First of all there exists a similar thread..
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/produc...neer-p880.html
Mods please do the need full
Quote:
Originally Posted by zucchero thought of comparing the two hu.both the hu were connected to the proceesors in lbm's car.we made a copy of two cds so that we can run both the units simentaniously.the only difference was that p80 was running through a stringer rca with nuetrik connector but the 9887 had a monster 300 series rca.
before comparing we made sure that both the hu were in FLAT mode without any eq settings.
the difference what I felt was huge.the lows were welly well defined,super tight in 9887 as compared to the p80rs which were more or less boomy.
the soundstage was way better in 9887 then compared to p80.the tweeters were more ACTIVE in 9887 bringing the soundstage upfront without any kind of harshness.vocals were clear in 9887 as compared to p80prs(not sure if this could be because of the different rca's)
with due respect to all the p80 owners ,this is a fabulous hu to own.in terms of looks and build quality it is way ahead then 9887(the typical alpine look with those blue buttons).i found p80 to be slightly laid back but thats my observation.given a choice i PERSONALLY would take 9887 over the p80. |
Thank you Phaji for the start. And congrats on your new headunit and I knew you will be biased on it Chalo here is my Unbiased review.
Ok one more thing the rca is not Stinger it is Supra with Neutrik RCA Plugs.
Now my evaluation. Lets go according to Lucky singh. There was difference but not HUGE according to me. A little EQ adjustment here and there in either of the HU both will sound the same.
The lowers were a little high on the P80 when compared to 9887 but not boomy they were exactly the same tonally and speed wise on both the HU but the level was a little high on the P80 that I agree. The soundstage was a little high not upfront on the 9887 than the P80 but it has a reason behind it. Because 9887 is a little brighter then the P80 but what the sound stage has to do with ? Since guys you know I have a 3-way setup. The tweeters are at a-piller base the mid is on the door close to the power window switch and the midbass at the stock location. The tweeter is HPF at 7khz and the midrange is at HPF at 300 hz and LPF at 7 khz. Now when we played the 9887 there must be a boost at freq more than 7 khz which made the soundstage a little higher but in the case of P80 there must be a cut at freq at 7 khz which made the soundstage lower as the midrange are mounted lower. Having been both the tweeter and midrange mounted together the sound stage would have been the same on both the HU. The imaging and rest of the things were similar. In all of this the 9887 treble is not harsh it is good and has warmth but the P80 is more warmer. I absolutely did not found any difference on the mids part they were 100 % same on both the HU.
Built qualty of both the HU is great no doubt on that part. But I have seen the Pioneer jog dial in few of my friends HU a little loose since time. But it also a lot depends how one use there HU. Button on the 9887 look loose as there was lots of gap in the place where they were mounted unlike pioneer.
Looks P80 wins Hand done the 9887 does not stand a chance.
Interface I like the Pioneer interface quite easy to access and understand, use also. The Alpine interface takes a little time to understand but after some usage it is good. I have Alpine PXA.
The loading and ejecting of CD was fast on the Alpine when compared to the Pioneer which is a good thing.
The Harness which comes with the Alpine is standard color coded but no labels were there are always given with pioneer.
Pioneer has a motorized face plate and the 9887 has normal flip down.
The Alpine has lots of expansions unlike pioneer. I can connect the PXA with it and control from it.
Bottomline. If one likes a good looking HU with lots of feature P80 is the answer. But If one want a high tech HU with infinity large number of tunning options 9887 (but with PXA) is the way to go.I would personally bought 9887 but since I have the PXA first and had the pioneer Ipod interface with me I go the P80. But with out PXA Pioneer wins.