Posts Tagged ‘Alpine IDA-X305 review’
The Alpine iDA-X305 is an in-dash head unit that is designed to provide seamless control of your iPod, iPhone and other digital devices over your car stereo. The high resolution 2.2-inch color TFT display allows you to view your iPod album art and displays song and track information, and also has a large clock display. The large double-action rotary knob gives maximum control of functions like QuickSearch for finding sound and adjusting volume. This knob is removable for anti-theft purposes, and there is an option of blue or red illumination. The superfast USB connection, with included cable, provides ultra-fast digital data transfer with newer iPods, and a 24-Bit D/A converter with a signal to noise ratio of 105 dB ensures great quality sound. The Alpine iDA-X305 has expandable options to add other media sources such as HD Radio, Satellite Radio, DVD changer and other auxilary sources. Other optional system upgrades include iTunes tagging, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity and steering wheel remote control.
Design
The most prominent aspect of the X305’s interface is the control knob that sits just left of its center. Alpine calls this the Double-Action Encoder, for reasons we’ll mention below. The knob can be twisted to perform such actions as adjusting the volume or scrubbing through menu options and media.
Selections are made by pressing the large Enter button in the center of the knob. Reversing through menus is accomplished by hitting the back button to the left of the knob.
Pressing in on the outer ring of the encoder and twisting activates the second action in the Double-Action namesake: QuickSearch. People can chose between either Percentage search (which jumps to a specific part of a list in 10 percent increments) or Alphabet search (which jumps through a list in order of initial letter). Search modes are easily chosen with a tap of the F button between the knob and the screen, and allow for quick navigation of large digital media libraries.
To the right of the control knob is the 2.2-inch, full-color TFT display. Here you’ll find iPod album artwork and menu information. The entire faceplate is backlit in cool blue light, but can be changed to red if that better suits your ride’s color scheme.
The left side of the faceplate is home to additional buttons for skipping tracks, pausing playback, and power/selecting audio source. A phone button answers incoming calls or activates voice-activated dialing when the iDA-X305 is paired with the Alpine KCE-400BT Bluetooth hands-free module. For security purposes, the iDA-X305 features a partially removable faceplate, so you can take everything except the 2.2-inch screen with you when you leave your car.
Features
The iDA-X305 is a mechanical-free device with no moving parts. That means no CD-slot and no tape player. With the exception of the AM/FM radio, the X305 subsists on a completely on a digital diet.
Using the included USB pigtail, listeners can plug in a portable USB drive or MP3 player for complete access to the file structure. Compatible file formats include DRM-free MP3, AAC, and WMA.
In a nice tip of the hat to iPod users, Alpine has included a short, black dock connector cable with the X305, which looks cleaner and keeps us from having to carry our stock white cable back and forth.
New in the X305 is full “Works with iPhone” compatibility, so no longer will you get a nag screen when connecting your iPhone 3G. Additionally, the X305 will also charge your iPhone while you listen, something that the X100 didn’t do.
While the iDA-X305’s feature set is essentially limited to radio and digital audio playback, it is capable of being extended and expanded with Alpine’s line of add-on modules. We already mentioned the KCE-400BT, but the X305 is also compatible with Alpine’s TUA-HD550 HD Radio tuner with iTunes tagging functionality.
Simple iPod navigation and control
The big jog dial in the middle works just like an iPod’s click wheel. Turn it a little to access Search mode, then scroll line-by-line. Turn and hold the knob to move to Alphabet Search mode — now you can scroll through the alphabet to blaze through your lists of artists, albums, or songs. The current song keeps playing, so you won’t interrupt the music while you’re searching. The convenient “Back” button lets you backtrack through the menus, instead of starting over from the top.
Play your other digital files, too
Put your favorite MP3, WMA, and AAC files on a thumb drive, and you’ve got an easy way to stock up on tunes for your next road trip. Or play another USB-equipped music player through the USB slot.
Flexible system-building options
This versatile stereo works with all of Alpine’s peripheral gear, including satellite radio, auxiliary input adapter, add-on USB input, or CD changer. Add an HD Radio™ tuner, and you can “tag” songs you hear on an HD Radio broadcast for purchasing later in iTunes®. With Alpine’s optional KCE-400BT Bluetooth® interface, you’ll be able to answer or place a call with a touch of a button. You can also stream music from a music phone or Bluetooth-capable music player.
Three sets of preamp outputs simplify setting up a system with external amplifiers and subs, and you’ll appreciate the ability to control the subwoofer’s output level from the stereo. For the best possible sound quality, add Alpine’s PXA-H100 IMPRINT sound processor and KTX-H100 tuning kit — the IMPRINT measures your car’s acoustics and adjusts the stereo’s settings automatically to create a perfect audio environment.
Performance
The internal amplification receives a 5-watt per channel boost from the X100 to the X305. However, while power is now rated at a peak output of 50 watts by four-channels, average power output remains at 18 watts per channel.
The character of the audio can be tweaked with a two-band (bass/treble) equalizer with a loudness function. Those who need more control can add the IMPRINT audio processor for an additional charge to custom tune the audio to their particular vehicle.
Additional power can be had by way of the upcoming headunit power pack, which boosts average power to 50 watts per channel, with an unstated max, or by adding external amplifiers using any of the three 5-volt preamp outputs (including a dedicated subwoofer output, with its own gain control).
General features:
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digital media receiver (no built-in CD player)
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built-in amplifier (18 watts RMS/50 peak x 4 channels)
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plays MP3, WMA, and AAC music files from external sources
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2.2″ full-color TFT display
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detachable face
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iTunes tagging with Alpine’s optional TUA-T550 HD Radio™ tuner
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optional remote control
Audio features:
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2-band parametric equalizer
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Burr-Brown 24-bit digital-to-analog converter
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compatible with Alpine’s PXA-H100 IMPRINT audio processor and KTX-H100 tuning kit
Expandability:
iPod control: direct connection to USB input for newer iPods (older iPods will need Alpine’s KCE-422i interface cable) compatible with Alpine’s HD Radio tuner, Bluetooth adapter, CD changer, satellite radio
inputs: USB input
outputs: 6-channel preamp outputs (front, rear, subwoofer) — subwoofer output has bass level control
In sum
Everything that we liked about the X100 is back and better than ever in the iDA-X305, so our recommendation of this receiver for people with large digital audio collections is a no-brainer. We also like the extendability of the X305 through Alpine’s collection of add-on modules and the freedom it gives us to build our cabin tech experience one piece at a time.
However, while many users have successfully made the jump to a completely device-based approach to their music collections, many more still depend on physical media. If you can’t break your addiction to CDs, perhaps this isn’t the receiver for you.
Pros:
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digital iPod control
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quality 24-Bit Burr-Brown DAC
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includes a remote control
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Bluetooth ready (requires add-on)
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Quick Search for large song volumes
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DVD & HD/Satellite radio ready (requires add-ons)
Cons:
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poorly implimented knob
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cheap build quality
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most functionality requires add-ons to be purchased separately
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no CD player
