Alpine CDE-172BT CD Receiver

I made the mistake of buying a Boss 616UAB to replace the POS am/fm cassette player in my camper because it came with a remote control and could be used with a bluetooth device. I spend 4 days a week in that camper - it's parked by my work - so I wanted something functional. I spent 2 hours removing the old stereo and putting in that Boss stereo, and it lasted a day and quit working. Evidently that's why it was only $40. This unit is about 4 times the money, and the remote was about $30, but hory clap - it works fantastic! I'm getting pretty hard of hearing, but I enjoy listening to podcasts in my off time. I need something loud and clear. I had replaced the cheap ass factory speakers a couple of years ago with some Infinity Reference speakers and they actually helped that old radio until it conked out. But with this Alpine, they really are clear. When I turn on a newscast, it sounds like someone sitting there talking - very realistic. I can turn it up load enough to hear in the bathroom and it doesn't distort. When the audio program ends, there is no hiss - no hum, nothing but silence. I have Alpines in other equipment, and they have always held up well. I have one in a work truck with Boston Acoustic speakers - it must be about a decade old, and it still works fantastic even in freezing weather or blazing sunshine. The only rub I have with this unit is the instruction manual is almost 50 pages. I guess a kid would want to change his display or God knows what else this thing will do, but for a cranky middle aged man, I just want to turn the damned thing on and hear my program without having to study a NASA moon launch protocol manual.This has been a real learning experience - I'll never go cheap and try to save a couple of bucks on a radio again. From now on, I'll buy Alpine.

No complaints. It works just like it's supposed to. Very impressed with the sound quality over my older Alpine CDA-105 I replaced. Coupled with good Infinity Speakers, a KTP-445A Alpine booster, and a Rockvile slim sub in a S10. Thing sounds amazing.Not understanding the poor reviews most of them are because the instructions weren't read and comprehended. Lighting settings work fine. Problem with the contrast? Change the display color with 3 clicks and a turn of the knob. Can't see the manual sound settings? Press once quick on the settings button. There they are! Rotate to make your setting, tap the knob to go to the next setting. Just like pretty much all Alpines. Manual EQ settings in the EQ section are in the 3-Band setting there, if you need that. I'm happy with no EQ setting and tweaking it like I want it. Stereo doesn't sound good or very low? Usually that's really poor speakers or the wires are hooked up backwards.Most of the BT issues are because people don't realize they are still connected to some other BT device in their house when they get in their car. You need to disconnect from your other BT source to get the stereo to pick up the signal easily. Couple times I forgot and wondered why no sound til I got down the road a bit. That's why. Bluetooth setup is a snap too. If you have both slots filled, just reconnect as a new device and select 1 or 2, it will work fine and overwrite the previous BT device. You do NOT have to reset the entire box to make that happen.I'm very impressed with the sound quality. Just get it, it's an awesome unit.

I've always been a fan of Alpine products. Sound quality has always been superb, and even seem to hold up years after the fact to compete with newer tech that comes out from competitors. If you want great sound quality, Alpine has always been a solid choice. Problem is, Alpine can be expensive.Well, this unit surprised me. The sound quality is great, typical of a brand I've come to love and enjoy. What gets me is the features for the price though. For the first time in my life I have a bluetooth stereo system in my car, and I'm so spoiled I can't ever go back! Pairing was simple and quick, and now I don't even have to take out my phone. I hop in the truck and start driving, it will sense my iphone and automatically start playing whatever I was listening to last, even if spotify is closed. No more auxiliary cable!! No more alternator whine!! I can charge my phone and play music at the same time without interference, which is truly a gift to be cherished. Thank god for bluetooth! At this price point too, it's almost too good to be true. When I get my other truck back on the road again, this will be going in that vehicle too.For those of you without bluetooth, or who don't like the automatic playback idea (I'm sure there is a setting you can change but I like it so I didn't bother looking) this comes with an aux and USB input, and there is an option to purchase satellite radio and use this as a receiver. There are plenty of inputs and outputs in the back too, for those with a more advanced setup with amps and subwoofers. For those of you who like to customize things, you can choose the color of the display and the text. Another really awesome feature is blackout, so you aren't blinded by head unit lighting late at night.I would strongly recommend this unit for your vehicle, I've been extremely happy with mine so far!

Installed in my Mercedes, occasionally I'll have a bluetooth problem when the bass is turned too high the radio will cut out(if battery is low or needs replacing) and then the bluetooth will take 5 mins to reinitialize and chops 6 times before the radio sounds clear and normal, this wont be a problem for someone with a good or new battery