Alpine iLX-W650

I just ordered this head unit to replace my aging and malfunctioning CDE-W235BT. Finally upgrading to a touch screen with full Apple CarPlay.

My existing system includes a 5 channel Alpine amp driving the stock speakers and a 8" JL Audio sub in a truck box. I'm eventually going to upgrade to a 10" JL, but the 8" really bumps with the 200W sub input from the amp. I don't listen loud...I like clarity over volume, and I'm old. The 8" sub is tight and plenty deep, but I'd like a bit more below 50hz.

Music of choice is EDM. Specifically Tiesto, Deadmau5, , Armin VanBuuren, etc. I'm a 51 year old former nightclub and rave party DJ, so the beats are in my blood.

I wanted to start this thread to give the new Alpine iLX-W650 a home on Tacoma World. I'll post install pics and maybe do a writeup. Stay tuned.

Anyone else considering this brand new unit for your Tacoma?

I always get my car audio gear from Crutchfield for a lot of reasons. Here's a link to the unit:

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_500ILXW650/Alpine-iLX-W650.html?search=ilx-w650&skipvs=T

 

I have looked at this one too.. Post up with your thoughts about it after you get it installed.

 

I have yet to install one yet but have def done my research on this unit. For the money ( alpine not always the cheapest by any means ) this is a KILLER price and unit for what you get. Also, they make the amp that will mount to the back of the heat sink to really give you the power that it kinda lacks. Rms is 14 watts per channel.

 

Update 1:

Items have begun to arrive from Crutchfield. Got the Alpine head unit last night, along with the matte black Metra radio dash bezel for the Toyota Tacoma. It has a great matte finish, so it should look great in the truck. The old bezel is stock silver. Of course, once I go black, I may never go back, or so I've heard. Hmmm.

I'm expecting my backup camera and Sirius XM adapter thing today via brown Santa. I also went ahead and ordered new speakers all around, and a new JL Audio 12" subwoofer in a truck box to replace my 8". I was going to go 10", but the price was right on the 12", so I bumped it up. (Get it...BUMPED it up? It's a subwoofer, and they bump...ok, I'll stop) I should have everything for the system rebuild by Friday, and if weather cooperates, a weekend install.

 

Speakers arrived today. Going to put everything together to pull door panels and dash this weekend and get myself going on the install. Here's a pic of the new dash bezel with the head unit held in place to give an idea what it's going to look like.

As you can see, the finish on this Metra bezel looks really good. I also took the opportunity to order the Schosche bezel as well, and it's in the box with the speakers that arrived today. I'll post a pic of it when I get home from work later today.

 

I'm running an

$407 Alpine MRV-V500 Five Channel Power Amplifier

Alpine MRV-V500 5-channel amplifier to run the system, so the small amp that attaches to the back of this head unit won't be necessary for me, but I really love that Alpine is thinking about more power and doing it in small form factor in the Double DIN opening. I've been an Alpine fanboy for decades...

 

subd

 

Just got home from work and grabbed my goodies from my porch.

Here's the Schosche dash bezel...


I don't really like it as much. It has a much cheaper, plastic feel, and it is the stock dash color. It also sets the head unit WAY back into the opening, to the point there's a big shelf at the bottom edge of the head unit. Ugh. No bueno. Picture is crap, but you get the idea better here:


I'll probably go with the black Metra bezel.

 

Here's the rest of what's going in. Infinity in front doors, JL Audio in the rear. I have a JL Audio 12" sub coming as well, but it's not due to arrive until Monday. It'll be plug and play, though, to replace my JL Audio 8" truck box subwoofer.

 

Are you going to install a front camera as well? iirc this thing has a separate input for it, no?

 

No front camera at this time. The iLXX-W650 has inputs for front and rear cameras, so this one will be for the rear. I may add a front camera soon, though, because it'll make me want it having a blank switch staring at me. Maybe a dash cam instead of a front bumper cam...Hmmmm.

 

Following, about to get this also. Just want to confirm what all is needed.
Looking forward to this.

 

I didn't get as far as I wanted this weekend. Got the old head unit out, and got the new one installed into the bezel, but haven't had a chance to de-wire the old Alpine Pigtail from the truck so I can wire the new pigtail.

The new Alpine pigtail has an emergency brake and reverse lockout wire. Anyone with experience with a bypass for these, and if so, what did you use and why? I never use my e-brake, except when parking on a hill, so having to always use it would be a habit I'd have to get used to. Which I wouldn't. So, bypass is the best option for me. Any help appreciated!

 

Check this out: MicroBypass Parking Brake Override Bypass for Alpine MicroBypass https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006FKAHFM/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_awdo_t1_VkEFCbFXJ82B1

Would this work?

 

Over this past few days, I’ve gotten the head unit installed and the new subwoofer box wired up. I will pull it back outside when I return from a work trip to wire up the Sirius XM, the backup camera, and the brake bypass. I wound up going with a PAC TR7 unit for the bypass, since it’s default programmed for the Alpine video units. I haven’t pulled the door panels yet to install the new speakers, but that’s soon as well.

Overall, the Head unit is amazing. It’s super clean output and power is right where I want it. The Pre-outs on the rear plugged right into the inputs on my Alpine 5 channel amp, so nothing could have been easier. The subwoofer upgrade from 8” to 12” is so Night and Day, it’s not even funny. Before, I heard the bass well. Now, I hear it and I FEEL it!

More to come, and pics too!

 

Damn i wanted this stereo so bad and it is sold out everywhere, so i wen with the Pioneer NEX 1400

 

Subbed. Are you going to be using the Android Auto or Car Play? I'm kind of curious to know if you can split the single USB into to ports (with an adapter) and plug a USB in as well.....

 

I’m using the USB input to play a flash drive with my music library on it, since I don’t store any of it on my iPhone. From what I can tell and read in the manual, it’s an imput only, and doesn’t have charging ability. I hadn’t thought of splitting the single plug into two or more, and probably won’t, so no idea if that would or wouldn’t work.

I’m using Apple CarPlay for my iPhone 7+


O

 

Thank you. I have a hard time understanding why they would not make the one and only USB port an input only, especially when Waze is a battery hog.

So you're not using the carplay at all?

 

Yeah, I’ll use the CarPlay for phone calls
And maps/navigation and all the things besides music. I don’t have music downloaded onto my phone, so music will stay on the flash drive.

I’m on a work trip this week coming up but will be back by the weekend for some work on the system and some progress pics.

I haven’t installed the brake/reverse bypass or the camera yet, so I’m hoping to get those both done this coming weekend. Without the bypass wired in, only the basic settings are available and I haven’t been able to tweak the sound to my liking.

I was pleasantly surprised to find out the head unit has a built-in active crossover for sound stage adjustments, and getting it perfect is my first goal after wiring in the bypass unit, since all of the advanced (and most of the basic) settings are not available without it. Alpine does a good job of making sure you’re not messing with your radio while you’re driving.