speakers. Not to mention install costs..

 

[Riverhound777]

Uhh what the hell parts are you looking at?? You don't need to spend $1500.

 

[jlee]

That's without an amp for the speakers, even? Where are you looking?

 

[Dark Penguin]

At the speed I've seen alpine equipment leave cars I don't know that I'd spend the money.

 

[jtvang125]

What components are you looking at and where?

Their headunits are good but short on features. Their speakers are ok and their subs are pretty good (more boomy than musical). Their PDX amps are great tho but a little pricey.

 

[z1ggy]

http://www.alpine-usa.com/product

I am looking on there website at their parts. I know I wouldn't need to spend that much, I highly doubt I would ever do that.

Head unit- CDE-100 $130
Amp-PDX-1.600 $500
Sub-SWX-1243D $500
Speakers- Do I even need them?

That's basically their top of the line amp and sub with the least expensive head unit with mp3 playback. I don't really know what I should be spending to get the best quality, without over paying. That's why I am asking you more knowledgeable people..

 

[NutBucket]

I prefer Eclipse but that's me.

 

[viivo]

http://www.alpine-usa.com/product

Speakers- Do I even need them?

It depends. Do you even care about hearing the full range in music or just bass? If you just want a rumblemobile you can get step down a little to cheaper stuff and achieve the same effect.

 

[jtvang125]

http://www.alpine-usa.com/product

I am looking on there website at their parts. I know I wouldn't need to spend that much, I highly doubt I would ever do that.

Head unit- CDE-100 $130
Amp-PDX-1.600 $500
Sub-SWX-1243D $500
Speakers- Do I even need them?

That's basically their top of the line amp and sub with the least expensive head unit with mp3 playback. I don't really know what I should be spending to get the best quality, without over paying. That's why I am asking you more knowledgeable people..

Those are suggested manufacturer's prices and you'll probably never likely pay that price especially if you order online.

Headunit - $180
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_18875_Alpine+CDA-105.html

Amp (75w x 4, 300x 1) - $380
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_12415_Alpine+PDX-5.html

Sub - $130
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_4281_Alpine+SWR-1242D+-TYPE+R-.html

*other sub choices
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_7255_JL+Audio+12W3v3-4.html
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_20027_Infinity+Kappa+120.9W.html
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_7490_Eclipse+SW7200.html
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_16479_Diamond+Audio+D612D4+-New+2008-09+Version-.html

~$690 (add about $50 for installation materials and sub box)

I'd recommend going with a good set of components for the front and if you want, coaxials in the rear. Will improve your midbass and upper frequencies immensely over factory. Also this will prevent the bass from overpowering your factory speakers. A good set of components will run you about $200. I know many of the products on that site is out of stock but many stores online should have them around the same prices. So for ~$1000 you'll have a very nice system.

 

[scott916]

I prefer Eclipse but that's me.

Agreed. Eclipse's stuff has always been at the top of the heap in my book. Back when I was in to car audio, I always used Eclipse decks. Their speakers and amps are nice, but their decks are the best around.

 

[jlee]

What do you want to get from your sound system? Enough bass to rattle windows three cars over at a stoplight, sound quality, or..?

 

[z1ggy]

What do you want to get from your sound system? Enough bass to rattle windows three cars over at a stoplight, sound quality, or..?

I do NOT want some annoyingly loud rumble machine rolling around. I want something that has good deep true bass, but also high quality mid and high freq. as well. So to answer your question.. Sound quality is #1. I am not looking to break the bank, but I will def. pay for high quality stuff, that is reliable and will make my long drives more enjoyable..

 

[jlee]

If you're not happy with your current stereo, adding a sub isn't going to help your mids/highs at all. I'd go with a decent set of components up front (I have Polk Audio db601's, I think they are..I like them) and a 10" or 12" subwoofer, and run everything off amplifier(s).

 

[JackBurton]

I think $1500 would give you a pretty good all around sound system. It's been awhile, but I had a Alpine head unit (~$400), Infinity speakers all around (4), an Alpine amp (forgot the wattage) and 2 Alpine R10 subs. I think I got it for a little under $2000. But that was awhile ago.

As for their head units, I prefer them. Nice readouts and quality components. Since then I think I've been through a couple more Alpine HUs and wouldn't use any other after market HU. However now I'd rather just stick with a nice stock stereo. Why? Because people don't steal stock radios.

 

[jlee]

You can get a nice head unit well under $400. I know a guy in Nevada who refurbs and sells them - IIRC he has a lifetime warranty. I've bought from him a couple times with no problems..if you're interested in a used one, let me know and I will get you in touch with him.

 

[blackangst1]

I like Alpine, however with what youre building I wouldnt get that head unit///it has 2v outs. Get something with 4v. And as others have mentioned Eclipse is great too. For subs, JL > all.

 

[z1ggy]

You can get a nice head unit well under $400. I know a guy in Nevada who refurbs and sells them - IIRC he has a lifetime warranty. I've bought from him a couple times with no problems..if you're interested in a used one, let me know and I will get you in touch with him.

Possibly that may work because I think I want to buy the head unit very soon..my b day is in a few weeks and it would make a nice little improvement to my car audio. Right now I have a P.O.S Pioner thats prob about 5 years old. I mean it gets the job done, but I would really like something better. It's either get a nice head unit.. or get a new 32'' LCD TV. What should I do.. choices choices.

Also I was wondering..I saw a nice Eclipse HU that got some good ratings and the Ipod adapter was a usb interface, rear mounted. How does that work? Like, if it plugs in to the back on the HU.. and the HU is in my dash...how does it come out to the front, where my Ipod is..? I know I am missing something, can somebody please fill a newb in?

 

[bobdole369]

It will behoove you to ensure that the head unit has a crossover built in, such as the Alpine 9887, or Pioneer 880/800PRS. I am not one that sticks to brands, as I think its far more important that the HU does what you need, and the speakers match your vehicle/application without too much adjustment.

 

[jtvang125]

Crossovers on the headunit is nice but not a necessity since almost all modern amps today have builtin crossovers already.

Oh, and Eclipse will be leaving the car audio market in the US. So soon no more Eclipse brand.

 

[NutBucket]

Woah, when was this announced?

 

[QueBert]

Eclipse has went down hill over the past 5 years, still a good brand. But not what they use to be. Panasonic makes GOOD head units, but I've heard they're leaving car audio soon too. Pioneer makes better head units than Alpine. This is what I'd get, much cheaper than $1,500 and will sound real nice

http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Pa1...4718466&sr=1-1 Polk 5 channel amp

http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-db1...718496&sr=1-15 - Polk 12" in sealed box

http://www.amazon.com/Polk-6-5-Compo...4718540&sr=1-2 Polk Momo Component speakers. These are an old model but they sound CLEAN.

IMHO nothing will sound that good for less. The polk sub hits pretty hard and has tight, clean bass. I have one model up with the 2 12"'s and it can make your rear view mirror rattle loose at high volumes. If you don't have 6.5 speakers in the front, Alpine R-type 6x9's. Rear speakers, depends on the size, but 6x9 again Alpine.


for the head unit I suggest something with 5v pre-outs, won't cost a whole lot more, but will sound better. JVC makes some nice decks, especially the AVX line.