Luke - Alpine CDE-103BT ?

[Jean]

This thing looks interesting, buttons can be switched to AMBER! I gave up looking for a CD43.

And I kind of miss not having BT in a car...

http://signature.crutchfield.com/s_500CDE103B/Alpine-CDE-103BT.html?tp=5684

[e30trooper]

looks cool i guess

[Jean]

I want something that won't stick out as much and with BT and aux input...don't care about internal amp/crossovers or any of that. Not many headunits have amber lighting :(

[e30trooper]

True. My e30's head unit is an old alpine with green lights lol. I think red lights would go good. I want a headunit with a SD port.

[Mtriple]

Looks like a solid choice based on the features you're looking for Jean. I went to Alpine's site and they dont list it. The closest thing I could find was the 102 and it's not quite the same. I wonder if Crutchfield has the exclusive on this for a while...

Personally, I wont put anything in my car other than Alpine. I think Luke feels differently... :) I have been a fan since I first got into car audio back in the late 80's. I have a 9887 in my E30 and love the way it looks. It has a few too many bells and whistles for what I need, but the amber illumination is what I really wanted.

[quickervicar]

I used to feel the same way about Alpine. My father put an old Alpine cassette deck into our family van back in 1985 (remember the Alpine posters with the Lamborghini Countach?). That thing is still going strong, but now in a company truck. The new Alpines just don't have the same quality feel to the controls. I still like Alpine a lot, as I've owned two newer head units and really enjoyed them. I just don't expect them to be around in 25 years.

All new head units seem to have too many features for my brain to comprehend. I'm going old(ish) school for this build.

[StereoInstaller1]

Why won't Denon get back into the car audio market, with ME at the helm? A matte black Z1 with USB and some modern features for $300 and I swear they would sell!

Jean, that is an interesting unit.

Quite a few of the onboard BT decks suck ass, as they only offer an internal mic: that one is external. BTW, I run mine up by the check panel. Where do/did you run yours?

2 preouts is kind of a drag, plus they are low voltage. Non variable 80Hz @ 12db/oct high pass is a bummer, too. No remote, no steering wheel remote, small display, no rear USB (small HDD in the glovebox FTW!) but if you were gonna build a system based on this deck, you would just choose your amps carefully (4 channel with a summed output and a sub amp with a level controller) or use an Audiocontrol 6XS or something and all is great.

You guys all know I detest Alpine. I have had more issues with them than damn near anyone and they really position themselves to gouge you...and I hate that.

The greedy bastards just piss me off.

Underwhelming SQ (really "dark" sound, I like sparkly and bright), poor options/features/adjustability (wow, variable bass Fs and Q? who the hell doesn't have that, freeking Valor has that!) and just the general feel of the Alpines turns me off...but I hate every damn head unit on the market, every last one, so ignore my opinion on that issue, please.

All in all, looks like a respectable choice. At least it isn't a Clarion...

Luke

[Jean]

Yeah, plan is to just add a small 4ch like mrp-f300 to run my fronts and rears (midbasses only) for now. I just miss BT (had one in my audi before, haven't tried one in e30 yet) and I'll need to read some more reviews to see how good this one is...

thanks for input!

[3bvert]

Luke
so if you dont like alpines, what is a good unit for 200 or less and not run a external amp

[achtunge30]

I just installed this HU in my e36. The alpine buttons are amber but the regular buttons are blood red. Its not a perfect match to BMW interior but its close.

Also the Mic and little plastic holder thing is kinda big and sticks out like a sore thumb imo.

[superultrahippo]

I was looking at this one before I ended up going with an alpine cda-105. The bummer about the 103 that didn't sell me were it only had 2 pre outs. I also didn't really care for the usb and aux input on the face. A little too clutter for my taste. (I kinda regret it now since I sold my ipod and only have a zune now). Anyways.. the only drawback to the 105 is that the lighting is red not amber.. wich doesn't seem TOO out of place. You can switch the blue buttons on the left to red too. Over all, im happy with it and could deal with the red illumination.

[Jean]

achtunge30 - can you post some pictures of it and the mic?
superultrahippo - 105 doesn't come with BT out of the box right?

[superultrahippo]

It's BT ready. You need to purchase the harness/kit I believe. OH.. the 105 doesn't come with a remote! wth right? I was really pissed about that but it was something I overlooked. I almost called the seller and complained till I read it didn't come with one. Yea its 20 bucks but cmon.. my gf's old 60 buck hu came with one!

[Jean]

I got the 103bt installed today, pretty happy with it actually. BT is built in, comes with external mic with a LONG cable that plugs in the back of the headunit. I mounted the mic in one of the switch blanks. Running some polk db speakers upfront and stock premium rear speakers with tweeters disconnected. Switched the illumination to amber/red and it doesn't stick out!

I would have gone with the 105 if it had BT built-in like the 103. 2 sets of pre-outs with subcontrol on the 103bt are perfect for me, one set will be for the front speakers and rear for a sub.

Next i'll need to run some rca wires for an amp.

[StereoInstaller1]

I mounted the mic in one of the switch blanks.

You didn't try to flush mount, did you? If you have decent legibility on your listeners end, post a pic: those bands around the base of the mic are for noise cancelling pickup, and most mics are unusable if mounted flush.