Alpine EX-10 direct to antenna

Hi, I went to the installer to get the Alpine ex-10 installed, directly into the radio antenna and it couldn't happen. Apparently, there is a wire (KWE-155B FM antenna splitter) that Alpine is not including in the box that has to be ordered separately. So I left empty handed. This is not the 1st time this has happened to me with an Alpine product, where something else has to be ordered in order for the unit to work as it was intended. I guess its not uncommon. I will let you know how it works out after the wire comes in. Joe D.

Not only does the KWE-155B not come with the unit, the part isn't even available yet in the US. However, I've been fairly happy modulator and will probably stick to it.

Hang on there!!! My CS is at the shop having that corrected as we speak. The part you are referring to apparantly IS in as of this AM. Am I being sung some cowboy music or is my installer telling me the truth? KJ

The last time I check was a couple of weeks ago, and I could only find the part in the UK. If your installer does have it, let me know where he gets it from!

Will do!! KJ

Hi, Well the wire came in and I finally got the Alpine Ex-10 installed on Saturday. I like it alot. It is hard wired to the antenna via an audiovox adapter, so the sound is very clear. Not 100% perfect, but much better than even I expected. The Bass and Midrange are VERY strong, crisp and clear (I have the Bose). For some reason when songs have an over load of treble (Like the beginning of Sinatras "the way you look tonight") the treble distorts and clips a bit (way up there where only the dogs can hear it). Other wise, its every bit as good as the ipod itself in an amplified dock. The sound of the Bose is surprisingly good. The surround sound makes a nice difference in the small cabin of the Cayman. This I feel is very underrated and under appreciated. The Bluetooth has worked great with my iPhone and my wifes MotoRazr! The only problem I had was even though my iPhone works fine with it for Ipod and phone, The iPhone says it doesnt and it says that its not charging. Other than that, it has been flawless. I had the installer make a U shaped bracket (like a big Clip) that wraps around the small panel to the left of the radio, behind the steering wheel. You cant see the clip because it is only as big as the ex-10 itself (like a garage door opener) and it works great! He attached the ex-10 to the clip with double sided tape so the big cumbersome dock is not necessary. I tried taking pictures of it but they were blurry. I'll try and snap some more and post them. Joe D.

I look forward to seeing pictures. Also, do you have the part number for the audiovox adapter?

Ok, Here are the pictures I promised. By the way, I cant tell you all how much I love this little contraption. The sound is amazing! The bluetooth is perfect. For a little over $200 installed, You can't possibly beat it. Dollar for dollar, its the best money I ever spent!!! Mr Wonder, I dont know what the part number is. Call Anthony @ Zippo's Car stereo in South Plainfield NJ, He is the best and he will take care of it for you. Also, the EQ settings on the iPod make a HUGE difference in the sound. I have it on "Jazz". Coupled with the boss surround sound, it makes the stereo sound like you in a much "bigger" car. Thanks for that Suneet! Sincerely, Joe D

I also had an EX-10 installed yesterday. At first I tried to use the bluetooth through my Garmin 885t; it worked but the sound coming out of its speakers was so garbled that I could not understand it; the fm transmsitter it has built in is a joke and simply does not work at all but it is an excellent GPS and the voice recognition feature works very well. The IPOD sound is good, much better than I had expected ( I used the splitter and had the transmission fed into the antenna). The remote for the unit takes a bit of getting used to and an occasional button press is missed but otherwise it works well. The only issue I forsee is the reception on the callers end; I have been told I fade in and out but my reception of their call is fine. I have a BB Storm and am trying to figure out if I can use the voice tag function; when I try to call it up it says no service meaning the phone does not support it. The Alpine website does not have the Storm listed on the compatibility list of phones so it may not have been updated recently. This has been a good solution for $300 so far I hope I can determine why I am fading out on a call. If anyone else has had this issue and solved it please let me know. I have the microphone about 12 inches above me on the headliner by the windshield. The installer did a great job; he wired it into the ignition so it starts and stops with the engine. He put the IPOD into the center console and the only wire showing is about 3 inches from the unit to the drivers side A pillar. I am please with his install and the unit so far.

I've just bought an Audiovox adaptor, but the FM plug is different from the one of the radio itself. Do you know what an adaptor would look like?

I was looking for competitors and Parrot makes something similar to the EX-10 and supports iphone charging. MKi9200 for 2.4" screen and the MKi9100 with a smaller screen that looks like it would fit perfectly on the steering column.

Correct me if I am wrong but I think my installer looked into the 9100 and the 9200 and since they don't use an fm transmitter they would have had to be wired into the system and I have the Bose so we did not use it. I know there is a pinout of the Bose system here: http://www.planet-9.com/cayman-boxster-electronics/28752-busting-bose-bluetooth-myth.html?highlight=bose+pinouts You probably could get someone to install the item using it and from what I understand Parrot makes a good product.

ahh, I didn't know the MKi didn't use a FM transmitter. I think the pins outs can only be used for the TP function for phone calls and not feeding the full audio through. I might be wrong though, but I thought that is what I read.

EX-10 update: Well it is working great with the IPOD, great sound and I have heard no interference whatsoever in the areas I travel daily (I am using the splitter so it is wired into the antenna). The problem is I cannot get any good audio quality on the callers end my voice fades in and out and the background is full of static. I think it may simply be a phone (blackberry storm) incompatibility issue as I have checked the microphone connection/placement and I can think of no other things to do and the device will not consistently dial when I prompt it to; it just freezes and does nothing hence my thoughts on it being a software issue. The audio on my end is excellent. I went out and purchased a Motorola T505 and it works great, clear audio on both ends but I have more electronics hanging in the car than Best Buy. Anyway I now have voice activated nav, bluetooth and IPOD audio. I may have to get a man purse to carry all of the devices when I leave the car lol. :hilarious:

I went and got the EX-10 and installed it. I was trying to find the specific Audiovox adapter. For those that bought it, was it this product? Amazon.com: Audiovox XMFM1 XM SATELITTE RADIO FM Direct Adapter: Electronics I have the European adapters already.

I am looking at installing the Parrot Mki9200. Since this does not have an fm modulator how does the iphone music work with non-Bose CDR24? Can it even be connected directly to the CDR24 or do i have deal with MOST bus? Thanks.