Head Unit: Why Alpine?
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 100,672
Likes: 2
From: Cleveland OH
Re: Head Unit: Why Alpine? (indypace78)
The list look pretty good....
I'm going to assume that my Kenwood Excelon is the "weak link" in my system, but I gotta say, this head unit that I have, the KDCx911, has balanced 8v output which is feeding my Zapco parabolic audio control, with a super clean signal, and system really sounds clean clean clean! :yesnod:
I'm going to assume that my Kenwood Excelon is the "weak link" in my system, but I gotta say, this head unit that I have, the KDCx911, has balanced 8v output which is feeding my Zapco parabolic audio control, with a super clean signal, and system really sounds clean clean clean! :yesnod:
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Re: Head Unit: Why Alpine? (NewVetteLover)
The list look pretty good....
I'm going to assume that my Kenwood Excelon is the "weak link" in my system, but I gotta say, this head unit that I have, the KDCx911, has balanced 8v output which is feeding my Zapco parabolic audio control, with a super clean signal, and system really sounds clean clean clean! :yesnod:
The high-end Kenwoods are not weak-links ... the reason they are not on my list is my previous experiences that were bad ...
I'm going to assume that my Kenwood Excelon is the "weak link" in my system, but I gotta say, this head unit that I have, the KDCx911, has balanced 8v output which is feeding my Zapco parabolic audio control, with a super clean signal, and system really sounds clean clean clean! :yesnod:
The high-end Kenwoods are not weak-links ... the reason they are not on my list is my previous experiences that were bad ...
I had a Denon 645 amp a few years back. Nice amp, really... 6 channels, 45 watts each.
And high end Fosgate is good. won't deny that... but less audiophile, more power crazy... not that there is anything wrong with that... :D
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 0
From: Dallas City IL
Re: Head Unit: Why Alpine? (bogus)
Boy, everyone has there favorites don't they. I'll just keep mine to myself, but a few have cropped up in the posted list, as well as a few arguments :D
Former Vendor
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,812
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From: DFW, TX www.vettestripes.com
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08
Re: Head Unit: Why Alpine? (NewVetteLover)
Sound is a very subjective thing, a lot of it has to do with quality ... my two favorite car audio companies are Alpine and Clarion, why?
The other brands focus not only car audio but other audio and video products ... Sony for example makes mediocre products across the board ... they are not the "best" at anything (except the PS2) they do a lot of things well, just not the best ...companies that focus on one product line seem to make a better product,
for example, Dell is a PC maker, they dont :bs with printers and other items, while HP makes great printers, but less that great PC's compared with Dell ...
Sony,Kenwood,Pioneer, etc ... all excel at 1 or 2 things ... but none seem to excel at car audio ... Pioneer makes great home theater products, Kenwood has the same market ... Sony is good at TV's and portable electronics ...
Alpine is priced higher ... but worth it sometimes ... it all depends ... if you plan too install a Alpine HU, dont skimp on the other componenets, because no HU can make speakers sound better than their best, I try to match everything ... in my parents Corvettes(2), they spent money on Alpine, JL Audio and MB Quart. But in my Audi, Kenwood and Pioneer ... it all has to match ....
The other brands focus not only car audio but other audio and video products ... Sony for example makes mediocre products across the board ... they are not the "best" at anything (except the PS2) they do a lot of things well, just not the best ...companies that focus on one product line seem to make a better product,
for example, Dell is a PC maker, they dont :bs with printers and other items, while HP makes great printers, but less that great PC's compared with Dell ...
Sony,Kenwood,Pioneer, etc ... all excel at 1 or 2 things ... but none seem to excel at car audio ... Pioneer makes great home theater products, Kenwood has the same market ... Sony is good at TV's and portable electronics ...
Alpine is priced higher ... but worth it sometimes ... it all depends ... if you plan too install a Alpine HU, dont skimp on the other componenets, because no HU can make speakers sound better than their best, I try to match everything ... in my parents Corvettes(2), they spent money on Alpine, JL Audio and MB Quart. But in my Audi, Kenwood and Pioneer ... it all has to match ....
Alpine is just a small company that makes car audio stuff.
For example, Sony is a big company, they do all kinds of electronic stuff but they don't mix anything with each others. Sony still have car audio department and they still hires car auido engineer to design car audio stuff. They just don't use the same engineer in the TV department for car audio.
Remember, most of the other brands using Sony chips !!!
I don't particularly using Sony HU but just use Sony as an example !!!
Well, just my 0.02$
:cheers:
[Modified by mike76002, 9:54 PM 8/7/2002]
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: Crossville Tn
Re: Head Unit: Why Alpine? (webdzynes)
I used to run Alpine but they kept breaking on me so I switched to Kenwood. Alpine has been in the biz for along time I think that has alot to do with it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,184
Likes: 0
From: Toronto Ontario
Re: Head Unit: Why Alpine? (webdzynes)
Alpine made a name for themselves in the IASCA crowd (professional and amature competitions) back in the 80's because of a model (I believe the 7909) with the highest pre amp output. They were the first and only @ that time to offer something like that, which made them the choice of the champions. That's it. From then on it got stuck on everyones head. Alpine = #1.
Later on they showed big success with their changers as being the ones "skipping" less than any other compared to.
In the present time, ALL reputable manufacturers have stepped up to the plate, and like Alpine, have better their units and high volt preamps are a common thing. Technology has advanced soooo much in the past few years, that unless you are competing, you should have nothing to worry about no matter what HU you choose. You still get what you pay for, but middle of the line HU's and up should be good buys as lond as they are from reputable manufacturers.
My personal favorates are Alpine, Clarion, Eclipse (in no paticular order)
Later on they showed big success with their changers as being the ones "skipping" less than any other compared to.
In the present time, ALL reputable manufacturers have stepped up to the plate, and like Alpine, have better their units and high volt preamps are a common thing. Technology has advanced soooo much in the past few years, that unless you are competing, you should have nothing to worry about no matter what HU you choose. You still get what you pay for, but middle of the line HU's and up should be good buys as lond as they are from reputable manufacturers.
My personal favorates are Alpine, Clarion, Eclipse (in no paticular order)
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 4,166
Likes: 14
From: Orlando Fl
Re: Head Unit: Why Alpine? (KouKou)
In the present time, ALL reputable manufacturers have stepped up to the plate, and like Alpine, have better their units and high volt preamps are a common thing. Technology has advanced soooo much in the past few years, that unless you are competing, you should have nothing to worry about no matter what HU you choose. You still get what you pay for, but middle of the line HU's and up should be good buys as lond as they are from reputable manufacturers.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Wichita Falls Texas
Re: Head Unit: Why Alpine? (webdzynes)
Alpine builds quality equipment period plus we very rarely had to warranty any equipment which is a plus for the customer and business. We put one of our Alpine heads up against a Kenwood and Sony and the Alpine blew it away with the better sound quality. Believe it or not, there is a sound difference between different head units.
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 149
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From: Washington DC
Re: Head Unit: Why Alpine? (KouKou)
I had a higher-end Eclipse in my last car. Sound quality was great, but ergonomics.. :U That had to be the worst interface ever!
I think Nakamichi is the classiest of the bunch. No bells and whistles, just good sound. Denon used to be pretty similar but I haven't heard them in a long time.
My other main requirement is usually a dial volume control rather than buttons, which narrows the field a bit. (or at least it did last time I was shopping for head units)
-d
I think Nakamichi is the classiest of the bunch. No bells and whistles, just good sound. Denon used to be pretty similar but I haven't heard them in a long time.
My other main requirement is usually a dial volume control rather than buttons, which narrows the field a bit. (or at least it did last time I was shopping for head units)
-d
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 10,665
Likes: 56
Re: Head Unit: Why Alpine? (indypace78)
I was actually considering switching to the Alpine F-1, a $3,000.00 head unit. It was installed in my car, and I swear, I did NOT think it was any better than my Kenwood Excelon I already have. Since the shop did it as a test for me, I am glad I didn't buy it outright first!
Everyone touts Alpine, but compared to other high end units, it may be dificult to actually "hear" any difference.
Everyone touts Alpine, but compared to other high end units, it may be dificult to actually "hear" any difference.
