87 is done , that was last years.... media expander was the old "imprint technology" it's pretty much useless in the s2000 because you can't create a true image. The 9886 has alllot more than just bass engine.... it's more the user interface, the ipod controls on it are easy and user friendly... it also has 3 sets of 4 volt pre-outs vs 2 volt pre-outs with the other radios... this will give your amp more voltage coming into it for the RCAs , increasing the volume and clarity that the amp puts out raither than having to crank the amp to get the same volume and thus creating distortion. IT also comes with the ipod cable which saves you a couple of bux right there.

 

9886 seemed like the winner, but on crutchfields web site the reviews don't support what you say about the ipod. They remark that there are constant problems with the ipod not shutting off and then sometimes not playing as well as starting over when turned off versus continuing from where it left off. Does the Alpine IDA series have these issues?

 

some people who do reviews are idiots.... The ipod peice from alpine will stay ON after the radio shuts off untill the ipod is charged... it's not enough power to drain your battery though... the interface of the IDA is better for ipods, but still pretty slow , where as the 9886 is a fast link and has more data per-second... the newer IDA's that will be around later in the year will probably have that fixed.... Not knocking IDA at all though except for the fact you can't play CD's at all. As far as not playing as well , I think that's user error.... I have not had one complaint from the people i've sold them to.... I've sat with them for about 5 minutes and showed them how to use it correctly which is a must, if you don't read the intructions (which sometimes even I don't) you'll be lost and think it's hard, but once you understand it it's a breeze.

 

PM'd

 

Are you looking for lower bass or louder bass or both?

Go with a larger diameter sub if you want low. It'll generally give you louder bass too. If you want loud, get a higher power sub and an amp to match it.

Sub will sound like crap without a matching enclosure. In the S, since it's small, options are limited. It'll be wise to find a sub that requires a small enclosure.

 

Image Dynamics subs are made for small enclosures but still hit incredibly hard with excellent SQ. Go for the IDQ series. ($250 for a 12, little less for a 10, I believe)

Pick up a JL 500/1 amp to power it and keep the Alpine amp for your mids/highs. Having a separate amp for your sub is going to give it a better, more stable power supply for more accurate bass. ($450-500)

I like the Eclipse line of head units. For a little extra, you can pick up the Ipod adapter and go to town with it. Pretty much undisputed sound quality champs of HUs. The CD7100 has 8V pre-outs, and the CD5100/3100 have 5V pre-outs. 2V pre-outs is pretty much standard with any company, and 4V is the highest I've seen anything other than Eclipse. (CD7100 $600+, CD5100 $400+, CD3100 $300+)

Don't quote me on prices, it's been a while since I've shopped. ID prices don't change much, and I bought my JL 500/1v2 a few months ago for around that price (I believe). Picked up the CD7100 at the same time as the amp, and I believe it was around $550-600 (got a deal), not sure about the 5100/3100 because I didn't price them - I wanted 8V pre-outs.

 

take in mind though that while 8v pre-outs are great... some amps don't like that much of an input :-) JL is one of those.

 

That's what adjustable gains are for

My JL seems to like the 8V pre-outs just fine


EDIT: Maybe people aren't setting up their amps right? An amp works by multiplying your input voltages to provide a higher output voltage.

If you put in 8V pre-outs, and leave the gain where you would have it for 4V pre-outs, of course the amp isn't going to like it. The point of higher pre-outs is to keep the amp from having to work as hard to produce a desired output level. The harder an amp has to work, the more distortion becomes involved...

 

Sealed and it fit's in the tool well.

 

about preout voltage:
if the amp's gains are not adjustable up to 8v, which most of them aren't,
then as you turn up the volume on your headunit, the amp will clip long
before you see those 8 volts. In other words, your amp's maximum
(undistorted) output will be achieved much lower than the maximum on
the headunit, and any benefit of the higher power preouts will be wasted
(or you could damage something if you keep turning up the volume).