Alpine PXE-C80-88

Features

Overview: The Alpine PXE-C80-88 (OPTIMT8) Hi-Resolution Digital Sound Processor/Amplifier is an all-in-one solution for fine-tuning and amplifying your vehicle sound system. The processor/amplifier can be interfaced with any factory or aftermarket head unit, and includes Alpine's AntiEQ processing to eliminate factory equalization. The PXE-C80-88 offers 31-band parametric or graphic EQ on each channel, along with high- and low-pass filters, time correction, and polarity inverting. It features 8 channels of high-level input and 6 low-level preamp inputs, all assignable via a mixing matrix to any of the 8 powered or RCA outputs. Additional assignable inputs include a coaxial digital input, USB, and Bluetooth. The PXE-C80-88 can be manually configured using a Windows PC and a USB connection (cable included). Alpine's Automatic Tuning option lets you quickly configure your system using the PXE-C80-88 PC Application Software and a setup microphone (sold separately), or using an iPhone 10 (or newer) smartphone running the OPTIM8 iOS App and the built-in microphone on your device.

Processing: The PXE-C80-88 offers 96kHz/24-bit processing for hi-res audio playback on all channels.

Inputs: All of the PXE-C80-88's inputs, including USB, Bluetooth, and Coaxial Digital, can be freely mixed and assigned to any of the output channels, including individual factory tweeter, midrange, and woofer inputs. Input channels can be Linked together when using stereo inputs, allowing channel settings to be applied to both simultaneously.

• RCA: Six RCA low-level inputs can accept pre-amp signals up to 11V.
• Speaker-Level Inputs: Eight speaker-level inputs can accept signals up to 30V from a factory headunit or factory amplifier.
• Coaxial & USB Digital: Coax digital and USB inputs are provided for music playback from a CD/DVD or portable digital music player. The USB port lets you stream music from an OTG-compatible Android smartphone using an OTG adapter (sold separately). Currently, iOS smartphones have not been tested for compatibility.
• Bluetooth: The included external Bluetooth module plugs into the processor/amplifier's RJ-45 port, letting you connect your smartphone for Bluetooth audio playback (hands-free phone calls not supported).

Speaker Outputs: The PXE-C80-88 features eight powered speaker outputs, two of which can be used for driving subwoofers. The six main output channels are provided on the 12-pin output harness, with 20-gauge wire, while the two subwoofer outputs consist of set-screw terminals that can accommodate wire up to 10-gauge.

Power: The following power ratings are taken at 14.4V, 1kHz, 10% THD:

• 50W RMS x 6 + 150W x 2 (@ 4-ohms)
• 50W RMS x 6 + 300W x 2 (@ 2-ohms)

Pre-Outs: In addition to the 8 powered outputs, the PXE-C80-88 features 6 RCA pre-amp outputs for running to additional outboard amplifiers. All input sources can be assigned to any of the pre-out channels.

Configuration & Control:

• PC Software: The Alpine processor/amplifier must first be configured using a connected Windows PC (Mac not supported) running the PXE-C80-88 PC Application Software. The software lets you manually configure all setup options, as well as run the Automatic Tuning feature that automatically analyzes and tunes the system for a faster, more streamlined setup. A 3.5mm jack on the PXE-C80-88 processor/amplifier lets you plug in a setup microphone (sold separately) for running the Automatic Tuning feature. *A setup microphone will be required for Automatic Tuning from a PC and is sold separately.
• Mobile Phone App: After the initial configuration with a Windows PC, the automatic tuning feature can also be run using a Bluetooth-connected iPhone (10 or higher, Android not supported) running the OPTIM8 iOS app and using the iPhone's built-in microphone.
• Wired Controller: The included Remote Commander provides limited control via its large rotary control and 1.25" display. The Remote Commander can adjust the Master Volume, select the Main Source as well as the Mix Source, set/recall Preset Configurations, access Channel Settings, and adjust the Subwoofer level. Further detailed settings must be made through the PC Software. The controller can be flush-mounted to a dash panel (cutting required), or attached with Velcro or double-sided adhesive (both sold separately). 

Equalization: The PXE-C80-88 features 31-bands of graphic or parametric EQ per output channel.

• Parametric: Each of the 31 selectable bands features a frequency adjustment range from 20Hz -20kHz with 1Hz increments. Each selected band includes a Q adjustment that ranges from 0.404 (narrowest) up to 28.852 (widest). A gain adjustment for each band has a range of +12dB to -12dB.
• Graphic: The output graphic EQ includes 31 fixed frequency bands at: 20Hz, 25Hz, 32Hz, 40Hz, 50Hz, 63Hz, 80Hz, 100Hz, 125Hz, 160Hz, 200Hz, 250Hz, 315Hz, 400Hz, 500Hz, 630Hz, 800Hz, 1kHz, 1.25kHz, 1.6kHz, 2.0kHz, 2.5kHz, 3.15kHz, 4kHz, 5kHz, 6.3kHz, 8kHz, 10kHz, 12.5kHz, 16kHz, and 20kHz. Each band has a fixed Q at 1.007 and a level range from +12dB to -12dB.

Crossovers: Each input and output channel is equipped with independent high- and low-pass filters. Bandpass filters can also be configured. For each channel, you can select the type of filter - Butterworth, Linkwitz-Riley, or Bessel. Crossover points are fully adjustable from 20Hz to 20kHz in 1Hz increments. You can choose from the following crossover slopes: 6dB, 12dB, 18dB, 24dB, 30dB, 36dB, 42dB, or 48dB per octave.

Time Correction/Phase: The PXE-C80-88 can apply a wide degree of time correction to each of the 16 output channels, with a delay time ranging from 0.0 to 20 milliseconds. The phase of each output can be set to positive (0°) or inverted (180°).

AntiEQ: Alpine's proprietary AntiEQ technology can be used to remove OEM equalization when installing the PXE-C80-88 into a factory amplified sound system.

Presets: After you have set the EQ frequency, Q-value, and gain data, delay, channel, and phase position settings to your liking, either manually or using the Automatic Tuning, you can save them to one of up to 6 different sound Presets. This allows you to make different sound settings for each input type or music genre. Presets can be quickly selected using the provided wired controller or using the PC software.

Power/Ground/Acc Inputs: Two set-screw input terminals are provided for power and ground connections, accepting wire up to 10-gauge (recommended). An Acc wire on the 20-pin input harness can be connected to ignition or switched +12V for activating the processor/amplifier. A Host/Acc switch gets set to Acc when using the Acc wire for activation. When set to Host, the PXE-C80-88 can be activated using the speaker-level inputs to trigger it. A Remote Out is provided for activating additional amplifiers.

Specifications:

• Power:
  • Channels 1-6: 50W RMS (2- or 4-ohms)
  • Channels 7 & 8: 150W RMS @ 4-ohms, 300W RMS @ 2-ohms
• Frequency Response: 20Hz to 40kHz
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio: =100dB
• Total Harmonic Distortion:
  • High-Level Inputs: =0.1%
  • RCA Inputs: =0.06%
• Input Voltage:
  • High-Level: Up to 26V (peak-to-peak)
  • RCA: Up to 11V (peak-to-peak)
• Output Voltage (RCA): 4V RMS
• Input Impedance:
  • High Level: >50 kilo-ohms
  • RCA: >50 kilo-ohms
• System Sampling Rate: 192kHz/32-bit
• Audio Processing: 96kHz/24-bit
• Power Source: 9-16 VDC
• Dimensions: Width = 8.82" Height = 2.14" Depth = 8.69"/10.43" (incl. wiring)
• Remote Dimensions: Width = 3.68" Height = 1.90" Depth = 1.07" (including knob)
• Weight: 5.29 lbs.