Car Audio, Alpine CDA-9831

[Miscue]

Alright If my HU isn't powering any speakers to I still need the 10-gauge wire from the postive terminal running to my HU? (trying to make sure I'll have everything I'll need when the HU arrives)

I don't see why it would. However, I'd wire it to specified requirements anyway.

[bornl33t]

An audiophile wouldn't be relying on that supposed 60x4, nor would he touch the HU settings to color the sound.

An audiophile also has alot more money to blow on trick systems. The alpines settings give budget mods a decent sound. The watt ratings are usually bogus, but from all the desks i've tested I would bet Alpine is closest to the rated RMS. And no you don't need 10 guage wire if you're not going to use the HU's amp.
Optimal settings are a dream and unachievable in a street legal car