Clean Sound It Fits "Wow" Factor when people see it

"Wow" Factor also attracts thieves

Awesome unit. Fits like a glove(I have had this unit in a 94 GTP Grand Prix, as well as my current car) Sound is awesome. I had a USAccoustics 4050/2200 paired with it, pushing Planet Audio 5 1/4's and 6X9's with two DVC Pro Atomik Subs in a ported 2.0 box. Untuned, it hit a 134db and change with the BBE off, and a 137db with it on. Nothing to brag about(the 137), but 3db just from this BBE Processor feature is amazing.

Similar Products Used:

Stockers

IMPRESSIVE LOOKS EASE OF INSTALL EASE OF OPERATION AND CONFIGURATION VERY POWERFUL OH DID I SAY IT LOOKS AWESOME IN MY DASH YET?

MAYBE A HAIR ON THE PRICEY SIDE, BUT ID RATHER SPEND AND EXTRA BUCK OR TWO FOR QUALITY AND LOOKS. REMOTE CONTROL, IS IT REALLY NECESSARY? NO EXTRA LITTLE SCREWS FOR MOUNTING HARDWARE...

MAN CERTAINLY THE MOST IMPRESSIVE DISPLAY FOR ANY DIN AND A HALF THAT IVE SEEN. BE CAREFUL THOUGH, IT IS SO NICE LOOKING THAT YOU MIGHT GET INTO AN ACCIDENT BY STARING AT THE DISPLAY. EASY INSTALL AS USUAL WITH ALPINE. LOOKS AND FITS BETTER THAN THE FACTORY GARBAGE FOR SURE. PUMPS THE FACTORY SPEAKS WITH 45X4 WATTS, AND ACTUALLY THEY HANDLE IT PRETTY WELL CONSIDERING. ONCE AGAIN, WITH ALPINE IT TOOK ME ABOUT 15 MINUTES TO LEARN THE WHOL OPERATION OF THE UNTI, WHICH IS ANOTHER HUGE PLUS. THE BBE SETTING IS KIND OF A JOKE, CONSIDERING YOU REALLY NEED IT ON TO GET GOOD SOUND QUALITY. ALPINE RULES WHEN IT COMES TO QUALITY AND COOL LOOKS.

Similar Products Used:

ALPINE CD PLAYER REGULAR DIN SIZE

Excellent sound processing. Virtually skip-proof in my hard riding/lowered car. Decent FM reception. Quick CD track access. Solid ergonomics and it looks good in GM cars

Only 12 FM presets. A lot of space is dedicated to the EQ lights - seems overwrought. No security features and the detachable face plate is huge. Can''t control sub output. No EQ controls.

Sound quality it top notch, far superior to other head units I have experienced. Fits very nicely in GM cars. The D855 is low on gimmicks (RDS, CD Text, etc.) but makes up for it in ergonomics and sound quality. The BBE sound processor really improves sound - but having an option to turn it off seems silly since without it the sounds is terribly flat.

This head unit has superior sound quality compared to any other head unit I have ever owned. The display is awesome and the BBE feature really enhances the sound stage without causing background noise. I have this deck paired with PPI amps and Focal components and you can turn the volume all the way up without clipping. This is one of only a few decks that Alpine has now with the MDAC converter and the 4Volt pre-out. You can't go wrong with this unit.

The display seems to be a little dim during bright daylight hours. Other than this, I can't say anything bad about this unit.

I would give this product an excellent rating because of its sound quality and superior value for the dollar. You get a second to none CD/tuner and a cool graphic EQ display for the price of one. You can't go wrong.

Similar Products Used:

I previously had the Eclipse 5504 head unit which was more expensive and didn't sound half as good.

Awesome display...6 different modes and option to scan through the displays automatically. 4V RCA's are nice. Easy to operate. Rotary volume. Never skips. Very easy to install in GM/Chrysler, all hardwares supplied...20 minute install. Ability to "blackout" display and increase output to amps. Only 3 sets of RCA. No seperate sub out. No ability to control sub.

Detachable face is huge. No theft deterrence. Have bought this unit twice and have 2 empy boxes and a factory tape dech in my truck...have lost $6k+ in car audio this year to thieves.

Don't pay retail for this. Go to www.sbhcorp.com. $359 + $15 shipping. Have bought twice from them. Fast shipping, cheapest anywhere.

Similar Products Used:

alpine is second to none

I have had it for only one week and I must say this is the most beautiful looking head I have ever seen. It looks very nice in the day time but it looks simply gorgeous in the night. Very nice layout and buttons are firm and responsive.

Does not play CD-RWs...other than that its flawless

Would recommend over any other brand. Don't get fooled by the wild colors and funky buttons of Clarion...there is only one company that simply has the best sound..Alpine. Plays CD-Rs perfectly and with 12 Disc Changer (1214)...can't ever be wrong.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer...loads of features but way-to-big buttons (GM model)
Clarion....simply ugly display and looks too much like a toy v.s. Alpine that looks very nice and professional.

Sound quality is wonderful, it is a very clear CD player. Very easy to use. The looks of it are sweet! It has a equalizer display (but note it does not have a built in equalizer). Can be controlled with a remote. It is a half din size receiver, which means it is a little larger than regular receivers. It fits into GM vehicals perfectly, uliminating the need for clumsy looking spacers.

The only weakness I can see is that there isn't a separate sub level output. Which means you can't turn just the sub volume up without turning up all the other speakers in your system. But a sub level output isn't very important.

The Alpine 855 is a great head unit if you are looking for style, perfect fit (in some vehicals), and ease of use. Anyone can have this head unit in there car, it is a great unit if you are really into car audio and it is a great unit to have if you are just looking for a great CD player. The price is usually around $500+tax. Many people have thought I paid a lot more for it than that, it looks so good!

Similar Products Used:

That is the only Alpine equipment I have in my car, but I love it! I had a Clarion7576 before my Alpine855, and the Alpine is much clearer and yes, Clarion does look good, but I think the 855 looks a lot better this time.

REVIEW FOR: ALPINE CDA-D857 (just a newer version)

1. Can use my 1997 PONTIAC GRAND AM GT steering wheel controls VERY NICE!
2. Very clean sound.
3. BBE sound processor is nice.
4. User friendly, programs easy, can change displays or turn them off
5. Good quality construction
6. Not too hard to install.

Does not have many bad points. But if I had to find complaints.
1. Expensive if you buy retail. As a matter of fact most of the 1.5DIN radios that fit in GMs are more expensive than single DIN radios.
2. In this price range FM tuner could be a little better (but it is still better than most).
3. I do not quite understand the new obsession with tons of flickering lights, especially since all those lights take up most of the display and it is hard to find the clock which is only 10mm wide.
4. Only 12 FM presets!!

If you own a GM or Crysler with steering wheel controls this head unit is a MUST!! The alpine CDA-D852, CDA-D853, CDA-D855 and CDA-D857 are the best 1.5 DIN units I have found that can use the www.soundgate.com wired remote adaptor to work with your existing radio controls. Here are some hints though

Head unit: CDA-D853 $295 + $15 shipping or CDA-D857 $360 + $15 shipping at www.sbhcorp.com
Wiring harnass: Radio shack $10
Remote adaptor: for Pontiac grand am Remote #1 $100 circuit city, check at www.soundgate.com to figure out which one you need.

The circuit city guys will want to charge you $40 to install the head unit and $50 to install the remote adaptor. Do not be afraid to do it yourself. Some hints: Solder the alpine wire harnass and the GM adaptor harnass together at a work bench and also solder the + and - wires of the soundgate remote adaptor.

The sound on this unit is outstanding!! The clarity of the amplifier rivals my home gear. It plays recorded CDs.

All in all I saved $170 by buyin on the net and $100 by installing it myself.

Similar Products Used:

GM stock radio - Junk only lasted 3 years and 40K miles.
Sony CDX-L550X - only other brand that will accept wired remote controls, so-so sound, single din so it requires modification, $200 cheaper!
Pioneer DEH-P47DH, good sound, good price $200 on the net, BUT no wired remote possibility!