17 replies to this topic

[Dabel]

Im contemplating buying either of the 2 headunits listed above, obviously im after time alignment and pure sound quality, and obviously the pioneer is alot better for quality, but do you really get that much more sound quality for the extra odd grand u pay ontop of the 9887 price?

Thanks! would appreciate getting some input from the enthusiasts.

Tim.

[~Spyne~]

the dex-p90rs is JUST a cd transport i believe. it doesnt have any time alignment, eq or crossover control. to have these features, you need to also purchase the deq-p90 processor unit

headunits around the same price as the alpine 9887, that offer similar tunability include the eclipse cd7200mk2, pioneer deh-p80rs and clarion dxz-786

[Dabel]

yeh thats including the processor sorry. well its 31band EQ vs 7 sorta thing i heard.

[muzzy66]

There is no comparison - the P90 combo is worlds above the Alpine 9887.

The P90 is a reference grade peice of kit, such as the F1 Status and HX-D2. Overall quality is on another level altogether compared to the Alpine, which is essentially a mainstream unit.

Then there is the matter of tuning...the P90 combo is possibly the most highly tuning head unit/processor combo available here (not including the Bitone, which I'm not very familliar with). The 9887's (in terms of tunability) IMO leave a lot to be desired. They give you far too many restrictions on where you can place your EQ bands, the possible usable Q values, etc.

The on top of all this, the P90 combo also offers 8 channels of outputs, while the 9887 has only 6 - this means you can go full 3-way active front stage + sub via the Pioneer unit, while the Alpine will only alllow you to go 2-way + sub.

Again, the P90 (like the HX-D2) is absolutely world above the 9887 as a source/processor. The only question is do you actually need the extra capabilites they offer.

Also if you like Pioneer but don't necessarilly want to spend that much, you might want to look at the DEH-P80RS as well - it's more of a competitor to the 9887, although it seems to be a superior unit (on paper).

[Dabel]

muzzy66, on Sep 25 2009, 10:58 PM, said:

There is no comparison - the P90 combo is worlds above the Alpine 9887.

The P90 is a reference grade peice of kit, such as the F1 Status and HX-D2. Overall quality is on another level altogether compared to the Alpine, which is essentially a mainstream unit.

Then there is the matter of tuning...the P90 combo is possibly the most highly tuning head unit/processor combo available here (not including the Bitone, which I'm not very familliar with). The 9887's (in terms of tunability) IMO leave a lot to be desired. They give you far too many restrictions on where you can place your EQ bands, the possible usable Q values, etc.

The on top of all this, the P90 combo also offers 8 channels of outputs, while the 9887 has only 6 - this means you can go full 3-way active front stage + sub via the Pioneer unit, while the Alpine will only alllow you to go 2-way + sub.

Again, the P90 (like the HX-D2) is absolutely world above the 9887 as a source/processor. The only question is do you actually need the extra capabilites they offer.

Also if you like Pioneer but don't necessarilly want to spend that much, you might want to look at the DEH-P80RS as well - it's more of a competitor to the 9887, although it seems to be a superior unit (on paper).

So you really think its worth the extra money? itll even make the FJL65cs whistle clean pure sound?

[br85]

Dabel, on Sep 25 2009, 11:12 PM, said:

So you really think its worth the extra money? itll even make the FJL65cs whistle clean pure sound?

It made a big difference to my install, both in the grade of electronic components and the amount of tuning offered (having individual driver level adjustments and L/R EQ from a remote control is WONDERFUL).

Nothing is going to beat a long, gruelling read on the physics surrounding sound reproduction and acoustics though. That is VERY VERY CHEAP, but absolutely invaluable in the long run.

If I had to add my hours up to do with reading, using my reading to teach myself more, reading more and again, interpolating data and principles, I'd say around 100 or so hours of learning and proving to yourself that you get it (i.e. also being able to throw around big words and not overwhelm yourself) will take you a lot further than 300 hours worth of minimum wage spent on more and more gear for your install.

Anyway that's just my opinion.

[muzzy66]

I'm not aware of those speakers or how good / not good they are.

Jumping from a 9887 to a P90 isn't going to make a $300 speaker sound like a $2,000 speaker. There is definately some improvement in sound quality (the jump from Alpine to HX-D2 was pretty noticable for me) but I don't feel it's wroth an extra $3,000 for sound quality alone.

Where these units earn their features - the tunability, the number of outputs, etc. You'll get the biggest benefit from these units if you're plannign on running an active front stage, especially of you want to run a three-way active front stage.

If you're runnign a two-way passive front stage with relatively mainstream components then half of the tuanbility of the unit isn't going to be used. The only benefits you'll really get is the better sound quality, and the more comprehensive EQ (which is far, far superior to the one in the Alpine).

It's seriously a LOT of money to spend on a head unit, so it all depends on how picky you are with your sound, and how serious you are about your sound. For me, I can justify such an upgrade - but if one of my mates (who aren't really THAT hardcore into audio) asked me, i'd tell them it's a waste of money.

Again, it really depends on just how serious you are with your audio, and how seriously you plan to be with it in the future.

Br85 - no reason why learning and upgrading components need to be mutually exclusive! Just because he's thinking of buying an uber-nice head unit, doesn't mean he's not going to put concentration into his install in the future

Edited by muzzy66, 25 September 2009 - 11:27 PM.

[br85]

muzzy66, on Sep 25 2009, 11:24 PM, said:

Br85 - no reason why learning and upgrading components need to be mutually exclusive! Just because he's thinking of buying an uber-nice head unit, doesn't mean he's not going to put concentration into his install in the future

Of course!

Just pointing it out because it is never something people instinctively think to do, as opposed to sinking big money and taking "common professional" (i.e. often rubbish, flawed, or conflicting) advice from random know-alls on forums

*running away*

Edited by br85, 25 September 2009 - 11:30 PM.

[Dabel]

br85, on Sep 25 2009, 11:30 PM, said:

Of course!

Just pointing it out because it is never something people instinctively think to do, as opposed to sinking big money and taking "common professional" (i.e. often rubbish, flawed, or conflicting) advice from random know-alls on forums

*running away*

Yeh look to be honost with you i am after the absolute best sound quality money can sorta buy without really breaking the budget barrier, and i think the P90 will do that for me, i have a mate with the 9886 with the imprint module and playing the F1 status cd he has, it sounded absolutely amazing, but if i buy a headunit i plan on keeping it for years, and building a good system around it.

[br85]

The P90 will be a FANTASTIC starting point to a system that you want to spend some real time and learning putting together. Nothing worse than getting a HU and later getting annoyed at it because you need to do something that another HU can.

Hope to see a build thread sometime soon

[muzzy66]

br85, on Sep 25 2009, 11:44 PM, said:

Nothing worse than getting a HU and later getting annoyed at it because you need to do something that another HU can.

This is true

Edited by muzzy66, 26 September 2009 - 02:16 AM.

[1320ft]

br85, on Sep 25 2009, 11:44 PM, said:

Nothing worse than getting a HU and later getting annoyed at it because you need to do something that another HU can.

Thats like replacing your h/u with a newer range unit, installing the new one, then deciding to swap them back over a week later cause your not happy!

Its even worse, when they are different brands with different looms.

Personally have done that twice now!

[~Spyne~]

instead of spending $2000+ for the p90 combo, you will get better sq improvement by buying better speakers first (and making sure the install is 100%). then save more down the road and upgrade the headunit

[Pulse-R]

another thing to note:

if you buy an uber-lovely sounding head unit, and have it set up wrong, it will still sound crap.

same with good speakers.

[mosoto]

http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/classi...deh-p01-hu.html
see post 19

Edited by mosoto, 26 September 2009 - 10:30 AM.