I completed the install of the 7894 this evening along with Lucid's Kenwood 3-way rears. Lucid also assembled my harness (including the PAC SWI-X).

I have only sampled the setup with the top up in my garage, but I am ecstatic so far.

First of all, like many, I am extremely grateful to Lucid. Beyond providing superior products and services, he offers unbeatable support. The installation went very smoothly - the only tricky part was that this head unit requires a direct connection to the battery because it draws so much current. After removing the battery, I was able to fish 10 gauge wire (fused on the insisde and the outside of the firewall) through the grommet below the battery and into the passenger's cabin. It sounds more difficult than it actually is.

For the price, I can't see how the 7894 can be beat. The MP3 playback is incredible (seek times around 2 secs from track to track), and the ID3 ("Tag") display is sweet. I used MusicMatch 7.1's super tag capability to automatically look up the ID3 tags for the MP3s I had already downloaded, and Nero 5 to burn. It took 3.5 CDs to store 522 MP3s!

 

I had a JVC KD-SH99 but due to a totally botched firmware change by a local dealer, I now am the happy owner of a SH-909.

The graphics are different from the 99, I like it better in this respect, easier to see in the day light without turning the contrast up or down to suit the lighting.

The AMP is now a MOSFET amp.

Time between mp3 tracks is almost nil, I haven't timed it but it is much faster than the 99.

Sound quality is excellent, plenty of volume even with top down and at high speed. Drives the fronts and Lucids rear panels just great.

The only complaint I have is the EQ, its so bloody adjustable that its almost useless to me. I usually just set it on a preset setting and leave it alone, unless I can't stand how the track sounds. I'd rather drive than adjust the darn thing every other track.

Overall very happy with the unit, looks great, works great and is a breeze to install with the PAC.

BTW its plug and play with the 99 harness, so if you have to replace or want to replace the 99 with it not a problem.

 

DoGMaN - I have been having similar headaches with the settings on the 7894 as well (having to constantly change them from MP3 track to track). I realized that many of my older MP3s were 128kbs, which seemed to require an awful lot of tuning to suit my tastes, whereas most of the 192kbs tracks and above required a whole lot less.

 

Exactly the same thing I just noticed.

I reburned nearly everything at 192 and its sounding so much better, more consistant.

Good call.

 

Looks like HighwayMP3 is showing some signs of life with the new models.

The Alpine 7894 is showing some hint of a problem with the drive motor. Look here

The SH909 and SH707 look like they'll be pretty popular.

 

I just purchased a Alpine CDA-7995 today for $355. After the install i'll let you know how it is.

 

have had the 7995 installed for a while now. it fits just fine, and it's SO nice to have a strictly preamp setup. much cleaner sound than my 7878 had. how it'll compare to the din and a third units coming out i don't know - plus, from what my installers and i have seen, we don't think the new bigger faces are going to fit in the s2k. if they do, i might try one - but for now, i think the 7995 is the best unit out there, especially for the money. or, MY money

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Lightning
[B]have had the 7995 installed for a while now. it fits just fine, and it's SO nice to have a strictly preamp setup.

 

Yes.

The 7995 ONLY has 3 sets of 4 volt pre-amp out. There is not amplification at all. You must have an amp to complete the installation.

The 7894 has all the same features, and a 4x50 amp. It is also about $100 cheaper.

I have been questioning the which one I wanted to install in my 02.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Jshahan
[B]