Alpine Intros Add-Ons, Enters Marine Market

By Amy Gilroy On Jan 7 2008 - 8:00am

Alpine is launching new add-on products for its 2008 head units including a plug-in mini amplifier.

The company also entered the marine market with a full line of components and speakers including a mechless head unit (without a CD mechanism).

The company's first add-on module is a "PowerPack," digital mini amplifier that boosts the power of any Alpine 2007 or 2008 head unit up to 45 watts by 4 RMS (from 18 watts). The unit is a small black box that plugs into the radio harness and can be hidden behind the dash. It will ship in January at a $99 target suggested retail.

Another add-on is an Imprint plug-in module that automatically adjusts the sound system to your vehicles' interior for optimal acoustics. It works with most Alpine units including mechless models. Called the PXA-H100, it ships in March 2008 at a suggested retail of $180.

Alpine is also introducing an HD-Radio tuner module with iTunes tagging called the TUA-T550HD. When a user hears a song he likes on the radio, he pushes a button. The module will store up to 50 tagged songs, which automatically appear on the user's iTunes menu the next time he synchs his iPod with a PC. (The iPod need not be connected to the radio for the system to work). The module will ship in February at a target retail price of $149. The iTunes tagging feature works with the Alpine iDA-X100 mechless and IVA-W505 A/V receivers.

Alpine's first marine models include the mechless iDA-X100M that is satellite radio and Bluetooth ready (with optional module) at $349.

For other Alpine information, see "Car Stereo Suppliers Push Advanced PNDs" and "More Mechless Head Units Debut."