Alpine VS Kenwood

Ive been doing abit of window shopping getting some quotes here and there for some systems.

Ive pretty much got it dowm to 2.

System 1:
Kenwood KVT636DVD with bluetooth/Garmin Navigation/Steering modules http://au.kenwood.com/Car_Entertainm...ems/KVT-636DVD
JBL gto508c 5-1/4 splits front & rear
JBL 4chan amp gt5a604
Kenwood slimline 8" sub
18mm rear camera
4gauge wiring
$4400 installed

System 2:
Alpine IVA-D511EBT http://www.alpine.com.au/showItem.php?item_id=171
with bluetooth/Navigation/steering modules
Alpine 5-1/4 splits front & rear SPX-13PRO
Alpine Amp PDX-M6
Custom made subwoofer box
10" subwoofer Alpine SWS-1023D
4 guage wiring
$4700 installed

(They both come with tweeters but I cant make out the writing on both quotes lol)

Any ideas what to go for here or any other recomendations on systems in similair price ranges?

I would get 6.5" components, and avoid the 5.25's when you're spending that kind of money...

The tweeters will come with the speakers.

That is a lot of money to spend for the kind of system that you will get in the end. I would imagine that a lot of that cost is for the installation. As far as recommendations for a better system, I'd say to install it yourself and save half the cost, but I guess that depends on your time/knowledge/willingness to do it yourself.

Edit: I don't know much with the Kenwood gear, but you've listed Type X components and a Type S subwoofer for the Alpine setup... that seems strange to me... The Type X is the top line of woofers, and the Type S range is the budget line...

I would do double din if you're spending that kind of money too. Him going with 6.5" are gonna cost some change for some modifications to the door, if they do it right. Do it right the first time, I re-did my stereo 4 full times before finally doing it the way i wanted to and should have.

I noticed that the pdx-m6 is a mono channel amp, are they going to run the rest of the speakers with the radio?

Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using Bimmer App

Originally Posted by Scotty_89

I would get 6.5" components, and avoid the 5.25's when you're spending that kind of money...

Well, I want to stick to the original look, I dont want them drilling holes or making bigger holes etc, I wanna stick to the OEM speaker covers to keep the car looking as original as I can.

Edit: I don't know much with the Kenwood gear, but you've listed Type X components and a Type S subwoofer for the Alpine setup... that seems strange to me... The Type X is the top line of woofers, and the Type S range is the budget line....

Not really sure myself, Ill be calling them on Monday to confirm everything again because I was wondering why also, I know with one setup they only want the AMP to run the front 2 speakers & woofer and the rear two, to just run off the head unit

Codyfunk: Well I wanted double din but both these retailers said it cant be done on my car because of something that sits behind the current stereo? I wasnt sure what they were talking about but when I looked at other units, the double din seemed to all look to thick, compared to the dynavin which looks like a double din from the front but from a side view it looks like a single, so the screen is the only thing that covers the rest with a few millimetres thickness, where the others were pretty much the same width all the way back?

You can't go wrong with Alpine, I've had both between the several cars I've had in the past to present and ALPINE is the way to go. Amps, mid / low speakers, Subs, and decks>>>over all nothing but great quality! I've never had an Alpine amp overheat on me but unfortunately I can't say the same for Kenwood. Matter of fact I'm about to install an Alpine in-dash DVD player in my beemer. It's model IVA-D310. Good luck with your choice Selien.

Originally Posted by selien

Codyfunk: Well I wanted double din but both these retailers said it cant be done on my car because of something that sits behind the current stereo? I wasnt sure what they were talking about but when I looked at other units, the double din seemed to all look to thick, compared to the dynavin which looks like a double din from the front but from a side view it looks like a single, so the screen is the only thing that covers the rest with a few millimetres thickness, where the others were pretty much the same width all the way back?

That is correct. The e46 air vents require modification to fit a standard double-din. There are people who have done it, but it looks like a lot of effort.

If you're getting a shop to install it, I would avoid this because they will just "make it fit" any how they can. All of them will tell you how wonderful and customer friendly they are, but the truth is, they give you a quote based on the number of hours they are going to take to install it - and to meet this quote they will often cut corners where it saves them time and usually its stuff that you wouldn't notice unless you pull it out and check yourself.

When custom fabrication is involved - either expect to spend big money (show car money), or expect it to be cheap and nasty.


On another note, the speakers are 6.5" standard. The only issue is that some aftermarket manufacturers might make brackets or speaker baskets that don't bolt exactly up to BMW's factory points. Nonetheless, you won't be far off and it should only mean minor modifications of the speaker mounts or back side of the door card to get any 6.5" to fit.

The main problem I hear is depth, as many aftermarket speakers have bigger more powerful magnets that may not fit - however there's still plenty of speakers that won't cause trouble, just don't get overkill speakers.

The end result is that you will still have the factory looking speaker grills though, and the 6.5's will give much more oomph than the 5.25's.

I bought the standard 5.25 drop in replacements for my e36 (as they were 5.25 from factory) and I was disappointed. Don't make my mistake.

Edit: I'm with E462NV as above as well - I used alpine everything in my last setup and was very pleased. Top quality stuff.

Both alpine and kenwood make quality HU. I had an alpine flip out unit in my jetta and a kenwood unit in my chevy. It really is about user interface. Which you like better. Never had a kenwood amp but i had some alpine v12 amps that i was very happy with.
I am very ocd when it comes to my car. I strongly suggest that you watch the install. I had a shop do my first install what a mistake. Relaced all my spekers to find missing arm rest screws and smashed clips.

Originally Posted by Scotty_89

That is correct. The e46 air vents require modification to fit a standard double-din. There are people who have done it, but it looks like a lot of effort.

If you're getting a shop to install it, I would avoid this because they will just "make it fit" any how they can. All of them will tell you how wonderful and customer friendly they are, but the truth is, they give you a quote based on the number of hours they are going to take to install it - and to meet this quote they will often cut corners where it saves them time and usually its stuff that you wouldn't notice unless you pull it out and check yourself.

When custom fabrication is involved - either expect to spend big money (show car money), or expect it to be cheap and nasty.


On another note, the speakers are 6.5" standard. The only issue is that some aftermarket manufacturers might make brackets or speaker baskets that don't bolt exactly up to BMW's factory points. Nonetheless, you won't be far off and it should only mean minor modifications of the speaker mounts or back side of the door card to get any 6.5" to fit.

The main problem I hear is depth, as many aftermarket speakers have bigger more powerful magnets that may not fit - however there's still plenty of speakers that won't cause trouble, just don't get overkill speakers.

The end result is that you will still have the factory looking speaker grills though, and the 6.5's will give much more oomph than the 5.25's.

I bought the standard 5.25 drop in replacements for my e36 (as they were 5.25 from factory) and I was disappointed. Don't make my mistake.

Edit: I'm with E462NV as above as well - I used alpine everything in my last setup and was very pleased. Top quality stuff.

No, the factory hole is smaller than 6.5" thus, they make brakets for 5.25", to run a 6.5 you have to make modifications, but since we have all searched this question and seen DIY, i don't have to remind you all. Secondly, the modification to fit a double din is well worth while. Pull up a DIY and take it to the shop to show them and then inspect the work as they go, simple as that.

Here are a couple of my thoughts...

System 1: An 8" sub is a joke in these cars, with that in the trunk you would never hear it. You really need at least a 10" sub, Also JBL makes a great line of subs i would recommend over a kenwood.
System 2:
I would defiantly amplify the door speakers. To offset the cost of the added amplifier you could downgrade the rear speakers if you really want the rear fill.

Now overall I would suggest you use a 6.5" door speaker not a 5.25, and install the speakers to the door itself not the panel. Here is a great thread that covers mounting the speakers http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=443244 .