I was wondering if digital time alignment is something that would improve a sound system in a car like the S which only comes with t front speakers and 2 tweeters. Should I skip it or go with it?

 

if tuned correctly, TA can improve your sound stage dramatically. Be advised that 95%(maybe more) of all the shops out here in So Cal dont know how to tune TA correctly. They claim they do. Not sure if the statistics apply for your area.

 

Anybody else wanna chime in? Is this useful when combined with a nice 3 way component speaker setup and high quality amplifier?

 

It helped center my sound stage. Its hard to tune it right without instruments or a laptop.

 

I had an Alpne PXA-H600 in a previous car I competed with (front stage only-no rears) it worked well in that car but it wasn't a convertible, once you set it up you're done, so you don't have to use the mic again. Should work in the S.

 

What mic? I thought you setup time alignment via the head unit. Just like I did on my old alpine HU.

 

Man u need to tune the time alignment? Thats wack, i thought u just have to keep adjusting until you get it right. I'm doing a 5.1 surround sound in the S so just wanted to see what the fuss was about.

 

5.1 in the s? I thought that was pointless.

 

Nope. The Alpine unit had a mic that you used to focus the sound to where you wanted the center stage at. I had a CDA-7949 at the time, no controls through the head and there still aren't, the unit comes with its own display and controller that you made all the adjustments through. The mic was used temporarily until you had the stage set-up and then you unplugged it.

 

Here's a pic..

the mic is wrapped up on top of the unit.