I've had the stock system for exactly two weeks - it clips, buzzes, distorts and does just about everything a good stereo shouldn't. So - I've made a decision on components, but have a few questions since I am not a car audiophile - I just want decent sound!

Q: I don't care about the pretty display face on the Alpine 9855 unit. If this is the case, is there any reason not to just get the 9853 and save a few bucks?

Q: To use the in-car controls, I need a DCI or SWI-X (Lucid's). Any difference or preference or am I misunderstanding something?

Q: I'm not a bass-head, but want some good sound. Thinking of going with the Azcartoys enclosure for 8" sub on the driver side only. Will this hit my goal of filling out the sound good enough or should I consider a single 10" in the boot well? What's a good Subwoofer / subwoofer amp for a small config like this?

Q:I'm thinking of putting the amp right next to the sub on the wall next to the spare tire. Any problems with this plan (look at pics of JL StealthBox install)?

Since I basically know nothing about this, I'm looking for comments from those that know. Also - anyone know a good shop near Boca Raton, FL? Right now, my tentative components list is looking like this:
HU: ALPINE CDA 9853 or CDA 9855 ($350)
Front: Ininity Kappa Perfect 6.1 ($300)
Amp: Infinity Reference 7520a ($80)
Subwoofer: JL Audio 10w6v2-D@ with JL Audio 500/1 Amp
Enclosure: Azcartoys, driver side
Control: DCI or SWI-X

 

1. I dont know about the Alpines, I am a Pioneer guy.
2. DCI or PAC works, I prefer the ease of install of the DCI, and now we have the option of using an IR dci or wired dci. I think the advantage before was no IR with the PAC. Modfry is also a great guy.
3. You mention the JL, I dont think it works with Wlaurents enclosures but do not quote me, I know William can customize them. I myself went with a 10 inch sub, I had an 8 and determined it was not enough for my needs.
4. You can get a PAS2KNUT flat cover for the rear and mount the amp there, or if you want to go stealth, you can get a spare tire amp rack.

As for your choices, looks good, basically its up to you to hear them and decide what you like the best, each person has their own preferences.

I myself went with a Pioneer Premier 860MP, CDT Eurosport 620's, Alpine Mrv-F545 4 channel amp and Alphasonik PSW810 10inch sub.
Making my own tool well sub box and using a PAS2KNUT flat cover for the rear to mount the amp.

 

I understand where you are coming from. I mostly listen to rock/blues and didn't think I needed a sub at all. I had never had one before. The truth is it really does make a difference, and I am happy I got one.

The side enclosure is the way to go for a stealth install, and to retain the use of the toolwell.

Your amp config sounds like a good location. A single 4-channel amp would be ideal for your setup. drive the fronts off of the amp, and bridge the two rear channels for the sub.

I would go with the DCI. There is a new version of the DCI that directly interfaces with some of the newer Alpine units without using an IR emmitter. It might affect your choice of head units.

On speakers, my suggestion is to make sure you demo your choice. It's more important than you'd think. Also, something I have noticed recently is that because the tweeters are mounted so much higher than the woofer, speakers can tend to sound more bright than they do on a store wall. Boston Acustic has a 3 position jumper on the cross-over to adjust the brightness. Just something to look for on other models.

You can get a 10" sub for the WLAURENT box, but I do believe an 8" would work just fine for you. I have a 10" but I keep it turned down a little to keep from rattling the car.

 

one of the big differences between the 9853 and the 9855 is that the 9855 has 4V preouts and the 9853 doesn't.

I just purchased the direct DCI from modifry and can agree with the ease of use/installation. Plus the SCV (Speed Controlled Volume) is a great addition!

a Elemental Designs 11kv2 or 11Ov2 would work well. Powered by a eD NINe.2 amp.

I would chose either of the two eD components instead of the infinity's, or maybe some CDT's... the kappa's lack midbass which this car definately needs.

My system (only HU/iPod/DCI installed so far):

Alpine CDA-9855
Alpine KCA-420i (iPod interface)
Modifry Direct DCI
(2) Elemental Designs NINe.2 amps
Elemental Designs 6500s Components
Elemental Designs 10Ov2 D2

 

He should only really need this if his amp (for some reason) has a higher voltage requirement. Most amps are OK on 2V (i think). He would only really need the 4V pre-outs as well if he was running major wattage, and the amp needed all of the 4V signal.

I would almost be tempted to tell ya to save some $ and just get something like the 9851, especially if you are going to be bypassing the internal amp, and amping components externally. I have the 9851, and it provides all I need....for now. If you are not an audiophile, I would recommend the 9851, as it has everything you need, and nothing you really dont.

As far as the sub.....I would look into a 10" sub, just a preference, though. I golf, and cannot fit clubs in the trunk with the side enclosure, so I went with a tool-well enclosure. You should look for at least 250WRMS to power the sub, if you want to hear / feel it.

Looks like a good setup. Should sound good. If you are dead-set on a side enclosure, I would get an eD 10" sub with the corresponding enclosure, as I think its one of the only 10" subs that will fit (I think Audiobahn makes one too).

John

 

A have the CDA-9833, the predecessor to the CDA-9853. The digital crossover and time correction features are a huge advantage. I use mine without an external amp.

 

iirc the 9851 doesn't have an EQ, just bass and treble controls (and I think you can choose a target frequency) which is garbage. Get at least the 9853.

 

I agree with pikkashoe, pioneer is the brand to go with. I've had an Alpine deck ($300-400) forgot which model but it was the latest one at the time. After listening to a few Pioneer back to back compared to the Alpines decks, I was convinced Alpine was not the same level as Pioneer.

P.S. I think its the SuperTuner 3D that makes it way better, I dunno

 

The major advantage that Pioneer has over Alpine is the 12bit digital converter. As far as the frequency selector being garbage....do you know how to use it? It has done a LOT for me. Granted, its not a real EQ, but it does help. Especially with being able to center the gain over 7.5kHTZ for male vocals, and centering the bass over 80HTZ, with a Q of 2 to spike the gain at 80HTZ. Kind of unloads some bass from the drivers and onto the sub. Sounds great. Takes a little more work to get it right, though.

I like the way the Pioneers sounded, but I was not a big fan of the interface.....got a bit confusing at times. I am sure it just has a learning curve, though.

JOhn