Pros: sound quality, CD/MP3 tracking, 4v output, time correcti
Cons: some ergonomic issues, lack of EQ/more useful center freqs. for treble control
The Bottom Line: Great balance of high-end customizable sound control and ease-of-use. Coupled with excellent sound quality, this head is hard-to-beat in this price range.
ingadog's Full Review: Alpine CDA-9811 Car CD/ MP3 Player
Prior to purchasing the Alpine CDA-9811, I had a Pioneer DEH-7450 MP installed in my trusty Civic. I was quite content running the Pioneer, but I expected more for the price I paid for it. Then,I had to get a new head unit to replace the one in my other car, a Nissan truck, so I decided to get a new Alpine for my civic, and transfer the Pio to my truck, where great sounds were not at issue.
My Civic has a fairly simple yet efficient set-up. MB-Quart separates in front run by a 2x40 watt Alpine amp. Rear 6x9's are driven by the head unit's on board power. Sub is an active 10 in. Bazooka (100w). Thats it. Oh, and I have an Adcom line driver between the head and the amps (since Pio did not have 4v outputs).
Anyway, out of the box, the Alpine sounded at least one notch above the Pioneer, confirming what I always knew -- I had several other Alpine heads in my experience (from tape heads to the CTA-1502), and they all sounded better than Pioneer and most other brands.
The unit has the usual selectable HP/LP crossover, the Bass center frequency and sub control, and BASS/TREBLE controls with selectable center frequencies (No Q control, however, unlike Pio, but it is no big deal. Also treble center frequencies are too high up in the spectrum, see below.)
Overall, however, the following factors make this head one of the best I've heard.
1. Overall Sound quality is tops - clear, open and detailed. Imaging was much, much better. Things which were shadows in the Pioneer came alive with great detail and imaging. Sampled background sounds can be picked out from the rest of the sonic soup. Its like looking through a newly cleaned window after the Pioneer.
2. CD tracking was excellent. Even skipping from one MP3 file to another took no more than one or two seconds, as compared with at least 8 from the Pioneer.
3. Four channel Time correction - Something that, even in recent times, only came with an expensive out board processor now actually comes with the head unit! You can delay your front channels to synchronize it with your rear and subs, creating the illusion that the bass is coming from the front. You can delay your left speaker to put you in the middle of a wide soundstage. Amazing.
4. 4v outputs. Puts less strain on amps. I don't actually need the Adcom line driver anymore, but I'm still using it anyway since I have nowhere else to put it.
5. Classy, efficient design - Just see above picture for reference. Numbers are clear and crisp and you see what you need to see at a split second glance. Although the Pio's display is much more sophisticated, its actually more or less harder to see,because of all the "busy" details.
And now some gripes, albeit minor and non-essential:
a) To turn off the power, you have to press the source button for around 5 seconds. Isn't that a bit too long. A simple power button, as in earlier Alpine models, would have done much better. WHo invented turning off the unit with the source button anyway?
b) OPening the CD slot reveals a very narrow entry area. It takes some practice to insert and retrieve the CD without touching the tilted down face. Also, I have an inherent distrust of the motorized downward tilting of the face, as with all motorized faces. It just does'nt inspire much confidence. It's just one more motor that could break down in the future.
c) The dial does not stick out enough. harder to reach for and control.
d) No EQ, not that I could really use an EQ, but the Pio allowed me to dial down a spike at around 1200 Hz due to my car's acoustics. TReble center freqs. didnt help much and are too limited (10kHz to 17.5 kHz)
e) Mx is useless, really. Just like a newfangled loud button. I'd appreciate if Alpine removed this feature and just refunded me for the extra cost they incurred to put this in.
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
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