Debating about Alpine iXA-W407

DIGItonium · 01-13-2011, 01:06 PM

Does anyone have experience with the Alpine iXA-W407?

I'm thinking about ditching the Kenwood DDX-814 and get something simpler that can fill the double-din to simply play the radio and tracks from the USB stick. It's a downgrade, but also a change in priorities. I don't care about DVD playback, and I can live with a lower resolution screen as long as it is readable. However, I would like to keep the 7" screen.

What's the audio quality like? I know it has fewer tweaking options and weaker pre-out.

How about speed and ease of use? The DDX is slow, and it's embarrassing to see cheaper units access files with lightning speed. Not only is it tedious to browse through songs, it has a 255 file per folder limit.

bigaudiofanat · 01-13-2011, 03:21 PM

I love the alpine head units there video bypass for viewing video while in motion is sort of a pain but other than that I would highly recommend them. Plus not everyone is running alpine head units, they are running the kenwoods.

Wicked CAS · 01-14-2011, 04:27 PM

You may want to check out the DDX-516 much simpler to use then the 814 series. less money. However you will notice 814 will have better sound quality. Unless you go with the DNX6960 which will also get you into navigation. If you decide on the DNX6960 I have one left at $729.95 I also have an open box available with full warranty for $650 shipped. You can not beat these prices guaranteed.

n1cd · 01-14-2011, 08:07 PM

Been using Alpine sents 1980 in my 1st Ford truck. Our show car now is all Alpine. This Z will soon be Alpine hook. You bought a Nismo to stand out from other Zs. Now stand out from the other Nismos.

bigaudiofanat · 01-14-2011, 08:46 PM

I completely agree everyone is doing kenwoods and they are nice but imo I like alpines better especially for ipod control and screen quality.

DIGItonium · 01-15-2011, 05:28 PM

Hmm... simple is what I'm looking for, which is why I want a digital media receiver. I personally haven't tried any of the new units in person, but I'm definitely fed up with the slowness of the DDX-814. I like everything about it on the hardware end, but the interface and lack of speed is driving me nuts. Not only does it take forever to load a song, I can't have more than 255 files per folder. This is with the latest firmware, and it appears Kenwood won't even update it anymore.

The Alpine so far fits the bill for 7" display with decent resolution, has USB and iPod connectivity, BT for handsfree, and a good price to start with. I don't know how well it switches songs and whatnot, but from the videos it seems to perform better than the DDX.

My current setup is 2.1ch audio. I liked the DDX 13-band EQ, but I may lose it with the W407. Is IMPRINT overkill for my simple setup?

01-13-2011, 01:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
DIGItonium A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 3,800 Drives: 09 Z34-TT 6MT Rep Power: 42	Debating about Alpine iXA-W407 Does anyone have experience with the Alpine iXA-W407? I'm thinking about ditching the Kenwood DDX-814 and get something simpler that can fill the double-din to simply play the radio and tracks from the USB stick. It's a downgrade, but also a change in priorities. I don't care about DVD playback, and I can live with a lower resolution screen as long as it is readable. However, I would like to keep the 7" screen. What's the audio quality like? I know it has fewer tweaking options and weaker pre-out. How about speed and ease of use? The DDX is slow, and it's embarrassing to see cheaper units access files with lightning speed. Not only is it tedious to browse through songs, it has a 255 file per folder limit. __________________

01-13-2011, 03:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
bigaudiofanat Car Audio Installer Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Magnolia DE Posts: 8,342 Drives: 2012 Infiniti G37x Rep Power: 852	I love the alpine head units there video bypass for viewing video while in motion is sort of a pain but other than that I would highly recommend them. Plus not everyone is running alpine head units, they are running the kenwoods. __________________ Need help with car audio or electronics? Let me know!! Need Help Let Me Know Direct email address reimermatt@gmail.com Owner of: Dynamic Mobile Audio Follow me below https://www.facebook.com/Dynamicmobileaudio/

01-14-2011, 04:27 PM	#3 (permalink)
Wicked CAS The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Kingston, NH. Posts: 469 Drives: 98 Supra 1036 RWHP Rep Power: 15	You may want to check out the DDX-516 much simpler to use then the 814 series. less money. However you will notice 814 will have better sound quality. Unless you go with the DNX6960 which will also get you into navigation. If you decide on the DNX6960 I have one left at $729.95 I also have an open box available with full warranty for $650 shipped. You can not beat these prices guaranteed. __________________ www.wickedcas.com Call: 603-642-4222 E-mail: Wickedcas@aol.com *DIRECT AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR:* AUDISON, HERTZ, JL AUDIO, JL AUDIO MARINE, KENWOOD EXCELON, COMPUSTAR, DIAMOND AUDIO, CACHE, ARC AUDIO, K40, PASSPORT ESCORT.

01-14-2011, 08:46 PM	#5 (permalink)
bigaudiofanat Car Audio Installer Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Magnolia DE Posts: 8,342 Drives: 2012 Infiniti G37x Rep Power: 852	I completely agree everyone is doing kenwoods and they are nice but imo I like alpines better especially for ipod control and screen quality. __________________ Need help with car audio or electronics? Let me know!! Need Help Let Me Know Direct email address reimermatt@gmail.com Owner of: Dynamic Mobile Audio Follow me below https://www.facebook.com/Dynamicmobileaudio/

01-15-2011, 05:28 PM	#6 (permalink)
DIGItonium A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 3,800 Drives: 09 Z34-TT 6MT Rep Power: 42	Hmm... simple is what I'm looking for, which is why I want a digital media receiver. I personally haven't tried any of the new units in person, but I'm definitely fed up with the slowness of the DDX-814. I like everything about it on the hardware end, but the interface and lack of speed is driving me nuts. Not only does it take forever to load a song, I can't have more than 255 files per folder. This is with the latest firmware, and it appears Kenwood won't even update it anymore. The Alpine so far fits the bill for 7" display with decent resolution, has USB and iPod connectivity, BT for handsfree, and a good price to start with. I don't know how well it switches songs and whatnot, but from the videos it seems to perform better than the DDX. My current setup is 2.1ch audio. I liked the DDX 13-band EQ, but I may lose it with the W407. Is IMPRINT overkill for my simple setup? __________________

01-14-2011, 08:07 PM	#4 (permalink)
n1cd Base Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Melbourne FL Posts: 72 Drives: 370Z Nismo Black 336 Rep Power: 14	Been using Alpine sents 1980 in my 1st Ford truck. Our show car now is all Alpine. This Z will soon be Alpine hook. You bought a Nismo to stand out from other Zs. Now stand out from the other Nismos.

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