Alpine iLX-W650

7″ Mechless Double Din Receiver with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Alpine iLX-W650 Review

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It’s easy to get suckered into thinking that the Alpine ILX W650 is somehow not as technologically advanced or as impressive as bigger head units and receivers on the market today just because it’s so slim and so compact.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

It’s almost unbelievable how the engineers at Alpine were able to shoehorn so much impressive technology into this compact receiver. Combine that with a gorgeous user interface, super affordable price point, and some of the most impressive extensibility in the auto receiver world today and you’re looking at something really special here.

Sure, the unit will fill the space in a Double DIN installation, but it isn’t big, it isn’t bulky, and it definitely doesn’t feel clunky or confusing to use, either.

Let’s take a little deeper into everything that the new Alpine ILX W650 receiver has to offer.

Who is the Alpine iLX-W650 for?

The Alpine iLX-W650 is a car audio system designed for individuals who want to upgrade their in-car entertainment experience. This system is ideal for people who want a high-quality audio system with modern features and compatibility with both Apple and Android devices.

The iLX-W650 is suitable for drivers who value convenience and hands-free control, as it features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, allowing you to access and control your smartphone’s functions directly from the touch screen display. It is also great for those who enjoy listening to music or using navigation apps while driving, as the iLX-W650 provides an easy-to-use interface for accessing these functions.

Overall, the Alpine iLX-W650 is a great choice for individuals who want to upgrade their car audio system with modern features, compatibility with both Apple and Android devices, and a high-quality sound experience.

What can the Alpine iLX-W650 do for you?

The Alpine iLX-W650 is a car audio system that offers a range of features and capabilities to enhance your in-car entertainment experience. Some of the key things the iLX-W650 can do for you include:

  1. Access and control your smartphone’s functions: With compatibility for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, you can access and control your smartphone’s functions directly from the touch screen display, making it easy to stay connected while driving.

  2. High-quality sound: The iLX-W650 features a powerful amplifier that delivers clear and powerful sound, allowing you to enjoy your music to the fullest.

  3. Hands-free control: With built-in Bluetooth and voice control, you can operate your phone’s functions safely and conveniently while driving.

  4. Intuitive interface: The iLX-W650 features a clear and easy-to-use interface, making it simple to access your music, make calls, send messages, and use navigation apps while driving.

  5. Customizable display: The iLX-W650 allows you to personalize the display with your own wallpaper and color settings, so you can make it your own.

What’s in the Box

The Alpine iLX-W650 is a feature-packed digital media receiver that is designed to enhance your driving experience. The moment you open the box, you’ll be greeted with a sleek and compact 7-inch capacitive touch screen and an incredibly shallow head unit system. With a depth of just under 3 inches, this system provides ample space for aftermarket and accessory wiring, making it easy to add all sorts of components that demonstrate the unit’s expandability.

The digital media receiver is completely self-contained and comes pre-wired to a harness that connects to a 15 A fuse system. Additionally, wiring for a camera harness and pre-out system has already been run, allowing you to add accessories and upgrades during the initial installation without having to go through ongoing wiring setup.

The system also comes with 42 inches of USB cable, providing flexibility in running and routing the essential input throughout your car’s cabin. You can choose to run the USB cable directly under the digital tuner and have it exit near your cup holders or route it all the way to the rear seat splitter.

To improve voice controls and call clarity, the system includes an external microphone connected directly to a 13-foot cable. This allows you to place the microphone anywhere in the cabin for clear audio pickup, resulting in increased call clarity through the car stereo and improved responsiveness of your voice commands.

Lastly, the package includes brackets (including a separate mount for the microphone), screws, and a reference and installation guide, making it easy for you to install and use the Alpine iLX-W650 digital media receiver right out of the box.

Key Features

The Alpine iLX-W650 is an innovative in-dash digital media receiver designed to provide drivers with high-quality audio, video, and smartphone integration features. Here are some of the key features of this product:

  1. Large Touchscreen Display: The Alpine iLX-W650 features a large 7-inch capacitive touchscreen display that allows you to control all of the receiver’s functions with ease.

  2. Smartphone Integration: The receiver supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which allow you to access your phone’s apps, music, and navigation features directly from the receiver’s interface.

  3. Bluetooth Connectivity: The Alpine iLX-W650 features built-in Bluetooth connectivity, which enables you to stream music wirelessly from your smartphone or other compatible devices.

  4. Customizable Interface: The receiver’s interface is highly customizable, allowing you to choose from a variety of background and button colors, as well as customize the layout of the home screen.

  5. High-Quality Audio: The Alpine iLX-W650 features a high-powered amplifier and advanced audio processing technologies, which deliver crisp, clear sound quality.

  6. Expandability: The receiver is compatible with a wide range of accessories and add-ons, including backup cameras, steering wheel control interfaces, and more.

  7. Easy Installation: The Alpine iLX-W650 is designed to be easy to install in most vehicles, thanks to its compact size and straightforward wiring harness.

Specifications

Apple / Android Compatibility

Immediately upon connecting your Apple or Android device (via USB or Bluetooth) the integration with Apple Car Play and Android Auto kicks in.

The UI of the Alpine ILX W650 changes depending on which mobile operating system you’re using, with large application buttons popping up. This basically turns your digital media receiver environment into a clone of your Apple or Android device.

On top of that, you’ll have full access to the voice commands and voice assistant features on your mobile device as well. Texts will pop up on your screen in an easy to read font, giving you the opportunity to respond with voice to text dictation capabilities as well.

You’ll be able to place phone calls, send emails, pick media to play and even start navigation without ever having to take your hands off the wheel thanks to this integration.

A Powerful Combo

The paragraph is discussing car receivers that have features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM connectivity. However, the Alpine iLX-W650 stands out because it has a very slim design of only 2-13/16 inches deep, which makes it an excellent choice for installing in cars with limited space. Additionally, the Alpine KTA-450 power pack amplifier is a compact and powerful amp that provides 50 watts RMS over 4 channels, and it is specifically designed to work perfectly with the iLX-W650. When the two are secured together using Alpine's Power Stack installation gear, they are still less than 5 inches deep, making them an ideal solution for anyone looking to build a powerful car audio system without sacrificing space. In short, the paragraph is discussing a car audio system that is both powerful and compact, making it an excellent choice for those who value both performance and space.

Built for the best smartphone experience

With Alpine's built-in Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, you can use your iPhone or Android phone for music, maps, and communication on your car's dashboard. This familiar experience allows you to access the apps you need without losing focus on the road. The 7" capacitive touchscreen functions like a tablet, making it easy to navigate through apps, and Alpine has added swipe controls for volume, track-skipping, and more to enhance the touchscreen experience. In summary, Alpine's technology lets you bring your phone's features into your car in a safe and familiar way, with a user-friendly touchscreen that allows you to stay focused while driving.

Streamlined control for driving

This paragraph talks about how CarPlay and Android Auto make it easy to control your car's essential functions. When you use CarPlay or Android Auto, you'll see big, recognizable app icons that are easy to find with just a quick glance. The information on the screen is displayed in big, clear text, and the background is clean and uncluttered, which makes it easy to read while you're driving. Also, the receiver comes with an external microphone that lets you use voice commands to make calls, send texts, play music, and get directions without having to take your hands off the wheel or your eyes off the road. All of these features work together to give you a safe and easy way to control your car's functions while you're driving.

FAQ

To set the clock on an Alpine ILX-W650, follow these steps:

  1. Turn on the head unit: Make sure that the Alpine ILX-W650 head unit is turned on.

  2. Enter the settings menu: Press the “Menu” button on the head unit or on the steering wheel controls to enter the settings menu.

  3. Navigate to the clock settings: Use the head unit or steering wheel controls to navigate to the “Clock” or “Time” option in the settings menu.

  4. Set the time: Use the head unit or steering wheel controls to adjust the hours and minutes to the correct time.

  5. Confirm the time: After adjusting the time, select the “OK” or “Save” option to confirm the changes and set the clock.

  6. Exit the settings menu: Once the clock has been set, use the head unit or steering wheel controls to exit the settings menu.

If you are unable to set the clock on your Alpine ILX-W650, refer to the owner’s manual or the Alpine website for specific instructions for your model. If you are still having trouble, you may need to consult a professional car audio installer or Alpine customer support for further assistance.

To reset an Alpine ILX-W650, follow these steps:

  1. Turn off the head unit: Make sure that the Alpine ILX-W650 head unit is turned off.

  2. Disconnect the battery: To reset the head unit to its factory settings, you may need to disconnect the battery for a few minutes. This will clear any stored memory and reset the unit to its default settings.

  3. Reconnect the battery: After disconnecting the battery, reconnect it and turn the car on.

  4. Turn on the head unit: Turn on the Alpine ILX-W650 head unit by pressing the power button.

  5. Initiate the reset process: Depending on your specific Alpine ILX-W650 model, the reset process may differ. Refer to the owner’s manual or the Alpine website for specific instructions on how to reset your head unit.

If the above steps do not work, you may need to consult with a professional car audio installer or Alpine customer support for further assistance.

To watch videos on an Alpine ILX-W650, follow these steps:

  1. Connect a compatible video source: Connect a compatible video source, such as a smartphone, tablet, or video player, to the Alpine ILX-W650 head unit using a USB cable or HDMI cable.

  2. Change the source: Press the source button on the Alpine ILX-W650 head unit or on the remote control to select the connected video source.

  3. Play the video: Start playing the video on your connected device. The video should be displayed on the Alpine ILX-W650 head unit’s screen.

  4. Adjust the video settings: You can adjust the video settings, such as aspect ratio and brightness, using the head unit’s settings menu.

Note: The ability to watch videos on an Alpine ILX-W650 head unit may depend on your specific model and the type of video source you are using. Refer to the owner’s manual or the Alpine website for more information.

As long as you have a Double DIN space in your dashboard, you’ll be able to install the ILX W650 unit in your vehicle with no trouble at all. The built-in wiring harness streamlines this process quite a bit, too.

You don’t have to connect your phone or tablet via USB to play/stream music and media through the Alpine ILX W650. You can connect over Bluetooth 100% wirelessly if you like. The advantage with connecting through USB is that you can charge your phone at the same time, though.

Final Verdict

With so many quality digital media receiver options to pick and choose from on the market today finding the best choice for your money feels like and uphill battle.

If you’re willing to spend a little bit extra to get your hands on one of the very best media receivers on the planet today, one that’s really “future proof”, then the Alpine ILX W650 is something you’ll want to look closer into.

The touchscreen is easy and beautiful, the wiring and installation process is simple and straightforward, and the overall experience – and sound quality – you’ll get from the ILX W650 is right up there with the best of the best options money can buy.

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