Well I'm back looking to upgrade my stereo, life has gotten in the way.
I haven't been idle. Having browsed the net looking at reviews etc I've decided I want a HU with time alignment and decent SQ settings. There is a limit to the madness though, and these two are in the price range. Any opinions?

Reviews for both seem to be pretty good. I prefer the interface and look of the Alpine and am leaning this way.

Just wondering if anyone has experience with either one.

Will be teaming up with morel maximos up front and morel 6x9 in the back. I understand that rear speakers aren't a SQ thing but I'll see how it sounds. Hopefully with the 6x9s I won't be as temped to install a sub. Will also run a 4 channel amp and sound deadening.

Will be looking at buying from US via ebay. I'd like to support local but price difference is too much to ignore. 600+ vs 400

Are you in Australia? If so some I know some stores within Aus that can help you out on price.

IMO the P80 hands down, the Alpine is a good unit but I just feel the sound, usability and looks on the P80 wins hands down, the out PRS80 was good, looked better than the current P80RS but they took care of a lot of gremlins in the latest release. Just remember when fitting to disconnect the battery and do not remove or plug in anything including RCA's with the power connected, the P80's still have a pico fuse that will give you many headaches if you blow it. If you have any locals supplying these two units I would seriously consider having a play with both of them to see how you find them.

Thanks for the reply.
I'm from NZ.
The problem I have is that I can't find most of the stuff I believe I want here in NZ. At least not for less than what seems to be crazy prices compared to what I can find in Aus and USA online.
Finding Focal or Morel or Crescendo here in NZ is next to impossible. A local audio place offered entry Focal Polyglass (didn't catch the model) components but for something over $400.
Looking at the Fhrx site in Australia Morel Maximo 6 are $238 AUS and can be found for $200US on ebay. Most reviews put the Morels on par if not above entry Polyglass Focals.

I can't find a P80PRS to try, I have had a look at a DEH-9550 which seems to be very similar in look. I have been able to look at the Alpine in the flesh but only in a display board.

If you can point me in the direction of some places in Australia that could do a better price than what I can get locally and are prepared to ship to NZ I'd appreciate it. If I can't find what I want locally then I'd rather support a recommended Aussie shop than an unknown in the USA. I'd hate to get used or fake stuff and have no recourse.

Thanks

Ok in Australia some retailers that I can stand by are:

FHRX in NSW
A One Audio In Perth
Carbon Car Systems In NSW
Phatt Audio Concepts in Victoria
Street Sound And Vision in Victoria (Ive dealt with the Keilor brand before and they did me a good deal on my Pioneer P99RS)

You can hit most of these guys up via email or facebook, be sure to let me know how you go and tell them you were recommended there by a Mod on MEA, as they do offer discounts for MEA (now http://www.caraudio.com.au) members.

Thanks for the help.

I have been in touch with Marty at FHRX in regard to speakers. I'm thinking of buying Crescendo Opus. Marty recommended the Opus1 as being slightly better than the Morel Maximo.
I've also picked up a Clarion CZ702A. I think you may have recommended it when I first posted about an active set up. I had dismissed them having not liked the CZ HU a friend has. Turns out the CZ702a has a newer (facelifted) face design that is much better. Picked it up for $300 NZ new.

I've noticed I can purchase Crescendo tweeters and mids separately which works out to be cheaper than a set. As I won't need the passive crossover I was thinking I could spend the difference buying an Opus 3 spec tweeter or mid. I have had no experience with Crescendo Opus 1 or 3. Would either the tweeter or mid be worth upgrading in this manner?

I'll probably be looking at powering them with a 4x50-75Wrms A/B amp or 50-100Wrms class D amp. (As I have also committed to installing a sub I want to strike a good compromise in regard to the current draw on the factory electrical system). I know class A/B is typically better than class D for full range systems but the class D I am considering at the moment is a Pioneer PRS4100F. I can't find any reviews and won't be able to listen, but most of Pioneer's other PRS stuff is held in pretty high regard so I'd be taking a gamble based on their reputation.