slim142

Whats the deal with this Bravox components? A lot of people in the forums seem to like them. Now Im interested... The problem is that the CS603CF is $999 and thats way out of my range. Then we have the CS60CF which seems more reasonable. Oh god I dont want to be in that confusion circle again, I wont know what to buy

Yep, I understand components is more about a personal taste, but just want to make sure Im going the right way at least. Like I said I didnt really know this brand til I came to this forums so giving them a try wont be cheap, but want some feedback from the ones who have experienced them. So far, I like them a lot and will most likely go for them

I want to get rid of my factory speakers, at least the front ones for now (in the future, ill get another pair for the rear). I originally intended to go for the alpine type X, but then started digging more choices and ended up with a few recommendations. These included image dynamics, diamond audio, and the alpine type x themselves. Now, I have heard the Image dynamics are REALLY GOOD. Easy choice over the type X. And the diamond audio are just too much ($650 for a pair of speakers are not attractive to me, sorry thats just way over the line). So basically I have narrowed it down to image dynamics. They will run passive (for now), but later I will be using a SAX-100.4 to run them active. Headunit is either gonna be P800PRS or CDA-9887 (havent decided yet). Are these components, Image dynamics XS-65 good? Could you consider them some of the best in the market? I want to go straight to top-of-the-line here. I dont know Image dynamics as much as I do know pioneer or Alpine so I want to make sure Im going to be surprised with the quality and be satisfied. Let me know your opinions about image dynamics and the XS-65 set itself.

I just gave a quick peak at the KDC-X994 and for some reason it doesnt give me that "impressed" feeling. The three radios that I have been recommended are Alpine CDA-9887, Pioneer DEH-P800PRS and Eclipse CD7200 MKII Now, the Eclipse has a horrible type of screen AND its small. If anything I prefer the 7100, but its nowhere to be found. The Alpine, even tho I really like the interface and the looks and the specs are not that bad, people keep insisting that the Pioneer is MUCH better than the alpine. Now the only problem with the pioneer is that it needs a pretty expensive ipod adapter AND its not as fast with the ipod and the interface. Im in a situation in which I have no idea what to buy...

Hey thanks for your answer I also checked into the Eclipse one, but I heard the user interface itself is not user friendly? I have also heard you must have an amplifier to run the speakers? (because it lacks amplification?) That would be a problem because Im going active, but not now. That will come later in the future. But my main problem with the eclipse is that Ive heard issues when tuning. Are you running 3way? If so, do you have full control of front,rear and sub? Is the parametric EQ fully unlocked? What Ive heard is that in 4speakers+Sub you have no control over the subwoofer at all. Thats whats holding me back.

I need a new HU right now. I dont know if I want to go single or double din For single din im thinking about the Alpine 9887 (I dont like the new Pioneer ones, their interface sucks) For double din Im debating between Pioneer AVIC-Z120, Kenwood DNX9960 and Clarion NX700 and Eclipse AVN726E Now of course, with the double din I get much more features, but I lose a lot of things like crossovers, more-band equalizers, time alignment etc basically lose a lot of tuning options (will go active later on, dont know if the features matter after all?)and they are also much more expensive, these are $1000+ models. My goal is to have a loud car with muscle bass and clear highs, but definitely not for SPL. So far, Im going towards single din, for the 9887 as it has pretty much every single feature one can ask for. By the time its time to change the unit to a double din one, there will be better options and things will have improved. Dont you think? What do you guys think/recommend?

I have a question I plan on getting a 100.4 to power a pair of Alpine Type X 6.5 components Later in the future, I will be adding 2 more pairs on the front doors (making it 3 pairs on front doors) and a pair in the rear doors. For a total of 4 pairs of Type X components in the car. I plan on going active. How would this one benefit me besides having more power output? Can I connect more than one pair of components and that way save on having to buy more amps?

OK I see now So even if I just use the 9887->components, this is still active due to the crossover capabilities of the 9887. Well I guess Im good now, I like the setup I planned, 9887->SAX-100.4->Alpine Type X Im glad I learned something new. Now, whats a good place to set the HPF for the tweeters? I read in that guide should be around 3k-4k, definitely nothing below 3k right? What about for the midrange (the woofer)? where should I set the LPF and HPF? I know at the end is personal taste, but I can say Im kinda lost when it comes to midranges and highs, until today I had just cared about subwoofer stuff.

Ok just out of curiosity How come the guy from the tahoe uses the 3SIXTY.2 ? I mean, I know he knows what he is doing, but why are you not considering them? Most likely, mind at least answering a question or two? I would appreciate it Thanks for that link, couple of definitions that I was missing in my dictionary

yup no crossovers you just use the ones on the amp What about signal processors? Should I bother with those? Also, that means be ultra careful with tweeters right? you dont wanna send a signal thats too low for it to play?

Oh ok I thought active meant adding an amplifier between the HU and Components (and that the set of components came with crossovers). Or, when using a signal processor, that Active also meant HU->Signal Processor->Amplifier->Components. So if I want to truly go active, I should just not bother with the crossover included with the Alpine type X right? everything would be plugged straight to the SAX-100.4?

I dont want 12s anymore. I want to go and buy the best out there. I know if I get 2 15s I will be really happy but after some time I will be thinking about the next step (or might even regret not going for the top of the line in first place). And you are right, I think the 100.4 is a better choice since I will definitely need more channels for more components.

Well definitely things will come slowly, I wish I had the cash to go for all what I mentioned. I just got into car audio (like a year ago) so I dont know anything previous to 2009 like what were the good HUs back then etc. The extra components on the front doors will come later. Will start with replacing the pair on front, then the rear one and once my whole setup is finished, start customizing my doors in order to put the extra components. I have a 12" sub, not loud enough for me thats why I want 2 SMD 18s. I already have a nice mono amp, sundown 2000D. I want to get the best head unit out there right now so I dont have to upgrade it throughout the period of me buying the other parts of my build. I learn a lot of new things everyday, but Im not a newbie and I know what I want. Just have a few doubts here and there and the reason why I come here and ask.

Have a sound system that has really good quality, its loud, and one that will last (in terms of 1) wont get outdated in the next 6 months and 2) durable). Definitely NOT for SPL.

Sorry double post

So you are basically saying that I will need more than just 1 SAX-125.2 right? or am I missing something here? :S And does that mean 9887 would be worthless?

Ok probably if I let you guys know the hardware I plan on having, it might be easier for you to recommend me a headunit. Alpine headunit (dont know which one yet) Alpine 6.5 Type X components (probably 3 or 4 pairs for front doors, 1 pair for rear doors) SAX-125.2 for the Type X components 8inch on the front doors for midbass (most likely SSA) Sundown 3500D (most likely 2) (2) SMDs 18" tuned to 30Hz 300amp Alternator 3 (1 under hood, 2 in the back) XS 3100 batteries Zero gauge for everything 8 gauge speaker wire for everything Big 3 Im also thinking that I might add a double-din unit so I can have navigation and DVD. Havent checked a unit yet. With this said, that setup, what would you guys go for?

Yeah, I mean I wont be using the 3 way crossover now, but I dont plan on keeping the stock speakers. When I replace the stock speakers I also plan on using an amplifier to run components later on. Maybe a SAZ-125.2 I would easily go for the 117, but later in the future I dont want to have to replace my radio again because I didnt make the right choice. Thats why I wish there was a more detailed explanation on this 3way crossover stuff. Even if I dont need it now, it might be really beneficial in the future. I always saw the IMPRINT stuff as something completely worthless? Like extra bells and whistles. I really dont see myself spending $250 on it. Doesnt the 9887 hold enough options to make the car sound the way you want it? Never really tried it, but to me is like comparing an Intel Extreme series CPU, $500 more for the unlocked multiplier, which might take you further, but definitely not worth extra $500 unless you really have money to burn.

I dont really listen to much radio, but as long as it works and its clear, its all good. I honestly dont know what I should go for. I try to balance my thoughts on one receiver, but I cannot figure out which one to go. Really annoyed by now...

Yeah ive decided to go for alpine Im going to quote something interesting from diymobileaudio "The CDA-117 is actually more on par with the CDA-9886, in both price and features. It requires IMPRINT to do just about anything beyond balance/fade, and will not do 3-way active. Looks like the 9887 is going to continue to be the most current alpine HU that does what most of us want it to. Hopefully they'll continue selling it until they come out with something that's actually comparable." One question If Im going to use (later in the future) amplifiers for all my components, do I really need to bother with the 3way crossover? or can I just go for the 117 since I will use amplifier before signal gets to the components anyways? Its basically like this 117 1) better user interface 2) better ipod use 3) included usb cable 4) current 2010 model Cons 1) more like a 9886 upgrade (instead of 9887) 2) no 3way crossover 9887 1) 3way crossover Cons 1) saw many reviews with negative reviews regarding ipod control 2) $35 ipod cable 3) discontinued/2007 model I honestly dont know which model to get. Im not sure and I rather not pull the trigger before I truly know what I want to get. If I can get a killer deal for the 117 from this authorized dealer, I'll most likely go for it.

Well more than which replaces what, I would like to know more about that 2way/3way crossover stuff. A lot of people consider it a must-be-present feature, but what exactly it is and what it does I still need to find out.

I just read on the diymobileaudio.com that the 117 is a 9886 replacement and NOT the 9887 replacement. Major feature that is missing is the 3way crossover. May I ask what is this? What do you use it for? Seems like a lot of people are dissapointed and either will wait for the TRUE 9887 replacement or just stick to the 9887. What do you guys think? http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/diy-mobile-audio-sq-forum/72542-alpine-cda-117-9887-replacement.html

Thanks for that review! The 117 seems like the champ here. The few reviews on amazon and crutchfield make me feel like I should go for the 117. However, Im still wondering what jay-cee meant when he said " it has features from both headunits and looses a few features as well from both units". If I could get a little more information on this I would appreciate. I wouldnt like to miss an important feature, although it doesnt seem like I am since the 117 covers everything Im looking for and when compared to 9887, they are pretty much identical except for what I mentioned above which really is stuff that wont affect me that much (I mean, I dont really need to mess with frequencies from 20Hz to 62Hz in the parametric EQ since I know what happens when you boost too much certain frequencies.... specially in the bass area lol)

Well my goal (I havent really think about it yet, but in general) we can say is the following (considering HU, speakers and subs): Have a sound system that has really good quality, its loud, and one that will last (wont get outdated in the next 6 months). Definitely NOT for SPL. For the HU, I want something with an easy (or simple) user interface, lots of options to control the treble, mids and bass. Options to add more functionalities (but not limited to) HD radio, XM, Sirius, iPod, Bluetooth etc. But more importantly, easy to use with the iPod. Also, that is flexible and reliable to use with amplifiers and components with crossovers. If I had to quickly decide in a take it or leave it moment, I would prob go for the 117. Will the 9887 be easy to repair or get a warranty if anything happens to it in the future? Would not like to be in that position specially with a discontinued product.

Ok so with your statements some questions arise. Would you recommend buying a discontinued (9887) product? Or will it be better to go for the 117? So far, I have concluded that I wont be getting the Eclipse CD7200 MKII that I thought about for a moment. Interface its not the best and the output power does not justify it. I think I will stick to Alpine for now, but now the question is, 9887 or 117