alpine imprint system

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DYohn

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Joined: April 22, 2003

Location: Arizona, United States

Posted: November 24, 2009 at 12:31 PM / IP Logged

I just purchased a new Alpine CSDA-9887 to upgrade my daily commute car. It'll be matching with McIntosh amplification, Eclipse component mains and in-door Tang Band subs. My main intent in my commute cars is always the best SQ possible. My question: does anyone here have experience with Alpine's Imprint system? Is it worth the $200 for the calibration mic and interface or should I stick with my tried and true EQ based on RTA readings?

Thoughts anyone?

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blackcivichatch

Copper - Posts: 229

Joined: January 27, 2009

Location: Missouri, United States

Posted: November 24, 2009 at 7:11 PM / IP Logged

Please Do It and come back with a VERY detailed review.

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j.reed

Copper - Posts: 716

Joined: January 05, 2009

Location: Arkansas, United States

Posted: November 24, 2009 at 9:59 PM / IP Logged

Never used it, but i am curious to how well it does. I guess my question would be. If all it does is get your tune close enough that it takes some of the manual tuning time away, Is it worth $200 to you? Im sure with as picky as you are. Im sure you will be doing manual tuning to get exactly what you want after the imprint does it thing anyway. How much tuning though, is really the question.

Let me know how the tangs are. I have been looking at the Tang Band W8-1747 8" and the Dayton RSS210HF-4 8" for the doors of my 300 build. I got 4 15 inch re xxx 15s going in so i need loudness but i want to retain a good level of sq. I know, i know. No such thing as SQL :)

DYohn

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Joined: April 22, 2003

Location: Arizona, United States

Posted: November 25, 2009 at 11:18 AM / IP Logged

Thanks guys. I have arranged to borrow an Imprint unit from a fellow installer and I'll let you know how it goes. As far as the TB's, I've used both the W6 6.5" subs and the W8 8" and have been very impressed with the build quality as well as the sound quality. Not a lot of power handling, but quite a bit of output for such small drivers. I have one W6 in each rear door of my Mitsubishi Outlander commute car and love them. They are worth checking out.

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jasonkelly214

Member - Posts: 2

Joined: November 26, 2009

Posted: November 26, 2009 at 4:33 AM / IP Logged

yeah please let us know! I actually just won an Alpine IXA-W407 from an online Alpine contest but it won't be here for a few weeks. I drive a suburban and I have aftermarket components and subs (3 amps) and as you can imagine in a 93 suburban, it's very hard to tune my system. I love the idea that I can use a computer to calibrate it.

KarTuneMan

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Posted: February 23, 2010 at 11:32 AM / IP Logged

Any info/opinion yet Dyohn?

DYohn

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Joined: April 22, 2003

Location: Arizona, United States

Posted: February 23, 2010 at 11:44 AM / IP Logged

Oh sorry I neglected to update this thread. Yes, the Imprint system works pretty well for setting speaker delays and levels, but I did not care for the Audyssey EQ it applied to the system. It's idea of "flat" and my idea of "flat" seem to be two different things. Audyssey wanted to set the subwoofer about +10db in most EQ bands even though it didn't need this, and it set the top end way too bright as well. Perhaps it is using a curve developed for a typical user rather than setting it flat and letting the user control it. Also, it was VERY dependent on mic position. If I moved the mic eight inches left or right I could get completely different settings.

So, IMNSHO, it ain't worth the cost for what it does. I am glad I did not spend money on it. On the other hand, it would be a good tool for a shop to have on hand as it greatly speeds up the process of initial setup for one of these units, and who knows maybe the default curve it imposes would make most people happy.

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blackcivichatch

Copper - Posts: 229

Joined: January 27, 2009

Location: Missouri, United States

Posted: February 24, 2010 at 11:49 AM / IP Logged

So After Imprint "Does Its Thing" Can you manually fine tune the 7 band EQ?

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KarTuneMan

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Posted: February 26, 2010 at 12:46 AM / IP Logged

blackcivichatch wrote:

So After Imprint "Does Its Thing" Can you manually fine tune the 7 band EQ?

I am to understand you CANNOT!

blackcivichatch

Copper - Posts: 229

Joined: January 27, 2009

Location: Missouri, United States

Posted: February 26, 2010 at 2:28 AM / IP Logged

Ouch.

Thats really unfortunate to hear.

Can you even Completely Manually adjust the eq??

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