http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/products/p...?model=CDA-9884

Is this a decent HU for the S? If so, what would be a good price? I cannot access ebay from work.

TIA,

Tom

 

I have the 9883 and it is a good unit. I think the 9884 is the update to the 83. I like it. There are better units, but there are many worse.

 

Alpine is known for a harsh sound in the 3-5kHz freq range.

Personally, I'd go for a Pioneer Premier or Eclipse HU as the sound is much more clean. But, that's apparently a personal preference held by a very small minority in the forums...

 

Mainly I'm just looking for an HU that can connect to my iPod and perhaps have a bit better sound over stock. Everywhere I read here, I hear, 'Upgrade the HU before the speakers' so that is advice I'm going to follow.

Perhaps I should have led with I'm not an audiophile.

There is a seller on another car forum that is selling one for $140 but he doesn't appear to have any takers. Would $80 be a fair offer for this HU? He has the box so I feel the seller is legit, btw.

 

I still say go for Pioneer or Eclipse. Not because I'm an audiophile, but b/c I know from personal experience (and have friends that know) that Alpine HUs are incredibly harsh on long (and even short ones) road trips.

 

I'm not one of his friends like that with an Alpine. I have an older Alpine (9831) with full tune ability in the range he speaks of and like my HU so much I have it in my S2k and DD.

Sputniks

 

Ahh, but you're one of the few that haven't heard my Eclipse...

And the older Alpines aren't as bad.

 

Touche

 

by tunability, do you mean being to adjust the lows, mids, and highs independently or am I not understanding what you mean by tunability?

 

Yes, being able to independently adjust frequency ranges is what I mean.