Alpine's new CleanSweep Alternative

[Bicster]

This goes a lot further than the CleanSweep does, and it costs a lot more too.

 

ALPINE'S PERFECT F.I.T. SOLUTIONS ALLOW AFTERMARKET PRODUCTS

TO WORK WITH OEM SYSTEMS

Vehicle Hub Pro Named CES Best of Innovations Winner

 

TORRANCE, Calif., Jan. 5, 2006 - Alpine Electronics of America, Inc., the industry-leading manufacturer of high-performance mobile electronics, today announced two new products that enable consumers to add Alpine aftermarket products to their original equipment manufacturer (OEM) system, while keeping the look and functionality of their factory sound system. These new products make up a product category that Alpine is calling Perfect F.I.T. (Factory Integration Technology).

 

"Many of today's vehicles have complex audio/entertainment systems which are integrated with other functions such as the HVAC (heat, vent, air conditioner) and are controlled through the factory in-dash screen. Removing the factory radio to install an aftermarket unit can affect these functions," said Stephen Witt, vice president, Marketing, Alpine Electronics. "With our OEM integration products, consumers can add Alpine audio, video and navigation components and/or upgrade their sound system with amplifiers, speakers and subwoofers without altering the in-dash head unit or vehicle BUS system."

 

Vehicle Hub Pro: Best of Innovations Winner, Vehicle Audio Category

The Vehicle Hub Pro (VPA-B222) product allows consumers to add things like iPod®, satellite radio, HD Radio™, DVD players and navigation to the factory system. The VPA-B222 consists of two parts: a hide-away brain and a wired rotary commander, called the "orb." The Vehicle Hub Pro's brain is a sleek aluminum chassis, with silk screening on the face that clearly labels all of the connector jacks on both sides of the piece. The connector jacks include a dedicated Ai-NET input, a dedicated navigation input, one video output, two video inputs and a remote eye. It has a built-in radio tuner and a computer-controlled fan to cool the internal 18W RMS x 4 amplifier (at CEA-2006 power ratings). The brain connects to the OEM system with the use of a vehicle-specific third party adapter, sold separately.

 

The orb uses Alpine's unique force-feedback technology that provides tactile feedback to the user. It works as a multi-functioned wired remote control that can be mounted in a convenient place for the driver, like the center console. The orb has system volume control, source selection, song search option, navigation controls, play/pause control and menu access. Its backlit buttons emit a gentle blue pulsating glow, which changes to magenta to indicate different operations cues. When operating the orb, it provides a gentle, tactile feedback from its internal motors, to indicate the confirmation of the user's commands. Likewise, the orb will respond with a tactile feedback if an unallowable command is attempted. The orb is used to control the added audio, video or navigation sources, whose menus then can be viewed on the vehicle's in-dash OEM monitor.

 

Now, a custom Alpine audio/video/navigation system can be created - without having to cut into the dash or alter its functionality. Add-on Alpine audio options include all of today's popular media formats - iPod, XM or SIRIUS satellite radio, HD Radio, or USB-based MP3 players. The VPA-B222 has a built-in processor control, making it ready to act as the base for a 5.1 multi-channel system. Bluetooth connectivity for cell phones can also be added. Video options include Alpine's DVD player and TV tuner. And for consumers who didn't buy the navigation option when they purchased their vehicle, Alpine's NVE-N872A DVD-based navigation system or Blackbird portable navigation device can now be added. Basically, Vehicle Hub Pro has all of the functionality of an aftermarket head unit, minus the hardware for the actual unit.

 

The Vehicle Hub Pro was named a "Best of Innovations" winner for the Vehicle Audio Electronics category at the 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES).

 

PXE-H650: OEM Audio Processor

The PXE-H650 can make any factory radio sound like a high-quality Alpine unit. It is an audio processor that is designed to allow consumers to upgrade from factory sound systems. The product is a sophisticated audio processor that allows for advanced sound tuning of factory equipment by correcting the acoustical problems in any vehicle. The PXE-H650 is equipped with AntEQ™, to remove the factory equalization, and Audyssey SoundEQ XT™, to optimize the sound quality of the system.

 

AntEQ works by removing all factory equalization, bringing the factory system's EQ to a flat response. It balances all sound levels using DSP power, and flattens the output signals so that Alpine amplifier and speaker upgrades can be added to the factory system.

 

After AntEQ has flattened the factory EQ, Audyssey SoundEQ XT then tunes the vehicle's system for optimum performance. The PXE-H650 uses an active feedback microphone to collect measurements from the vehicle's cabin. The unit then tunes itself, making automatic adjustments for the in-cabin acoustics. Audyssey SoundEQ XT adjusts time correction, frequency and phase in relation to each other. At this point, Alpine amplifiers, speakers and subwoofers could be added for a simple upgrade of the factory system, or a more complex system can be made if a full multi-channel set-up is desired. A powerful DSP processor allows for acoustic correction all the way down to 20 Hz on all channels. SoundEQ XT analyzes the entire frequency spectrum, unlike most competitors' analysis of 1/3-octave solutions.

VPA-B222

Vehicle Hub Pro

Availability - April

Suggested retail index - $500 PXE-H650

OEM Audio Processor

Availability - March

Suggested retail index - $TBA

 

About Alpine Electronics

Alpine Electronics is an automotive electronics system supplier and an ISO certified global corporation. Alpine specializes in engineering and manufacturing products for mobile media systems that include audio, video, satellite-linked navigation and connectivity solutions. With research and development facilities in Asia, Europe and the U.S., Alpine is the automotive specialist for premium sound systems and vehicle navigation for both aftermarket and OEM factory installations. Alpine Electronics is a consolidated subsidiary of Alps Electric Co., Ltd., one of the world's premier manufacturers of electronic components for computer, communications and car electronics equipment. Visit http://www.alpine-usa.com to learn more about Alpine products or to find an authorized retailer.

[bashopoem]

if the microphone analysis works well, this could knock the cleansweep off the board. gotta love competition bringing us better products!

[mr. linguini]

This thing looks WAY better than the CS.....

[Bicster]

mr. linguini gets the prize for digging up the photo first.

 

It does look really nice. To be fair, it's a lot more expensive than the CS and we don't even know what the EQ will cost; that's an extra component. But I think it's great that you can plug in any AI-Bus gizmo and it'll work ... controlling XM, Sirius, Bluetooth, iPod, CD changers, HD radio ... that's a big deal. I hope they don't price it too high.

[Mindflayer]

Sweet.

[Bicster]

Ok, I may be tired as it is Friday afternoon, but how exactly does it connect to our head unit so you can plug in sat, ipod etc?

 

too tired...

 

It converts the speaker outputs from the head unit to line level ... then adds all the groovy features ... then amplifies everything again (or sends it to external amps).

[Xantium]

I dont see how this is any different than clean sweep... other than the fact that it adds a glowing blue thing to your interior :/

I'm a bit biased as I already have a clean sweep though

[Repsak]

now correct me if i am wrong, but if you hook this up to our stock radios it has an option to conntect it to a screen. Now lets say we put an aftermarket screen in our chubby like this: Alpine Electronics of America, Inc.

 

then you buy the navigation unit

 

you will insence have navigation in your car, w. dvd capabilities, and still be using the stock radio, just everything will be controlled by the alpine unit.

[mlrtime]

msrp is only $100 more than the CS. If it has the ability flatten the curve on the inputs and on output by using a RTA with an adjustable multiband EQ then it is deff worth $100 more.

[biz77]

msrp is only $100 more than the CS. If it has the ability flatten the curve on the inputs and on output by using a RTA with an adjustable multiband EQ then it is deff worth $100 more.

 

You may want to double check that pricing. To get the AntEQ and Audessy, you must add the PXE-H650 processor to the VPA-B222. Pricing is still TBD on the PXE-H650, but rest assured that this package will run $1,000+.

[VTGT]

Interesting

[SQC049]

Anyone have this or have anymore info in it. I am very interested in this, but not for $1K, I'll just stick with a cleansweep.

[mlrtime]

for 1K I'd go with audiocontrol. I don't believe alpine is strong enough in this market.

[iyamdman]

It could be a great solution, but I'd like to know how big the 'Orb' is.

 

It also mentions an additional vehicle specific connector - which for the most popular wagon in the world - The Legacy - should take about 10 years for Alpine to make available.

[Boulderguy]

You may want to double check that pricing. To get the AntEQ and Audessy, you must add the PXE-H650 processor to the VPA-B222. Pricing is still TBD on the PXE-H650, but rest assured that this package will run $1,000+.

Not sure how you came up with this. It appears from the release notes that the OEM Audio processor (the "Alpine Cleansweep") come with the antEQ & Audessy integrated already, not as add-ons. And it also sounds like it's a seperate unit from the multimedia monster, not an add-on itself.

 

PXE-H650: OEM Audio Processor

The PXE-H650 can make any factory radio sound like a high-quality Alpine unit. It is an audio processor that is designed to allow consumers to upgrade from factory sound systems. The product is a sophisticated audio processor that allows for advanced sound tuning of factory equipment by correcting the acoustical problems in any vehicle. The PXE-H650 is equipped with AntEQ™, to remove the factory equalization, and Audyssey SoundEQ XT™, to optimize the sound quality of the system.

Given that it's less complex than the multimedia processor at $500, I would guess it to be cheaper also, so maybe the $3-400 range? Given it's DSP & time-compensating features, sounds worth it to me.

 

JL - time for a CS upgrade? Maybe a CS2 with pink noise analysis & compensation?

[biz77]

The two units (VPA-B222 and PXE-H650) together should be at least $1,000, based on the fact that the VPA-B222 carries a retail of $500 and the PXA-H701 processor retails for $550. I have a feeling this PXE-H650 will sell for the same price, if not more than the PXA-H701, due to the fact that Alpine will pay licensing royalties to Audyssey. I could be wrong. If the PXE-H650 is used alone, then yes, the cost should be <$1,000.

My comment was in reply to mlrtime:

msrp is only $100 more than the CS. If it has the ability flatten the curve on the inputs and on output by using a RTA with an adjustable multiband EQ then it is deff worth $100 more.

It seemed he was under the impression that the VPA-B222 (which is currently available for $100 more than the CS) came with the antEQ and Audyssey.

[Boulderguy]

Copy that. I'm thinking they'll price competitively, around the $400 mark. Licensing costs for tech like that can't be much, like maybe $10-30 per unit or so. Certainly not $100+ per piece. Talking out my butt tho, I wouldn't really know.

 

I had the first Alpine Ipod adapter for their HU's, the **420 or something. Listening tests between that & a direct ipod dock-to-amp test gave a much better sound going thru the adapter than the straightwire approach. Pretty surprising. I don't know what it does to the sound but it was noticably more dynamic & less compressed with a bigger soundstage & didn't sound "processed."

 

I'm doing the straightwire approach now, I wouldn't mind toying with their newest piece here to see if it improves the SQ from the Ipod like the **420 did. Someone alert me when it comes out.

[PGT]

in for info

[Boulderguy]

in for info

My God, do you have to be so wordy about everthing?!?

[PGT]

*spits soda on the screen*

[Repsak]

Just bought one...ill keep everyone posted.

[Boulderguy]

Ooh - more info please?

 

These are available, or was it some kind of vendor deal? Can you tell us how much they're going for? And which model you went for?

[VTsullyman]

Talked to the local curtchfield guys about all the OEM processor possibilities and i have heard from everyone that Rockfords is the best so far. This alpine one could be a very intresting addition to our choices though.

[PGT]

Perhaps because they don't sell JL Audio? I mean...just a thought. Salesguys working on comission and all.

[VTsullyman]

They would love to JL but i dont talk to the sales guys man. I talk to the installers and the testers. They prefer the RF because you can change your settings with a bluetooth palm. I am still very undecided on what i want to do about the whole OEM processor. I listened to a guy with the RF and the boston componets and it was sick. The problem is the speakers and amps is what sounded sick not the RF unit.