Review of the new Alpine ICS-X8 with Galaxy S3 in Ray’s Audi

Alpines new MirrorLink™ model ICS-X8 Mobile media station has just been installed in my car and I must say I am impressed. Even an old sceptic like me who has seen and heard it all in the car audio field has been surprised by first of all, the outstanding sound quality of this unit and secondly its versatility. The old unit that came out was no slouch (Alpine INA-W910R) but the X8 is a much better starting point for any audiophile who can appreciate the extra control over the sound field that the parametric equalisation and time alignment can bring.

My reason for change was brought about by my dissatisfaction with my iPhone’s ability to simply make phone calls in my work locality. Whilst the iPhone is a great little multimedia device and would happily play music through my old Alpine S900 and W910 units, it was dropping too many calls so when I saw the new Samsung Galaxy S3 I was sold. I still have the DAB and Digital TV hideaway boxes connected and of course the rear view camera working as before.

Alpine’s Galaxy of Audiophile Features

The Galaxy is now streaming music to the new ICS-X8 over Bluetooth A2DP but as soon as the Android app from Alpine/Samsung is available it will be able to connect to the unit using the cable. When this happens I will write a review on the extra functionality, so watch this space.

Although navigation mapping is available as an optional add-on for the ICS-X8, I am using my TomTom connected device so have no need for it however Alpine has a new line up of in car navigation units coming that will all include the advanced audio features of the ICS-X8.

All In Car DVD’s are not Equal

EQ or equalization, the ability to compensate for losses and reflections of the audio signal in the hostile environment of a car is very important. The time alignment settings allow you to give the impression of moving the speaker position relative to your ears is also important. Within five minutes of playing with these controls I was able to achieve a sound stage and tweak the audio to my taste like no other system I have fitted before. Anyone who has been following my posts on the historical progress of the audio systems and other toys in this car will know that this vehicle has been through many changes from Audio Control matrix and other sound processors etc and whilst the Genesis amplifiers and Rainbow/Hertz speakers can’t be beaten, the audio source or head units have changed many times but only now do I feel I can have the ultimate control over the sound with the ICS-X8. Thank you Alpine

If you would like more information please call our friendly team on 0845 166 4454 (local rate) or Contact us..

Which DAB tuner for my car?

There are a confusing number of options when it comes to installing DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasts) tuners to cars. Which is the right choice for you?

When thinking about in car DAB the first question should be “Do you want to change the radio head unit?” This may be the easiest solution however many modern cars have integrated audio systems that make it very difficult to change the head unit in which case you need some sort of DAB converter but again which is best?

I will try to list the options and point you in the right direction…

Replacement DAB head Unit

New Head units with FM / DAB tuners are the simplest to operate (no remote controls) and can be integrated with the steering wheel controls of the car. New offerings from Alpine can also give Bluetooth connectivity and stream music from your smart-phone as well as charge its battery. So definitely the best way to go if you can exchange the radio system in your car.

AV input DAB

This option only works if your existing head unit has an Audio/Visual AV input, This is likely if you have already upgraded the radio in your vehicle to a Navigation type with a screen or if your car has a factory fitted screen in the dash it may be possible to obtain an auxiliary AV input adaptor if it is not already equipped with this. C-KO make the DAB2011 In Car DAB Hideaway Tuner and Connects2 make the Universal DAB plug-in tuner via radio AV input CTDAB-1 Both of these solutions give a menu system on the screen with all the available station information as well as song/artist playing etc. The down side is you need to operate them with an infra red remote control.

OEM Integrated DAB

This is a cool option if you don’t want to fit a new radio and you don’t have a screen in the dash. If you like your standard factory sound system but want In Car DAB that is fairly seamless and works with your existing steering controls you need the Connects2 AutoDAB This is another hideaway black box with vehicle specific wiring adaptors to suit nearly 95% of vehicles on the road today. Its fully integrated plug and play installation displays: radio text song, artist information on your Original Equipment Manufacturer head unit.

Universal Add on DAB

Companies like Pure and Beat have been producing cheap stick on glass FM modulator add on DAB tuners for some time and the results can be very patchy since the limitations on aerial and FM cross channel interference plagues these devises. The very latest Alpine Ezi-DAB resolves this by using a quality on glass antenna and can be hard wired to the head unit aerial connection or AV input. It looks very stylish with multi colour illumination to match your vehicle dash and can stream music and charge your iPod/iPhone. This is an inexpensive and easy solution if you don’t mind having a small extra device sitting on your dash.

If you are still confused please give our friendly team a call on 0845 166 7104 (local rate) and we will be happy to guide you to the right DAB solution for you. OEM Integrated DAB

Ezi DAB (Digital Radio) from Alpine

Alpine’s EZI-DAB is here at last. The Digital Radio adapter allows the addition of DAB to almost any car, no fuss, no complicated wiring just clear digital radio reception. You can pause and rewind live radio for up to fifteen minutes after the vehicles key has been removed. The Alpine Ezi dab has a choice of five illumination colours red, amber, green, blue and white and the window mount antenna allows digital reception without drilling holes in the car.

Add on DAB Receiver

FEATURES
In-car digital radio and audio adapter
Dual digital radio tuners supporting DAB/DAB+/DMBR
Band III and L-Band support
Detachable controller with white high contrast OELD display
5 illumination colours for controller buttons (blue/green/red/amber/white)
Auto-Dimmer function
Connection for iPod/iPhone/iPad (Standard Apple cable required) and USB with full music control and charging
Pause and rewind live digital radio
AUX input, Line output, USB upgradeable, 30 presets
Easy connection to the car radio (Line out, wired and unwired FM Transmitter)
DAB antenna included (KAE-225DA)
Full Apple connectivity, delivering media control from EZi-DAB (the USB port works with your standard Apple cable and is Works with iPod, iPhone and iPad compliant with full music control of these devices from the EZi-DAB controller) CAS Technology
Great media connectivity – playback from USB thumb drives etc.
Dual digital radio tuners provide a constantly updating dynamic station list – EZi-DAB adds new content and removes ‘dead’ stations as you move from one area to another across the country
Compact, dash-mounted detachable controller for reduced in-car clutter
EZi-DAB has an OELD display with fantastic contrast making it easy-to-read from any angle and at night
Includes active film antenna for best reception (KAE-225DA)
Easy installation – the interface box can be discretely installed in the most suitable location for the vehicle (behind the glove box, under the front passenger seat, etc.) and is powered directly from the car-wiring loom with a neat cabling solution. Extension cables can be run to accessible places so you can have access to USB and AUX connectivity for iPods, thumb drives, etc. and for software updates
Flexibility of installation – multiple ways of interfacing with your car radio: line out, FM transmit and FM transmit direct inject (no crackle)
Easy software updates via USB

Forecourt pause:
Forecourt pause helps you take control of your audio content and not miss a thing – even when you’re listening to digital radio – and has been designed for instances when you need to leave your vehicle and return again in a relatively short space of time, such as when you are visiting a petrol station or cash point. How does it work? When you take the keys out of your vehicle EZi-DAB will still receive power for around 15 minutes. In that period it sits in a “suspended” state (display off), meaning it is powered up but not actually playing any audio (this is best thought of as being like a low power mode: it won’t drain the battery). When you return to your vehicle and restart the ignition (within the 15 minute window), EZi-DAB will immediately switch back on and start playing again in one of the following ways:
If you were listening to an iPod track it will resume where it left off (the point when you last heard audio).
If you were listening to a digital radio station it will start to play live radio again.
You can also pause the digital radio broadcast for up to 8 minutes, so you can fill up with fuel, go and pay, get back in the car and continue listening where you left off.

Picnic mode:
Picnic mode is perfect for when you have parked in an idyllic country spot and want a bite to eat outside but within range of your vehicle and would like to have some background music. So with the ignition turned off and the keys removed, you throw open the doors and turn EZi-DAB back on and listen to whatever you want to. After an hour EZi-DAB will automatically shut down ensuring that you never drain the battery on your vehicle.
Note: both forecourt pause and picnic mode are subject to different vehicle specifications. For example some vehicles will only supply power to the main car stereo for 15 minutes with the ignition off and the keys out.

SPECIFICATIONS
Controller:
Controls: Backlit buttons including rewind and fast forward transport controls, play / pause, back, home and favourites. Rotary dial with push select.
Display: High contrast white-on-black graphical OELD display.
Display mode examples: Full screen station name, name and scrolling text, reception information.
Interface box / Tuner info:
Frequency ranges: Digital radio Band III 174–240 MHz, L-Band 1452–1490 MHz and FM 87.5-108 MHz
Digital radio tuners: x 2

Input connectors:
Digital radio antenna in: FAKRA SMBA connector
FM antenna in: ISO connector
Analogue AUX IN: 3.5mm auxiliary input
Power supply: 8 way latched Molex connection – 12V taken directly from the vehicles wiring loom
USB: (type A) USB connection for iPod, iPad, iPhone, external hard drives and USB sticks for audio playback, also used for firmware upgrade via USB stick

iPod & iPhone support:
2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th generation iPod Nano
iPod Touch 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th generation
iPhone 2G, 3G, 3Gs, 4
iPad, iPad 2

Output connectors:
FM antenna out: ISO connector for pass-through of FM connection
Analogue line out: 3.5mm headphone output
Controller connection: 6 way latched Molex connection to micro USB
Window mount DAB aerial included

In-car digital radio and audio adapter

AutoDAB Seamless DAB Digital Audio Integration

DAB Digital Radio free radio stations that seamlessly integrates with your factory car audio head-unit has been a long time coming. I first saw this technology at a trade show over twelve months ago and “Connects2″ have finally launched the AutoDab.

AutoDab is available for over ninety percent of cars and the full list can be seen on our website. There is no need for unsightly add-on boxes or windscreen mount units to display and tune into DAB signals. The AutoDab is a small hideaway box which connects through the cars aerial and talks to the vehicles CANbus signals that control the steering wheel car radio remote.

As with all DAB installations the quality of reception is largely governed by the signal strength in your broadcast area and the quality of your antenna and installation. In major conurbations (inner city) you should be OK with the supplied window sticker antenna however out in the country you will almost certainly benefit from a proper roof or body mounted aerial.

Features: All this for only £189.00 (Free Delivery)

Plug and Play installation
Stores favourite stations
No box on view
No wires on view
Fully integrated
Controlled from steering wheel controls
Uses car’s current displays
Voice prompt menu system
Displays: radio text
song, artist information
100’s of new radio stations
Maintains FM stations

The eagle eyed amongst you who read the installation instructions will notice that the mag-mount antenna mentioned is in fact this glass mount aerial Fitting is a simple job for any competent DIY’er or your local garage should be able to do it.

Some vehicles may require the add-on TMC module in order to keep the traffic information service operational and a list of these will be found on our website listing. This DAB solution is the first that really makes sense, many modern cars are coming with DAB installed and when the digital changeover happens there will be thousands of AM/FM radios hissing away so if you don’t have digital radio in your car now, this is the most professional looking and easy to operate way to do it.

The list of cars able to be installed with AutoDab is growing all the time, from Alfa and Audi through BMW, Fiat, Ford, Honda, Land Rover, Merc, Peugeot to Porsche, Vauxhall and VW. If your car is not on the list contact us and we will endeavor to find a digital radio solution for your vehicle.

AudioDab will have their own website at www.autodab.com We can supply and arrange installation throughout the UK and we have DAB solutions for every kind of vehicle applications and our DAB/TV antennas are unbeatable at 96db gain (see our ANT-536)

DAB digital car radio from Alpine

We Fit Stuff – Mobile Car Stereo Installation service

When you make a purchase from Caraudiostuff Ltd, you have choices when it comes to installing that Car Audio head unit, DVD entertainment system, Phone kit or parking sensors etc. You can Do It Yourself (DIY), You can bring it to our workshop in Dunbar East Lothian and let our expert specialists fit it for you, or you can have it fitted at your home or work premises’ either by our mobile car audio installers if you are local or by our nationwide network of independant specialist in-car entertainment fitters.

1. DIY

There are many guides and help available for keen amateurs but be wary of so called expert advice from websites like YouTube and Forums. Sometimes the advice they give is at best wrong and at worst dangerous. I recently watched an American YouTube tutorial which showed a Rosen AV7500 Headrest screen install where the fitter used scotchlocks or Tclips as he called them (we only ever twist/solder & wrap our connections) any of the crimpy type connections should be avoided. If you have purchased the product from Ray Smith CarAudioStuff you can contact us by telephone or email and we will make sure you get the best advice and instruction on fitting all car audio entertainment and security products.You can also check out our incar electronics tips section. If you get stuck you can always move on to stage two or three below.

2. Let us fit it.

If you take the time to bring your car to us we will give you a priority booking making sure your vehicle gets our best and quickest attention in our fully equipped workshop (Map directions) while we give you a lift into Dunbar high street and buy you a coffee at “Grayz Coffee & chocolate shop” , you can browse the shops and gallery’s or visit the historic harbour and when your car is ready we will give you a call and arrange to pick you up again or if you fancy exploring the area further with an overnight stop we can recommend “The Rocks” for dinner and accommodation. We can do Car Audio and DVD Navi Unit Fitting, Hands-free Car Kit Fitting, iPod/MP3 Connection, Speaker, Subwoofer And Amplifier Fitting, Parking Sensor Fitting and Camera Detector Fitting and much more.

3. Home or Work install

If you live in the Lothian’s, Edinburgh or Berwick our mobile fitting service can come to you for a small extra charge. Simply give us a call on 0845 166 7104 and make an appointment. If you are further afield we can arrange for one of our network of specialist dealers to look after you. The Four Master Network is made up of specialists with the same expert skills that we have and while not all of them may offer a mobile service and a trip to their local premises’ may be necessary, if this is a problem for you we will endeavour to find you a good qualified mobile fitter. Simply let us do the searching for you, we have many friends in the industry and we have not been beaten yet. We can arrange everything so one single payment at time of purchase can be made and a fitting voucher supplied if this suits.

Prices.

We won’t try to dupe you with free fit or ridiculously cheap offers like some websites, common sense tells you that quality workmanship is not free, I wish I had a pound for every Halfords free-fit we have rectified. Our labour is based on £40 per hour, we can fit the average head unit in half an hour using the proper harnesses and facia panels (extra cost). For a free quotation please contact us or call 0845 166 7104

For more helpful information see our Installation Guide