[dyohn]

I just purchased a new Alpine CDA-9887 to upgrade my daily commute car. It'll be matching with McIntosh amplification, Eclipse component mains and in-door Tang Band subs. My main intent in my commute cars is always the best SQ possible. My question: does anyone here have experience with Alpine's Imprint system? Is it worth the $200 for the calibration mic and interface or should I stick with my tried and true EQ based on RTA readings?

Thoughts anyone?

 

[Sonnie]

That sounds somewhat high to me. Equalization in a car to me has always been suspect. It's worse than home by a long shot. Move the mic one inch and the response is drastically changed. All those surfaces and glass along with the constant movement of our ears while driving makes it tough to get right. I am not sure I would spend that extra just for equalization if I already had a tried and true method. :huh:

Have you used the Tang Band subs before and do they do pretty well for the door? My biggest problem has always been depth, but the new Ford Flex I have may have a bit more depth.

 

[dyohn]

Yea, that is pretty much my thought too. I just kind of hate to have untapped capability sitting there without at least trying to play with it... but for $200 maybe I'll wait until I find someone willing to let me borrow theirs for a while.

I have used the TB-W6 6.5" subs in three different installations now and they are quite nice for first two octaves augmentation - and you can cross then up to about 700Hz if you need to. They do not "boom" like larger diaphragms of course, but if you want to fill out the bottom that most 6.5" main speaks don't handle well, they suit the bill nicely without need for an enclosure. I have one in each rear door of my Mitsubishi Outlander powered with about 100 watts each and I like them. They are a bit deep at about 4".

 

[Ryan Anderson]

I just purchased a new Alpine CDA-9887 to upgrade my daily commute car. It'll be matching with McIntosh amplification, Eclipse component mains and in-door Tang Band subs. My main intent in my commute cars is always the best SQ possible. My question: does anyone here have experience with Alpine's Imprint system? Is it worth the $200 for the calibration mic and interface or should I stick with my tried and true EQ based on RTA readings?

Thoughts anyone?

I like your setup! You will have to let me know as you go what you make of the 9887. I ran the 9885 I think it was, had the slider for easy file acces... was an awesome deck... 4volt, 3 pre out, had an option to make front rca HP for tweet, 2nd band pass mid, and rear LP.... but how many people could really use that?

I haven't heard much good about using the Alpine mic's to do auto-adjust, just as well as I havent heard the best with HT receivers using this option either... but I didn't really look into it. I've just over heard it along the way.

Tang Bands... nice! It came down to those vs my Extremis. Got the Extremis.

 

[dyohn]

Thanks for the feedback Ryan. The 9887 is replacing a 9860 that now lives in my daughter's car. BTW, I have Extremis woofers in my HT surround speakers...

 

[StereoClarity]

David, sounds like a great system. I'm a Tang Band 6.5" sub follower myself. I used 4 in a one cubic foot sealed box in my IS300. I ran 600RMS to those things and they pounded like crazy! Best part was that they sounded awesome while doing it too!

Here is a picture of mine in the IS300...

For your question about the imprint from Alpine. I have never used it myself but I think it's pretty good. I know crutchfield has a deal where you can "rent" it basically. I think it's like $50 and you get to borrow it; set yours up, save the settings, and then ship it back.

 

[StereoClarity]

Yeah check the link here....it's like $50 to use it for a bit and then return ithttp://www.crutchfield.com/p_500KTX100E/Alpine-KTX-100EQ.html?search=imprint&ssi=0


Either that or maybe try and find someone in your area that has it and just borrow it

 

[Ryan Anderson]

Yeah check the link here....it's like $50 to use it for a bit and then return ithttp://www.crutchfield.com/p_500KTX100E/Alpine-KTX-100EQ.html?search=imprint&ssi=0


Either that or maybe try and find someone in your area that has it and just borrow it

wow that is awesome! An excellent idea, sure it helps their HU sales... thats like renting Advanced Auto's tools to install their parts.

I don't know if there's ediquet standards to linking to other forums, so if this disappears I'll understand but someone is asking about this head unit on ROE and someone replied back specifically about the Imprint

http://forum.realmofexcursion.com/h...ctronics/65732-alpine-cda9886.html#post789933

hope that helps!