Alpine's new technology for OEM decks (FACTORY INTEGRATION)

[bantoine2]

Think this is worth buying?? I want to be able to adjust the levels more than just treble and bass in my 05' Q and I think this might help me get the sound I am looking for.

Thoughts....?

http://www.alpine-usa.com/en/p...-H650

[paranoidjack]

If you're looking to seriously upgrade your system, then this is a waste of money. Gut it, and re-wire from scratch.

[elwesso]

I always heard great things (pun not intended) about the F50 Q sound system.....

What is that you want to change?

[bantoine2]

I am actually pretty happy with the sound. I just would like more optimization with the EQ then just adjusting the bass and treble.

Another thing is I would also like to be able to adjust the subwoofer seperately then it being adjusting with the general bass setting with the other door speakers.

I am thinking seriously about that ALPine hub that lets you connect additional amps and subs to the factory deck without gutting everything out. I will never gut the system out.. I would lose degredation on the car's resale value plus aftermarket stereos never live up to our expectations when all is said and done ... or $3000 later after I learned from my previous J30.

http://www.alpine-usa.com/en/p...B211A

[bantoine2]

If you're looking to seriously upgrade your system, then this is a waste of money. Gut it, and re-wire from scratch.

I don't know....... this article seems to think otherwise

http://www.thetechlounge.com/article/249/

The demo xB served a dual purpose in that it showcased the LAT system as well as Alpine’s new VPA-B222 Vehicle Hub Pro component add-on system and PXE-H650 OEM Audio Processor. The Vehicle Hub Pro allows users to incorporate aftermarket audio equipment, including iPods, satellite and HD radio, DVD players and navigation systems into their factory OEM stereo head unit. If users want to upgrade their speaker system while retaining the factory head unit, the PXE-H650 OEM Audio Processor can optimize the upgrades for premium sound quality. For instance, if you have a nice new Inifiniti G35 Coupe and you don't want a cheesy head unit replacing the nice stock one, this is great news for you. This unit flattens all factory equalization and retunes it based on audio inputs received from a proprietary diagnostic microphone placed in various locations inside the vehicle. Optimization takes about 20 minutes and will be performed by authorized Alpine dealers. In our demonstration, the difference between the upgraded sound system and the optimized upgraded sound system was night and day. The PXE-H650 processed sound quality was crisper, ‘bassier’ and had more depth than the non-optimized upgraded system.

[Skibane]

Quote »This unit flattens all factory equalization and retunes it based on audio inputs received from a proprietary diagnostic microphone placed in various locations inside the vehicle.[/quote]In your Infiniti, Bose uses exactly the same techique (placing microphones at various locations inside the vehicle to "tune" the speakers to the interior accoustics). What's the point of defeating that careful equalization, just to substitute another one?

And what's so special about the "Alpine Sound" anyway? The high-end Alpine deck in my truck sounds OK, but it's definitely not God's gift to your ears...

The factory Infiniti/Bose system may be a little under-powered and short on really low bass, but neither of these shortcomings require any exotic cures - certainly nothing that a car audio pro can't fix with conventional hardware.

[bantoine2]

well the only thing i plan on adding is my rockford fosgate 1000bd Power Amp to the car to push my dual 10" subs that I had previously in my J30. The low bass is actually real good in the Q. I just want that extra thump if you know what i mean.

[maxnix]

Shouldn't this be in the Car Stereo and Security Forum?

[bantoine2]

^^^ non-mods have no say in this

[audtatious]

^^^ non-mods have no say in this

Shouldn't this be in the Car Stereo and Security Forum?

JL already has a product out: http://mobile.jlaudio.com/prod...id=79

[bantoine2]

here's a m45 with that setup

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2095385

[Jesda]

The location-specific equalization was worthless in the past, when the hardware itself was still junk. It was like putting a bow tie on a baboon's butt. Bose isn't as terrible these days (well, their home audio is still a joke).

For an example of a clean and pleasant Bose system, try a 98+ Cadillac Seville or a Porsche Cayenne.

Back to your original post... the Alpine modification looks quite clever. I've always wondered how the aftermarket would respond to the integrated systems in new cars.

[ddrumman]

..... plus aftermarket stereos never live up to our expectations when all is said and done ... or $3000 later after I learned from my previous J30.

Who did the installation on your J?

[elwesso]

I want to leave this here because the Q guys wont search or view the audio forum.....

[audtatious]

I want to leave this here because the Q guys wont search or view the audio forum.....

I was just giving him some flack on his reply

The CleanSweep seems to be a good product. A little pricy for what it is tho.

[bantoine2]

Who did the installation on your J?

It was Soundwaves in Van Nuys.. I will never go back to the either. I reported them to the better business bureau because of how bad of service they have because of all the issues I had with them. I had a pretty decent setup with Focal mids and highs in the front and the Focals 6x9's in the back with a Kenwood MP3 Headunit. Had top of the line Amps bd series from Rockford fosgate.

[96Qowner]

Think this is worth buying?? I want to be able to adjust the levels more than just treble and bass in my 05' Q and I think this might help me get the sound I am looking for.

Thoughts....?

http://www.alpine-usa.com/en/p...-H650

Are you looking for more decibels, too, or just more control over the frequency response? If you need higher decibels, then an equalizer/processor probably won't help very much. You'll need a LOT more power, and probably improved speakers. Each perceptible increase in decibels, roughly 3 db, (some people can hear a 2 db difference) requires a doubling of power. So two steps louder needs 4 times the power, 3 steps needs 8 times, etc.

But if it's just for frequency balance, that unit looks like a winner. I've been waiting to see an affordable processor that could automatically tune frequency response to an individual environment. Nice!

[bantoine2]

Are you looking for more decibels, too, or just more control over the frequency response? If you need higher decibels, then an equalizer/processor probably won't help very much. You'll need a LOT more power, and probably improved speakers. Each perceptible increase in decibels, roughly 3 db, (some people can hear a 2 db difference) requires a doubling of power. So two steps louder needs 4 times the power, 3 steps needs 8 times, etc.

But if it's just for frequency balance, that unit looks like a winner. I've been waiting to see an affordable processor that could automatically tune frequency response to an individual environment. Nice!

Nope.. the decibels are just fine in the Q.. anything louder would mean I'm deaf. I just would like to have different EQ settings to get the cleanest and crisp sound.

[ddrumman]

It was Soundwaves in Van Nuys.. I will never go back to the either. I reported them to the better business bureau because of how bad of service they have because of all the issues I had with them. I had a pretty decent setup with Focal mids and highs in the front and the Focals 6x9's in the back with a Kenwood MP3 Headunit. Had top of the line Amps bd series from Rockford fosgate.

I’ve always thought that stock sound systems left a lot to be desired. I’ve been driving for 30 years though and OEM systems in cars have changed quite a bit since I formed that opinion.

The first time I got “front separates”, subs, power amps, HU, EQ was in 1982 up in Seattle. Since then I’ve tried to always have something decent in the car and trust my ears. I got to be a “lurker”/I’m not a DIYer, in some AWESOME forums over the past 5 years and I learned quite a bit. Installation, location, application, acoustic prep, and tuning are far more important than the gear. Let’s also be real here I don’t mean “Craig” for a good installer and “Alpine F1” for the not so good one.

1. Install, 2. Undoubtedly speakers (front stage) and how they're mounted, angled, in what type of enclosure, with what type of acoustic damping etc.3. Amps4. HU.The debates are miles long about second third and fourth……. but EVERYONE agrees that install is #1.

I’ll give you an Eclipse AVN6600, Zapco C2K amps, Morel Elate 9 fronts, JL W7 sub and send you to Soundwaves.I’ll take a Clarion MAX675VD, JL amps, Dynaudio fronts, IDMax subAnd I’ll go to Speaker works in the OC.I like my chances against your system. Clearly you have the SUPERIOR gear, but I’ll probably spend more on installation and come out with the better system.
Modified by ddrumman at 12:10 AM 5/24/2006

[Skibane]

But if it's just for frequency balance, that unit looks like a winner. I've been waiting to see an affordable processor that could automatically tune frequency response to an individual environment. Nice!

Where did the 'affordable' part come from?

bantoine2's link doesn't even show a price yet!