I do not know the actual model # of the Alpine HU that came in the RS 3.0 but It is a good head unit with all the bells & whistles of DVD/MP3/Ipod/MP3 player/XM satellite, Sound Quality is Excellent, though the EQ settings kind of suck, I like to set my own eq. The system is severely underpowered though, and according to the manual, it says its 40 wattsX4 which Im sure is RMS ratings and I think in reality and from what I have read it only really pushes about 15-20watts per channel, not enough to drive the speakers. Once I added my 1st sub and separate amp and took the load off of the in car speakers for bass, it improved a bit, but it definately needed more power, when I added the amp to the in car speakers, the sound quality definately improved and when I added a second sub and bigger sub amp, it is a smokin system for the style of music I listen to (hard rock/heavy metal)
No more clipping or distortion, the Alpine in car speakers that came in the RS 3 are good speakers just need the bass load taken off and about 100 watts per channel to get any clarity
Another downside to the HU is it does not have a pre amp out so it needs a converter
But all in all I am now happy with my system, till I lose a little more hearing and need "More Power"

 

Two days ago I got my sub and amp put in I got (1) Memphis sub 12" and (1) memphis 16-PR 100.2 amp and a memphis box. Its plenty for me.

 

in a month when i get my Xb, i am putting in..

(1) Pioneer DEH-mp860
(1) Audiocontol epicenter
(2) 12" JL 12w6's in 4ft^3 tuned to 32 htz
(1) Hifonics Bx1605
(1) Set of 6 1/2" Resonant Engineering RE component set
(1) Hifonics Bx4406 to power mids & highs
Stinger 1/0g wiring, distrobution blocks, and accessories
Stinger interconnects
5 gallons of Edeadv3 and ~50sq ft of Edeadv1
Optima yellow top under the hood
Big 3 done
possibly a new alternator.


Everything except the 6 1/2" comp. set is in the car i have now, and its one heck of an SQL system, i think its the perfect mixture of SQ and SPL.

 

I was wondering if you have used an epicenter with a ported box before?
I would think that since the epicenter does some sort of lower octive boosting that it would or might cause the ported box to unload due to boosting below the tuning frequency.

 

Just so you guys know .. and it frustrates me to hear you all talk about, SQL & SPL like its easy and inexpensive.

Here are a couple of definitions for you, SQL is a form of competition whose sole purpose is to recreate a sound stage as realistically as possible. A soundstage is all music coming from in front of you and elevated, that even means the sub bass. So if you were going to build a car for SQ, you would have to have all mids and highs in front of you no speakers behind you and try to recreate the lows to seem like they are coming from in front of you also.

This is the challenge of SQL competition. Once you get beyond that, equipment plays a great part in your ability to seperate frequencies and generate the clearest sounds possible.

How do I know this ? I compete with IASCA in SQL. And I run all DLS equipment;

-2 DLS A7 Amplifiers
-All DLS Nobelium Tweeters
-2 8" Nobelium 3 way Subs
-2 12" Nobelium Subs

All equipment is mounted in front of the xB's B pillars, including the subs, which sit under my seats. Now my system is extreme and built specifically for that purpose.

I know you all want better sound, and any upgrade from factory is better. So my advice is set a budget and deal with the restrictions that budget sets. You will be happy, but will get squashed in actual SQL competition. Because there is more to it than just nice sound.
Otherwise enroll with IASCA and compete, you will learn alot, both about your set up, your car and what it takes to truly have clear sound.

PM me if you want to see pics of what I am building ..

 

- Alpine IVA-W200 HU - DVD, touch screen, Sirius, I-pod, etc, really cool now that I figured out how to use it .

In the box waiting for me to install;

- Focal 165V2 components for the front and Focal 2-ways for in the back.
- JL Audio amps.

I have not decided on a sub/amp combo yet. I need something does not take too much cargo space away. Thinking about building something in place of the factory tire/tool cover.

 

The AudioControl EQX has a built in LOC that works well with the stock HU. I am using one and I get no noise, pops, or ground loop. Of course, you have to set it up correctly in repsect to the gains.

 

i have the Alpine W200 DVD headunit with ipod connection and 1 JL 10w3 sub with JL amp, and alpine type R speakers in the front doors and Infinity References in the rear, and JBL 4" with tweeters up in the dash.

 

Are you happy with the Diamond Audio? Before I decided on Elemental Designs, I was going to do all Diamond Audio.
My system has changed a little:
HU: Alpine CDA-9851
60GB iPod Video/2GB iPod Nano with KCA-420i
(2) 13Kv.2s with a NINe.2X
eDi6500s with a NINe.2.

 

The factory HU in the 3.0 is 160W MAX so RMS is probably lower than 40x4 which is pretty weak.

I have no clue what the rating of the Alpine speakers are, but they appear to be one-way speakers from what I can tell just looking at them, and I would suspect that if the HU is only 160W max, they are pretty pretty low rated.

Someone earlier in this thread suggested they would do better if you were putting 100W to them, but I would suspect that would be more than they can handle and you'd be better off getting replacement speakers.

What do you think?

Here's what I'm thinking of doing...

https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=21

thoughts?

 

I just put my old stuff in...pioneer HU, Sirius starmate, infinity all around, kenwood 600w amp to 2 12'' kenwood woofers. I dont want a whole lot of power, sounds great.

 

I really like what I have currently. I've been there done that with the big speaker thumpin bass thing. Now I'm just after good sound quality. Not that my one 10 doesnt thump, becuase it does...more then I want it too lol. Thats the side effect of a really high quality enclosure though.

Heres my pic, I'm going after a clean look thats just above stock @ the Lexus level. I'm using the stock HU so I can keep the factory installed xM. Plus, thieves usually look for an aftermarket HU when they break into cars.




Audio Mods :
XM radio, Audioformz enclosure- custom painted black with a tcm flec. 600 watt Kenwood amp, 1 1/2 farad Phoenix gold digital cap. 1 10' MTX 6000 series sub, Stock HU

 

i was wondering could u run lexan box over the back so u could carry bags a grocerys ?

 

I use the carpet cover when I take a trip so I can put stuff back there without worries. I was thinking of making a makeshift shelf with cutouts to around the rear strut tower. So I could set heavier stuff ontop for longer trips etc.

Otherwise, my trunk is basically rendered useless now heh.

 

HU- Pionner DEH-P880PRS
Components- Elemental Designs eDi 6500s
Comp Amp- ED 9.2
Sub- ED 13Ov.2
Sub Amp- ED 9.1
Wiring- Knukonceptz 1/0 awg
Deadener- eDead
Alarm- Viper 5000

 

Lose the OEM head unit.
The OEM head unit has a DSP chip in it that is designed to compensate for cheep speakers and bad speaker placement by changing it's own EQ curve at various volumes levels. if you add amplifiers to this, all you are going to achieve is a loud and bad sound system.
Ther is no better sounding head unit than an Eclipse with 5 or more volts of pre amp output. i will put money on it.
JL Audio amps are hard to beat. a 500/1 and a 300/4 will do just right.
subs are up to you.
I like the new JL Audio 12w3v3.
Front components, i like Focal
Rear, almost doesn't matter. if you want to know why or more on this, let me know.
soree four tha tipoes.....

 

Alpine 7909 hooked to a Apogee D/A converter with 20volts out.......heh heh, sorry couldnt resist.

He's right bout the Eclipse, the CD5000 is their best performing unit currently out having 8 volt output and a super low 55ohm output impedance.

 

This easy, the OEM head unit has a built in DSP that compensates for cheep OEM speakers. If you add aftermarket amplifiers to it, then the DSP will make you new system sound like junk. Either lose the head unit or add a JL Audio Clean Sweep. This is designed to flatten out the frequency response of the OEM head unit and allow you new amps/speakers to produce their full potential. If you decide to change the head unit, I strongly recommend Eclipse. There are “cooler” units out there, but for sound quality, you are NOT going to beet them.
If you want to go with an amplified sub system, go with one of the Focal set ups. Focal is all about sound quality.
The rest of the system, in my opinion, JL Audio
TR/VR/XR/ZR components in front (depending on budget)
300/4
12W3v3/12W6v2/12W7 (“ “)
500/1
Don’t forget the Dynamat
I use an Eclipse AVN5495
ZR650-CSi
XR525-CXi
300/4
500/1
(2) 10W6v2 (I just switched to these)
Fricken A awesome!

 

If you want to go SQ, I would either do Elemental Designs or Diamond. Diamond is great but a little pricey and ED is great for the price. Good luck with your choice.

 

Is Focal, Dynaudio or JL Audio availalble in Baton Rouge? Not trying to be a smart ___, just askin....