Well I was pretty much decided on the Alpine 9833 for my HU but a friend recently recommended the Panasonic MXE CQ-C9800U since it has 60W RMS output. Granted I know this 60W RMS really isn't that much it still seems to blow away anything else. Since I really just want to add Alpine Type-S fronts and I already have some Sony rears... I don't want an external amp even though I know it's the true way to go. So how does this HU stack up and if not this or the 9833, what is recommended for my needs?

Thanks,
Mike

 

NO HU unit puts out the claimed wattage. That is a peak wattage rating not a continous rating. They can claim it because at one time, one HU of that series, produced that wattage for a split second before it melted/self destructed.

If wattage is your reason, it is not good reasoning... NO HU can put out signifigant wattage. Pick up a good amp, see how heavy it is, note the heat sinks. A HU does not have heat sinks of any signifigance. A HU is light and small. If a HU produced the heat of a good 60 watt amp, it would damage itself.

Alpine uses a new rating system now, a CEA rating system that basicaly admits everything I just said. Check out the new HU Alpine 9833

The CEA rating admits that this HU has about 27 watts of real power, yet, even so, Alpine advertises 60 watts MAX power. That's a decieving MAX.

Head Units are about control and looks. Which one looks better? which one controls the things you want it to control in the way you want it to control them? that's what you need to look for in a HU.

If you want power, purchase an amplifier.

 

It could put out 60W RMS, but not to all channels at the same time. This is the trick. If your worried about how much power the HU is making, make sure the spec says all channels driven. If it doesn't that means that only one channel was tested at a time so the power supply could provide the necessary current. Once you bring up all channels the power rating drops off quickly...

 

Both of you are correct. In the real world, the best headunits produce about 17-25 rms.

Dont believe the hype

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Willie Gee
NO HU unit puts out the claimed wattage.

 

unless it has an outboard amp or power supply unit.... i'm not believing it.

like those guys said... HU's can't do much better than about 17-20Wrms. the ONLY reason the V-drive Alpines do more (like 25 Wrms) is b/c they have some outboard power supply components in the form of a DC/DC converter.

(google google...)
then again.... http://www.panasonic.com/consumer_electron...=12&cont_id=555
[QUOTE]

 

You know what......I read it, and although I am a skeptic, especially in these situations, give it a try. If it really is that powerful, than thats the best upgrade that people with rear speakers can get.