Car Stereo's - Alpine vs Pioneer
29-10-2010, 03:01 PM
#1
Car Stereo's - Alpine vs Pioneer
I'm looking for a Stereo for the Megane. I want single-DIN and something that will look sensible in the dash, so that rules out these things that flip out etc.
I'm looking at the Alpine IDA-X305S, which is an excellent Ipod controller, supposedly one of the best, it has no CD player, which isn't a big deal. I'm not 100% certain that the big button in the middle is subtle enough for me. But would live with it, if its that good.
http://www.dynamicsounds.co.uk/alpin...r-p-15060.html
Alternatively, some of the new Pioneer stuff looks really nice, much more subtle looking, but not sure if they have the Ipod control sorted out as nicely as Alpine.
http://www.dynamicsounds.co.uk/pione...h-p-11541.html
Whaddya know?
I'm looking at the Alpine IDA-X305S, which is an excellent Ipod controller, supposedly one of the best, it has no CD player, which isn't a big deal. I'm not 100% certain that the big button in the middle is subtle enough for me. But would live with it, if its that good.
http://www.dynamicsounds.co.uk/alpin...r-p-15060.html
Alternatively, some of the new Pioneer stuff looks really nice, much more subtle looking, but not sure if they have the Ipod control sorted out as nicely as Alpine.
http://www.dynamicsounds.co.uk/pione...h-p-11541.html
Whaddya know?
29-10-2010, 03:09 PM
#2
had the ida in my 3 dr originally and to be honest i thought it was pants. apparently you can get a plug in multi changer for it, and set up correctly, it is supposed to be the bollox. i am a huge fan of alpine stuff, but just found this quite awkward to use. personally, i wouldnt have another.
all of the new caravans and motorhomes we sell are now using pioneer stuff, and i never used o rate it, but they are real easy and sound great.
hope this helps matey.
all of the new caravans and motorhomes we sell are now using pioneer stuff, and i never used o rate it, but they are real easy and sound great.
hope this helps matey.
29-10-2010, 03:23 PM
#3
Advanced PassionFord User
i always find alpine sound too bright, treble etc even when turned down. I have owned 5 alpine units and 7 pioneers.
Pioneer you can also power a subwoofer off the headunit with dedicated LPF, which isnt as lame as it sounds.
Pioneer you can also power a subwoofer off the headunit with dedicated LPF, which isnt as lame as it sounds.
29-10-2010, 04:44 PM
#6
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not been onto an alpine, but the settings on a pioneer are really good and simple to use.(the one i had anyways). Recently brought a cheapo kenwood for the s2 which is equally decent and simple to use on its settings
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29-10-2010, 05:27 PM
#8
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Put it this way, Pioneer make AV-Receivers that cost thousands of pounds and receive 5-star reviews from hi-fi magazines.
Alpine do not.
Also, IMHO, the key to ipod use in a car is setting up playlists. Afterall, one does not flick through 300 cds whilst drive, does one?
Chris
Alpine do not.
Also, IMHO, the key to ipod use in a car is setting up playlists. Afterall, one does not flick through 300 cds whilst drive, does one?
Chris
29-10-2010, 05:52 PM
#13
Coldo loves seamen
I have always had and always will have Alpine. My mate has the double DIN equivalent of the alpine youve mentioned (the media units - no cd's) and it's a cracking unit!
I knew my shit ok! haha. I'm not the typical halfrauds worker though mate, so don't jumble me in with them!
29-10-2010, 06:03 PM
#15
MP for K.I.S.S
Alpine for me too. I have an IVA-W505 Double Din unit in the Evo and its a cracking bit of kit, works with my iPod and is easy to use.
Never had a Pioneer although I'm not a fan of their designs.
Never had a Pioneer although I'm not a fan of their designs.
29-10-2010, 06:08 PM
#16
I wish there was somewhere I could go and see these. Our local Halfords has fuck-all and there really aren't that many car audio shops. One I popped into the other day had about 8-10 different head units on display and none of the ones I am interested in.
30-10-2010, 04:10 AM
#20
Advanced PassionFord User
They are awesome!
30-10-2010, 07:57 AM
#22
Happily retired
Pioneer will have the sound quality its what they do, Alpine will be for the loud bang bang dont this hurt your ears brigade that youngster like in their cars. If you want quality try Harman Carden they are the best.
30-10-2010, 08:52 AM
#25
Advanced PassionFord User
30-10-2010, 09:18 AM
#27
Christian, are you just lookng for a bit of ipod integration? I had a problem cos my car's got the all in one sat nav/dual climate etc unit so that meant I couldn't change it for a different one. Its got a aux in but using an ipod is a bit of a fiddle, so I got one of these,
http://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/prod...eu_p-24174.htm
Plugs into the aux socket or FM modulator. Really good bit of kit and looks quite neat too.
http://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/prod...eu_p-24174.htm
Plugs into the aux socket or FM modulator. Really good bit of kit and looks quite neat too.
30-10-2010, 05:32 PM
#29
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Pioneer, the sound quality is superb and I find the Ipod interface faultless 
Never been to keen on the Alpines, too much stuff going on and the sound just isn't as good imo
Never been to keen on the Alpines, too much stuff going on and the sound just isn't as good imo
30-10-2010, 07:01 PM
#32
Christian, I would DEFINATELY go for the Pioneer mate...The Alpines are over complicated and dont have enough processing power (for me)...
The Pioneers do have GREAT ipod control (as do the Alpines), and the navigating around the ipod is pretty straight forward on both units, but the sound quality on the Pioneer far surpasses the Alpine...with the Pioneers EQ, and its general sound characteristics, it has to be Pioneer for me all day long!
Besides, the Alpine looks a bit pants LOL!
If your not too bothered about connectivity, sound quality etc, try looking for an Alpine XDA-001, its an older unit but it is awesome! And looks SOOOOO much better than the current line alpines!!!
If you need any more help mate, please just ask I know a thing or 2 about audio lol
bassboy
The Pioneers do have GREAT ipod control (as do the Alpines), and the navigating around the ipod is pretty straight forward on both units, but the sound quality on the Pioneer far surpasses the Alpine...with the Pioneers EQ, and its general sound characteristics, it has to be Pioneer for me all day long!
Besides, the Alpine looks a bit pants LOL!
If your not too bothered about connectivity, sound quality etc, try looking for an Alpine XDA-001, its an older unit but it is awesome! And looks SOOOOO much better than the current line alpines!!!
If you need any more help mate, please just ask
I know a thing or 2 about audio lol bassboy
31-10-2010, 05:09 PM
#33
Advanced PassionFord User
I had a 9853r in my old golf 8v which came with the car and i didnt have any amps or subs in it. Just the 6.5's they come with standard.
No bass. No matter what setting i set it to, there was no bass at all. Im talking -10 setting (on pioneer) on everything from 1000hz and below.
Read the manual, did everything, no bass, no midrange, just treble. Almost as if there was a hard wired HPF set to 4khz somewhere. Checked, no HPF.
Sold car 6 months later with the hu still in it, guy rang me up a week later asking me if the hu was dodgy as he had wired it up to a sub and amp and the sub didnt work
Turned out some switch underneath it when you take it out was put into 3 way mode for no apparent reason.
No bass. No matter what setting i set it to, there was no bass at all. Im talking -10 setting (on pioneer) on everything from 1000hz and below.
Read the manual, did everything, no bass, no midrange, just treble. Almost as if there was a hard wired HPF set to 4khz somewhere. Checked, no HPF.
Sold car 6 months later with the hu still in it, guy rang me up a week later asking me if the hu was dodgy as he had wired it up to a sub and amp and the sub didnt work
Turned out some switch underneath it when you take it out was put into 3 way mode for no apparent reason.
31-10-2010, 05:13 PM
#34
Well, thanks guys for all your help. I've never owned an Alpine, my last couple of stereo's have been Pioneer, albeit a few years ago. I feel that the Pioneer has come on leaps-and-bounds in the looks department and is far more up my street. With most of you saying that its the winner for sound etc too, thats pretty much it for me. I just need to spend the next 2-3 days chasing round and round in circles for the cheapest possible price, as I'm a bit OCD like that. 
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