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Car Forum / Driving, Maintenance, Tuning / Car Audio / August 2006Questions about Alpine 9857 Head Unit
First, does anyone here have this model ? I know that the 9853 is well thought of, but I hear of complaints about the weird way the controls are used, and the learning curve of operating the unit being difficult. I am not sure, but I think the 9857 has easier controls, am I correct ? My other question relates to how this radio will use a cd changer. Is there an Alpine remote cd changer that can be controlled by this radio ? I have explored Crutchfield and the Alpine websites, but cannot find any info on an external cd changer for this model radio. I would appreciate any info on this please. Thank you very much for any comments !! --james-- Well, here are my thoughts on the 9857 (and the newer Alpine units in general). First (and this is JUST a personal thing), I don't care for the new design. it looks like the volume knob suddenly grew larger and distorted everything on the left side. The right-hand side of the deck looks fine, but I just don't like the way everything curves on the left side. But, again, some people may dig the new look. I think they should have stuck to the style of the 9855/9853, etc. I just don't like curves in a HU. But, not a big deal. What IS a big deal, however, is the way Alpine has decided to do away with the Bass Engine Pro features on it's higher end models. BIG MISTAKE, IMHO. I have NO DOUBT that their marketing research told them that people thought all of those functions (parametric EQ, time alignment, x-over, etc.) were too confusing to use. So they REALLY dumbed down these new decks. Now instead of focusing on all the sound shaping features (OK, they brought BBE back), Alpine is hyping their deck's "integration features" such as iPod, Bluetooth and HD/sat radio integration. I say, BIG DEAL!!! You could ALWAYS hook an iPod to an Alpine deck by just using RCA inputs (adaptor required of course). Anyway, in an effort to make these new decks easier to use I really believe Alpine made a BIG MISTAKE by not including these sound shaping tools. I mean, when I was shopping for a new HU (last year) there were lots of decks with flashier displays than Alpine (Pioneer has really led the way in this department and has some INCREDIBLE displays on their newer decks). But I went with Alpine, partly because I have owned other Alpine decks in the past that were great, but also because of the comprehensive sound shaping features that other decks simply lacked (in particular, I found virtually no other decks that had x-over, time alignment AND a true parametric EQ). The 9853 honestly had EVERYTHING on my "wish list" at the time. Again, I think Alpine is making a big mistake. If I were you, I would try to find a new 9855 or 9853 that some store (online or otherwise) still has lying around. My $.02, MOSFET > First, does anyone here have this model ? I know that the 9853 is well > thought of, but I hear of complaints about the weird way the controls are [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > --james-- MOSFET: I wonder if you have the model numbers mixed up? I looked at my Crutchfield catalog, and the Alpine 9857 DOES have the "Bass Engine" (but it does not say "Bass Engine Pro") Is there a difference here ? What about my question about a cd changer ? Thanks. --James-- There is a HUGE difference between Bass Engine and Bass Engine Pro. All Bass Engine is is just adjustable tone controls. That's it. Check it out. MOSFET > MOSFET: > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > --James-- Do you have an OLDER edition of the Crutchfield catalog? One that has a little older Alpine units? That will set you straight. That explains the differences between: Bass Engine - Good Bass Engine Plus - Better Bass Engine Pro - Best And trust me, if it doesn't say Bass Engine Pro, it ain't. MOSFET > MOSFET: > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > --James-- Sorry for all these posts. Here, this explains it all, it is a product description of the 9855 from Crutchfield (note the Bass Engine Pro features that the 9857 DOES NOT have): http://www.crutchfield.com/S-5QZKMMCD9hu/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=247450&tab=detai led_info&i=500CDA9855#Tab MOSFET > MOSFET: > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > --James-- Thanks MOSFET, that is all very helpful, and does summarize it all very well. Your points are well taken. Any experience with the cd changers that are controlled by the Alpine HU ?? --james-- > Thanks MOSFET, that is all very helpful, and does summarize it all very > well. [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > >Gosh, no. I've never used a changer in my life. Frankly, it seems to me that with the ability to put 100+ songs on a burned MP3 disc, who needs a changer? But, of course, the sound quality of CD's IS better (I guess) than MP3's and I can certainly see some people wanting a CD changer. In fact, I don't have one single regular CD in my car right now, they are ALL burned MP3 discs and MPEG music videos I play on my DVD player. My 38 year old years just can't hear any difference between an MP3 and a CD. ;) MOSFET Yes, good points MOSFET. I will use my iPod, but I want the option of a cd changer in the future. --james-- Just one more thing... The digital time correction that the BassEngine Pro units have is REALLY COOL!!! I mean, some of the other Bass Engine Pro features are not really that necessary, especially the crossover feature as almost all amplifiers today have built in crossovers. The parametric EQ is important to me (and if used right, can make a big difference), but others may find it cumbersome and want plain old bass and treble controls. This is especially true considering that a spectrum analyzer is really needed to set it properly and it's VERY easy to actually make your system sound worse if you don't know what your doing. But the time alignment is a great feature that can make a big difference in just about ANY system and does not take any fancy equipment for set-up. It's most important function, in my opinion, is delaying the front and rear speakers a little (a few milliseconds) to give the bass in the rear (coming from subwoofers) a chance to catch up. This is a tremendous tool as it makes a huge difference in making the soundstage more coherent AND by synchronizing all the speakers, you do not get the impression the bass is coming from the rear. It also does an AMAZING job in my system of giving me a PERFECT center-image. This is done by delaying the left-hand side speakers (driver side) just a bit more than the right. It is truly amazing the difference time alignment has on my system. I often compare how it sounds with the TA (time alignment) out, and then in. It's startling the difference. It seems to sound muddy and diffused without TA, but once engaged it's like the music becomes perfectly etched in space right in front of you (you can close your eyes and point to each musician, like they are right there). I tell you this because if you are deciding on a new Alpine unit, I think the time alignment feature (included in Bass engine Pro and Plus) can make the biggest impact on sound (definitely more than BBE, which I used to have on my Alpine 7863 bought in 2001, it was the HU I had right before I bought the 9853). BBE does make a difference and can improve SQ, but it is NO SUBSTITUTE for time alignment custom tailored to your car and system. If Alpine does not bring back TA, my next HU WILL NOT be an Alpine (despite the fact the last three HU's I've owned have been Alpine's and all have been great). This feature, to me, is a MUST HAVE! MOSFET > Yes, good points MOSFET. I will use my iPod, but I want the option of a cd > changer in the future. > > --james-- i agree with the previous poster. current HU wise i would go with kdcx990 kenwood excelon. or pioneer dehp780 or 880prs. then there is the dehp980bt which has built in bluetooth handsfree phone kit and bluetooth wireless streaming audio and all the features of the 780. the bluetooth hands free is the best sounding one ive tried. if older models are an option i might go with the kenwood xxvo1d 25th aniversary edition or cda 9835 9855 or 9853. if even older is an option you could try finding a cd8053. all of this is subjective of course. the kenwoods have a good parametric and dual 24bit burr browns.  SignatureKOA Thanks KOA, but I have had both Kenwood and Pioneer radios in the past, and didn't care for them at all. I thought perhaps the Alpine would be a step up, and thus my questions relate to the Alpine brand. Thanks again !! --james-- |
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