Navigation & Audio Alpine KTP445U + OEM non-HK & Speakers Review
#1
06-18-2013, 08:14 PM
Alpine KTP445U + OEM non-HK & Speakers Review
I thought I would share my initial experience with this set-up. My intent was to keep OEM dash look and compensate my loud exhaust system. I went to FutureShop for pro install.
The Alpine Powepack KTP445U is 45W RMS x 4 (2-4 Ohms), S/N =82, CEA-2006 rating. I did not select HPF and opted as a 2 channel amp. The input is from F & R of the OEM CD Boost receiver and the gain of Powerpack was set to 9:00 for both per Alpine's recommendation.
The OEM F&R speakers were connected in parallel (final 2 ohms) for Ch 1. Two Polk Audio 6" book shelf speakers (8 Ohms) were in the back cargo for Ch 2.
Alpine says that rear L/R can be bridged (90W RMS at 4 Ohms). I will try my 10" Rockford Fosgate P2 (50-150 RMS) I had since 2001 after ported box fab. June 24 Update: Failed...Powerpack does not have enough power to run this 10" woofer
My initial impressions: about 50% improvement over the OEM in loudness when using Channel 1 while retaining its audio cleanliness and 80% improvement when combined with Ch 2 (Polk bookshelf speakers). It lacks the 'highs' and the S/N clarity of aftermarket HU but less distortion at high volume when compared to my Pioneer receiver (with Infinity 6" co-axial speakers) in my other car but this improvement definitely met my expectations at low cost ($233 including install). It will definitely be better if OEM speakers are changed to high quality aftermarket speakers.
The Alpine Powepack KTP445U is 45W RMS x 4 (2-4 Ohms), S/N =82, CEA-2006 rating. I did not select HPF and opted as a 2 channel amp. The input is from F & R of the OEM CD Boost receiver and the gain of Powerpack was set to 9:00 for both per Alpine's recommendation.
The OEM F&R speakers were connected in parallel (final 2 ohms) for Ch 1. Two Polk Audio 6" book shelf speakers (8 Ohms) were in the back cargo for Ch 2.
Alpine says that rear L/R can be bridged (90W RMS at 4 Ohms). I will try my 10" Rockford Fosgate P2 (50-150 RMS) I had since 2001 after ported box fab. June 24 Update: Failed...Powerpack does not have enough power to run this 10" woofer
My initial impressions: about 50% improvement over the OEM in loudness when using Channel 1 while retaining its audio cleanliness and 80% improvement when combined with Ch 2 (Polk bookshelf speakers). It lacks the 'highs' and the S/N clarity of aftermarket HU but less distortion at high volume when compared to my Pioneer receiver (with Infinity 6" co-axial speakers) in my other car but this improvement definitely met my expectations at low cost ($233 including install). It will definitely be better if OEM speakers are changed to high quality aftermarket speakers.
Last edited by ED955S; 06-24-2013 at 06:20 PM. Reason: Update on plan to run the 10" RF woofer - Failed
#2
06-19-2013, 04:10 PM
Liking it more...
I am beginning to like it more and more as I spend more time driving & listening. The bookshelf speakers in the back are really big help. As of today, score is 9 of 10.
I thought I would share my initial experience with this set-up. My intent was to keep OEM dash look and compensate my loud exhaust system. I went to FutureShop for pro install.
The Alpine Powepack KTP445U is 45W RMS x 4 (2-4 Ohms), S/N =82, CEA-2006 rating. I did not select HPF and opted as a 2 channel amp. The input is from F & R of the OEM CD Boost receiver and the gain of Powerpack was set to 9:00 for both per Alpine's recommendation.
The OEM F&R speakers were connected in parallel (final 2 ohms) for Ch 1. Two Polk Audio 6" book shelf speakers (8 Ohms) were in the back cargo for Ch 2.
Alpine says that rear L/R can be bridged (90W RMS at 4 Ohms). I will try my 10" Rockford Fosgate P2 (50-150 RMS) I had since 2001 after ported box fab.
My initial impressions: about 50% improvement over the OEM in loudness when using Channel 1 while retaining its audio cleanliness and 80% improvement when combined with Ch 2 (Polk bookshelf speakers). It lacks the 'highs' and the S/N clarity of aftermarket HU but less distortion at high volume when compared to my Pioneer receiver (with Infinity 6" co-axial speakers) in my other car but this improvement definitely met my expectations at low cost ($233 including install). It will definitely be better if OEM speakers are changed to high quality aftermarket speakers.
The Alpine Powepack KTP445U is 45W RMS x 4 (2-4 Ohms), S/N =82, CEA-2006 rating. I did not select HPF and opted as a 2 channel amp. The input is from F & R of the OEM CD Boost receiver and the gain of Powerpack was set to 9:00 for both per Alpine's recommendation.
The OEM F&R speakers were connected in parallel (final 2 ohms) for Ch 1. Two Polk Audio 6" book shelf speakers (8 Ohms) were in the back cargo for Ch 2.
Alpine says that rear L/R can be bridged (90W RMS at 4 Ohms). I will try my 10" Rockford Fosgate P2 (50-150 RMS) I had since 2001 after ported box fab.
My initial impressions: about 50% improvement over the OEM in loudness when using Channel 1 while retaining its audio cleanliness and 80% improvement when combined with Ch 2 (Polk bookshelf speakers). It lacks the 'highs' and the S/N clarity of aftermarket HU but less distortion at high volume when compared to my Pioneer receiver (with Infinity 6" co-axial speakers) in my other car but this improvement definitely met my expectations at low cost ($233 including install). It will definitely be better if OEM speakers are changed to high quality aftermarket speakers.
#3
06-21-2013, 06:09 PM
I took out book shelf Polk speakers in back cargo and sat down in the back seat today. The rear OEM speakers does not do justice to Alpine Powerpack, just ordered MB Quart RKM169 Reference series co-axial to replace them.
June 25 order: MTX RT8PT 120W rms 8" sub box - will be replacing bookshelf Polk S5.
June 25 order: MTX RT8PT 120W rms 8" sub box - will be replacing bookshelf Polk S5.
Last edited by ED955S; 06-26-2013 at 05:50 PM. Reason: MB Quart RKM169 - MTX RT8PT combo
#4
07-03-2013, 05:55 PM
Finally put my MTX RT8PT self-powered sub. All I can say is NICE...the bass is finally there: tight & punchy but not overwhelmingly boomy. MB Quart for rear is yet to be installed...
Settings:
Gain: 10 o'clock position
LPF: 75 Hz (about 9 o'clock)
Input: rear channels of the Alpine Powerpack set at 9 o'clock gain.
Settings:
Gain: 10 o'clock position
LPF: 75 Hz (about 9 o'clock)
Input: rear channels of the Alpine Powerpack set at 9 o'clock gain.
Last edited by ED955S; 07-03-2013 at 08:33 PM. Reason: settings
#6
10-10-2013, 08:07 PM
The rear 6x9 MBQuart made only an audible difference in loud volume where the rear oem (only rated at 15W) started to fall short.
It has been more than 2 months of listening to this set-up that is hard to beat in $ to performance ratio.
OEM Front L/R ---> Front L/R input Alpine KTP445U --> Left Front/Rear Speakers connected in parallel & Right Front/Rear Speakers also connected in parallel.
OEM Rear L/R ---> Rear L/R input Alpine KTP445U --> MTX RT8PT Self-amped Sub.
I thought, I would conclude my project as my Mini is back to winter hibernation mode.
It has been more than 2 months of listening to this set-up that is hard to beat in $ to performance ratio.
OEM Front L/R ---> Front L/R input Alpine KTP445U --> Left Front/Rear Speakers connected in parallel & Right Front/Rear Speakers also connected in parallel.
OEM Rear L/R ---> Rear L/R input Alpine KTP445U --> MTX RT8PT Self-amped Sub.
I thought, I would conclude my project as my Mini is back to winter hibernation mode.
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