Which head unit Alpine/Sony
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=31637
Printed Date: May 09, 2024 at 1:45 PM
Topic: Which head unit Alpine/Sony
Posted By: FredA1974
Subject: Which head unit Alpine/Sony
Date Posted: May 05, 2004 at 12:50 PM
I been thinking about 2 different head units for a little while now and I am not sure which one I would be better off with. So here it is. Either the Sony CDX-9905X of the Alpine CDA-9835. Yep 2 high power radios with lots of toys. I think the Alpine is going to better in sound quilty then the Sony, but i could be wrong. I haven't heard either of these 2 units. They Sony by far looks alot nicer. I think the Alpine has more features, but not doing a huge system. I plan on hooking up a simple system 1 of 2 things. System 1. All Alpine with the CDA-9835 Head-unit, SPR-176A for the Front and SPR-574a for the rear. 1 Type R 12" and the MRD-M301 for an amp. System 2. Sony CDX-9905x for the head unit with JL Audio speakers. XR650-CSI for the front, XR570-CXI for the rear. The sub will by a stealthbox made for the PT Cruiser which house 1 10W0. The amp will either by the 500/5 or the e6450. Which ever I get a better price. So which seems like the best way to go. I am looking to keep cost down, even though this is really good stuff. Want it to looknice without taking up alor of room and of cause sound good. I am not going to compete just want good clear sound. All info is welcome and most of all Thanks.
Replies:
Posted By: One_Evil_Necro
Date Posted: May 05, 2004 at 1:07 PM
As far as my personal preference goes, I would most definately take the Alpine HU over the Sony, I may be biased but I have had nothing but problems with Sony's car audio. It is also ok to mix and match brands, go to a few stores listen to as many amplifiers and subs as you can in a price range that is affordable to you, after all you will be the one listening to this =) ~Jay
Posted By: Sweekster
Date Posted: May 05, 2004 at 1:10 PM
Avoid the Sony head unit all together.
The Alpine is the better product of the 2 and will last alot longer. ------------- Duane...
If you think you're confused, imagine how you feel. 
Posted By: kgerry
Date Posted: May 05, 2004 at 1:28 PM
just curious.... you are building a system and have settled on one of two possible head units, yet you say you havent HEARD either of them.......... how the heck did you narrow your search to these two models without even listening to them?? isnt the best way to make a decision about the most critical component in an AUDIO system to qualify and judge them AUDIBLY? it's not like buying a tv where you just look at it dont get all hung up on features and propaganda...like i've said a few times, grab a couple of your favorite test discs, put 10 bucks worth of gas in your car and go shopping........... ------------- Kevin Gerry
Certified Electronics Technician
MECP First Class Installer
Owner/Installer
Classic Car Audio
since 1979
Posted By: FredA1974
Date Posted: May 05, 2004 at 1:44 PM
Thanks all for the input. I been leaning towards the Alpine too. I was getting hung up with the fancy display on the Sony. kgerry, You are right about listening and all that, but there is still overall quilty of a company. I do believe Alpine is a great company and Sony isn't bad either. I been to a couple of local shops and none of them had this unit on display and the Alpine just came in stock in a couple of them so they didn't even know what it looked like. I am buying these units blind, but from the past and listening to other models from these companies Alpine did sound a little better. But everyone pushes Alpine and favors them and I want a wide range of opinons.
Posted By: kgerry
Date Posted: May 05, 2004 at 2:05 PM
both are reputable companies... personally, i've ( my company ) been an authorized Alpine service centre since 1979 and i wouldnt hesitate for a moment to put an Alpine in my own vehicle ( heck, i've had probably 10 Alpine head units over the years )... you are very right about looking at the inherent quality behind the name... i do the same myself, whether i'm buying a car, TV or washing machine.... all i was saying was the most CRITICAL test in chosing a new head unit should always be how it sounds... not whether or not it has a holographic display or whether a little hand comes out of it and .... well, you get the idea......
-------------
Kevin Gerry
Certified Electronics Technician
MECP First Class Installer
Owner/Installer
Classic Car Audio
since 1979
Posted By: djMINIoompa
Date Posted: May 05, 2004 at 3:58 PM
Sony may have fancy displays, but if the never work, what good are they? yes thats right, they arnt any good. Unless you are on a harsh budget, dont even consider sony. If you are getting this much money invested into a HU, buy the dependable one that you know will last and dont have to send it in for warrenty 3 times a year. Alpine also has more features to help you tune your system and get the sound stage set the way you want it. I believe that model has a HPF and LPF on them if i'm not mistaken. ALl these features will make your system sound better.
Posted By: customsuburb
Date Posted: May 05, 2004 at 4:16 PM
Sony may have a pretty face (nah eclipse hu's have better ones) but they dont sound that good and are not reliable. I would buy the alpine head-unit, the jl component set, coaxials and amp, and the alpine sub (although the 500/5's sub channel would underpower it a little), but thats just me.
Posted By: pureRF
Date Posted: May 05, 2004 at 4:19 PM
Dont go with the sony, Alpine is a much better buy. I have a Panasonic and love it.
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dream it, build it, fiberglass it
Posted By: forbidden
Date Posted: May 05, 2004 at 4:25 PM
kgerry gave you some great advice that I would suggest you follow. Just because a name brand has been around for a long time does not necessarily mean it is either the best or the worst. Read between the lines with what people are posting and the truth shall set you free. I have a personal preference that I have built up from being in this industry for the last 16 years, I have seen all companies, good and bad and have made my decision based on fact, not what something looks like. There is a drastic difference in performance, sound quality, build quality etc. between something built to hit a price point or look good vs. something that is built to perform good and sound good. ------------- Top Secret, I can tell you but then my wife will kill me.
Posted By: pureRF
Date Posted: May 05, 2004 at 9:50 PM
second that forbidden, i mean look at Audiobahn. (sorry had to)
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dream it, build it, fiberglass it
Posted By: Ravendarat
Date Posted: May 05, 2004 at 10:09 PM
OK I gotta throw in my two sense here. While sony decks have a history of being garbage, I gotta say that we sold quite a few of the new ones already and even though it has only been 3 months since we got them, I have yet to have a single problem with them. Mabye they finally turned a corner and are headed up hill. Here's to wishing. Also if any one read some of my previous posts, I wouldnt recomend alpine head units to my worst enemy. I have one thats 2 years old and I HATE the way it sounds. It replaced my pioneer, which by the way was still perfectly good I just wanted to try a higher end Alpine deck since I always hear about how good they are, so I traded my deck for this one. Anyways I thought that my subs sounded way worst and I did definatly lose 2.3 dbs according to the rta meter. And before you ask, the pioneer was 4v and the Alpine was also rated at 4 volts. We all know those ratings are BS anyways but thats kinda besides the point. Anyways that was my two cents about alpine
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double-secret reverse-osmosis speaker-cone-induced high-level interference distortion, Its a killer
Posted By: FredA1974
Date Posted: May 05, 2004 at 10:20 PM
Ok, now we got this going. I always had a Pioneer deck myself and like them. I wanted to change up a little too and I bought an Alpine IVA-d900 and it was awesome unit. It was way over my budget so I sold it and went back to Pioneer AVH-p6500DVD. This unit had nothing on the Alpine the Alpine blow it out of the water. So I was very unhappy with this deck so I sold it with the thought of going back to a Alpine deck but a cheaper one. Thought of doing without the DVD and monitor since I never used it. I have installed a CDA-9825 and a CDA-9827 and I did not like the way it sounded. I installed a Sony Cheap ass Sony deck with factory speakers and it didn't sound to bad. This is why I thought about creating this post. I know history says Alpine is probably one of the best. Sony not so good. But The units I heard lately I think the Sony is moving up in this world. I could be wrong though. If others agree then please be heard. I need to come up with something soon. With that just said from the post above mine I am leaning towards the Sony deck. I will let you all know of the out come and how it all sounded.
Posted By: Ravendarat
Date Posted: May 05, 2004 at 11:14 PM
If it does turn out to be a lemon dont come down on me, I was just throwing in my tow cents and would feel really bad if you bought a deck because of my suggetion and it turns into a lemon for you, as far as the preference from alpine to pioneer, to each his own. I cant say that my exerience was something that I see happen a lot. Alpine is a very successful company and there must be a reason for it, I just cant figure it out :)
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double-secret reverse-osmosis speaker-cone-induced high-level interference distortion, Its a killer
Posted By: flatulatta
Date Posted: May 06, 2004 at 8:38 AM
ummm why hasnt anyone said anything about eclipse?? most alpines dont run cheap.. im to lazy to look for those 2...but i could get a realatively good one for about 250... and the most expenisve only 500.... .... ok just looked.... alpine is almost 500$$ US for that just go and buy an eclipse cd8454.....
Posted By: Tcole
Date Posted: May 06, 2004 at 3:43 PM
"Friends dont let friends buy Sony"
Now thats a good catch phrase
Posted By: forbidden
Date Posted: May 06, 2004 at 6:53 PM
Like that did you, I have a ton of them. I'm sure that people are wondering what I would recommend but it was not the question that was asked.
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Top Secret, I can tell you but then my wife will kill me.
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