Disappointed with Alpine

[2011 Nismo#91]

So about a year and a half ago I bought a INA-W900BT head unit. Read all the specs and even read through the manual to see all the features. In the manual it has a section on streaming Bluetooth Audio from a compatible A2DP device, so I assumed since the setup was in the manual it was a feature. When I got this installed I had a cheap flip phone and assumed again it didn't work because of the cheap phone and the head unit showed up with the BTAudio menu.

Now I have a new smart phone with all the bells and whistles and it still wouldn't work. So I went searching the internet. In the end I found that Alpine had taken an old head unit the INA-W900 with out Bluetooth and put in their only Bluetooth module they had available at the time the high end KCE-400BT and released it as the BT version. When they developed the KCE-250BT with out A2DP support the sneaked it in there to save some money and make more off people who want to upgrade to have A2DP support.

Unfortunately for me they never changed any of their documentation and to this day their manual still says this unit supports A2DP even though it does not.

[bb370z]

Unfortunately Alpines build quaility is not what it was 10+ years ago. Some of you older guys know what i'm talking about...

[RonRizz]

Originally Posted by bb370z

Unfortunately Alpines build quaility is not what it was 10+ years ago. Some of you older guys know what i'm talking about...

[NickTurnon]

I NEVER recommend Alpine headunits to anyone

Unfortunately their display lacks any sort of quality to me. Their Ipod setup is inferior to both Pioneers & Kenwoods platform.

I am sorry to hear that they let you down!

[bigaudiofanat]

Originally Posted by NickTurnon

I NEVER recommend Alpine headunits to anyone

Unfortunately their display lacks any sort of quality to me. Their Ipod setup is inferior to both Pioneers & Kenwoods platform.

I am sorry to hear that they let you down!

I have seen more pioneer screens fail than any alpine, kenwood use to be a very sluggish and delayed interface. They are finally starting to get better.

[bigaudiofanat]

I never had any trouble with any alpine and I have never seen their build quality go down such as pioneer's have over the years.

OP, as a audio guy I highly do not recommend BT audio. Using a Aux input would give you much better sound quality over BT streaming. However the connivence factor does take a hit. I know what you mean with them not having the major support for newer devices in the BT market. However alpine really caters more towards the "I" market rather than android. BT is not something they even care for themselves being that the compression ration is so high.

If you MUST have BT streaming I recommend going with kenwood. However keep in mind your KBPS is going to drop. Take a look at these two articles.

Bluetooth audio quality (A2DP) - News - SoundExpert

Bluetooth audio vs. wires | The Audiophiliac - CNET News

[2011 Nismo#91]

Originally Posted by bigaudiofanat

I never had any trouble with any alpine and I have never seen their build quality go down such as pioneer's have over the years.

OP, as a audio guy I highly do not recommend BT audio. Using a Aux input would give you much better sound quality over BT streaming. However the connivence factor does take a hit. I know what you mean with them not having the major support for newer devices in the BT market. However alpine really caters more towards the "I" market rather than android. BT is not something they even care for themselves being that the compression ration is so high.

Yeah sound quality suffers but it's an ok compromise to not have to be fiddling with my phone while driving or finding and connecting it when I get in the car.

The biggest issue I have is Alpine downgraded the Bluetooth receiver and didn't tell anyone or change any of their documentation.