Jan 7, 2008

Achieving Superior Sound Is A Snap With New Head Unit Add-On Imprint Audio Processor From Alpine Electronics

The car’s interior is not meant for listeners to hear music the way the artist intended. The odd shapes and variety of materials significantly distort sound, making the listening experience less than ideal. Last year, Alpine Electronics of America, Inc., introduced IMPRINT™, a revolutionary sound processing architecture that automatically overcomes the inherent acoustical challenges found inside the vehicle, resulting in a rich, enveloping listening experience. This year, Alpine breaks fresh ground with the introduction of the PXA-H100 IMPRINT Audio Processor. This new solution enables music enthusiasts to add superior IMPRINT sound to almost any 2008 Alpine Ai-NET head unit via a small, easy-to-install module.

Alpine PXA-H100

The IMPRINT Sound Engine processor is powered by Alpine’s proprietary automotive implementation of Audyssey MultEQ® XT, an automated frequency equalization and time domain adjustment technology that minimizes acoustical distortion, resulting in vastly improved soundstage imaging, tonal balance and definition of music. The new PXA-H100 IMPRINT audio processor utilizes MultEQ XT to automatically tune the response in the vehicle to the user’s selection of a target sound curve. The result is an unparalleled custom listening experience, with a more dimensional soundstage and smoother, more accurate sound.

“Good sound tuning of a vehicle has been a technical and extensive undertaking. The new PXA-H100 IMPRINT audio processor not only simplifies the entire process, its small form factor and simple connection to the head unit make it even easier and faster for consumers to have sound systems optimized specifically for their cars,” said Stephen Witt, vice president, marketing and product planning, Alpine Electronics.

“Bringing the benefits of our MultEQ technology to automobiles is a logical extension of our home theater experience,”, said Michael Solomon, Audyssey CEO. “Our collaboration with Alpine was the result of both companies commitment to delivering the best possible sound experience for car owners.”

The PXE-H650 IMPRINT System Integration Audio Processor is ideal for those who want IMPRINT sound but wish to keep their OEM head unit, allowing them to improve their factory sound systems with aftermarket components.

The PXA-H100 lets consumers add Alpine’s IMPRINT sound engine to the following 2008 Alpine Ai-NET head units: iDA-X100, iDA-X200, CDA-9886, CDA-9884, IVA-W505 and IVA-D106. These head units all have the ability to connect to and control all IMPRINT functions through their easy-to-use on-screen controls. A new system building feature is the ability of the PXA-H100 to utilize the head unit’s built-in amplifier, using “Dual Input” technology. This becomes even more beneficial with additional sound system upgrades, such as the KTP-445 Head Unit Power Pack, which increases the head unit’s power output. The PXA-H100 paired with the KTP-445 received a CES Innovations 2008 Design and Engineering Award in the In-Vehicle Audio category.

The automated tuning process uses a microphone and specialized IMPRINT software accessed through a PC connection, as well as +12V and ground connections. (Consumers will require the separate KTX-H100 IMPRINT Tuning Kit, which includes the microphone, IMPRINT Sound Manager set-up software and a USB PC cable; alternatively, professional installers can use the KTX-100EQ IMPRINT Specialist Tuning Kit.) The microphone is placed throughout the vehicle’s cabin to accurately measure its acoustic response. MultEQ XT captures and aggregates the measurements, then plots hundreds of EQ adjustments (FIR filter taps) per channel. These precise adjustments optimize the sound reproduction to the specific vehicle listening environment with much greater precision than has been achieved with graphic or parametric equalization. Time alignment, as well as channel crossovers and levels are also calculated and applied automatically.

Users also can select manual tuning to create an acoustic environment adjusted precisely to their personal tastes. For manual tuning, the PXA-H100 offers five bands of parametric equalization or seven bands of graphic equalization, six channels of time correction and a 2/3 way crossover. The PXA-H100 has three pairs of 4V RCA outputs for system building flexibility. It also adds Alpine’s MediaXpander™ technology, which restores audio information lost in the recording and compression processes in today’s popular media formats, resulting in even fuller sound from audio files.

The PXA-H100 is one of three products to incorporate the IMPRINT Sound Engine processor. The PXE-H650 IMPRINT System Integration Audio Processor is ideal for those who want IMPRINT sound but wish to keep their OEM head unit, allowing them to improve their factory sound systems with aftermarket components. The PXE-H650 comes with its own calibrated, omni-directional microphone, which is placed throughout the vehicle’s interior to measure the cabin’s acoustic response. The unit has two input options, speaker level or aux-in, and seven channel outputs: front 1 left/right, front 2 left/right, rear left/right, and mono sub. The supplied IMPRINT Sound Manager software application uses MultEQ XT to collect and aggregate the vehicle’s acoustic measurements, plot hundreds of EQ adjustments per channel to that measurement, and then adjusts the signal on each channel to the chosen target curve. Channel crossovers and levels are calculated from the measurements and applied automatically. The result is a custom-tuned system, tailored to best match the vehicle’s hardware components and interior cabin acoustics, all done with a simple automated set-up process.

Rounding out the IMPRINT product line-up is the CDA-9887 CD/MP3/WMA/AAC receiver, which is designed to work specifically with the KTX-100EQ IMPRINT tuning kit. The CDA-9887 uses a 24-bit Burr Brown D/A converter for the best sound quality and playback of digital files. With three pairs of pre-outs (4V) and built-in 18W x 4RMS amplifier, the CDA-9887 offers great flexibility to add on other sources such as iPod®, HD Radio®, satellite radio and Bluetooth® hands-free phone calling (separate adapters and subscriptions required).