One of the most common upgrades to a car’s factory stereo is the addition of a large touchscreen display. These “infotainment” head units give drivers and passengers a detailed look at navigation details, diagnostic information, and, of course, all forms of entertainment. Smartphone-specific interfaces like Android Auto or Apple’s CarPlay mimic their respective operating systems, essentially putting every function of your smartphone right onto your dash. But fitting a large screen can…
Alpine
CES 2018: Alpine Jeep Speaker Systems
Jeep owners who spring the new Alpine X209-WRA-OR off-road-specific head unit might also find themselves looking for a new set of speakers to go along with their premium receiver. If so, Alpine has them covered. We learned more about a pair of Jeep speaker systems that will offer audio upgrades to a variety of XXX. The Alpine PSS-20WRA is an all-inclusive, 100% plug-and-play speaker system for 2007-2017 Jeep Wranglers, and includes a pair…
CES 2018: Alpine X209-WRA-OR and I207-WRA Restyle Jeep Head Units
It’s no secret we’re big fans of Alpine Audio—especially their lineup of Jeep head units, which we’ve used in multiple Wrangler builds in the past—and visiting them at CES is an annual highlight. This year, we stopped by to see what’s new in the world of Alpine’s Jeep products, including a pair of new in-dash entertainment units. First up was Alpine X209-WRA-OR, the newest refinement to the company’s Restyle line of in-dash…
Best of CES 2017: Our Favorite Gadgets
In a sea of biggest, brightest new products you can imagine from the industry powerhouses, sometimes it’s the clever, small items that catch your eye the most. Here are some of our favorite gadgets from CES 2017. iPowerUp Solar Charging Phone Case Solar-powered phone cases are nothing new, but good solar-powered phone cases are. In our experience, the cases typically never meet their claimed specs, taking much longer than expected to deliver any…
CES 2017: Alpine Mobile Audio
Alpine’s CES booth is one of our favorite stops each year, featuring tons of new products and some very impressive display vehicles. This year was no different, as we got to check out an abundance of their upcoming audio products, as well as some other goodies. We learned about the new Alpine X-Series, which is the company’s new overarching series of flagship amps, speakers and subwoofers. The X-Series will focus on audio attributes…
CES 2016: Alpine X009 In-Dash Restyle System for Trucks and SUVs
It’s no secret that we love Alpine audio. Their lineup of Restyle in-dash navigation and entertainment units for trucks and SUVs has been immensely popular, with the X009-WRA system being the choice for our very-own Jeep Wrangler project vehicle. So we were stoked to spend some time at Alpine’s CES booth, learning about what they’ve got in store for 2016. As expected, much of the focus was on the continued evolution of the Restyle line, including…
CES 2016: Alpine USA Jeep and Chevy Silverado Display Vehicles
Our CES 2016 coverage continues, and this one is for the gearheads. How awesome are these Alpine USA display vehicles? While you’re not likely to see any CES action from the major car makers, the show does attract its fair share of killer automobiles, usually in the form of product displays that show off other manufacturer’s newest wares. A couple that caught our eye were these beasts in the Alpine USA booth.…
Bring On The Winter Commute
Abt’s Mobile Installation team delivered a rolling symphony of sound to the Abt sales floor this past weekend. A 2010 Mercedes C300 has been outfitted with Focal speakers, amplifiers, and subwoofers. The most impressive part of the installation is zero modification to the factory interior of the vehicle. While keeping all of the factory controls in the dashboard and cutting no holes in the panels, the audio has gone from plain and…
I’m hoping that none of our readers have been ticketed for talking on their cell phone while driving in a hands-free zone. If you want to continue your luck, or maybe change your luck if you have been caught, I would recommend the Alpine DCSBT1 Bluetooth Hands Free Speaker. It is on sale now until Monday for $99.99, an instant savings of $30! This device not only keeps you safe while you…
Get Ready for Summer Crusin'
Abt’s mobile audio department can get any vehicle ready to rock! It’s almost boating season, so make sure you aren’t stuck on a lake with nothing to listen to. We just got finished installing a new stereo system in a Yamaha jet boat today. It’s got new Kenwood speakers, a receiver made to use with an iPod, an Alpine marine amp, and Alpine marine sub woofers. Whatever mode of transportation you use,…