Alpine iDA-X305
Manufacturer: Alpine Electronics Part number: iDA-X305
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Accessories
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- For people who listen primarily to MP3/WMA/AAC audio, the Alpine iDA-X305 offers one of the easiest-to-use interfaces for in-car browsing of digital media.
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Where to buy
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| ![]() | In stock | Enter zip code to get total price: Price +Tax +Shipping =Total price | as of 05/13/2013 |
CNET editors' review
Alpine iDA-X305 price range: $329.99
- Reviewed by: Antuan Goodwin
- Reviewed on: 04/16/2009
The good: The Alpine iDA-X305's two-way encoder control scheme and QuickSearch function makes it possible to scrub through large libraries in seconds. Add-on modules allow the feature set to be extended.
The bad: The lack of a CD player may be a turn off for many people.
The bottom line: For people who listen primarily to MP3/WMA/AAC audio, the Alpine iDA-X305 offers one of the easiest-to-use interfaces for in-car browsing of digital media.
User reviews
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Really great little deck once you figure it out.
by richhsf on August 26, 2009
Pros: Picks up on iPod right where you left off. Connects quickly upon startiing car.
With the KCE400BT Bluethooth, you get streaming audio from iPhone 3G (3.0)
Add a KCA-121BT to the back for an auxiliary minijack (for portable CD) or iphone.Cons: Software all needs to be current on iPods and iPhones
MUST use their supplied iPod connector or iPhone charging WONT WORK!!!
First time connection requires some decent skill and patience; don't give up! Its great once you get it set up!Summary: Overall I am in love with this stereo for the price. I'm going to use the whole space here because I would have appreciated more info. I installed it ...
Summary: Overall I am in love with this stereo for the price. I'm going to use the whole space here because I would have appreciated more info. I installed it on my own and learned some hard lessons (attach the power antenna connector even though you don't have a power antenna; it is a "powered" antenna...attaching fixed my poor radio reception...duh).
I have it attached to a KCE400BT bluetooth module from Alpine that sits under my front seat (Acura RSX). That works amazingly well and enables you to do Bluetooth Audio from an iPhone 3G (v3.0). This is a separate purchase and you have to install it at the same time because it needs to hook up to power and it connects to the back of the deck. With the Bluetooth Audio, the deck will control the ipod portion of your iPhone just like it does for the iPod and even shows your album art.
I also have the deck's USB connected (almost always) to an 80G Video iPod (5G i think). I drilled a hole in a plastic drawer in the dash and ran the USB into it. The iPod just stays in the drawer...charging and playing as long as I want. I haven't noticed any excess heating at all and it always connects within seconds of starting the car and picks up right where I left off. The performance in that respect is nothing short of amazing. Album art comes through perfect and you can change the background color on the video display to red, blue or black (I use black...easier on the eyes). BTW, you can also configure the LED lighting on the whole deck to either red or blue. As I said, make sure that you use the Alpine connector to connect to the USB and ipod. You can't just use any old iPod/iPhone cord (needed Alpine support to tell me that one). Also make sure that you have updated your software on your iPod with iTunes or it may not work (I had to).
Finally, I also connected Alpines KCA-121B Versatile Link Connector (deck connection to RCA) and attached an RCA-Minijack cable. Voila, I have an auxiliary that I am able to use to plug into any output device (older iphone, MP3 player and an old battery powered CD player that I keep in the trunk just in case I get the manic urge to play a CD). The deck lets you choose your sources and Aux is one of them. So, in the end, I have an iPod on the USB, an aux capability on AUX, and bluetooth streaming audio on...a source actually called "Bluetooth Audio" on the deck. Sweeeet!
I have been using the deck for two months now and I actually (not kidding) drive slower because I love listening to the music. The bluetooth is working near flawlessly with my iPhone 3G. Once I did the first time connection with the deck, which was really, really easy, the deck remembers my phone. So...if I just leave my bluetooth on in the iPhone all the time (which I do anyways), I never even have to take it off my belt. I get in the car, turn on the key. The stereo connects and within about 30 seconds, the deck has automatically hooked up to my phone. A call comes in, the deck turns down the music and I answer the phone by pressing the phone button on the face plate. When the call ends, the stereo ramps the music back up. When hooked to bluetooth, you can navigate all of my iPhone contacts (one limit is that it only displays one number per contact...if you want a different alternate number, you have to find it on your iphone....however, when you do and click the number on the iphone...you still take the call over the deck...awesome). A couple of notes, though. While you can load up to 5 phones on the deck to connect, it does only connect one phone at a time. So, if you have multiple phones at a time, you may have to compete! Driver wins, right!!! You can't do bluetooth phone on one phone and stream bluetooth audio from another. Also, if you start your car, and try to plug in your ipod while your bluetooth is in the process of connecting, sometimes you can glitch the software and you won't get any sound from playing iPod. Simply disconnect the iPod, let the bluetooth finish and plug it back in. This rarely happens to me because the iPod is always plugged in.
For the navigation, the faceplate has a big wheel that can navigate slow, or if you push it in and turn, will do a rapid page. There is no search so this is really handy. Playlists work the absolute best if you want to keep focused on the road. There were comments that the screen doesn't do well in glare. This is true because the plastic is thick. However, this is probably to protect the LCD screen from sun damage. I imagine there has to be some tradeoff there. The face is detachable and very, very lightweight (yes its plastic and a bit vulnerable).
Power-wise...I have an Acura-RSX so the power in the deck is fine for that. However, if you have a bigger car, better speakers or want it just LOUD, you will probably need an additional power amplifier. I am usually between 50-75% of the volume.
So, there you have it. I am enjoying the heck out of this deck.6 out of 6 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Pretty much 100% solution 4 single-DIN iPod integration
by atebit on December 19, 2009
Pros: Easy installation
Offers interfaces for all generation of iPods (at least the ones with the dock connector)
Real iPod control, not just a re-hashed CD changer interface
Full artist/title/album info with intelligent scrolling capabilitiesCons: Not much:
Maybe could have come with the Aux-in cable as a standard feature
Would have been nice if a satellite tuner would plug right into the Ai-Net bus,rather then requiring a small interface box in-between the HU & the satellite tuner.Summary: IMHO, Alpine is one of the few companies that "get" how to do iPod integration. The IDA-X305 offers all the features someone that has eschewed carrying around CDs in the ...
Summary: IMHO, Alpine is one of the few companies that "get" how to do iPod integration. The IDA-X305 offers all the features someone that has eschewed carrying around CDs in the car to get a few of their songs for an iPod containing their entire music library. Managing & presenting potentially tens of thousands of tracks and thousands of hierarchical folders where all those tracks are stored via a screen & controls that will fit in a single-DIN radio is a tall order. I'm sure that over time technology and OEM integration will continue to improve upon this. But for those of us who want real iPod integration today in a single-DIN package, this is THE receiver.
3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Alpine's X305 Doesn't work with my IPhone 3G
by tonybyorick58 on July 17, 2009
Pros: Sorry folks, there are no Pros here. This X305 unit was purchased for the sole purpose of accessing an iphone's music library while on the road. However, the unit just doesn't work with the IPhone. No audio output.
Cons: Alpine's marketing blurb says the X305 is designed to work with Apple's IPhone. Well, they didn't do a great job on the interface. X305 doesn't work with my IPhone which is a 3G running the latest version of the operating system.
Summary: According to Alpine's documentation, the X305 supports IPhone 3G Ver 2.0.2. However, with the IPhone connected, the X305 displays the current music track but no audio is ...
Summary: According to Alpine's documentation, the X305 supports IPhone 3G Ver 2.0.2. However, with the IPhone connected, the X305 displays the current music track but no audio is sent to the speakers. My IPhone 3G runs Ver 2.2.1 so this is not a version problem because I'm running a newer OS version than the minimum version supported by Alpine. The radio works okay; it delivers audio, and the iPhone appears to connect with the X305 and it displays IPhone music album covers, however, NO IPhone audio is sent to the speakers. zip. zero audio output. So, be careful if you have an IPhone and are considering the X305 to leverage your music library. I have to say, I feel like I've been ripped off.
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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iPhone support a joke...
by MJH1202 on June 29, 2009
Pros: Works well for a stereo with Blue tooth and HD Radio
Cons: Advertised as a fully compatible iPhone component. If you leave the iPhone connected for any time, it completely looses sync, and only solution is to hardboot both the phone and the stereo. Awful integration, and of course its Apples fault not Alpine
Summary: So if you have an ipod it should be fine, I had my old Edge iPhone i was going to use as my 8G stereo for the truck, and once ...
Summary: So if you have an ipod it should be fine, I had my old Edge iPhone i was going to use as my 8G stereo for the truck, and once connected, and in and out of the car a few times, (shopping/work/getting gas) the Alpine Error 03 on the iPhone and cannot get restarted until a hard boot is done on phone AND car stereo. Alpine has the worst feedback. Don't leave it connected. ??? No fix planned. Do not purchase if you are planning on using an iPhone as your iPod.
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Awesome while it lasted.
by Thrillhouse79 on July 17, 2011
Pros: Works flawlessly with iPod
Great sound quality when used in combination with the Imprint Processor
Easy to navigate through iPodCons: Never worked with either of my iPhones
Not many sound adjustments can be made to unit without Imprint
Terrible 2V preouts if you have amps youll need Imprint just for the 4v outs
Bad GUI odd it has so many buttons yet most main menu stuff requires you toSummary: So this was one of the better units Ive owned. I have always been into music and used to always have an after market stereo installed when I was younger. ...
Summary: So this was one of the better units Ive owned. I have always been into music and used to always have an after market stereo installed when I was younger. This however has been the first one I have bought in quite some time and I was glad to make the move from CDs. I though this had wonderful sound quality when paired with the Imprint processor. I loved the way it worked with my iPod and thought it was much faster than the Pioneer I also tested. I could never get this to work with my iPhones though and that was disappointing. What I really have an issue with is that this unit died on me already. I was listening to music and I went to turn the volume up and the unit shut off. No distortion, no pop, and no smoke, but the unit would not power up. After checking everything over I could not find a problem so I hooked the stock stereo back up just to see if that has power and of course it did. I got very little use out of this stereo and thats a pretty big kick in the sack since I paid so much for this when it was released. I took unit apart and still can not find the problem, but I have a Kenwood DNX-5120 and it also worked and sounded great so I am not sure what caused it or even what part is shot.This seems like a pretty isolated incident and I still love Alpine for their SQ, but just though I should share.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Alpine out does themselves on this one
by Breakersmobile on June 7, 2011
Pros: Beautiful looking display and superb the iPod control!
Cons: Not a lot. But I do have customers that are turned off because it doesn't have a CD player.
Summary: Great headunit, Alpine quality both sound and performance. Doesn't get much better than this unless you opt for a double din radio. Perfect for the iPod / iPhone user.
From ...Summary: Great headunit, Alpine quality both sound and performance. Doesn't get much better than this unless you opt for a double din radio. Perfect for the iPod / iPhone user.
From Josh <a href="http://www.breakersmobile.com">Breakers Stereo</a>1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Work GREAT with iPod
by dmbriggs on July 26, 2009
Pros: Pay no attention to the other reviews. I have 2 of these Alpine iDA-X305 units in my cars and they both work great with the iPod. I have 3 different iPod models in my family and have had no problem with any of them.
Cons: Lack of CD player is a small inconvenience, but all of my CD's end up on the iPod anyway
Summary: I have had Kenwood and Sony units in my cars in the past. I have not found a unit that works better with the iPod than the Alpine. The XM ...
Summary: I have had Kenwood and Sony units in my cars in the past. I have not found a unit that works better with the iPod than the Alpine. The XM module works flawlessly also.
1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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For people who listen primarily to MP3/WMA/AAC audio.
by caraudiosystemz on October 10, 2011
Pros: The Alpine iDA-X305's two-way encoder control scheme and QuickSearch function makes it possible to scrub through large libraries in seconds. Add-on modules allow the feature set to be extended.
Cons: he lack of a CD player may be a turn off for many people
Summary: For people who listen primarily to MP3/WMA/AAC audio, the Alpine iDA-X305 offers one of the easiest-to-use interfaces for in-car browsing of digital media. Can be purchased on http://...
Summary: For people who listen primarily to MP3/WMA/AAC audio, the Alpine iDA-X305 offers one of the easiest-to-use interfaces for in-car browsing of digital media. Can be purchased on http://www.caraudiosystemz.co.uk/alpine-ida-x305s-digital-media-reciever-109-p.asp
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It does what they say it will do.
by vandalizer69 on October 20, 2010
Pros: Looks great, first install and worked like a charm. Don't have an iphone and never will so I could care less if others are having issues. USB works great and my 1st gen Itouch works like magic.
Has tons of room for upgrades. having issues? Flash itCons: getting through the functions could be easier, same with the setup features.
Should have a built in Mic and connect to other Bluetooth phones (could just be me and havent found it)
Mine didn't come with a face case or a remote? Why? Store issue?Summary: Stop crying.
Its a good deck for the price and if you phone doesn't work update it and the deck. Yes you can flash to decks software with usb ...Summary: Stop crying.
Its a good deck for the price and if you phone doesn't work update it and the deck. Yes you can flash to decks software with usb updates found on line.
If it doesn't work for you return it and then yell at Apple. -
Works great, just don't update your iPhone!
by audioguru1 on October 13, 2010
Pros: iPhone ios 4.1 will kill the compatibility for this head unit. You've been warned. Lots of people come into my shop complaining that this head unit and many others will not work properly now with ios 4.1.
Cons: The audio will drop out intermittently and will sound distorted. Apple and Alpine will not claim responsibility but obviously it's an Apple ios issue. The head unit works flawlessly with all other versions of ios.
Summary: stay away from ios 4.1
Summary: stay away from ios 4.1
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Alpine Electronics
- Part number: iDA-X305
- Description: For the ultimate in-vehicle experience with your iPod or iPhone, the third generation of 1-DIN iPod digital media receivers are the answer. The iDA series of head units are dedicated receivers that provide seamless control of your iPod, iPhone and many other popular digital devices right from your dash. The iDA-X305 receiver offers enhanced features for a more robust iPod-listening experience that meets the specifications for "Made for iPod" and "Works with iPhone" compatibility. The iDA-X305 is designed to work with iPhone, so you get the same great functionality right from the head unit in your dash as you get directly from your iPhone. Large music libraries are no problem with a faster connection speed and QuickSearch featuring alphabet search, you can easily to scroll through long lists of music by skipping through the letters of the alphabet. Once you have the letter you want, just scroll to the exact song! The iDA-X305 uses a USB connection for newer iPods that provides ultra-fast digital data transfer so songs are loaded instantly through the receiver. Sound quality is maximized by using USB along with the 24-bit Burrbrown D/A converter, allowing for an incredible signal to noise ratio of 105dB. Plus, the iDA-X305 quickly loads up full album art on screen.
General
- Packaged Quantity 1
- Product Type Digital receiver
- Recommended Use Car
- Form Factor Full-DIN - In-dash unit
- Integrated Components Radio,
USB host - Media Content Source USB-host
- Width 7 in
- Depth 6.1 in
- Height 2 in
- Weight 2.2 lbs
- Enclosure Color Black
- Faceplate Type Detachable
Audio System
- System Control Bus Ai-NET
- Sound Output Mode Stereo
- Optional Remote Control Yes
- Remote Control Optional
- Equalizer Yes
- Controls Treble,
Bass,
Fader,
Volume,
Balance - Max Output Power / Channel Qty 50 Watts x 4
- Continuous Power / Channel Qty 18 Watts x 4
- Crossover Active crossover
- High Pass Frequencies 160 Hz,
80 Hz,
120 Hz - Built-in Display LCD
- Multicolor Display Yes
- CD Changer Control Yes
- Clock Yes (digital)
- Additional Features HD radio ready ,
Time alignment,
Satellite radio tuner control ,
iPod ready Equalizer
- Equalizer Type Parametric,
Digital graphic Audio Specifications
- Audio Specifications Digital Player - Response Bandwidth - 5 - 20000 Hz - SNR - 105 dB
Radio
- Type Radio tuner - AM/FM
- Tuning Display LCD display
- Preset Station Qty 18
- AM Preset Station Qty 6
- FM Preset Station Qty 12
- Additional Features DX/LO switch
Digital Player (Recorder)
- Device Type Digital player
- Supported Digital Audio Standards MP3,
WMA,
AAC - ID3 Tags Support Yes
- Response Bandwidth 5 - 20000 Hz
- Signal-To-Noise Ratio 105 dB
- Features USB flash drive playback
Connections
- Connector Type 3 x Audio line-out ( RCA phono x 2 ),
USB,
System components control bus
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Manufacturer info
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Alpine Electronics products on Shopper.com
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- Manufacturer:Alpine Electronics
- Address:
19145 Gramercy Place, Torrance, CA 90501 - Phone: 1-800-257-4631



