Yeah, having to buy another $200 plus piece (KCA-410C) is another hidden cost I wasn't counting on when I went from Clarion to Alpine. Not to mention another box to find space for. BTW, Mr. MacKinnon, how good is the Clarion iPod interface? I know it's not out yet, but thought you might know how it works.

And yes, I have sealed my box, just to drive Dukk nuts.

[ March 30, 2005, 12:12 PM: Message edited by: mugen1 ]

Thanks for the info.
I paper at least, the Clarion sounds like it would deliver better SQ.
I have a Theta Digital surround processor on my home system, and the cheapest DVD transport I could find. Based on my home theater experience, after the speakers the DAC probably has more of an influence on SQ then any other single component (amps, speaker wire, interconnects...)
Time for an audition.
If you took the unit apart, did you notice which DAC's Clarion were using (Burr-Brown 17XX)?

The Clarion 955 and 855 do not use BB DACs...

In a head to head test, The choice between these two would be tough. Alpine makes some awesome sounding products as well.

I like my 955, and the 855 has the same parts, just less processing.

Clarion is really early on in the development of their bus iPod box, so I have no clue about it's friendliness. I did play briefly with the built-in interface in their VRX755VD video piece, and that was totally slick!

My 2 cents:
It's all fine to talk about 24 bit vs 1 bit, and spending a pile of cash on a good source, but really guys!....It's all a waste of breathe if you're gonna put a good source with a mediocre, inneficient speaker.
Spend some cash on a set of real components (ID,Focal,DLS,JL,etc), add a decent amp, and get a good install on those speakers. Not to say the Type R's won't reveal the difference in the sources, but they'll still sound like speakers, not like the music.
If you have a set of stats at home, you'll appreciate the difference between upgrading transducers vs upgrading the rest.
I'm assuming with Bose in there, you'll be needing to change everything.
6-800 on speakers, 250 and up on a basic head, add in the Ipod, and sat, a few on an amp, a GOOD install, and you'll blow your budget and love it!

If I seem a bit down on Alpine....today i finished a big box with two Type R 12's ported, and set em up in the show room.... a single JL 10W3 in a box 1/4 the size Killed the Alpines. I feel sorry for the customer (he bought em on EBay) And now he's got about 90 lbs of dead weight and no trunk left in his Acura tsk tsk tsk.

[ March 30, 2005, 08:57 PM: Message edited by: Car Trek ]

__________________
Charlie Lamble
Sault Ste Marie ON

I'm sure you think you understood what you heard me say, but I hope you realize that what I said is not what I meant

I think that's a great suggestion. When I think back to my home system, half my budget went to the speakers.

In the 600-800 range for 4 speakers, what 6 1/2 to 3/4 " speakers would you recommend I audition? Based on my home auditions, I suspect a silk dome (or similar) type tweeter will be more to my liking.

My original comment about being around in 3 years was not directed at Alpine and Clarion, but the lesser know speaker manufacturers. Almost 3/4's of the speaker manufacturers I auditioned 5 years ago for my home system are no longer around, although they were well respected at the time (Waveform, Dunlavy...). Most of the drivers and cross overs are made by other companies with the cabinets (in the case of home systems) built by the manufacturer. Anyone with cabinet making skills and access to the NRC chamber can put together a decent home speaker.

[ March 30, 2005, 09:10 PM: Message edited by: Blair ]

the time alignment is the 955 must be different then the 935 screen i have. i stand corrected.

No worries bigman - companies love changing things. The 935 screen has no capabilities as compared to the 955 - I really like this thing. Just need to get a four-channel to drive my front end.

Car Trek - you are absolutely right, the biggest upgrade you can make in an audio system is to buy better speakers, and install them properly.

Blair - I would have said the same thing about five years ago, but the difference between the "will your company build this for me so I can sell it" speakers and the products that are truly engineered and tested, really stand out. Once I saw the crew at Focal/JM Lab testing different cabinets in their listening rooms before taking them to their huge anechoic chamber, I had a new appreciation for their products. Totem Acoustics and Linn auditions still stand out in my head more than 10 years after auditioning them.

bigman or Dave, what is the price for the Clarion DRZ9255 ??

[ March 31, 2005, 12:02 AM: Message edited by: Keith ]

__________________
"The purpose of art is not the release of a momentary ejection of adrenaline but is, rather, the gradual, lifelong construction of a state of wonder and serenity"......Glenn Gould

I meant 6-800 on a single set of speakers. Quantity vs quality.
Try to find a place to audition the Chameleons or the like....you won't want to settle.

Cabinet making is only one skill required to achieve great sound in the auto's harsh environment...not much wood to work in the doors of your Pathfinder.
I'm originally from Ottawa, but unfortunately I don't know of a really skilled craftsman there.
Perhaps Tom Dewar knows who is the current car audio guru. Or maybe JordyO can direct you to a good installer.

__________________
Charlie Lamble
Sault Ste Marie ON

I'm sure you think you understood what you heard me say, but I hope you realize that what I said is not what I meant

cartrek, if you managed to make 1 10w3 outperform 2 12" alpine type r 12" both vented im assuming(you didnt specify if the jl was vented), you have managed a very amazing thing and you must share with us the box sizes, dimensions and vent legnth.