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(Credit:
Alpine Electronics of America, Inc.)
Adding the right external amplifier to your car audio solution not only results in higher volume levels, but also fuller, cleaner sound at moderate volume levels as a strong amplifier can operate more efficiently than the receiver alone. But adding an amp creates the small problem of find a place to mount it and then wiring it. Alpine has a solution for owners of its car audio receivers (2005 or newer), the KTP-445 Head Unit Power Pack. I had an opportunity to check the KTP-445 out at CES 2009.
The KTP-445 is a small-form-factor (6 inches by 2 inches by 1.125 inches) power upgrade that installs inline between your Alpine receiver and your vehicle's wiring harness. Depending on the vehicle, the device installs in minutes and can fit in the dash, behind the receiver. No special wiring is required.
For your trouble, the four-channel amplifier boosts power to the speakers to 45Wx4 RMS (up from an average power of 18Wx4 RMS). According to Alpine, the KTP-445 uses an advanced digital design that provides an extremely clean power output with very high efficiency, making the bass tighter and highs clearer. According to my ears, the KTP-445 produces fantastic sound for a $140 device the size of a small burrito.
I believe that the KTP-445 is boosting speaker level outputs instead of the cleaner preamp outputs that most receivers use for supplying audio to amps, so an external amp may still be the best option for audiophile sound quality. But for the rest of us who can't tell the difference between 256Kbps and 320Kbps MP3s, the KTP-445 offers a good sounding, easy to install alternative for your Alpine head unit. Just make sure you upgrade your speakers next, because stock paper cones probably won't last too long under 45 watts of continuous power.
We should be getting a KTP-445 for testing around April 2009.
On Sale Now:
$115.00
- $257.99
View the latest prices for Alpine KTP-445
(Credit:
Alpine USA)
The Alpine iXA-W404 takes the fantastic interface of Alpine's line of digital media receivers, stretches it vertically, and adds a new feature: a touch screen.
Now, you can control the unit using the lightning fast double-encoder knob or by lightly dragging your finger across and tapping the 4.3-inch QVGA color touch-screen monitor. The interface more or less apes Apple's coverflow, so users of iPods and iTunes should find it familiar.
The unit, like all of Alpine's digital media receivers, features a full-speed USB connection that's optimized for iPod, which you'll be getting a great deal of mileage out of due to the iXA-W404's lack of an optical drive.
Bluetooth handsfree, HD Radio with iTunes tagging, and satellite radio add-on modules are available, as is Alpine's IMPRINT digital-audio processing module. Final pricing for the unit is still up in the air.
In other news, Alpine has also released its iDA-X305. This is, for all intents and purposes, identical to the current iDA-X100 with the exceptions of an updated aesthetic, 5 more watts of max power (now 50 watt by 4 channels), and a "Works with iPhone" sticker on the box, which is interesting because, if we're not mistaken, the previous iDA-X100 and iDA-X100 already unofficially supported the iPhone.
On Sale Now:
$359.00
- $399.99
View the latest prices for Alpine iXA-W404
On Sale Now:
$221.95
- $299.00
View the latest prices for Alpine iDA-X305
Clarion shows off the ClarionMind at CES, a connected GPS device that gives much more than directions.
(Credit: Clarion)For the second year, CES devotes its North Hall to automotive technology, showing the growing interest in electronics for the car. As we would expect, stereo manufacturers such as Alpine and JVC will be showing new in-dash products, expanding the idea of what the traditional stereo head unit can do. GPS and Bluetooth hands-free devices will also have a heavy presence, with connected GPS devices making an appearance as a new trend. We are also looking forward to seeing innovative new in-car services, such as Internet radio, satellite TV, and new digital music options.
At our CNET Car Tech stage in the North Hall, we will be conducting live tests of car stereos and other car equipment. And don't miss our games, where winning at Name That Tune or Engine Karaoke can earn you valuable prizes.
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