My install's coming along nicely

[JohnKuthe]

I define component set as the proper definition of component set. 2 way, 3 way. Still a component set.

Then I HAVE a PHD component set ordered and coming with it's own passive crossover, although I could go fully active and connect the tweeters to the unused but wired two spare 75W outputs I have on my Alpine PDR-V75 4x1 amp! The first two of the four outputs on this amp are gona now be driving the 2 way passive crossover sets of 5.25" midrange drivers+tweeters.

Without a RTA you can't tune a DSP. You have to match left and right sides. If not you won't get a proper stereo image. In that case you shouldn't even be using a DSP, it's pointless. You have to measure crossover slopes.

Don't try and tell others what we HAVE to do. Just explain why your method is better and explain a little how to do it. That would be much more useful and a lot less cruel to others.

John Kuthe...

 

[blazian87 10+ year member]

^^ yea it could technically work on a mac but it seems like too much trouble honestly. It makes the computer run much more hotter and waste battery life like crazy. I think when they originally made the Alpine pxa-h800, it was only compatible with windows XP. After a while they made an updated version that can run up to windows 7 64 bit. It may be possible to run it on windows 10 if you change compatibility mode to windows xp. Never tried it myself so can't confirm. I tried the CD that alpine gave me on my windows 7 and for the life of me couldn't get it to work. So I had to search all over the internet for one that works on windows 7 and it worked beautifully from there. Alternatively you can also purchase the RUX controller, which will probably make your life easier. I uploaded the windows 7 64 bit version here if you want it. https://www.dropbox.com/s/elrn34hyl1va1f5/PXA-H800%2064bit%201.110.zip?dl=0

Also, I believe the PXA-H800 doesn't even turn on unless you run an Ai-net cable to your alpine headunit. You have a newschool headunit so I don't think it's compatible. If that's the case, I think you NEED to buy the rux controller for the Alpine DSP to even work. I could be wrong but I think that's how alpine engineered it.

 

[JohnKuthe]

^^ yea it could technically work on a mac but it seems like too much trouble honestly. It makes the computer run much more hotter and waste battery life like crazy. I think when they originally made the Alpine pxa-h800, it was only compatible with windows XP. After a while they made an updated version that can run up to windows 7 64 bit. It may be possible to run it on windows 10 if you change compatibility mode to windows xp. Never tried it myself so can't confirm. I tried the CD that alpine gave me on my windows 7 and for the life of me couldn't get it to work. So I had to search all over the internet for one that works on windows 7 and it worked beautifully from there. Alternatively you can also purchase the RUX controller, which will probably make your life easier. I uploaded the windows 7 64 bit version here if you want it. https://www.dropbox.com/s/elrn34hyl1va1f5/PXA-H800%2064bit%201.110.zip?dl=0
Also, I believe the PXA-H800 doesn't even turn on unless you run an Ai-net cable to your alpine headunit. You have a newschool headunit so I don't think it's compatible. If that's the case, I think you NEED to buy the rux controller for the Alpine DSP to even work. I could be wrong but I think that's how alpine engineered it.

Yeah, I have ther RUX controller too, wired up and just sitting in the poor excuse for a center console Chrysler engineered into my 2006 Grand Caravan, just for turning on the DSP and it's associated power amps. Kind of a PITA, but hey, I gotta so what I've gotta do! Yes, I don't think my Alpine CDE-153BT even has a Ai-net jack on it, nor do I even know what Ai-net is, but it sounds scary, anything with the term "net" in it is! I do NOT want to be caught in a NET!! ;-)

John Kuthe...

 

[NSTALN 10+ year member]

^^ yea it could technically work on a mac but it seems like too much trouble honestly. It makes the computer run much more hotter and waste battery life like crazy. I think when they originally made the Alpine pxa-h800, it was only compatible with windows XP. After a while they made an updated version that can run up to windows 7 64 bit. It may be possible to run it on windows 10 if you change compatibility mode to windows xp. Never tried it myself so can't confirm. I tried the CD that alpine gave me on my windows 7 and for the life of me couldn't get it to work. So I had to search all over the internet for one that works on windows 7 and it worked beautifully from there. Alternatively you can also purchase the RUX controller, which will probably make your life easier. I uploaded the windows 7 64 bit version here if you want it. https://www.dropbox.com/s/elrn34hyl1va1f5/PXA-H800%2064bit%201.110.zip?dl=0
Also, I believe the PXA-H800 doesn't even turn on unless you run an Ai-net cable to your alpine headunit. You have a newschool headunit so I don't think it's compatible. If that's the case, I think you NEED to buy the rux controller for the Alpine DSP to even work. I could be wrong but I think that's how alpine engineered it.

I haven't had any of the issues you describe with running Windows and the Alpine software on my MacBook Pro...no heat or battery issues at all. Ive used the same set-up for my last 2 MacBooks with great results. I also run REW on my MAC on the Mac OS.

 

[blazian87 10+ year member]

Yeah, I have ther RUX controller too, wired up and just sitting in the poor excuse for a center console Chrysler engineered into my 2006 Grand Caravan, just for turning on the DSP and it's associated power amps. Kind of a PITA, but hey, I gotta so what I've gotta do! Yes, I don't think my Alpine CDE-153BT even has a Ai-net jack on it, nor do I even know what Ai-net is, but it sounds scary, anything with the term "net" in it is! I do NOT want to be caught in a NET!! ;-)
John Kuthe...

Ai-net is a cable that Alpine invented to use on their headunits before. Practically all their oldschool headunits had them in case you wanted to expand to their DSP or CD changer. It costs about $100 for the cable. It's automatically turns on the DSP through the cable without the need of the RUX controller. I don't have to run any RCA's from headunit to DSP bc of the ai-net cable. Some of their headunits have a digital optical cable output also for use of CD's/DVD's only. I have both cables for my application and it's a shame they discontinued it.

Also, if you gonna run your PHD components passively, it pretty much defeats the purpose of buying the Alpine DSP in the first place. You can try it out passively first, but I do recommend tuning it actively if you want the most out of your unit. Otherwise you just wasted a gang of money just so you could run a passive crossover. You won't be able to use like the majority of the tuning options that people rave about.

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

Then I HAVE a PHD component set ordered and coming with it's own passive crossover, although I could go fully active and connect the tweeters to the unused but wired two spare 75W outputs I have on my Alpine PDR-V75 4x1 amp! The first two of the four outputs on this amp are gona now be driving the 2 way passive crossover sets of 5.25" midrange drivers+tweeters.


Don't try and tell others what we HAVE to do. Just explain why your method is better and explain a little how to do it. That would be much more useful and a lot less cruel to others.

John Kuthe...

lol it's not what I do.. that's how you tune. That's how you build a response curve, phantom imaging, balanced natural output without peaks and gaps. It's not my method, it's THE method. The only method.

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

Here. Even has videos for you. Man you bit off a big ol cookie that you are not ready for. Sink or swim.

How to Tune a DSP - Car Audio | DiyMobileAudio.com | Car Stereo Forum

 

[blazian87 10+ year member]

I haven't had any of the issues you describe with running Windows and the Alpine software on my MacBook Pro...no heat or battery issues at all. Ive used the same set-up for my last 2 MacBooks with great results. I also run REW on my MAC on the Mac OS.

ok cool good to know. I have a macbook air maybe it doesn't retain the heat as good with it's thin profile or something. Or maybe it's just getting too old idk.

 

[JohnKuthe]

Ai-net is a cable that Alpine invented to use on their headunits before. Practically all their oldschool headunits had them in case you wanted to expand to their DSP or CD changer. It costs about $100 for the cable. It's automatically turns on the DSP through the cable without the need of the RUX controller. I don't have to run any RCA's from headunit to DSP bc of the ai-net cable. Some of their headunits have a digital optical cable output also for use of CD's/DVD's only. I have both cables for my application and it's a shame they discontinued it.

Yeah, my CDE-153BT has the optical jacks which I'm not using.

Also, if you gonna run your PHD components passively, it pretty much defeats the purpose of buying the Alpine DSP in the first place. You can try it out passively first, but I do recommend tuning it actively if you want the most out of your unit. Otherwise you just wasted a gang of money just so you could run a passive crossover. You won't be able to use like the majority of the tuning options that people rave about.

Yes, I realise this. And I had my installer guy run 4 sets of speaker wire up to the top of my dash just for future expansion possibilities. I fantasize about putting some really good larger midrange drivers up there too really fill out the sound of my "front stage" as we say. But this IS a work in progress, as most installs are. I'm gonna play with my DSP and see what I can get it to do for me with the drivers I have or will have installed at first, which right now are Alpine SPR-50's 5.25 with coaxial passively crossed over tweeters. Nit m,y PHD 2 way separate drivers and passively crossed over are on their way to me!

Thanks for all your help!

John Kuthe...

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

Most top level SQ cars run a 2.5-4in midrange. But they typically take custom glass work

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

Research the term speaker beaming.

 

[NSTALN 10+ year member]

If you're looking for SQ the optical out would be the way to go.

Why did you choose multiple RCA's as opposed to the digital out?

 

[JohnKuthe]

Research the term speaker beaming.

I identified the main flaw in every audio reproduction years ago when I was a teenager. The air! Reproduced sound all has to go to a transducer that first sets up air pressure waves to get the sound to your ears which pick up the air pressure waves, convert then to neural signals in your nervous system, and there ya go! The air is the WEAKEST link in the chain, and if we could design a direct neural interface input to the human nervous system, this would be the best way to get sound into your brain! We spend far too much time and money trying desperately to design and build the best sounding audio listening system, it's pathetic that we pretty much ignore this crucial link.

If you could have neural surgery to implant a perfect sound listening link directly into your brain, would you? ;-)

John Kuthe...

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

I identified the main flaw in every audio reproduction years ago when I was a teenager. The air! Reproduced sound all has to go to a transducer that first sets up air pressure waves to get the sound to your ears which pick up the air pressure waves, convert then to neural signals in your nervous system, and there ya go! The air is the WEAKEST link in the chain, and if we could design a direct neural interface input to the human nervous system, this would be the best way to get sound into your brain! We spend far too much time and money trying desperately to design and build the best sounding audio listening system, it's pathetic that we pretty much ignore this crucial link.
If you could have neural surgery to implant a perfect sound listening link directly into your brain, would you? ;-)

John Kuthe...

You're lost again.

 

[JohnKuthe]

You're lost again.

I'm not lost, I just don't even think outside the proverbial box even. I say "What box?"

John Kuthe...