New Head Unit Going in....

[jumbowolfe]

So my 9813 Alpine decided it wants to go to total crap at about the 20 mark on the volume (sounds like internal signal is getting jacked), so I'm having to upgrade. What sucks, I was using the built in crossover and EQ instead of running separate units, and Alpine has really reduced what they offer in a single DIN head unit these days. SO, I had to buy a model that was 3-4 years back, NOS off ebay. Alpine now makes you buy two separate units to get crossover and EQ with the upper end head units. The nice thing about the new setup is they have a microphone, audio test, software thing that configures all the stuff for you. From what I've read online, its a PIA to get it setup, but when you do, the car sounds like you're in a recording studio listening to pure monitors. Keeping fingers crossed I can get back to what I had prior to the 9813 dying, or better. Hey, at least I'll get full ipod control now vs. just audio input.

So here's what I'm having to convert over to:

New Unit

BUT, I have to buy this in order to get my crossover and EQ controls back:

Old unit, sad to see it go. This is probably my favorite head unit of all time in any of my cars! I already miss the Alpine Green.

 

[TanTop94]

Though its gonna take some work it seems like youll be better off in the end, that Alpine unit looks fancy lol!

 

[jumbowolfe]

What's pretty funny about the whole deal, its got a fancy display and everyting, and the unit itself only cost me $239 on ebay (the extra crossover unit is $115). No CD player though, but I don't use them anymore anyway.

I really considered switching over the 94 to double din like the new edge Stangs. I just can't bring myself to hack up the dash.

Though its gonna take some work it seems like youll be better off in the end, that Alpine unit looks fancy lol!

 

[TanTop94]

Not many people out there still us cds as everything can just be put on an mp3 lol yeah double din is neat but Im content with my single din for now as well.

 

[jumbowolfe]

Got it installed today. I havent' got it tuned yet, I need to buy a microphone and the software Alpine sells (separately of course) in order to fine tune the crossover and the cabin adjustments. From what I've read online, once you do that, it sounds like a studio, we shall see. Sounds fairly decent already, but I have not got the tone back to what it was with the 9813.

Here it is installed:

 

[ttocs]

the audissey crossover/eq system is pretty cool I use it on my 9887. Only bad part is after it tunes it you can't make any adjustments, but that is why I have an external 32 band eq....

 

[gate keeper]

i Love my alpine headunit, but I HATE how its backlight is only blue. Every other light in my car is red, and it sticks out so much

 

[jumbowolfe]

I've read that about the tune, so you can't use any preset EQ settings after you tune it?

I hear ya Jared, I hate the fact that I lost the old Alpine green buttons, and I can't really configure anything on this unit color wise. I can make it red, but that doesn't match anything on my dash.

I'm a little disappointed that Alpine seems to be going a different direction with their higher end stuff. I had to buy this model, which is really about 3-4 year old technology because the newer line of Alpine's seem to be lacking in the single DIN versions.

And I just can't bring myself to switch over to Kenwood or Sony, had too many bad experiences with those in the past. Pioneer to me still has the 80's stigma in my brain, even though they have come a long way since then.

 

[gate keeper]

I hear ya Jared, I hate the fact that I lost the old Alpine green buttons, and I can't really configure anything on this unit color wise. I can make it red, but that doesn't match anything on my dash.

I'll trade ya!!! Lol

Maybe I can change mine. Who knows, I'm an idiot when it comes to audio.