CDA-9887 with IMPRINT Sound Now Shipping
TORRANCE, Calif., Oct. 9, 2007 — Alpine Electronics of America, Inc., the industry-leading manufacturer of automotive mobile media solutions, today announced that the company’s innovative CDA-9887 IMPRINT head unit has started shipping. The CDA-9887 is a CD/MP3/WMA/AAC receiver that is the first aftermarket head unit to incorporate Alpine’s IMPRINT sound architecture. Based on Audyssey Labs’ MultEQ technology, the unit improves the in-vehicle listening experience by removing acoustical problems inherent to all vehicle interiors. This automated tuning process tailors the sound system to each vehicle’s interior, allowing the sound system to accurately reproduce music as the artist intended it to be heard.
The interior space of a vehicle is a challenging environment for accurate sound reproduction because it distorts sound quality, making it difficult to create a system that delivers music as crisp, clear and defined as originally intended. The variety of surfaces and materials, as well as the size and shape of the car’s interior, collectively impact how the sound reaches the ears of the driver and passengers. Alpine partnered with Audyssey Labs to develop an automotive application of their powerful MultEQ technology. Audyssey’s research into the fundamental causes of acoustical distortion resulted in their creation of MultEQ, a breakthrough technology platform for minimizing sound distortion caused by the listening environment.
The brainchild of this collaboration is IMPRINT, a hardware and software architecture that dramatically improves in-vehicle sound quality. IMPRINT is the first automotive sound system that automatically corrects the sound system’s output for any vehicle using sophisticated DSP and FIR filter technology. By utilizing IMPRINT, Alpine delivers an automated equalization phase and time domain correction technology that overcomes the vehicle’s inherent acoustical problems, resulting in improved sound staging, tonal balance and overall definition of music.
“With the CDA-9887 IMPRINT head unit, Alpine rewards discerning ears and everyday music-lovers by offering them the best sound quality that can be achieved in a vehicle,” said Stephen Witt, vice president, Marketing, Alpine Electronics. “IMPRINT gives aftermarket specialty retailers a powerful tool that overcomes difficult sound quality problems through a fully automated, easy-to-use process, giving their customers an optimal listening experience every time.”
The CDA-9887 uses a 24-bit Burr Brown D/A converter for the highest quality sound reproduction and playback of CD, WMA, MP3 and AAC files. With three pairs of pre-outs (4V) and built-in 18W x 4RMS amplifier (CEA 2006 power rating), the CDA-9887 offers great flexibility to add on other sound system components like speakers, amplifiers and subwoofers. The CDA-9887 also allows for connectivity to other media options such as the KCE-422i Full Speed Connection for iPod (with support for Apple lossless files); Bluetooth via the KCE-300BT adapter; XM or SIRIUS satellite radio (separate tuner boxes and subscriptions required); HD Radio with multicasting capabilities via the TUA-T500HD tuner; and support for USB WMA/MP3 players and storage devices via the KCA-620M adapter.
Tool for Installers
Installers will need the KTX-100EQ kit, which is required for the calibration of the CDA-9887’s built-in IMPRINT MultEQ processor. This kit is designed for use in conjunction with a PC and includes the IMPRINT Sound Manager set-up software (CD-ROM for PC), a PC USB interface unit, cables, a calibrated microphone and a set-up manual. The software allows the installer to easily tune the system to match the customer’s tastes, while accounting for the acoustical challenges in the vehicle’s cabin. In the past, such tuning could only be performed by highly skilled installers who not only had the expertise, but also the time to fine-tune the system. In contrast, the KTX-100EQ’s automated tuning capabilities do this quicker and easier. Although the KTX-100EQ is mainly intended as a set-up tool for the install bay, it is also available for those consumers who wish to purchase a kit to perform their own customized set-up.
Pricing and Availability
The CDA-9887 head unit is available now at authorized Alpine dealers for $450 (SRI).
The KTX-100EQ tuning kit is available now at authorized Alpine dealers for $250 (SRI).
About Alpine Electronics
Alpine Electronics is an automotive electronics system supplier and an ISO certified global corporation. Alpine specializes in engineering and manufacturing products for mobile media systems that include audio, video, satellite-linked navigation and connectivity solutions. With research and development facilities in Asia, Europe and the U.S., Alpine is the automotive specialist for premium sound systems and vehicle navigation for both aftermarket and OEM factory installations. Alpine Electronics is a consolidated subsidiary of Alps Electric Co., Ltd., one of the world’s premier manufacturers of electronic components for computer, communications and car electronics equipment. Visit http://www.alpine-usa.com to learn more about Alpine products or to find an authorized retailer.
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