Rediscovering the Drive: Alpine iLX-W670 Redefines In-Car Entertainment

The modern driving experience is defined by sleek touchscreens, seamless smartphone integration, and audio quality that can rival home theater systems. The days of fumbling with clunky knobs and squinting at tiny displays on car radios are fading into the rearview mirror. Leading the charge in this in-car entertainment revolution is the Alpine iLX-W670, a digital multimedia receiver that transforms your dashboard into a command center for entertainment, communication, and navigation.

Overview

The Alpine iLX-W670 is a double-DIN receiver featuring a vibrant 7-inch touchscreen display. It’s engineered to seamlessly integrate with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, bringing the functionality of your smartphone to your car’s dashboard. But the iLX-W670 offers more than just connectivity; it’s packed with features for audiophiles, including a 13-band graphic equalizer, 6-channel time correction, and sophisticated crossover settings to fine-tune your sound.

Design Philosophy - Intuitive and Integrated

Alpine prioritizes user experience with the iLX-W670. The interface is intuitive, minimizing distractions while driving. Physical buttons for essential functions like volume and source selection are complemented by the responsive touchscreen, making navigation through menus and apps effortless. This design philosophy ensures that drivers can access the features they need quickly and safely.

Display - Crystal Clear and Responsive

Feature: 7-inch Touchscreen - A vibrant and responsive display for easy control and navigation.

The iLX-W670 features a high-resolution 7-inch touchscreen display. This generously sized screen provides ample space for viewing maps, album art, and app interfaces. The capacitive touch technology ensures a responsive and accurate user experience, similar to modern smartphones.

Smartphone Integration - The Power of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Feature: Apple CarPlay/Android Auto - Wired connectivity for seamless integration.

The iLX-W670 excels in smartphone integration. With wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, your phone’s essential apps – navigation, music, messaging, and calls – are mirrored on the receiver’s display. This allows drivers to stay connected while keeping their focus on the road. Voice control through Siri or Google Assistant further enhances safety and convenience. However, it’s worth noting that some users have reported occasional connectivity issues with certain phone models, highlighting the importance of using a high-quality USB cable and ensuring phone software is up-to-date.

Audiophile-Grade Sound Customization - Fine-Tune Your Listening Experience

Feature: Sound Tuning - 13-Band EQ, time correction, and crossovers for precise audio control.

The iLX-W670 caters to audio enthusiasts with its robust sound customization options. The 13-band graphic equalizer allows for precise tuning of audio frequencies, while the 6-channel time correction ensures that sound from all speakers reaches the listener’s ears simultaneously, creating a more immersive soundstage. Add to this the ability to fine-tune crossovers for front, rear, and subwoofer channels, and you have a system that allows for a truly personalized audio experience. While many users praise the sound quality, some reviews indicate that the built-in amplifier may not provide enough power for high-end speaker setups, potentially requiring an external amplifier for optimal performance.

Enhanced Audio & Visual Ambiance - Beyond Just Sound

Feature: Sound Boost and Lighting Link - Elevate the in-car entertainment experience with dynamic lighting effects.

Alpine takes in-car entertainment a step further with its Sound Boost feature. This expands on traditional bass enhancement with more granular control over low-frequency output. Furthermore, the iLX-W670’s Lighting Link functionality allows you to synchronize the lighting on compatible Alpine PrismaLink subwoofer enclosures with your music, creating a captivating visual experience that complements the audio. This feature adds another dimension to in-car entertainment, enhancing the overall driving experience.

Bluetooth Connectivity - Wireless Freedom for Calls and Music

Feature: Bluetooth - Wireless hands-free calling and audio streaming.

The iLX-W670 includes built-in Bluetooth for wireless connectivity. This allows for hands-free calling with an included external microphone, promoting safe driving. Additionally, Bluetooth enables wireless audio streaming from your smartphone, providing convenient access to your music library or favorite streaming services.

Tuner - Stay Connected to Traditional Radio

Feature: AM/FM Tuner - Access to your favorite radio stations.

While the iLX-W670 focuses on digital media and smartphone connectivity, it also includes a built-in AM/FM tuner. This provides access to traditional radio broadcasts, ensuring you stay connected to local news, weather, and your favorite radio programs. However, some users have pointed out the lack of HD Radio support, which could be a consideration for those who prefer higher-fidelity radio broadcasts.

Expandability - Tailor Your System

Feature: Expansion Options - Inputs and outputs for customization and future upgrades.

The iLX-W670 offers various inputs and outputs for expanding your system. This includes a rear USB port for connecting storage devices or your smartphone, a rear auxiliary input for connecting analog audio sources, and a camera input for adding a rearview camera. It also features three pairs of 4-volt preamp outputs (front, rear, and subwoofer) for connecting external amplifiers, enabling you to customize and upgrade your system as your needs evolve.

Shallow Chassis Design - Installation Flexibility

Feature: Shallow Chassis - Facilitates installation in a wider range of vehicles.

The iLX-W670 features a shallow chassis design, making it easier to install in vehicles with limited space behind the dashboard. This is particularly beneficial for older vehicles or those with complex dashboard configurations.

Conclusion

The Alpine iLX-W670 is more than just a car stereo; it’s a complete in-car entertainment hub. With its intuitive interface, robust smartphone integration, and advanced audio customization features, it elevates the driving experience. While there are some minor drawbacks, such as the lack of HD Radio and potential power limitations for demanding audio setups, the iLX-W670 offers a compelling package for those seeking to modernize their car’s audio and entertainment system. Whether you prioritize seamless connectivity, audiophile-level sound quality, or simply a more enjoyable time behind the wheel, the iLX-W670 delivers.