Anyone have experience with Alpine's "Imprint"?

dako · Post by **dako** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 6:00 am

Just trying to gather some info from anyone that's actually used it. I've read quite a bit online from end users saying it dramatically improves their staging, but flattens their bass response dramatically; which I'm obviously not looking to do. As it stands, I'm actually quite pleased with the blending of my subs and front stage, I just need to even out the sound between the left and right comps.

It's been mentioned on numerous forums I've visited that the "lacking bass" issue can be corrected by lowering the gains on your sub amp to "trick" the Imprint software before running it, and then setting the gain back to where it was, but I don't know if this is optimal in my situation since I'm only really looking to improve the sound staging.

Do you guys think I'd be better off just using the timing correction already built into the CDA-9887? I guess worst-case scenario, it would be $50 lost after sending the kit back for a return.

dBincognito · Post by **dBincognito** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 6:09 am

YES...use the time correction

gkitching · Post by **gkitching** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 7:04 am

I've not personally used the Imprint. But from the things I'm hearing from other installers are not good.

I would stick with what you have and if you want better control, then add the 701 processor. You'll be way ahead of the game that way.

vin78 · Post by **vin78** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 7:08 am

I think I would stick with the 9887, the TA/EQ/Xover is sufficient.

I played around with it (w/ W505) and it was soso at best. But the W505 does not have that type of processing power, so it was a nice add-on.

If you can find it, the H701/RUX combo would be great.

dako · Post by **dako** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 11:02 am

I actually dinked around with the time correction on the head unit today during lunch, and I can already notice a significant difference in the staging. I've usually steered clear of trying to introduce any type of processing into my output source, but I have to admit, I'm really digging the difference a little tweak made. And I guess since it's just a delay, it's not too bad of a situation. I'll have to get it all dialed in over the weekend, but I think it should solve my issues.

Thanks for your input as always guys. I wasn't really looking forward to dropping $240 up front for a kit that may end up making things worse in the long run.

neverman · Post by **neverman** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 7:41 pm

That 240 sounds awfully expensive. I was quoted 159 installed. I'm thinking of picking up an imprint as I don't have TA settings in the iDA-X305.