Alpine or Pioneer

[Slaugh 10+ year member]

well, Alpine has always been notoriously known for SQ head units.. but, after 2005, they became sellout products... my recomendation if you want good SQ hu is to chase an Alpine CDA-7998, 9813, 9815, 9833, 9835 on Ebay... they all have 3 4v preout, Time Alignment, 5band EQ and a clear and an amazing sound... i, myself, have never liked the audio from Pioneers, but i do admit they offer the best bang for the buck...

 

[DsrtJeeper 10+ year member]

Well I decided to go with the Pioneer DEH-780. It definately is more listenable with a smoother sound. I'm still playing with the settings. I do have a question for those who have set up one of these.

I went through the whole time alignment process on this HU and have found that it sounds better when turning all seating positions off. Anyone else find this feature adding too much processing? I'm curious to hear other's experiences with this. I just can't stand the sound when front left seating is chosen on the HU.

PS...Thanks to all for your advice and help. You guys have been great and the discussion is always productive.

 

[frzninvt 10+ year member]

Don't forget the Alpine 7909, 7939, 7949, and 7969. If the deck has an internal amplifier it isn't an SQ deck IMHO.

 

[bikejunkie223 10+ year member]

Well I decided to go with the Pioneer DEH-780. It definately is more listenable with a smoother sound. I'm still playing with the settings. I do have a question for those who have set up one of these.
I went through the whole time alignment process on this HU and have found that it sounds better when turning all seating positions off. Anyone else find this feature adding too much processing? I'm curious to hear other's experiences with this. I just can't stand the sound when front left seating is chosen on the HU.

PS...Thanks to all for your advice and help. You guys have been great and the discussion is always productive.

I have an 860 and run it with no time alignment/seating positions, keep the bbe off all that crap- but then my definition of SQ is to accurately reproduce music, not electronically make it sound a certain way. This is why Bose sucks *** (IMO)- they purposely make speakers that sound warm and fat rather than accurate. New Alpine decks **** balls. Eclipse decks are great, but I hate the "vegas by night" displays. I'm picky, but I guess that's why i'm an sq guy.

Oh, yeah- ditch the rear fill too it helps imaging dramatically

 

[iceteebone 5,000+ posts]

Don't forget the Alpine 7909, 7939, 7949, and 7969. If the deck has an internal amplifier it isn't an SQ deck IMHO.

i lol'd //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/laugh.gif.48439b2acf2cfca21620f01e7f77d1e4.gif//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/rolleyes.gif.c1fef805e9d1464d377451cd5bc18bfb.gif

 

[DsrtJeeper 10+ year member]

I have an 860 and run it with no time alignment/seating positions, keep the bbe off all that crap- but then my definition of SQ is to accurately reproduce music, not electronically make it sound a certain way. This is why Bose sucks *** (IMO)- they purposely make speakers that sound warm and fat rather than accurate. New Alpine decks **** balls. Eclipse decks are great, but I hate the "vegas by night" displays. I'm picky, but I guess that's why i'm an sq guy.
Oh, yeah- ditch the rear fill too it helps imaging dramatically

How does one know how a recording originally sounded when recorded? You'd have to be there.

Also; music is electronically altered everyday in studios. The purpose of such devices as BBE and EQ's are to boost or reduce certain frequency ranges that are altered by the limitations of our vehicles.

I do believe less is more in many cases, but automobiles are handicapped when it comes to sound reproduction as it is. What's most important is that the listener enjoy the music. It's a personal thing at best.