Alpine PDX5

[sebberry 10+ year member]

Hi Guys, did a quick search for "PDX5" and got a couple of hits but nothing in the amplifier section. I figure as these become more popular there will be more people talking about them so I thought I'd start a thread here in the Amplifier forum.

I currently have a PDX4.150 that I purchased a year ago but haven't gotten around to installing it yet. My original plan was to install this under the driver's seat and the PDX 1.600 under the passenger seat for the subwoofer.

Upon a recent test fit is has become apparant that the 4.150 won't fit well under the driver's seat (clearance issues over top of the unit).

So this pretty much leaves me with one option - sell it and get the PDX5 and put it under the passenger seat.

I'm not looking for a system with high SPL, just better overall sound quality and bass (my car doesn't even have a factory sub, just the door speakers).

So here are my questions:

How are the Apline PDX amps working out in terms of sound quality? How is the bass output from the PDX5's 300w subwoofer amp?

I don't want something that will compare to a trunk full of amps and subs, but more along the line of a factory McIntosh, H/K, or Mark Levinson system. A step up from Bose, but not over the top, competition grade SPL.

I also don't have room in my trunk for amps bigger than the PDX amps as I use all the storage space people with my car typically stuff long amps into.

This amp will be driving two pairs of MB Quart Premium components and 1 10" sub yet to be determined sitting inside a JL Stealthbox.

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

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[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

If I weren't saving for a house, I'd rock the pdx5. Actually, after I get everything sqaured away, I will get one. The birthsheets on these jokers are pretty nice.

 

[tcguy85 10+ year member]

If I weren't saving for a house, I'd rock the pdx5. Actually, after I get everything sqaured away, I will get one. The birthsheets on these jokers are pretty nice.

http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35493&highlight=alpine+pdx-5

102x4 and 361x1. pretty good numbers. especially for the small size.

 

[kidwolf909 10+ year member]

I run my front stage off a PDX2.150 and my substage off a 1.600. I can definitely vouch for the PDX's in terms of sound quality and quantity. My sub POUNDS (single 10" Dayton) off the 1.600 and the amp doesn't even sweat it. I have mine enclosed in a small area under the trunk floor with no active ventilation and after thumping on my sub for a good half hour, the amp is still cool enough to put your whole hand on for any amount of time. As far as SQ goes, the only other amps have experience with are some Infinity A/B's and an Alpine MRP-F450, which was pretty nice. But I can't tell a single difference in my front stage to be honest between the A/B Alpine and the PDX. I love my PDX's, they're very efficient, and I feel they reproduce music very well //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

BTW, if you're looking to get rid of that 4.150, look my way. I'm trying to upgrade to an active front stage and need to replace my 2.150.

Good luck, I would definitely get the PDX5, I've heard nothing but good reviews on it!

 

[sebberry 10+ year member]

Well I got the amp today //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

I should have thought this out a bit better tho.. I got the PDX5 because I wasn't going to be able to fit a PDX4.150 AND a PDX 1.600 in the car.

I have now decided that I don't think I will do the rear door speakers (based on listening tests with just the factory stuff, the sound was better coming only from the fronts).

I was hoping that I could bridge the PDX5 to run more power to my front speakers (the MBQ speakers like good power) but it turns out that it doesn't look like an option with the PDX5. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif Furthermore, I checked in the manual for the PDX 4.150 (which I have since sold...) and realized that I could do a 2.1 setup by bridging CH 3+4 for the sub...

I would have had better power to the fronts and wouldn't have lost money on the whole thing.. aargh!

Live and learn, I guess.

 

[FoxPro5 5,000+ posts]

How are the Apline PDX amps working out in terms of sound quality?

Extremely overrated, just like any "SQ" amp.

 

[FoxPro5 5,000+ posts]

I was hoping that I could bridge the PDX5 to run more power to my front speakers (the MBQ speakers like good power) but it turns out that it doesn't look like an option with the PDX5. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

Yet another reason not to buy Alpine crapola. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crap.gif.7f4dd41e3e9b23fbd170a1ee6f65cecc.gif

I do like my 1.600, though. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif:

 

[JrVtecAccord 10+ year member]

I have now decided that I don't think I will do the rear door speakers (based on listening tests with just the factory stuff, the sound was better coming only from the fronts).

Not sure if you are you using an after market deck or sound processor, but time correction should make it sound better.

I know a lot of people say just ditch the rears, but I find with proper time correction and some decent rears, it can help the midbass and still keep great imaging. Works in my install.