Alpine CDA7893R

Author's product rating:   

How is the Sound Quality?	Excellent
Ease of Installation	Average
How is the Look & Design?	Good
Range of Features	Excellent
Value for Money	Satisfactory

Advantages:	Excellent quality
Disadvantages:	Price prohibitive

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Having used this head unit for approx. 12 months, I have a good idea of what this head unit performs like. I'm into big sounds, and if that's what you're into, then this is the head unit for you.

Firstly, this head unit is popular among the sound off fraternity because of it's higher than average power output, using 4 x 60w outputs rather than 40 w or 50w that the other manufacturers offer, it also has 2 x 4v pre-outs for subs etc.

I know this sounds like jargon, but if you are into car audio and you are looking at these types of products, then I think you'll know what all the bits are for.

The unit itself looks sleek, with 3 settings for the angle at which the "face" sits.

Most of the buttons are dual function, short hold for main function and long hold for 2nd function. To understand all these you really need the instruction manual. This is quite a hefty book, but only because it is in several languages.

The unit also has a built in hi-pass and lo-pass filter built in, this enables proper usage of the speakers inside the vehicle, enabling high frequency to door speakers and low frequency to the sub. This all adds up to high quality, powerful sound.

This particular unit also has "Bass-Focus" in laymans terms, it changes the timing at which the sounds reach the speakers enabling you, sitting in the drivers seat to have the music right in the centre of your head (if you get what I mean)

Don't think that this unit alone will radically change how your normal car speakers sound, you need to couple it with high quality co-axials inside the car and high quality sub and amp in the boot to get the best out of it.

I would highly recommend this unit, when new it was retailing at a tad under the £500 mark, it is a couple of years old now, so I don't know how much they retail for now, but for a good second-hand unit expect to pay around £180 -£200. This should get you a good example.

One negative point to look out for though is the tilting face, it does start to wobble a little after a bit of use.