Alpine 9887 vs Eclpise cd7100

[60_cent 10+ year member]

I hate these threads but what the hell..

looking toput together an all new set up for sql. I'm looking at the two units listed.

discuss

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[iceteebone 5,000+ posts]

If you plan on using an ipod, the KCA-422i is about the best interface you can get. I'm installing my 9887 tomorrow so I'll see how that goes.

 

[cups 10+ year member]

There is still the question of how the headunit reads the files from the ipod but I know for sure that ipod and SQ don't go together, I tried that myself. But then mp3's and SQ don't go together either so...

 

[twrx808]

So Iceteebone...how did your install go? I'm having a ton of trouble with my install, I got it in and have it set up as below:

Imprint all 6 points

EQ on

2 way cross over (F/R/Sub)

Crossover set at low, +0, 80hz, 12db/oct

mid, +0, 160, 24db

high +0, 100, 24db

the other settings I can't remember right now.

However, it sounds TERRIBLE!!!

I thought I was upgrading from a Pioneer 880PRS however, the Pioneer is far, far better sounding then the Alpine at this point.

Can you give me any tips?

The rest of my setup:

JL 300/4

JL 500/1

DLS Iridium 6.2

JL 12W6

Thanks!!!

If you plan on using an ipod, the KCA-422i is about the best interface you can get. I'm installing my 9887 tomorrow so I'll see how that goes.

 

[cups 10+ year member]

You can't use imprint AND set your own crossover points and EQ.

It has to be either. Press the multeq button and switch it ON. If it sounds bad then the measuring wasn't good. I did mine in quieter environment and it made a big difference. Also if you measure for front or driver only it will sound better than measuring for all positions.

 

[nismos14 5,000+ posts]

You can't use imprint AND set your own crossover points and EQ.
It has to be either. Press the multeq button and switch it ON. If it sounds bad then the measuring wasn't good. I did mine in quieter environment and it made a big difference. Also if you measure for front or driver only it will sound better than measuring for all positions.

You can set your crossovers, not your EQ though.

 

[nismos14 5,000+ posts]

BTW, good review here

http://www.caraudio.com/forum/showthread.php?t=266406

 

[cups 10+ year member]

You can set your crossovers, not your EQ though.

Well when multeq is enabled the A.SEL button doesn't work so you can't set your crossovers. I just tried. Multeq needs to set crossover points too.

 

[nismos14 5,000+ posts]

Really?? Thats bad, I wouldn't want imprint to f up my speakers by changing the xover frequencies in my active setup!! That sucks!!

 

[cups 10+ year member]

Yeah that's true. It does mention in the manual (or somewhere I read) that imprint will somehow choose safe crossover points so it doesn't kill the speakers but I have no idea how that's possible. You can still use an active crossover after the headunit and before the amp before doing the imprint adjustment but that would cost $$$.

 

[BringDaBoom 10+ year member]

There is still the question of how the headunit reads the files from the ipod but I know for sure that ipod and SQ don't go together, I tried that myself. But then mp3's and SQ don't go together either so...

When using the direct iPod connect with the Alpines, the iPod is pretty much just a hard drive. The head unit reads the files and plays them. The MP3's are processed using the head units DAC which a many times better than the iPod's.

It will sound much better going through the head unit to your speakers than from your iPod to headphones.

As long as the files themselves aren't junk, you should have pretty nice SQ and playback. You may not be winning any SQ awards, but to the average listener it will sound very good.

 

[nismos14 5,000+ posts]

Yeah that's true. It does mention in the manual (or somewhere I read) that imprint will somehow choose safe crossover points so it doesn't kill the speakers but I have no idea how that's possible. You can still use an active crossover after the headunit and before the amp before doing the imprint adjustment but that would cost $$$.

Waste of buying an active HU then //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

 

[cups 10+ year member]

Waste of buying an active HU then //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

But wait I have mine set at F/R/Sub and not 3-way active (3-way front stage, rearfill and a sub + imprint, no way to go active on the front stage). I would guess the software will work differently if you're using it in 3-way mode. But in the end even if you use imprint you're still very much making use of the active crossovers. Only difference is its all done automatically for you.

 

[XaznKewLguyX 10+ year member]

sorry for bumping an old thread.. but dang that sucks i was going to sell my cd7000 and get a 9887 but i guess i wont be doing that anymore.

 

[nismos14 5,000+ posts]

^ The 9887 is still a great deck. I like it ALOT better than the CD7100 I had.