Alpine CDE-9852

Not to be an ass or anything, but this quote comes directly out of the manual for my 9855. 

When the Blackout mode is turned on, the display will turn off to reduce power consumption.  this additional power enhances the sound quality.  Page 24 second column last paragraph. 

Anyway back on topic, to activate the blackout mode if it's availible on your radio push and hold the func. button for a couple seconds.

Wow some one owes best buy an apology. Well as far as the blackout feature I don't think that it makes that much of a difference.

Your 9852 does have a conventional dimmer when 12 volts is applied to the orange lead. I called a former employee of mine who works in Alpine tech support and he kind of chuckled and said the word "marketing" when I told him about the "blackout" improving SQ. Now not to be an ass or anythingbut if you cntrylvr79 can tecnically explain to me how it works, I'm all ears. On yeah I forgot, Sorry to question Best Buy's knowledge of the 12 volt industry ROTFLMAO!

Everyone knows that if you dim a player's display, there are not as many photons being emitted into the air.  Since sound travels through the air to get from the speakers to your ears, fewer photons means less interference with the sound, so it will be better.  That's why music sounds better at night (no sunlight to interfere) or in a completely darkened room.  There is also the psychoacoustic effect of partial brain attention, meaning if the display is dimmed more of your brain can pay attention to the sound rather than being distracted by the lights.  More attention means you can resolve more detail in the sound, so higher SQ.

Or at least that's what they told me at Circuit City.