Alpine CDA-D855

Price Paid:  $389.00 from Sound Depot-Madison

Year / Model Reviewed:
 1990 Oldmobile Cutlass Supreme

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

Weaknesses:
"Wow" Factor also attracts thieves

Summary:
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

Price Paid:  $400.00 from RAYCO

Year / Model Reviewed:
 2002 model 857

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

Weaknesses:
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...

Summary:
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

Price Paid:  $370.00 from Al & Ed''s Autosound

Year / Model Reviewed:
 97 Firebird Trans Am Convertible

Strengths:
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

Weaknesses:
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.

Summary:
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.

Price Paid:  $375.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
 CDA-D857

Strengths:
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.

Weaknesses:
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!!

Summary:
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!

Price Paid:  $400.00

Strengths:
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.

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

Summary:
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.