Car audio buffs please read

[Joyride]

My Best Buy just started carrying Alpine car audio products. I am sure these are just base line models.

Which are better in general, Alpine or Pioneer?

 

[MikeMike]

Pioneer will get you better display, and near the same SQ. Alpine will get you a more plain jane faceplate, and more options most likely, bust normally with higher SQ, although when you put that on stock speakers you will never tell.

Overall id suggest Alpine over pioneer, but its all preference.

MIKE

 

[Juno]

Alpine, 'nuff said.

 

[SynthDude2001]

Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1
Pioneer will get you better display, and near the same SQ. Alpine will get you a more plain jane faceplate, and more options most likely, bust normally with higher SQ, although when you put that on stock speakers you will never tell.

Overall id suggest Alpine over pioneer, but its all preference.

MIKE

That sounds about right to me. I went with a Pioneer unit for my car though, one that could play MP3's and WMA's. And the Alpines almost look too plain for me, not to mention I don't have insane speakers or an amp or anything.

 

[Ns1]

i'd go with the alpine, unless you want the flashy face

 

[imported_Lucifer]

I would choose Pioneer, through experience of course. I run a Car Audio shop. Anyways, Pioneer makes a stereo with a 13 band eq, models DEH-P860 and DEH-P960. The 960 has the double face, while the 860 doesnt. They are the same radio basically, just the 860 is cheaper, and IMO, nicer too. Also, keep in mind, the 860 and the 960 are Pioneer Premier, Top of the line Pioneer, you get double the warranty and better parts are used in Premier models. Price range on those stereos are about 500-600 dollars, and are definitly worth it. Pioneer also uses MOSFET outputs on their stereos. 22x4 Watts RMS.

a 13 band eq by itself from Phoenix Gold costs 599. With the Pioneer 860 or 960, you get a great stereo with a 13 band eq for that price or cheaper.

I mentioned those 2 stereos because they are my favorite Pioneer stereos, which I highly recommend.

 

[Neurorelay]

The Pioneer Premier line is pretty nice. I had two of these decks. Now the Eclipse is the shiznit, but Alpine is a sweet spot too.

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: Neurorelay
The Pioneer Premier line is pretty nice. I had two of these decks. Now the Eclipse is the shiznit, but Alpine is a sweet spot too.

Yes, but low end Eclipse is still better then 90% of the stuff out there. By low end, I mean $200 and less.

 

[DainBramaged]

I would go with Alipine.

 

[drum]

i like my pioneer DEH-8600, but then i've never had an Alpine so i'm a little biased

 

[quakefiend420]

i like the pioneer deh-9400mp i'm using now...personally if sq is all you are going for go with alpine...or go with pioneer for the head unit, if you want something a little flashier, and alpine for the speakers...i won't recommend pioneer car speakers to anyone though...

 

[gscone]

Both are good, but ALpine has a cleaner sound, with maybe a few less features. The pioneers are known to stuff a ton of features for the price. Me personally, I've owned a few cars in my lifetime ans I've always gone wtih Alpine.

 

[rudeguy]

Originally posted by: Thin Lizzy
I would choose Pioneer, through experience of course. I run a Car Audio shop. Anyways, Pioneer makes a stereo with a 13 band eq, models DEH-P860 and DEH-P960. The 960 has the double face, while the 860 doesnt. They are the same radio basically, just the 860 is cheaper, and IMO, nicer too. Also, keep in mind, the 860 and the 960 are Pioneer Premier, Top of the line Pioneer, you get double the warranty and better parts are used in Premier models. Price range on those stereos are about 500-600 dollars, and are definitly worth it. Pioneer also uses MOSFET outputs on their stereos. 22x4 Watts RMS.

a 13 band eq by itself from Phoenix Gold costs 599. With the Pioneer 860 or 960, you get a great stereo with a 13 band eq for that price or cheaper.

I mentioned those 2 stereos because they are my favorite Pioneer stereos, which I highly recommend.

so you really believe that "hand picked parts" are better??? He heee

I really like Pioneer. I have never had an Alpine or sold it, so I can't really tell you the difference. You might want to wait just a little bit for the new models to come out (shipping soon).

 

[Drakkon]

I never seen the point in buying a pioneer "premier" deck unless you have a pretty decent speaker setup to use it with. Same thing goes with alpine. Base pioneer decks (most of the ones u find at best buy) are good for the speakers they sell at best buy (pioneers), but I'd go for something as cheap as a JVC deck for stock speakers.
In other words the choice of deck should really go hand in hand with your choice of speakers. If your using your stock speakers cheap pioneer or jvc works, if you have pioneer or other midrange speakers i'd say msot of the regular pioneer line is good, and if you have the money going with some true components and a premier or alpine deck is definately worth it

 

[Specop 007]

Eclips....err....
Alpine.

 

[aircooled]

Back in the day, I'd say Alpine, but if you are just getting a headunit then either is going to be fine. If you are getting new speakers and amp also, then go with Alpine.

 

[Ausm]

Alpine all the way....


Ausm

 

[Joyride]

So from what I gather its pretty much split. Unless I want to go with eclipse then there is no other choice

 

[nycxandy]

Toss up... they are both good.

 

[dr150]

I agreee. Alpine faces suck a$$.

Pioneer is good enough to make differences undistinguishable.......even with top speakers. I'm an audiophile and thus knoweth what thy speakest of.

 

[SKC]

Quite happy with my pioneer 8400 and infinity perfects in front..

 

[EyeMWing]

I have a Pioneer/MOPAR setup in my turbovan. Pioneer 3-way front 5.25's, MOPAR rear 6x9's. The rears are on the way out. Had some Sonys in the front for a little while, I honestly don't notice much of a difference, but I needed the Sonys for another vehicle. I'm using the MOPAR grilles, so i couldn't give a rat's ass what they look like.

Also, note that the turbovan has NO sound deadener, because it is first and foremost a "performance" vehicle. The only reason I switched out the speakers and HU is that the old MOPAR parts are WAY heavier than aftermarket ones. I didn't know 5.25" speakers could be that heavy...