Ok don't have much knowledge of car audio like I do with motors but I need your input on these two head units. I compare everything that these two offer and the Pioneer comes out on top in almost every catergory but the Alpine is $50 more. Why is that, is it just the name or is alpine that much better quality. What's everyones opinion on this.

Pioneer DEH-P80MP


Alpine CDA-9855

 

I think its half and half. You pay for the name and a feature you would only use if you have an all around alpine system. Also imo alpine is a better company then pioneer is. Dont get me wrong pioneer is a good company but hu wise i like alpine. Another thing is i like how you have the slider bar and how it looks compared to the pioneer.

 

Yeah I'm leaning towards the Alpine too but dam they make the Pioneer so "pretty".....that's what we people that don't know a jack about audio look for. They know that too and make it look all futuristic and bling bling.

Just to let you know I will not be doing any major sound upgrades like having moster subs as so. I'll only get some 6x9, which will be the alpine type R if I get the Alpine deck.

 

I have to agree, it's a toss up between the two, but I will also lean towards the Alpine, I do think they make a better quality product the Pioneer, [we used to sell both, but had to drop one of the lines, and with the Pioneers higher warranty return rate it got picked to go]

BTW I am not a big fan of the "glide bar"

And you my friend have a warped sense of pretty, that Pioneer is one UGLY HU. 94

 

haha i actually have that headunit (deh-p80mp) and i love it. Its powerful, it does 27 rms X 4 or you can do 22 rms X 4 with it. I'm happy with it, it sits nice in the accords, its got a simple user interface. I have my ipod hooked up to it, and a DVD player to play surround sound though it. The only weird thing is that the button (multicontrol) is what you use for everything. But i really do like it alot. If you do get subs, even though you said you weren't, but if you do, it has a 6.5 v for the output, not sure about the alpine.

 

i'd go for the DEH-p8600mp



Same features as the P80 but better colors and details. better in every way. plus it looks so much classier.

I also don't like the the one big **** on the P80. doesn't feel reliable enough.
same with the slider on the alpine. doesn't feel like top quality alpine should.

Plus the P8600 is only like $50 more than the P80. so it'll be the same as the alpine.

I also like the feature of custom screen savers on the P8600. I can show you one of mine if you want.

 

Yeah I want to see it please....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Sukebei Oni &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Same features as the P80 but better colors and details. better in every way. plus it looks so much classier.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

I rather have a basic hu with just seek and eject rather then have a hu with "colors"

Also like stated above pioneer dose have some crazy amp outputs. but your not getting an amp so you wont use it.

Also btw i got an amp on my 55 and no problem what so ever and its crystal clear.

 

heres a link to the vid of the display

http://www.we-todd-did-racing....5NTQx

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by romoracing &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I rather have a basic hu with just seek and eject rather then have a hu with "colors"

</TD></TR></TABLE>

thats not the point I was making. the P80 has plain blue graphics and the P8600 has blue and orange with a broader value range plus better clearity.

I also like plain HU like Nakamichis, but the P8600 was one of the more plain HU availabe. Hardly any button on the front. and i can make the display plain too if i want.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by romoracing &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Also like stated above pioneer dose have some crazy amp outputs. but your not getting an amp so you wont use it.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

The higher output still helps even without an amp. It sends a stronger signal to the speakers. but will leave growing room for the future if he decides to get an amp.

 

I also used to have the DEH-P9600 which was also a great HU. I Had JL components running strait off the HU without an Amp. That was some of the best SQ I've heard. crystal clear doesn't even desribe how accurate it was. everthing sounded live and real. Although, it wasn't a very loud setup of coarse. I just wish that pioneer made the P9600 in Black insteed of silver.

 

having used both i can say that the alpine not only sounds better but has a nicer feature set. with that said the latest models are crap, have lots of q/c issues. if i were you i'd get the 9835. sounds great, can be had for a decent price on ebay. also dosen't have glide touch which is a total pain in the *** unless youhave an ipod.

7998 for the win! you could also look at some eclipse decks

 

The P80 is cleaner then the 9855
in regards to sound

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Eugenics &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">7998 for the win! you could also look at some eclipse decks</TD></TR></TABLE>

Hmm... my 7998 was GLADLY given up for my Eclipse 8454. Best upgrade to date.

 

i like the sound of the alpine better.. for some reason the eclipses always sound too tinny to me (in different setups too) personal preference i suppose. 7998 with a h701 and rux is hard to beat.

 

Ahh... never had a chance to try the h701. Maybe I was a little too hasty? The Eclipse sounded MUCH warmer, and really seemed to bring the music to life. Everything remained the same other than the gain settings also.

Previous setup:

Viper 650.2 comps
12" IDmax in 1.2ft^3 sealed
JL 300/2
PG Tantrum 1200.1
LOTS of sound deadening in my pos Civic coupe.

 

I have that Pioneer DEH8600 unit. It's really nice, no questions! I also just got myself (for another car) an Alpine 9853. Haven't installed it yet, but just out of the box this thing looks very nice!

 

how did you like the idmax?

yeah, the main appeal of the h701 to me is for going active

 

I'm loving the IDmax. It's a very capable sub when installed and powered properly. In my next setup I'll be running 2 of them unless I can find a GREAT deal on some W7s.

 

bleh, i'd just get the new idmax's im not impressed with the sq of the W7's although you can always look for blown ones on ebay for around 150 and then recone them and it'll only cost you about 250 or so

 

I love the 13w7s. I have a friend that works for Tweeter, and their friends and family discounts are pretty good.

edit: authorized IDmax 12" are going for $300 shipped on sounddomain. I may just pick one up while they're on sale. (they are on back order though)

 

Thanks for all the info guys.....the only reason why I'm buying these is because I cousin can get me around 40-50% off from BestBuy. That's what I call a bargain baby, and yes I've thought about the IVA-D310 since it'll be a steal at the price I will get it for. Still I'm not into hardcore audio and just want something clear but has nice deep bass.

I will be getting a Alpine Type R 6x9 with it so will the Head Unit be strong enough to give me good quality out of my speakers???

 

cough cough

 

In that case, I suggest putting more money toward the speakers and less on the head unit. No point buying a nice deck and then get cheap speakers.

 

Well I was planning on getting some Alpine Type R 6x9's.....are they not good?

I don't need major bumps but nice clear sound and bass a good 6x9 can produce.

 

eh 6x9's arn't known for their sq, i'd make a baffle and put some 6.5's in there