CES 2006 Headunits: Alpine, Clarion, Eclipse, Pioneer

[alphakenny1 10+ year member]

wow im wondering what is the retail on the cd7000....

 

[faulkton 5,000+ posts]

$2

 

[DiamondFanatic 10+ year member]

Alpine loves their 5.1 and I think that they are also very interested in trying to do things before other manufacturers, even if that means taking a gamble. Perhaps they got cocky because of the KCA-420i success a full year before it was answered by other companies, but I think that they will have some problems with this years line. The 9861 doesn't have optical out (at least from the specs on Alpines website) so it isn't the ideal unit to use a PXA-H701 with. Yet the 9860 does... go figure on that one...

Their new line will without a question be a hard sell on the younger demographic

 

[takeabao 10+ year member]

Alpine loves their 5.1 and I think that they are also very interested in trying to do things before other manufacturers, even if that means taking a gamble. Perhaps they got cocky because of the KCA-420i success a full year before it was answered by other companies, but I think that they will have some problems with this years line. The 9861 doesn't have optical out (at least from the specs on Alpines website) so it isn't the ideal unit to use a PXA-H701 with. Yet the 9860 does... go figure on that one...Their new line will without a question be a hard sell on the younger demographic

Actually, upon further inspection, the 9861 does have optical out and it also reads DVD-Audio discs as well (something that unfortunately, my 9860 does NOT).

Just terrible web-design by the folks down in Irvine, CA (Alpine HQ).

If you ask me, the CD7000 doesn't look that impressive -- I personally seem to think it's a very ugly HU -- but I'm certainly not discounting its features. 3.5Max6Spd really hyped it up in the other thread and I was hoping for something a little better in outward appearance to match with the seemingly impressive features-list. Lastly, I'd really hate to see the price-tag... //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/greedy.gif.5a53e6246569d7ab79867170f3b06629.gif

New Pioneer Premier looks very good -- they finally put the "PRS" back into Premier (probably only a few folks know what I mean by this). I was going to get my girl the 860MP, but so long as the 880PRS has a dolphin screensaver (along with 24-bit DACs, 3-way xover, etc. etc.) it looks like I'll be putin' that in her car.

Overall,

Alpine > Eclipse > Pioneer > Clarion in my books as far as innovation and design go in the head unit department at CES this year.

 

[6spdcoupe 5,000+ posts]

wow im wondering what is the retail on the cd7000....

Should be about $599

 

[mikescanlon 10+ year member]

i dont see alpine having a place in the market with thier headunits if they keep up the same progression for the next 5-10 years.

 

[IoNMan1 10+ year member]

i dont see alpine having a place in the market with thier headunits if they keep up the same progression for the next 5-10 years.

so mike, what are some brand you are in favor off?

 

[chadillac3 10+ year member]

i dont see alpine having a place in the market with thier headunits if they keep up the same progression for the next 5-10 years.

Interesting...since MAP on the 9857 is only $350, which will probably be badass w/ iPod and have the Biolite display. 95% of the consumers out there don't need Bass Engine Pro; hell, I bet most on the forums who have the 9835/55 don't even use it fully. I have a feeling they're going to be putting a LOT of pressure on the other manus.

 

[alphakenny1 10+ year member]

Actually, upon further inspection, the 9861 does have optical out and it also reads DVD-Audio discs as well (something that unfortunately, my 9860 does NOT).
Just terrible web-design by the folks down in Irvine, CA (Alpine HQ).

If you ask me, the CD7000 doesn't look that impressive -- I personally seem to think it's a very ugly HU -- but I'm certainly not discounting its features. 3.5Max6Spd really hyped it up in the other thread and I was hoping for something a little better in outward appearance to match with the seemingly impressive features-list. Lastly, I'd really hate to see the price-tag... //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/greedy.gif.5a53e6246569d7ab79867170f3b06629.gif

New Pioneer Premier looks very good -- they finally put the "PRS" back into Premier (probably only a few folks know what I mean by this). I was going to get my girl the 860MP, but so long as the 880PRS has a dolphin screensaver (along with 24-bit DACs, 3-way xover, etc. etc.) it looks like I'll be putin' that in her car.

Overall,

Alpine > Eclipse > Pioneer > Clarion in my books as far as innovation and design go in the head unit department at CES this year.

i must agree here. the cd7000 looks fugly. I've always loved the way alpine HUs looked. Best design imo.

but if 6spd says that the retail is $599, I might have myself a new HU. wow, for the features that it presents isn't that a little cheap...

 

[bri487 5,000+ posts]

i like the looks of the new alpines, going to for sure have to get one, those new pioneers look nice as well, just not a pioneer guy.

 

[Slammed01 10+ year member]

So I guess the Alpine IVA-D310 is goin' to continue for 2006 and Alpine isnt gunna replace it? Is the 310 Bluetooth Capable?

 

[3.5Max6spd 10+ year member]

That cd7000 looks alot better than i expected, wopuld've loved to see better pics of the OEL display....not that appearance is a factor for me anyhow, its about the performance and audio needs...

Is it true Alpine ditched T/A and Bass engine Pro is most of their single DIN's?

 

[chadillac3 10+ year member]

That cd7000 looks alot better than i expected, wopuld've loved to see better pics of the OEL display....not that appearance is a factor for me anyhow, its about the performance and audio needs...
Is it true Alpine ditched T/A and Bass engine Pro is most of their single DIN's?

Yep, and prices are $100 lower now for the equivalent decks. From talking to the local dealer, most people don't have any need for the processing features...those who do will need to pony up for the H701. Personally, there isn't a single DIN HU out there that will do everything I'd want...the closest are the Eclipse units, but I'd need a sub EQ and more media capability to consider 'em.

Maybe the CD7000 will be the one...I'm certainly not close minded enough to say that I'd never use an Eclipse again. But if they're similar to the 8454 I used, I'll pass.

 

[3.5Max6spd 10+ year member]

Yep, and prices are $100 lower now for the equivalent decks. From talking to the local dealer, most people don't have any need for the processing features...those who do will need to pony up for the H701. Personally, there isn't a single DIN HU out there that will do everything I'd want...the closest are the Eclipse units, but I'd need a sub EQ and more media capability to consider 'em.
Maybe the CD7000 will be the one...I'm certainly not close minded enough to say that I'd never use an Eclipse again. But if they're similar to the 8454 I used, I'll pass.

its supposed to have 1 band peq for the sub, and 5 band for each pair of front chs

I'm not sold on it either, i'd have yet to play with it in person myself to see if the solution for me. Yes an Alpine deck and processor combo is the easy way out these days, but the less shyt i have in my car the better, i'm out of real estate as it is....my wife goes...' everywhere i look theres an amp or some contraption...'

Besides the concept of keeping the signal conversion simple appeals to me and the more I look at this unit I feel they did a good job keping the lines of the unit clean, buttons simple and not 'out there' like the other models and my current 8455..

 

[bri487 5,000+ posts]

That cd7000 looks alot better than i expected, wopuld've loved to see better pics of the OEL display....not that appearance is a factor for me anyhow, its about the performance and audio needs...
Is it true Alpine ditched T/A and Bass engine Pro is most of their single DIN's?

i can do without the bass engine, but for average installs, the TA is a must. i have all the internal processing defeated in my H/u's anyway.