CA08LGT Posted February 16, 2008 Posted February 16, 2008 I was sold on the Cleansweep after reading so many good things about it. That was before I realized that Alpine and RF had similiar solutions to OEM interfacing. Cost is not a problem, but I am not too keen on the idea of having to use a palm, bluetooth, etc... to control it. HELP/OPINIONS??? I currently have the following: Boston SL60s - Front Boston SL65s - Rear Boston GT-42 4 channel (4X75 @ 4 ohm) MTX Thunder Monoblock (1X420) JL Audio 10s Sealed Box Before I begin installing all of this, I want to settle on which OEM interface I should use.
FishingFiend Posted February 16, 2008 Posted February 16, 2008 I'm a solid believer in the 3sixty2. Visually controlling/adjusting the parameters of your system from the driver seat is priceless. I haven't listened to an IMPRINT system, so I can't speak for it's SQ.
str8dwn Posted February 17, 2008 Posted February 17, 2008 Highly recommend avoiding the CS. Had one and nothing but problems (hiss, whine, static all went away when it was removed). Sound was very average and, most importantly, NOT adjustable at all. What you get is what you get. And that is a very low (2.5V or lower) output leaving below average volume and noise. In case you're wondering, I have a 300/4, 500/1 and a 10W6V2 (in JL box). I am with Fishing and will be going with the RF 3sixty.2 because it is fully adjustable. It does what the CS does (level out the factory EQ curve), but you can tweak and adjust further including time alignment, 31 bands per channel all on your laptop (via Bluetooth). At $400 it's a bargain IMO. I read some setup issues with the Alpine including low bass output. Also, you cannot adjust individual frequencies with the Alpine. It's a pre-determined set curves. I have not listened to either one, so keep that in mind.
bdub Posted February 17, 2008 Posted February 17, 2008 I've owned all three and had all three installed in the Legacy with the same supporting system. Here's my opinion. The Cleansweep does one job and it does it well, except for introducing a little bit of noise. However, it does not offer any equalization or time alignment, which you may or may not feel is necessary. The 360.2 is the tweakers dream. Wireless adjustment of all parameters on the fly, with visual confirmation on your PDA via Bluetooth. Good resulting sound quality, and decent voltage output to your amps. I pretty much have no bad things to say about this unit, although I did find there to be a slight digital delay in the volume adjustment. Overall though, a great, great piece if you want to be able to tune your system without moving from the driver's seat. However, with that being said........... I now run with the Alpine unit. Why? Because I got sick of the flexibility of the 360.2. I got so picky with my sound that I would always be firing up the PDA to make fine adjustments to the EQ, time alignment, whatever. It actually got annoying after awhile. With the Alpine unit, you set it up using the mic, make fine adjustments using the 3-band parametric EQ, and that's it. No more adjusting. It does have some drawbacks though. First, no screen to see what you're doing (the Rockford interface is brilliant). Second, it does take a while to figure out the setup because the instruction are terrible - I think I recalibrated it 4 times before I figured it out. Third, it has a lower voltage output. I ended up buying a line driver and placing it just after the Alpine unit. However, I have to say that right now, the sound is much better than I was able to achieve with the Cleansweep or 360.2. So overall, although I run the H650 and prefer it, for someone looking between these 3 units, I would recommend the 360.2 just cause it's more fun for the user, allows maximum tuning ability, and yields good sound quality.
bigacuralvr Posted February 19, 2008 Posted February 19, 2008 Where do you purchase these units? I'd like more info on the Alpine one.... Brett
Ferenczy33 Posted February 21, 2008 Posted February 21, 2008 Sort of in the same decision mode. I have the dreaded dual climate unit and currently have a aftermarket unit installed in the cubby, but would like to someday go back to using the stock unit with some OEM integration. I was looking at www.woofersetc.com and saw the Alpine PHX650 for only $250...but then I saw the AudioControl DQL-8. Man, I little pricey but this may be the way to go for ultimate system integration. http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=5151
CA08LGT Posted February 21, 2008 Author Posted February 21, 2008 Sort of in the same decision mode. I have the dreaded dual climate unit and currently have a aftermarket unit installed in the cubby, but would like to someday go back to using the stock unit with some OEM integration. I was looking at www.woofersetc.com and saw the Alpine PHX650 for only $250...but then I saw the AudioControl DQL-8. Man, I little pricey but this may be the way to go for ultimate system integration. http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=5151 Where in Sac are ya? I grew up in Sac, and now live in El Dorado Hills.
Ferenczy33 Posted February 22, 2008 Posted February 22, 2008 Where in Sac are ya? I grew up in Sac, and now live in El Dorado Hills. Over in Natomas, otherwise known as Floodtomas. Used to work over in Folsom.
Mr. Ed Posted February 22, 2008 Posted February 22, 2008 Sort of in the same decision mode. I have the dreaded dual climate unit and currently have a aftermarket unit installed in the cubby, but would like to someday go back to using the stock unit with some OEM integration. I was looking at www.woofersetc.com and saw the Alpine PHX650 for only $250...but then I saw the AudioControl DQL-8. Man, I little pricey but this may be the way to go for ultimate system integration. http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=5151 I asked recently about the audiocontrol (they are dirt cheap on ebay) and was told it does aboslutely nothing like the cleansweep 3sixty etc. I installed the cleansweep last week and my new speakers sound amazing....I've got my xm hooked direct through it's aux input and that rocks, only con i guess it the lack of equalizer is a bummer so I'll prolly add that someday. Oh and getting used to the volume control knob has been a little wierd, but manageable
Ferenczy33 Posted February 22, 2008 Posted February 22, 2008 I asked recently about the audiocontrol (they are dirt cheap on ebay) and was told it does aboslutely nothing like the cleansweep 3sixty etc. I installed the cleansweep last week and my new speakers sound amazing....I've got my xm hooked direct through it's aux input and that rocks, only con i guess it the lack of equalizer is a bummer so I'll prolly add that someday. Oh and getting used to the volume control knob has been a little wierd, but manageable I know the previous AudioControl Line Coverters, etc. made it sound like they could accomplish OEM integration but couldn't, but this model looks different. Here is the review from Car Audio and Electronics. They say it's the most powerful OEM integration tuning device they have ever seen. https://resources.myeporia.com/Company_38/AudioControl%20DQL-8%20Review.pdf
Mr. Ed Posted February 22, 2008 Posted February 22, 2008 wow, that is definately a new one with much more than what I was looking at a few weeks ago... with that tho... It's 5 times more than what I spent on my cleansweep... even if I add the equalizer I spent alot less. and I'm happy (% let me know if you get that thing.
biz77 Posted February 22, 2008 Posted February 22, 2008 Unless you have custom speaker placement, considerable time to tune and you have a high level of understand regarding vehicle acoustics then there is essentially no way you will acheive better sound than what the Alpine will give you. The only product that may outdo it is the upcoming JBL MS-8 when it finally makes it to market. The JBL boys used a pre-production unit to take top honors in sound quality at Spring Break Nationals using stock BMW speakers in stock locations (and a couple of subs) on a newer 325 with the facotry i-Drive head unit. The AudioControl and RF units are solid and offer considerable adjustability, but don't have anywhere near the capability of the Alpine unit. The IMPRINT system adjusts phase, frequncy and time at 512 independent points along the frequency spectrum. By comparison the RF unit offers a 1/3 octave traditional EQ, can adjust individual driver phase (not 512 independent points) and can offer individual driver time alignment (not 512 independent points). Not to mention it takes the Alpine unit approximately 45 minutes to auto-tune. It would take a professional days to acheive similar results. For anyone who hasn't heard what the Alpine IMPRINT system can do, you are missing out. It is amazing.
CA08LGT Posted February 23, 2008 Author Posted February 23, 2008 Wouldn't you know. As I am about to pull the trigger and purchase the Alpine pxe-h650, I read this thread: http://legacygt.com/forums/skynetim/misc/subscribed.gifIt's here! Double din dash kit with dual zone CC Now what do I do? Decisions. Will this double din thing actually work? I guess if I wait around for the next best solution, I will be waiting too long. I probably just get the pxe-h650. Thanks for everyones input.
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