Anyone use the Alpine 9886?

GaryJ · Post by **GaryJ** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 10:42 pm

I did a search and didn't get much. The title pretty much says it all. I was looking at it vs. the 9887 and the only difference I can tell is that IMPRINT is an add on to the 9886 but is included on the 9887. Once IMPRINT is added, the two have the same specs, its seems. The 9886 also has USB, which the 9887 doesn't and that is something to consider.

So aside from built in imprint, is there anything better about the 9887?

Anyone have any input?

I also just bought a Kenwood x592 that I will be trying out and comparing to the Alpine to see which I like better. For $130, I had to try it.

dBincognito · Post by **dBincognito** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 10:49 pm

I think the last good HU's that Alpine made were the

CDA-7995
CDA-7998

dako · Post by **dako** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 3:10 am

the 9887 has a few more features, which may or may not be beneficial for you, depending on your setup. 9887 has built in media expander, and a more complex active crossover system. i believe the d/a converters are a higher grade as well. i've personally used both units and each one has always suited my needs perfectly. i do prefer the 9887 though over the 9886.

GaryJ · Post by **GaryJ** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 6:46 am

dBincognito wrote:I think the last good HU's that Alpine made were the

CDA-7995
CDA-7998

Whats the problem with the new stuff?

dako wrote:the 9887 has a few more features, which may or may not be beneficial for you, depending on your setup. 9887 has built in media expander, and a more complex active crossover system. i believe the d/a converters are a higher grade as well. i've personally used both units and each one has always suited my needs perfectly. i do prefer the 9887 though over the 9886.

OK yeah, I guess the DAC is listed as BB for the 9887 though both are 24 bit. Did you just prefer the sound? Or was there something else?

The difference in price of the HUs for me is $60 locally. Sounds like a no brainer, but the 9886 also has the iPod cable which saves about $30 and helps make up for the price of adding IMPRINT. However, from what I can tell, USB is in no way possible with the 9887. At this point, I've never used USB, but can see how it could be a handy way to do things.

pnyryd · Post by **pnyryd** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 9:21 am

I have been using a 9886 for a while I noticed the line voltage seems a bit lower and the way the display works kinda bugs me but I really like the USB port

dako · Post by **dako** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 9:53 am

i personally would never see the use of a USB connection. I use the full speed ipod adapter all the time though, it even works with my iphone which is nice. 9887 does in fact have the burr brown converters, but honestly, i can't tell a difference. the hugest selling point for me on the 9887 was the crossover feature. i love being able to run an active setup, and i don't even use the LPL-44 any more to adjust the level on my sub amp. everything seems to blend very well.

GaryJ · Post by **GaryJ** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 10:38 am

dako, did/do you use IMPRINT or do you just do your own tuning? If you use it, what do you think of it?

And one more thing, I'm having trouble seeing the advantage of having the crossover on the deck as opposed to using the on on my xenons other than it is more handy to have it there. Is there something else that is better about it?

5.9Limited · Post by **5.9Limited** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 11:14 am

The 9887 was going to be my HU of choice on my latest install...wasn't able to go that rout right now, but might in the future...

The 9887 has the imprint but the DAC's and processing are the main diff... like others have said, better crossover networks dsp options , and the DAC's are actually 24 BURR BROWN dac's...they stepped it up for the 9887.

A good friend of mine who's done audio forever, has the 9887 and 9886 in two of his cars...he noticed the difference and like the 9887 better for numerous reasons...

not sure how discerning your ear is, but my buddy thought that the sound reproduction from the 9887 was top notch...he'd put it against anything...but thats one mans opinion.... most reviews I've read on the imprint have been really good too...

dako · Post by **dako** » Sat May 02, 2009 12:45 pm

I decided against using the imprint feature, after being able to nail down my front stage with just a tweak of timing correction. Numerous reviews I read stated that after using the imprint kit, the vocals and midrange were too harsh. The bass gets cut way down and the parametric eq is rendered useless when the unit is in MultEQ mode. Seems kind of pointless to me. I think if you have decent amps and speakers, either model should be good for you. If you plan on using your amp crossovers you might want to go with the 9886. I like the 9887 though and being able to precisely tailor all crossover slopes from 6 to 24db. This works out especially well since both of my Tantrum amps are set to bypass their internal crossovers. I did an A/B test and there was a tremendous difference in clarity and output with the 9887 running the crossover duties.

GaryJ · Post by **GaryJ** » Sat May 02, 2009 3:59 pm

OK, well now I don't know what to think. The rest of what I have is a pair of old school MB Quarts and the x200.2s. My subs are JL 8w0s- don't laugh, it was hard to find anything that would go under the back seat in my truck without jacking the seat way up. Some days I wish I did raise it up more so I could maybe have put 10s back there or better 8s anyway.

I'll put that x592 in first and see how I like it. I think its limited in xover options though. That makes me consider a .5 din EQ to go with it....or just send it back and buy a 9887.

dako · Post by **dako** » Sat May 02, 2009 6:04 pm

What type of truck are you installing in? I used to have a 95 silverado and was able to get 2 12" subs in a sealed enclosure under the rear seat without modding it. Check out Obcon/RT, they make really solid prefabs.

GaryJ · Post by **GaryJ** » Sat May 02, 2009 6:38 pm

Its a 99 F150. Every place I have looked you either have one sub or have to use the entire area across under the rear seat. Usually with a lift of 2" or something. I have my amps under there and I don't know where I would put them if I couldn't use that place.

dako · Post by **dako** » Sun May 03, 2009 6:15 am

i know with my silverado, i ended up removing the tool kit from underneath the rear seat, but hey, who needs a jack when you have 2 12" subs!

i'm not too familiar with the F150, but do the rear seat-backs fold down? is there any space behind them to install a flat amp board for mounting a couple of amps? if so, you get the best of both worlds: a stealth install and plenty of space underneath the rear bench for lots of sub options.

i wish i still had pics of my truck install for reference. it was simple but ridiculously effective and loud.

GaryJ · Post by **GaryJ** » Sun May 03, 2009 8:05 am

It's bolted to the back wall and I doubt there is enough room for my amps. But yeah that would be ideal. My jack is under the pass front seat which helps. I don't know, I guess I'll have to look and maybe someone on one of the F150 boards has done it. I may have to use something more compact than the xenons.