Monday, January 10, 2011

Car Stereo Review - Alpine iDA-X305

Hey everyone, I've decided to start reviewing car audio equipment and today's product is a well known head unit - the Alpine iDA-X305.  There's a couple things you'll notice about this unit, the most apparent of which is that it has no CD player. Secondly, it's based off a successful previous model, the iDA-X100 receiver, with added iPhone support and a few extra watts.
The good: The Alpine iDA-X305's two-way encoder wheel control scheme makes it really easy to go through all your music quickly. You can also program the search feature to make it more efficient for you.


The bad: The lack of a CD player may be tough for some people

My conclusion: You can't go wrong with Alpine. They make quality products, many of which I've owned. If you don't listen to CD's anymore, you might actually find it refreshing that it's a USB-input only piece of equipment. The design meshes really well with most vehicle's dashes so the unit doesn't look too out of place (like many head units do). In addition, there are no moving parts so there's less that can break.

Expect to see this in stores for around $300. Anyone who knows car audio equipment knows that Alpine is definitely worth the money, and this is a great mid-range unit.

23 comments:

  1. Awesome stereo dude. Who uses CD's these days anyway?

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  2. Alpine can always be trusted to make an awesome sound system.

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  3. my friend has an alpine, she loves it.

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  4. I still listen songs from cassette xD I absolutely need a new car stereo

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  5. I'm just getting back into CDs. I miss the sound of them. Satellite radio and MP3s just sound like crap IMO.

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  6. I always loved Alpines. My first one was a 7292 pull out tape deck with the six crystal buttons. A classic.

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  7. alpine is very good :) nice review :)

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  8. never customised or set up in-car systems, perhaps its the time?

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  9. Haha yeah i agree with bobby, its all about mp3s these days!

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  10. who the hell is in the market to buy a car stereo? only people are ones who've had their car stereo stolen, and they're in no mood to buy a new one.

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  11. I've had a couple Alpines never disappointed me. Nice post :)

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  12. In 2011 how could anyone be upset with no CD player?

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  13. I've been looking for a new stereo, but $300 is a little steep.

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  14. Great idea to branch out into the audio stuff.

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  15. Just spent all my money on a home one.
    Saving up for a car one.
    Will be shopping/looking around here.

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  16. used to rock the alpine, now i got myself some satelite radio, radio is pretty dope since u get to hear alot of neweer stuff before most people

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  17. Looks like a nice system. I would consider it if i had car right now.

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  18. This looks really cool! Seems like something I could use if I end up deciding to take my car along with me on my journeys :)

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