MainePorsche

I have an little older Alpine unit. The look and fit are great. The black frame really makes for a nice look in the console. The face also comes out with push of a button lever for security reasons. Thanks for this, for when I upgrade, I'll go with an Alpine like this.

tlebovic

I couldn't wait until winter to change the **** on the radio - especially since Roger was so helpful in getting me a new rear AC ****...

I took a Dremel and cut out the boss for the ****. I then removed more plastic from the AC **** so that it fit over the Pioneer ****. A little rubber cement and voila!. Sort of looks like it was a factory thing. OK, I'm a little nearsighted but I like it better than the original chromed rimmed plastic. The hardest part was getting the 3/4" sticker printed with the '928' centered.

Tom
89 S4 Auto
Black/Linen/Grey piping

worf928

After attempting to live with the Dual unit I presented in the above post, I decided that I could not get past it's fatal flaw, took it out, put in on the shelf and installed a Pioneer DEH-80PRS.

Having lived with the DEH-80PRS for a couple of months now I give it a score of

The two features that I didn't know I couldn't live without are the auto time-alignment and the built-in equalizer. The former results a stunning difference in sound quality and the latter enables me to take several db out of a particular low frequency at which the 928's cabin seems to resonate.

Yes, I would have liked to have more buttons and less multi-function push, twist, and flip, but the aural experience washes away those sins.

I'm thinking about buying one for the '89 or one more to stick on the shelf in case this unit goes Dodo.

DKWalser

Crutchfield says, "To install this item, you'll have to modify your vehicle." What kind of modifications did you need to make to install the unit?

Chalkboss

I have a DEH80 as well. Zero modification to fit it. Slipped right in on my 87. There was some crappy Clarion in before so I don't know if it had been modified to fit, but does not look like it.

It's a great unit, with a mind-boggling array of tuning available. So much that I still have not got it perfect.

bureau13

To do the time-alignment stuff, do you have to use active built-in crossovers in the head unit or can you do a more simple install using crossovers in the doors, etc?

worf928

Effectively none. The Pioneer - like every other head unit - has it's own mounting sleeve/cage/bracket that needs to be installed in the console unless the one in the console is compatible. In the case of the out-going Dual, it was not compatible. No big deal. Unbend some tabs on the cage and out it comes. Lather, rinse, in reverse for the new one.

The time-alignment has nothing to do with crossovers as far as I know. You plug the included microphone into the head unit, drape it across the driver seat head rest, hit the (right) button(s) (RTFM), close the door and come back in a few minutes. The unit plays a variety tones from each of the speakers and adds delay to each channel so that the sound from all speakers hits the microphone at the same time.

The result is as perfect a sound stage as I can ever remember hearing in a car. What was originally really good sound - but just a wee bit ... diffuse, muddy, slightly-harsh ... became incredible, clear, distinct sound.

There are a lot of tracks I'm just hearing now for the first time even though I've listened to them countless times.

Disclaimer: your mileage and aural opinion may vary from mine. I've got four sets of the good old-school MBQuart separates with crossovers, a 10" sub and 1000 watts to drive them all.

The unit does auto-equalization at the same time it does auto-time alignment. However, I didn't like what it came up with for the auto-equalization so I did my own with my own tones and selected tracks. That's where the built-in equalizer was useful. I found that by taking 2db out of 50 Hz and 80Hz I got a nice deep accurate bass whereas previously it was a bit 'boomy.'

RedRaider1

Installed a Pioneer DEH-X9600BHS today. Works as good as I had hoped and the integration with my cell is awesome. Streams music from Pandora, Amazon and others perfectly and I can change songs etc. from the head unit instead of the phone.

Andy Kay

Hans - good seeing you at Third Coast.

Update: I ordered the Pioneer DEH-80PRS. Sean installed it in a few minutes … no more engine noise!

Thank you

bureau13

I just ordered one myself. Looks like an outstanding unit, so we'll see...

Andre The Giant

I guess if you don't need to use the built in amp of this HU then you are fine, because the distortion level is pretty high compared to for example the Kenwood. Pioneer at 5% and the Kenwood at 1%.

DEH-80PRS
Audio
Maximum power output
.......
50W × 4
Continuous power output
...
22W × 4 (50Hz to
15000Hz, 5%THD,
4
W
load, both channels dri-
ven)

Kenwood KDC-BT858U

Full Bandwidth Power: 22 watts RMS x 4 channels (at 4 ohms, 20-20kHz, 1% THD)

jwyatt8171

The 80PRS Is marketed to audiophiles. IMO audiophiles will not be using the internal amp.

I am surprised at the 5% THD though. Seems high.

MFranke

So what is the best head unit then? What makes the Pioneer better if the THD is higher?
I guess in a car it is that THD doesn't maybe matter so much?

I need a new head unit too, and am starting to look around.

worf928

Yup.

That's for the internal amp. All internal amps are crappy.

What makes it better in my opinion is the built-in equalizer and the auto-time alignment.

All the manuals for various units are downloadable. So, find ones you like, read the manuals and decide.

If, however, you're not going to use external amps and you don't have good speakers there's probably no good reason to spend on the Pioneer: you probably won't notice any difference.

jwyatt8171

I'm using the 80PRS In my avalanche. It has plenty of tools to tweak/tune your system if you have 5 channels of amp, subwoofer and separate components up front. I wouldn't bother connecting rear speakers.
I wouldn't buy this head unit if you want ultra convenience though. I feel the user interface is not very friendly. Using the iPod/phone is descent at best. The hands free phone feature is useless to me. I tried it with the mic in multiple locations only to find it wasn't worth the effort to use. I never could get good quality sound to the caller on the other end.
For sound quality and audiophile I rate it a 10, but for convenience and user adaptability I rate it 5.