[dannyboy100]

So long story short, my Alpine CDA-117's USB port crapped. I'm getting current error and no matter what I try I can't get rid of it. So I'm looking for an SQ single DIN to replace it.

I currently have a DSP that takes care of 30 bands L/R EQ with parametric. So EQ isn't a factor. What I would need is T/A and best SQ for my budget (under 300.00).

After much research I've narrowed it down to The Pioneer DEH-80prs and the Alpine 149BT.

After reading on here it seems both units get high praise. And both have their share of pros and cons.

A pro for me would be installation, as I already have the CDA-117 installation would be a breeze considering I wouldn't need to purchase and wire up a new connector and it would work with my steering wheel adapter without having to reprogram. But if the Pioneer unit is better, it wouldn't be a big deal installing.

Anyway like I said, SQ is the main factor, no need for EQ just T/A and the possibility of going 3 way active in the future. Can anyone give me any reasons to choose one over the other?

 

[Babs]

I have both and can attest for each as far as out of the box clean sound prior to tuning. I'd probably bet the 80PRS is slightly better but since I installed a DSP I won't need its tuning capability and went with the 149bt for the current build. It does very very well for signal quality. The auto-tuning on the 80PRS I can also vouch for as pretty darn good.

Swapping harnesses isn't bad at all so you could really go with either. I haven't played with enough but suspect the display and interface on the Alpine is a good bit better. So it's kind of a coin toss if you don't need the extensive EQ or active crossovers of the 80PRS.

Faceplate quality I'd hand to alpine. It's the biggest con on the pioneer I believe. Pioneer built a really exceptional budget sq head unit with a really mediocre faceplate.

So at present my 80PRS is shelved possibly for another install if ever get to my truck for simple 2-way + sub which is ideal for that head unit by itself without outboard DSP.

 

[Babs]

I currently have a DSP that takes care of 30 bands L/R EQ with parametric. So EQ isn't a factor. What I would need is T/A and best SQ for my budget (under 300.00).

Which DSP?
What are you using now for crossovers?

SQ is the main factor, no need for EQ just T/A and the possibility of going 3 way active in the future.

SQ (Pioneer 80PRS may be marginally better)

T/A (Both very capable) but there's pros/cons each
80PRS auto tuning tunes TA and EQ, and once you auto-tune, you can keep those calibrated values, defeat the custom tune, then just use the outboard dsp for EQ and dial in the TA settings manually into the 80PRS. You may find though the 80PRS exceeds your outboard DSP.

Pro's for the Alpine.. TuneIt app.. Makes tuning rather slick, but manual.
Pro's for the Pioneer.. Auto-Tune.. Makes it super dang accurate and quick.

3-way active? Do you mean tweet/mid/sub, or do you mean tweet/mid/woofer, then sub? If so, neither would do it. If you mean 2way plus sub, the PRS will do it out of the box, so it'd get my vote.

Also... if you don't need any other crossover processing and just use the outboard DSP for EQ only, you really don't need it with the 80PRS. It's internal EQ is out of this world. That would save an extra AD/DA conversion done by your outboard processor, thus cleaner SQ.

Summary: Eliminate the outboard DSP if your setup is simple 2way fronts and sub. The 80PRS will handle everything for that in spades. Not counting phasing capability etc and Individual dual-side EQ the pioneer will do.. Which spanks the Alpine. So, all that said, selling off the DSP would pay for the Pioneer.

 

[teldzc1]

I have the 149 and it sounds great but in terms of processing it's pretty limited. Like Babs said, the crossover and TA on the 80 is far superior to the 149. To me the 80 is the obvious choice.

 

[dannyboy100]

Which DSP?
What are you using now for crossovers?



SQ (Pioneer 80PRS may be marginally better)

T/A (Both very capable) but there's pros/cons each
80PRS auto tuning tunes TA and EQ, and once you auto-tune, you can keep those calibrated values, defeat the custom tune, then just use the outboard dsp for EQ and dial in the TA settings manually into the 80PRS. You may find though the 80PRS exceeds your outboard DSP.

Pro's for the Alpine.. TuneIt app.. Makes tuning rather slick, but manual.
Pro's for the Pioneer.. Auto-Tune.. Makes it super dang accurate and quick.

3-way active? Do you mean tweet/mid/sub, or do you mean tweet/mid/woofer, then sub? If so, neither would do it. If you mean 2way plus sub, the PRS will do it out of the box, so it'd get my vote.

Also... if you don't need any other crossover processing and just use the outboard DSP for EQ only, you really don't need it with the 80PRS. It's internal EQ is out of this world. That would save an extra AD/DA conversion done by your outboard processor, thus cleaner SQ.

Summary: Eliminate the outboard DSP if your setup is simple 2way fronts and sub. The 80PRS will handle everything for that in spades. Not counting phasing capability etc and Individual dual-side EQ the pioneer will do.. Which spanks the Alpine. So, all that said, selling off the DSP would pay for the Pioneer.

Thanks for the info. I'm using an Audio Control DQXS that I had left over and worked well with the CDA 117. I wouldn't mind getting rid of it If the Pioneer can take care of what I'm using the AC unit for.

My setup is a in a BMW. I have 4in front components running passive with the supplied crossovers and 2 shallow mount 8in midbass woofers which I have bandpassed with the DQXS at 40 to 200. No sub, for now. The midbasses go down low enough but a sub is in the future plans.

Would the 80prs be able to bandpass the signal for the mid basses?

 

[dannyboy100]

I've also read about the wek pre-outs on the 80prs. Is this something I should be worried about?

It sounds like the Pioneer would offer me more flexibility going forward. Although I plan on using the usb (I like the fact that it has 2 usb ports vs 1 on the Alpine) and bluetooth. Would the fact that the Pioneer is a year older affect bluetooth technology? Are there firmware updates?

 

[Babs]

The 80prs I believe goes to a full clean 4V output.

For your build, I can say what I'd do. If your stock head unit is one of the better Beemer units, I'd sell the audiocontrol box, get a helix DSP or DSP pro and have it all. If your system is a MOST system then you hit the jackpot. There are devices to feed straight digital from the Beemer head unit I think. If so.. WIN!

Ah.. Found it: http://www.mobridge.us/products/most-digital-pre-amp
These guys make all kinds of goodies for late-model BMW's, among other MOST cars. Check their car compatibility with yours. That could be a real killer setup, straight digital to a DSP with toslink inputs (Helix being my pick).

If yours is an older one before all that digital goodness, go 80PRS and call 'r done, without the DQXS.

 

[CrossFired]

I'd take the 80 over any other unit, just for it's fast logical file handling. Plus it works really well for most everything else. the only thing the 80 lacks is BQ of the face and looks.