I'm trying to decide which Alpine CD Head Unit to install in my S. I've got a CDM 7856R unit which was taken out of my previous car but was wondering whether to spend extra and get a new HU and Changer for the boot.

What has everyone got fitted? and do all Alpine HU's work with the OEM dash controls when fitted with the adaptor?

Also, is it worth upgrading the front speakers or best to go for the Lucid rear set up?

Thanks guys.
Chris

p.s. what a great day to be alive and own an S!! Cool As

 

IF it aint broke dont try and fix it

Put the H/U in and use the KCE*** adaptor so the controls work, thats if the unit is steering wheel compatible.

That will improve sound a bit, especially if you have an 02 model.
Also do upgrade speaker as well makes loads of difference especially with rears as wel.
l

 

I went for the cheapest Alpine CD/Tuner that would work with the dash interface, uprated front speakers and...........got a set of HKS cans for the rear!!

 

I've got an 02 model so I don't know how bad the front speakers are on your car, but the sound imrpovement from installing rear speakers was quite dramatic and personally I would recommend installing a rear set before changing the fronts. However, as I said, I don't know how bad the fronts are....Tif??

 

I have upgraded fronts.
Great when the top is up (about 1% of all my journeys), so I quickly added a small sub so I could hear bass with the top down.

Added rear speakers : Kenwood dual mags (small, very light). I can now hear all of the music above the wind, tyre and engine noise and not just the boom boom boom.

A word of warning though. With the roof up, the imaging is a disaster. I fade to the front for the best sound stage.
Also the dual mags are bass light. No problem in my setup as I have a sub and some bassy fronts (Infinity Kappas).

Pros for the dual mags:
- easy to fit : cut the holes myself
- low weight
- relatively cheap
Cons
- bass light
- power rating not great

If you are a top down guy, then spend the money on good rear speakers and go with Lucids pre-cut panels to make it eaiser to get something substantial in there.
You can always upgrade the fronts later.

If you drive around with the roof up then better fronts are the way to go IMO especially if you value the soundstage.

As for the head unit the 7893 at