Alpine 2007 lineup a dissapointment

[Kevinch 10+ year member]

What is up with Alpine?

I’ve always liked Alpine HUs - & I still do – but after looking at some of the 2007 model lines I wonder what they are up to.

Currently, a 9833 that I installed about 2 years ago is in one of our cars & I love it. For Christmas this year, I asked for a 9856 as a gift to install in another of our cars. I knew it had less features than the 9833, but was also priced much lower & for the application I thought it would be fine. I’m happy with the install, but I do miss some of the features that the 9833 has.

Received a new Crutchfield catalog yesterday. For about $300 (Crutch price) you can pick up a CDA-9885. That gets you a 2 line BioLite™ display, 3 sets of 4v outputs, full speed Ipod capability (with the $30 cable) & the typical spattering of features like a detachable face, auxiliary input, Bluetooth, wireless remote, etc.

It isn’t all that bad – but if you go to a Clarion DXZ775USB, for the same amount you get all of that & can add a motorized face (does Alpine even offer one anymore?), variable colors for the display & buttons, a USB input, 3 EQ bands (the 9885 has 2), and time alignment. The Panasonic CQ-C8305 is similar, while it appears not to have time alignment, USB, or variable colors for the buttons, it does have adjustable color for the display, the motorized face, & 7 EQ bands. Even the KDC-X791 from Kenwood & CD3100 from Eclipse, while not having motorized faces, include a USB port , 3EQ bands, & at least some flexibility on display and/or button color for the same price. Same with the Pioneer DEH-P6900UB, except for the color choices – but then again, it has 7 EQ bands.

Is it just me? I mean, in the end it’s all about SQ & I for one would rather spend $$ on that than fancy displays & gimmicks, but it seems like Alpine’s feature set is dwindling. If I buy another HU, I’d have to really think about going with Alpine again. Is Alpine’s SQ above the others (their specs are generally good) & am I just looking at this wrong?

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[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

Not to mention that Alpine doesn't even offer 3 way crossover support anymore, unless you get to the F1 level //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

 

[bdawson72 5,000+ posts]

Really

 

[gl0ck 10+ year member]

Shittty.

 

[psych0ticnemes1 5,000+ posts]

Did alpine come out with any new/ upgraded subwoofers this year?

 

[James Bang 5,000+ posts]

Not to mention that Alpine doesn't even offer 3 way crossover support anymore, unless you get to the F1 level //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

that's horrible.

 

[///M5 10+ year member]

Not to mention that Alpine doesn't even offer 3 way crossover support anymore, unless you get to the F1 level //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

That is all that matters, they just went the way of the mainstream and unless they really change I am no longer interested in ever owning any of their newer gear.

 

[jmanpc 5,000+ posts]

They sold out to Best Buy //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif

 

[revrider1 5,000+ posts]

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/eyebrow.gif.fe2c18d8720fe8c7eaed347b21ea05a5.gif

 

[jmanpc 5,000+ posts]

sellouts ftl

 

[DejaWiz 5,000+ posts]

I've never been a fan of their HU's for the past couple model years. Overpriced and feature limited.

Some of their '07 speakers, on the other hand, I do like. I'm really liking what they did with the Type R and X comps and will be auditioning them as soon as one of the local shops around here get them in stock, which should be this weekend or next.

 

[zSnb 10+ year member]

The H701 is still pretty nice //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

 

[Tonyguy 10+ year member]

Wait until you guys see the new cda-9887. You'll see that Alpine Heard our complaints and gave us something we can use.

 

[purerx7tt 10+ year member]

looks like the new x-types are based off the scanspeaks Revelator line, should be very promising. The new w205 looks nice to with the ability to internally dock the blackbird. w205 or 200 + h701 is always a nice combo, nice enough for me to be going with anyways. I hear ya on the lack of features but atleast their pre-volts have gone up 2v. Still deciding if i like this headunit or not. Anyone know when the 205 is coming out? I would expect the w200's to go into the low 500's when released, hopefully.

 

[iamamp3pimp 5,000+ posts]

im gonna have to agree on how stupid that is.

most people dont understand that though anyhow.