Anyone here ever use a Pioneer P1R?

[JnEsPappa]

I JUST worked out a deal for a used P1R **SPECS** and hope to receive it some time between June 7-11.

Let me just say....I AM 100% STOKED ABOUT THIS HEAD UNIT

I have been eyeing the P1R for a couple of years now, but $700 + was just rediculous. Since Pioneer introduced the P9,the P1R prices have dropped and I worked out a deal for $225 shipped for one.

Anyone here have experience with the unit? It has a built in mic for Auto Equalization which means it will set itself....I think....for a flat response for that portion of SQ comps, and I have no idea of how to set that up.

Any tips on time alignment from the Alpine users?

I am giddy like a little girl,

[Agent WD-40]

Sweet head unit and a sweet price. Let us know how you like it when you get it. I should listen up to the time alignment tips. I haven't really wanted to spend the time yet. With my minimal fussing I haven't been impressed with the feature though.

[mikey]

Looks like an awesome head unit, Mark. I never even knew this thing existed! I have an Alpine 7998 with Time Alignment and, for me at least, I think this is a very useful feature. It allows you to adjust not only side-to-side and front- to-back speaker timing but also allows you to delay the door speakers relative to the subs and bring the low frequencies right onto your dash. In effect, this allows you to create an accurate soundstage with good imaging, with all the bass coming from the front. Done well, you should be able to come close to a live performance. Use your Autosound 2000 test disc to fine tune your imaging. On the CD#102 there is a drum solo on track 24 - crank it up and if it doesn't sound like the guy is sitting on your dash I will be surprised.

It takes a lot of space to explain time alignment. Your manual should tell you how;you can also download the manual from www.alpine1.com for any head unit with the Bass Engine Pro feature and look there. It isn't hard to do - just takes some time to measure, do the calculations, then look stuff up in a table Alpine provides in the manual.

I found that the settings they provide are a good starting point, not the be-all and end-all. Start where they say to start, then mess with it until the soundstage is the way you want it. The reason for this is that the center of the soundstage is different for each of us, preference wise. You may like it in the center of the dash and I may want it centered on my listening position. Playing with the settings allows you to balance it the way you want it. Be sure to write the initial settings down and play with it. Be sure to also play with the subwoofer settings - see if you can delay the fronts to allow the low frequencies to come up front.

Alpine also tells you how to expand the soundstage - that is, adjust the time correction to make the soundstage appear wider than the truck is. This works but not as well as they suggest. What is does, at least to me, is make the music sound more spacious, if you know what I mean.

Give it a try and let us know how it goes. Maybe we can add more if you have specific issues.

Good luck!

[JnEsPappa]

Originally Posted by mikey

In effect, this allows you to create an accurate soundstage with good imaging, with all the bass coming from the front. Done well, you should be able to come close to a live performance. Use your Autosound 2000 test disc to fine tune your imaging. On the CD#102 there is a drum solo on track 24 - crank it up and if it doesn't sound like the guy is sitting on your dash I will be surprised.

Good luck!

Now THAT sounds exciting. The wait is going to KILL ME, LOL.

Thanks Mikey! I'll post results as I work through the settings.

I recently read Agent's post about the 63 Hz crossover points, so I plan to give that a whirl as well. Combined with the variable crossover slopes, I should be able to blend the bass and mids pretty seemlessly.

[mikey]

I forgot to mention one more thing. On track six of the CD#102, there is a drum sequence that marches 7 snare hits, from extreme left to extreme right. If you get the time alignment right the fourth hit will be exactly where you want the center of your soundstage to be. The first and the last hit should sound equidistant on the left and right, respectively. ALL the sound should come from the front; no perception of sound should come from the rear speakers. However, the rear should not sound empty. I know there are others who do not think rear fill speakers matter, which is cool, but when you set your time alignment up correctly I think you can hear the difference. For me, rear fill speakers do matter. Sorry if this makes waiting harder.

[BlueRanger]

Dammit guys, your making me want to ditch the factory unit now!!!