Kenwood Kdc-Bt945U CD/AM/FM/USB Receiver with Bluetooth Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Like the previous review (which I didn't read), the bluetooth audio will only play on the front speakers, and the second tech support guy I spoke to gave me the same answer as in the previous review. Oddly enough, at first the unit worked great, with full sound for almost two days, when it switched to front speaker operation only. The first tech support guy I spoke to was unaware of the "front-speaker limit", and provided me with a long list of things to try to correct the issue. After trying them, without success, I called back and I was connected to the second tech guy who told me it shouldn't have worked in the first place. So buyer beware, but I'm hoping to return it.
EDIT: The above is my original review. It DOES work will all speakers, for BT audio and hands-free. It's just that the settings for this are somewhat hidden. After spending some more time with Kenwood tech reps, I was told that there must be a defect, so I was referred to a local repair facility. This was an authorized retailer/repair - Suburban Audio in NJ near Philly - and the repair guy there knew exactly what setting was off and I had it fixed within minutes.
The proper setting can be found only while the radio is in BT hands-free mode (page 48 of the pdf manual). The setting to adjust is "Bluetooth HF/Audio", where you can select "Front" or "All". Even though the manual describes this for voice, is applies to both voice and audio streaming.

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Sony MEXBT5700U CD Receiver Bluetooth Hands-Free and Audio Streaming Capability (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought this product from a cheaper source, but use these reviews to determine which head unit to buy. The MEX-BT5700U had all the features I was looking for at a decent price. I have a '92 Toyota Pickup with a manual transmission, so Bluetooth calling was my top priority (safety) as my state hasn't implemented handsfree calling laws yet. My calls at highway speed (windows up) were clear and my caller only noticed a slight hum/noise and reported I sounded very clear. This was using the external mic provided on default settings for the gain and noise cancelling.
Note: if an external mic is provided with ANY head unit(this one comes with an external mic)USE IT, DO NOT bother with a head unit that you cannot add or use an external mic....proper mic placement is key. I placed my mic on the steering column in front of my gauges.
Pairing was simple, and iPod control is built in so you DO NOT need the separate iPod controller Sony sells for the other units. I also purchased the HD-Radio unit, but haven't installed it yet.
The controls, and layout are decent, but some functions take multiple pushes of a single button to reach, or spin the dial....this can be a bit tough while driving. I figure after some use I will figure out what buttons do what and how many times to push to get to a function. In my opinion, no head unit is completely intuitive but I believe this unit provides a reasonable logic to it, but could most certainly be improved like every other head unit on the market.
I recommend this unit to anyone looking for hands free calling, and iPod control. For the iPod control, all you need is your iPod USB cable, plug it in and the unit recognizes it and takes control. The unit can control the iPod, but nothing beats holding the iPod in your hand and selecting music the way you are used too. Looking at the screen you will still see the Artist Name and Song Title displayed even when in 'passenger mode'. Again, I haven't read a single review of any unit that has 'excellent' iPod controls.
Four stars because, no head unit is perfect, and Sony could probably spend more effort in making the controls more intuitive.

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Sony's MEX-BT5700U receiver offers plenty of modern features and room to grow. Enjoy hands-free calling with your cell phone or wirelessly play back tunes on your Bluetooth-enabled audio devices. Connect, control, and charge your iPhone, iPod, or MP3 player. Play back hours of music from single CDs loaded with MP3, WMA, or AAC files. Or grow your system by adding HD/SAT radio and external amplifiers/speakers.

Hands-Free CallingThe MEX-BT5700U features Bluetooth connectivity for making hands-free calls, complete with an integrated microphone (or use the included external mic). It also features audio streaming with compatible devices, and will display music metadata if included. Bluetooth profiles supported: HFP, A2DP, PBAP, and AVRCP 1.3.

Flip-Down DisplayAn enhanced display gives you and your passengers up to four lines of music and phone-call data on a bright, full-motion fluorescent display, while the flip-down faceplate keeps your CDs and stereo secure.

MP3/WMA/AAC Playback With DM+Multi-format playback lets you play CDs, CD-Rs, or CD-RWs loaded with hundreds of MP3, WMA, or AAC songs, for hours of music on a single disc. Sony's DM+ restores the fidelity lost in compressed digital audio files, so you always get CD-quality sound.

4V Front, Rear, and Subwoofer Preamp Outputs with LPF/HPFExpand your system with 4-volt front, rear, and subwoofer pre-outs. Add amplifiers and other components, while improving the system's dynamic range, reducing system noise, and providing powerful volume. Built-in LPF/HPF (low-pass filter/high-pass filter) functionality gives you the power to customize the sound outputted to your external amplifiers and other custom components, dialing it in just right for your gear and vehicle.

Quick-BrowZer with Jump Mode and Zappin TechnologySony's Quick-BrowZer lets you search and select songs by category, including artist, album, genre, or playlist. Jump Mode gets you closer to the song you want by allowing you to fast forward through a music category in 10 percent increments. With Zappin, you can play music in six-, nine-, or 30-second clips until you find the song you're looking for.

Satellite Radio/HD Radio-ReadyThe MEX-BT5700U integrates seamlessly with satellite radio Sony Bus adapters (sold separately), so you can receive digital satellite radio broadcasts. HD Radio capability lets you receive digital audio broadcasts when used with an optional HD Radio tuner.

Front Auxiliary InputThe front auxiliary input lets you connect almost any portable audio device to your car's sound system.

USB 1-Wire for iPod and other USB devicesUSB 1-Wire lets you directly connect, charge, and control your digital music player via the USB jack in the front of the unit, as well as view metadata like song title and artist on the front display.

The Passenger Control feature lets your co-pilot control your iPod via a connected wire as they scan through your music, artist, and album information that is conveniently shown on the receiver display, so you can keep your hands on the wheel.

EQ3 Stage 2 and 52W x 4 High PowerThe MEX-BT5700 delivers 52 watts of peak power to all four speakers, for bass-pumping sound.

Wireless Card Remote Included The included wireless card remote (RM-X306) lets you control the basic functions of your Sony Xplod system while keeping your eyes on the road.

What's in the Box
Sony MEX-BT5700U receiver, wireless card remote (RM-X306) with battery, front panel case, wiring harness, installation hardware, external Bluetooth microphone, and documentation.

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Clarion Mobile Electronics FZ501 - Bluetooth USB Receiver Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've owned the FZ501 for a few weeks now, and overall I'm pretty happy with the purchase. For the $130 I paid, it's a crazy good value. You just don't find good receivers at this price that include iPod and Bluetooth capability. I'm surprised so many receivers still include CD players. Who still uses those?? :) Just keep in mind there are some compromises that go along with the low price.
Pros:
-If you like simple, minimal design (and I very much do), this is a great looking unit. The single silver nob with a light blue glow behind it should blend nicely into most cars. Blue is all you get, however. You can't change colors. That minimalist approach also means you have to spend some time learning all the ways to push (up, down, left, right), twist, and click that big button to get things done. Once you get your head around it, it's fine. But if you want separate buttons and nobs for features, this isn't the amp for you. It's a bit like learning the iPod for the first time. You do a lot with a small number of controls.
-Solid, low noise amp. I drive a semi-noisy sports car with a big engine. This puts out plenty of power to the 6 stock speakers. The sound that comes out is clean and clear, with no distortion that I noticed.
-Digital radio tuner pulls in stations well and puts out good sound
-Front facing USB/iPod connection and Aux jack are very handy and easy to use. I like the way a small plastic door slides to hide/reveal them, keeping the design clean.
-It works with the newer iDevices, including the iPhone 4. If you want iPod/iPhone compatibility, be sure to do your research before buying. Just because it says it supports iPods doesn't necessarily mean it will support your device - always check.
-Overall, the Bluetooth features work well. It pulls in your phone directory and displays the name of the caller when you get an incoming call. It will connect automatically to your device, so you don't even need to think about it. And it lets you play music if your phone/device supports A2DP. One issue tho: you can't just tell it to support audio only(for example, if you prefer using your bluetooth headset for calls). That was an issue for me when I'd get a call on my iPhone; it would default to using the speakerphone built in to the receiver when I wanted it to go to my headset. You can pretty easily push a button on screen to change you 'source' to the headset, but that's a hassle when you're driving. On the audio side, it's amazing how you can just turn on your car, it links to your player, and you can just start playing music without fiddling with settings. Keep in mind tho: no matter what Bluetooth stereo or device you use, the sound will not be as good as a wired USB or Aux connection. Even if you're not an audiophile, if you crank up the volume very much, you'll notice the difference in quality. It's not _bad_, it's just not as good as a wired connect.
-If you have steering wheel controls, the optional interface adapter works very nicely. Being able to change volume / mute / go to the next track on my iPod was nice. However, when using the radio, the track skip buttons just changes the frequency up/down, not the presets. What brilliant person thought to set it up that way??
Cons:
-You have to use a button on the remote to change the display from the radio station or track playing to see the clock. Seriously. If you just want to look down and glance at the time, keep that remote handy. It boggles my mind why they made that choice.
-The display itself is somewhat minimal. It has to scroll a bit to give you full song titles / album names / etc. It would have been nice for them to incorporate a bigger display that shows more at once. (Like the clock!)
-It only supports Sirius, not XM Satellite tuners
-No rear USB/iPod connection for folks that want to keep cables discretely hidden.
-No removable face plate to discourage theft.
-The inability to separate headset and music functions on Bluetooth mentioned above.
-I had some occasional Bluetooth drops or the connection didn't happen automatically without turning the unit on and off. The fault could be with the stereo or my iPod. Overall, this has been a pretty rare problem.
-The steering wheel control limitations mentioned above (thought that might be partly the fault of the 3rd party that makes the steering wheel interface cable).
Bottom line, I definitely recommend the FZ501 for the price.

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Clarion's FZ501 is a mechless digital media receiver receiver packed full of connectivity options, with a unique single multi-way controller, direct iPod/iPhone control, front USB and AUX with sliding cover, and built-in Bluetooth for hands-free operation and audio streaming. It also offers room to grow, with two pairs of 2V preamp outputs on top of its 50W x 4 MOSFET amplifier, and the ability to add HD or SIRIUS satellite radio.
A mechless digital media receiver receiver packed full of connectivity options. Click here for a larger image

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Sony DSXS200X digital media receiver with iPod Direct Control via USB Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The iPod that I used testing this receiver was the newest generation iPod Classic 160gb.
---UPDATE---
What is the difference between the s200x and s300BTX? Nothing in appearance, or sound. They are the exact same thing except the s300BTX has bluetooth, that is it.
---UPDATE---
Here is my situation (this may similar to yours):
I wanted a new car stereo that:
1.
----Controlled the iPod while bypassing the internal iPod DAC---- (Digital Audio Converter)
- which, in newer models (basically everything past the iPod Video 5.5g), has an inferior Cirrus chip (much discussed about with loss of quality outputting your media sound files). The s200x has a 24-bit DAC that outputs a life like sound quality (testing with ALAC--apple lossless) that just does this. More on this point: if you want your car stereo to bypass iPod's DAC (a must for any audiophile, or for the absolute best sound quality), then you will have to control the iPod through the stereo itself. Moreover, if you want to use your iPod/iPhone as a controller, you can just insert the USB sync cable into the front of the Sony. However, if you use the latter method, you will no longer be using the DAC bypass, resulting in lower quality audio from the DAC of the iPod/iPhone.
2. Almost as important as #1, and directly ties into above:
----A fairly intuitive navigation of the iPod through the receiver----.
The s200x loads up almost instantaneous (possibly 1 or 2 seconds), and changes tracks even quicker. Actually, it feels quicker using this receiver than it does using the iPod itself. Moreover, you can control everything, and I mean everything, from the remote. This helps because the dial in the middle of this unit is hard to press, and harder to press correctly (meaning, in the absolute middle). It navigates just like the iPod does through its own program. You can also search by Letter, so that you can limit tedious scrolling.
3. Again, as important as the above two:
----The ability to see the display in daylight----
Although sunlight directly on this device does saturate the brightness a bit, it does not enough so that you cannot read the display. More succinctly: when exposed to direct light, the whites are not as white and the blacks are not as deep, however the most important aspect still retains: The Display is readable in daylight.
4.
----Having a fairly sophisticated EQ. ----
Much to the chagrin of Alpine's x305s, this device lets you fine tune your sound environment within your car, without buying two hundred dollars worth of extra equipment, while not being inferior in sound. Yes, the Alpine has the Burr-Brown (name brand) DAC. Will you tell the difference if your sound files are converted, ripped, or compressed well? No.
So while you get nothing from Alpine without extra money when wanting to tailor your sound, the s200x from Sony will let you adjust Time Delay from your speakers (adjusted for the distance you are away from each speaker), the full spectrum of frequencies (low, mid, high), and your speaker's ability to either act as a subwoofer, or not (have 6x9's in your back seat but no independent sub? The s200x will let you turn those speakers into a sub, and a sub only).
5. And finally, not as important, but still a constituent with the s200x:
----Price----
Needless to say, you cannot go wrong with the features, and quality, of the s200x for well under 200$. Alpine's color display? Not much more than a low resolution LCD screen (the navigation and presentation of the s200x is much more fluid and appropriate).
What is more is that the 'iPod Tray' that I am sure you have read about, is a must, and a new standard. It is as ingenious as it is innovative. In light of the plethora of hanging 'USB' cables plaguing many a car, the Sony is like going completely wireless.
Oh, if you have not already figured it out by now this DOES NOT comes with a CD player. Hence the 'Digital Media Receiver' title. However, with the iPod tray, your Media Player takes it seat appropriately where a CD player would have went. Needless to say, you have never had a CD player that could play, or have access to, in less than a second, 20,000 lossless quality music files.
As I was looking around at every available receiver on the market, each one had a downside. Alpine did not offer anything to adjust the sound (except if you...ya know), Kenwood's controls were awful (which was the receiver I was replacing), and Pioneer did not offer a 24bit DAC and/or navigation was sluggish. With all of those features lacking in every other device, I, in a moment of serendipity, happened to discover the s200x.
What will your receive with the Sony S200x? Exactly what you want, and nothing less.


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The DSX-S200X Digital Media Receiver by Sony features a USB Tune Tray that connects and stores your iPod behind the sleek flip-down faceplate, eliminating visible wires. A second front USB input allows you to connect additional devices4. Plus, the DSX-S200X boasts innovative audio technology features like Advanced Sound Engine to create the ideal in-car sound experience.

Dynamic Sound
Flip-down Face with Front USB Input The large 4-line OEL display makes it easy to read song information and the front USB 1-wire input lets you connect, control and charge your iPod, iPhone, Walkman player or other compatible USB device.

Integrated Tune Tray The Tune Tray compartment lets you easily connect, control and charge your iPod, Walkman player or other compatible music devices via the USB 1-Wire input. Your player is secured inside, eliminating unsightly and distracting wires.

Dual USB 1-Wires Inputs Features dual USB 1-Wire inputs for iPod, Walkman player and other compatible music devices. Directly connect, charge, and control your compatible digital music player via the USB jack in internally and in the front of unit.

Intuitive Search Features Use Quick-BrowZer feature to find music by artist, album, genre, song or playlist. Jump Mode allows you to fast forward through a category in 10% increments while the ZAPPIN feature can play a 6, 9, or 30 second intro clip to help you find a specific song.

SensMe Application Music Channels SensMe application can organize your music into playlists that perfectly match your mood, scene and location, making it easier to choose the music that fits the moment.

Advanced Sound Engine The Advanced Sound Engine uses EQ7 equalizer, adjustable LPF/HPF crossovers, Listener Position calibration, DM+ advanced sound restoration, Rear Bass Enhancer, and Dynamic Loudness volume leveler to create an ideal in-car listening environment.

High-Powered Expansion Whether using the internal 52W x 4 high power amplifier for your speakers or the 4 Volt Front, Rear and Sub RCA preamp outputs to feed an external amplifier, you can dial in the output for optimum sound.

Wireless Remote/Illumination The included wireless remote lets you control the basic functions of your DSX-S200X Digital Media Receiver while keeping your eyes on the road. Selectable blue or red key illumination compliments vehicle interior lighting.

Satellite Radio/HD Radio Ready The DSX-S200X integrates seamlessly with Satellite Radio and HD Radio using Sony Bus adaptors so you can receive digital satellite radio or HD Radio broadcasts.

Radio Data System Radio Data System (RDS) feature displays radio broadcast information such as artist, title, and album when listening to compatible AM/FM stations.

What's in the Box
DSX-S200X Digital Media Receiver, RM-X172 Wireless Remote, XA-50IP USB Connector for iPod, Installation Hardware, User's Manual, Installation Manual

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Sony MEX-BT2800 In-Dash CD Receiver MP3/WMA Player with Bluetooth Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Wireless bluetooth audio streaming and calling are the killer feature for this deck. If you have a smartphone (I have an iPhone) you can beam your music and phone calls through the deck. Pairing was a simple one time process. Now, whenever I get in my car, my iPhone auto-pairs with the deck in 10-15 seconds. The iPhone beams my music to the deck. The quality is very good. I can't tell the difference between bluetooth and my aux cable, and I have quality aftermarket speakers installed. Controlling the music is done through the phone itself, the way it should be (trying to control your iPod/iPhone music through the deck is a pain in the ass. I have yet to see a deck that accomplishes this in way that isn't extremely clumsy, slow, and unintuitive). So, to be clear, I just scroll through my list of songs on the phone and when I press play (on the phone) I hear the sound through the car audio system.
If you get a call during a song (or podcast, or whatever), the music will fade out gracefully and you'll hear a ring through your car speakers. One press of the volume knob answers the call. You don't have to speak into your phone. There is a microphone in the faceplate of the deck. There are two settings for low and high sensitivity on the mic. The default is low, but I found that high sensitivity works better in my car, but it probably picks up more road noise. The call quality is good. My friends can't tell the difference between a call through the stereo and a normal call. When you're done with the call, the music will fade in gracefully right where you left off!
In conclusion, this really is the ideal solution for both hands-free calling and music in your car. It works better than I hoped. I haven't used the radio, the CD player, or any other feature, so I can't comment on those. But really, who cares about any of that stuff? All that matters is the quality of the bluetooth interface, and this deck has that. There's no need to spend a small fortune on a fancy, flashy deck. The smartphones of the future will have better music streaming, podcasting, voice controls, navigation, hd radio, etc. than any deck. Companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Google have a massive technology lead over car deck manufacturers. My advice is to get a good phone and a cheap deck with good bluetooth like this.

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Sony's MEX-BT2800 offers a basic way to add a Bluetooth receiver to your vehicle. Make hands-free calls or stream audio from your compatible devices. You can also play back CDs and CD-R/RWs, along with MP3/WMA files. A front auxiliary input is great for connecting external devices, or you can add full iPod control with a Sony adapter (that goes for HD/SAT Radio as well).

Detachable Faceplate The MEX-BT2800 features a detachable faceplate for added security, with a 1-line, 13-segment LCD display and blue control illumination.
Bluetooth Functionality The MEX-BT2800 features Bluetooth hands-free with an integrated microphone (or through an external microphone), as well as audio streaming functionality using your compatible Bluetooth music device.
MP3/WMA Playback Play CDs, CD-Rs, and CD-RWs, including discs loaded with MP3 and WMA files.
Optional iPod Control Easily add the ability to connect, charge, and control your compatible iPod device directly from the receiver.
Satellite and HD Radio Ready The MEX-BT2800 integrates seamlessly with satellite radio Sony Bus adaptors (sold separately) so you can receive digital satellite radio broadcasts. HD Radio capability lets you receive digital audio broadcasts when used with an optional HD Radio tuner.
Radio Data System (RDS) The Radio Data System (RDS) feature displays radio broadcast information such as artist, title, and album.
Front Auxiliary Input The front auxiliary input lets you connect almost any portable audio device to your car's sound system.
EQ3 Customize the sound with Sony's EQ3 feature, which includes 7 preset tone curves and a 3-band equalizer.
What's in the Box MEX-BT2800, Installation Hardware, User's Manual

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Clarion Mobile Electronics CX501 - 2-DIN CD/Bluetooth/USB Receiver Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Bought this for my 2001 Pontiac Grand Am GT as a replacement for the factory headunit. My car originally had the premium Monsoon stereo, but I was told while it had an external amplifier, it was held back by the not so great Delco head unit. I popped this radio in via a Scosche GM wiring harness from Walmart for $30 and it worked nearly perfectly. Sound is crisp and clear and a vast improvement over the old headunit.
I chose a double din radio because I want to preserve the "stock" look to act as a deterrent against stereo thieves (my 95 Suburban recently had its single din radio stolen). With this radio it's kind of a "have to look twice" to realize it's not the factory radio. And most radio thieves don't give a rip about factory radios. The only problem is that Clarion is on the front of the radio in large enough print. Perhaps I'll have to get a sticker that says Dual or Jensen.lol
Overall sound quality over all the inputs I've used has been very good. The bass is very good, almost too good in fact as my rear deck speakers are probably being pushed to their limits now. Radio reception is pretty good, not quite as good as factory, but good. And that may be due to the fact that I have to use an antenna wire adapter.
I love the customizable face colors. I have a Pontiac and they have red interior, at night the radio totally looks like it's the factory unit.
I picked this unit over it's older sibling the Clarion CX609 because of the way the Bluetooth is implemented. In the CX609 you have to run a microphone and a wire up your A-pillar or wherever you want it (I don't have the patience to do that) with the CX501 it's integrated into the unit itself and with adjustable gain/sensitivity it works very well. It's so convenient.
A weakness is the interface, it's not the most complicated radio I've used but the ease of use from a factory radio is definitely missed. Sometimes when in iPod mode if I'm in a playlist and want to select another song in the playlist, I have to go back out to the top iPod menu then >music>playlists>playlist I want>song I want. Other time it allows me to browse within the playlist without going through the menus again. And I can't figure out why it does that sometimes.
Also installation was kind of a pain. Both do to engineering choices by Clarion and by GM/Pontiac. The space behind the radio is very tight. I originally learned about this unit at crutchfield.com and they said I might have to modify the space to fit the radio. I didn't have to do that, but it's very close fit, and probably would benefit from cutting the rear support bracket. That said, the clearance issue wasn't due to the radio itself, but the RCA jacks coming out of the rear of the unit. Most radios I've seen have female RCA jack ports in the back for adding on an amplifier. This radio has female RCA jack wires in the back meaning that even if you don't use an amplifier, you still have the RCA jacks coming out of the back of the radio. And they go right up against the rear mounting bracket in my car. Had these just been empty ports, my installation would have been relatively easy. But it does work and it does fit in a 2001 Pontiac Grand Am. It's not the prettiest install, but it is doable.
Also, the illumination/dimming feature doesn't seem to be working on my unit. I have the setting on, but when my headlights come on everything dims to the night setting except the radio. Now this could be a defect in my unit or a defect in my data harness (the one from Walmart). It's not a big issue though, at least not for me. I'm going to give Clarion the benefit of the doubt and say it's a problem with the data harness by Scosche, since I bought it from Walmart.
Overall, I'm loving this radio and am glad I decided to go with it. I recommend it, but if you have a 2001 Pontiac Grand Am, I'd keep a radio shop on speed dial, I came really close to giving up and having my local shop install it.lolOh, and the price here on Amazon is a really really good price. It's $50 less than Crutchfield and the few radio shops that carry it.

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Clarion's CX501 is a versatile double-DIN CD receiver with room to grow, offering Bluetooth hands-free calling and audio streaming, MP3/WMA playback, USB connectivity with iPod direct control, a 3.5mm auxiliary input, and a 50W x 4 MOSFET amplifier to crank out the tunes. Ready to grow? The CX501 offers six channels of preamp outputs for system expansion, and the ability to add SIRIUS or HD radio.
A versatile double-DIN CD receiver with built-in Bluetooth and room to grow. Click here for a larger image

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Sony CDXGT550UI MP3/WMA/AAC Player CD Receiver with iPod Direct Control via USB Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I'm quite happy with the unit after a couple days. Surprised at how well it integrates with my iPhone (3GS) for music. It has two modes for using with iPhone, the default is it blanks the IPOD on the phone and you get full IPOD control on the deck (browse by artist-album-song). If you prefer you can set to 'passenger' mode which turns on the ability to control songs from the iPhone rather than the deck. Pandora works. You can navigate and do whatever you want on the phone while playing music through the deck; something two different 'geeks' at BB told me it couldn't do. Charges iPhone good. Cons - Silly triple beep I can't figure out how to turn off when ignition turns off, supposed to remind you to remove the faceplate - sheesh. No simple bass/treble adjustment for the wife, have to adj EQ from what I can tell.

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The Xplod CDX-GT550UI by Sony lets you play music from a variety of sources with superior sound quality. Connect, charge, and control your iPod, iPhone, Walkman player or other compatible digital music players with USB 1-Wire, an innovative feature that also displays song title, artist and track data.

Explosive Sound
Detachable Face With Front Auxiliary InputThe easy-to-read single line LCD display shows clock, station ID and track data when playing back your digital MP3/WMA/AAC files. The front auxiliary input lets you connect almost any portable audio device to your car's sound system.

MP3/WMA/AAC PlaybackMulti-format playback lets you play your MP3, WMA, or AAC songs. Hear digital music files in their original vibrancy with DM+ (Digital Music Plus), a Sony codec enhancer that reproduces detailed frequencies from compressed audio files.

Front USB 1-WireConnect, charge, and control your iPod, iPhone, Walkman player or other compatible USB devices via the USB 1-Wire jack in the front of the unit. You can also view metadata like song title and artist on the front display.

Intuitive Search FeaturesThe Quick-BrowZer feature lets you search and select songs by category, including artist, album, genre, or playlist. Jump Mode gets you closer to the song you want by fast forwarding through the music categories in 10 percent increments.

ZAPPIN track sampling searchThe ZAPPIN feature lets users play music samples in 6, 9, or 30-second clips until you find the song you're looking for.

Passenger ControlPassenger Control lets your co-pilot control the music playing from your iPod device via connected USB 1-Wire, and as they scan through your music, artist and album information is conveniently shown on the receiver display.

Satellite/HD Radio ReadyThe Satellite and HD Radio ready feature lets users connect and control your optional Satellite and HD Radio tuners to the integrated Sony Bus system to receive broadcast signals, providing device control directly from the receiver's front panel.

Advanced Sound EngineThe Advanced Sound Engine uses EQ7 equalizer, adjustable LPF/HPF crossovers, Listener Position calibration, DM+ advanced sound restoration, Rear Bass Enhancer, and Dynamic Loudness volume leveler to create an ideal in-car listening environment.

RCA Outputs for External AmplifiersWhen you're ready to expand your system, the CDX-GT550UI offers front and selectable rear or subwoofer preamp RCA outputs for external amplifiers. Set the built in electronic HPF/LPF crossovers to improve sound quality and reduce system distortion.

Wireless Card RemoteControl your Xplod CD receiver while keeping your eyes on the road with the included wireless card remote (RM-X151).

Blue or Green Key IlluminationSelectable Blue or Green key illumination helps complement the existing vehicle dash lighting so you locate buttons quickly during evening playback.

What's in the Box
CDX-GT550UI Receiver, Remote Control, Sleeve/Trim Ring, Wiring Harness, Installation Hardware, User's Manual, Installation Manual

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Kenwood Excelon KDC-X794 In-Dash CD MP3 WMA Receiver with Remote Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)At first I was skeptical about this deck after receiving it and ultimately wrote a bad review. In the following weeks I've determined this is the best deck I've ever owned. my only huge complaint was the slowness of viewing the folders off a USB device. Then I found a forum where someone had modified the kenwood music software into something simple and great. If you buy this deck you must visit [...] and download the improved version of kenwood's software. Sound quality is superb and the only thing lacking in the head unit is intuitiveness and a dedicated mute button on the deck :P. ALSO there seems to be some sort of glitch with the deck. If you remove the faceplate, start up the vehicle and put the faceplate back on, the deck will not read ANY USB device until it's reset with the reset button. You must put the faceplate back on BEFORE starting the vehicle. strange I know but it's something I can live with.

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Alpine CDE-121 Car Stereo CD/MP3/AAC/WMA Receiver Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought this radio a month ago at best buy, and it works great. it has quite a few features, but they take a little while to get used to. you can simply put a flash drive into the front and it reads the music files on it, and the display flows smoothly. the usb also charges your devices, which makes it convienient for cell phones/ipods/zunes/mp3's. Aux connection works well. It has subwoofer level control, as well as bass level control, making it a great radio to add to your audio improvement in your car. in my opinion though, it would be well worth the extra $6 to just buy the radio from best buy (my total was $117.99 after tax) and not have to worry about the hassle of shipping/vendors/etc. overall, it is a great radio, great quality/brand name, and works efficiently, lots of positive features, especially for the price.

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Pioneer AVH-P3300BT 5.8-Inch DVD AV Bluetooth Receiver with iPod/iPhone Control Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)First of all, the reason why I had purchased this item was because it had bluetooth and it was navigation ready on sale for only ($359). If the price is listed higher then $359 don't get it. Just wait for the price to go down. The higher end models that are twice as expensive and do not even include bluetooth or navigation ready. As soon as I had this item installed,
I was very impressed by the sound quality (you can custom tune the EQ), and I love how it's very simple to use. And it just came out as well.
It comes with a microphone where you can set it anywhere you want in the front of the car to talk into and it has the iphone function where you can dial numbers and view your phonebook through the screen. The touchscreen sensitivity is pretty good, not the best, but pretty good. I would rate the touch sensitivity 3.8 of 5 stars because its the push technology. I'd give the iphone's touch sensitivity 5 of 5 stars.
This system has a new feature called APP MODE which is awesome because you can view and control any of your applications from your iphone 4 or itouch through your head unit screen. The only downside to the APP MODE is Pioneer makes customers buy a specific cable for that feature to work. You need the Pioneer CD-IU51V which costs like $50.00 bucks. Not the Pioneer CD-IU50V. Total Rip-Off but its cool to own.
This unit comes with a remote control but it's really uncomfortable to use because it's so tiny and its hard to get a grip while driving. I would recommend you go on Pioneer's website and purchase a remote control separately (it's around $19-$29).
What's cool is that it can read SD cards. You can put pictures, movies, music, and etc. I prefer using an SD card over an ipod because ipod's require a long cable. Its just a pain to pull out the cable and then hide it every time you step out of your vehicle so that nobody see's it and tries to rob you.
Also, make sure you let the installer know that you want this head unit bypassed so you are able to watch movies as you drive. (Not that I recommend anyone doing that, but maybe for the passenger to watch and get comfortable with). If you don't get the head unit bypassed, videos will not play unless you are parked. I did the bypass myself and it doesn't take more than 5-10 minutes if you know what you're doing. In order to bypass it, you are going to need a Standard Bosch Relay (can be purchased at any electronic store for a few bucks or less). You do not want to get it bypassed by using a switch (let the installer know you don't want it done this way) because then you are going to have to turn the switch on and off every time you get in the car.
What I also like about this unit is that it will read almost any type of dvd video format. Also, you can go on itunes and burn 600 songs onto a dvd disc (format it as data disc), and it will play beautifully, all 500-600 songs. I recommend again, if you want to watch movies on screen from your itouch or iphone 4, you need to purchase the USB cable that pioneer has to offer (Pioneer CD-IU51V). NOT THE Pioneer CD-IU50V. You need the Pioneer CD-IU51V.
If you have any questions including which EQ setting sounds best, how to install or bypass, where the best place to set the microphone, etc. Let me know. Hope this review was helpful.

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Pioneer's AVH-P3300BT adds Bluetooth hands-free calling to the long list of features on their 2011 multimedia receivers, complete with 10-key dialing via the 5.8-inch widescreen touch display. Pioneer's improved touch interface lets you customize things to your preference, and easily enjoy your favorite DVDs and CDs, USB thumb drives, and SD Cards full of your favorite files. You'll get direct control of your iPod or iPhone, and Pioneer's Advanced Sound Retriever to put some life back into those compressed audio files. Pioneer's Auto EQ feature lets you use the CD-M20 microphone to further optimize the receiver's EQ for your vehicle. And when it's time to grow, add GPS navigation, satellite radio, and more with Pioneer add-on devices.
A versatile touchscreen DVD receiver with wide media support. Click here for a larger image

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Kenwood Kdc-Hd545U In-Dash CD Receiver with Built-In HD Radio Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought this unit primarily for the USB interface, although having HD radio is nice as well. I have previously owned a JVC HD Radio, but wanted to try something else this time. The Kenwood KDC-HD545U has all the features I was looking for including the USB interface. My primary concern was the ability to play MP3 files via disc and USB. I was also impressed to be getting HD Radio at this price level. While the menu options may be a bit different from other brands, it doesn't take long to get used to them. I would suggest spending a few minutes reading the manual, and a few more playing around with the menus while sitting in the driveway, not while driving. The remote control for this unit is also nice with plenty of features on it as well. The radio also has presets, which is pretty standard although some manufacturers are moving away from them. I appreciate having them as I do still listen to FM at times.
Pros
+ Excellent Value
+ Plays MP3 via compact disc and USB interface
+ Supports HD Radio
+ Remote control
+ Supports AAC Files
+ Supports Ipod / IPhone
Cons
- None that would deter me from buying this unit againBottom Line: If you are looking to replace a stock or older unit with something newer, this model is not only in the lower price range, but it offers a lot of features you wouldn't expect to find in a lower end unit. If you have mp3's, you will appreciate being able to fit so many on a single disc or having your entire music collection on a USB drive you can plug right into your car stereo. You can't go wrong here in my opinion!

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Kenwood KDC-BT948HD In-Dash Head Unit Car Stereo Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I really like this deck. Since I installed it in place of my stock deck, I'm super happy. My car music life has changed. I still have stock speakers but even those sound better. I'll be putting in a full system later and will update maybe but I doubt it. I have a 2003 Malibu and it fit fine in spite of what other websites told me.
The first thing I was almost disappointed in was the USB. I had looked at this thing in the store twenty times and never realized the USB was out of the back of the unit via a cable. No big deal though and in fact I decided I like not having the USB sticking out of the front. I haven't hooked up anything larger than a 1GB stick yet but it works fine and accesses quickly. Wouldn't mind testing with something over 32GB.
The second thing that I may actually be almost disappointed in (does that make sense?) is the microphone for the phone. It's a wire as well that they recommend you attach to your steering column or something. I forgot to attach it when I installed the deck and am too lazy to get that set up right now. So that means no testing of Bluetooth phone thing. My phone is dumb anyways.
All the other stuff is great. I usually have to set my fade a little to the back. With this deck I just told it what kind of car and speakers I have and it did all that. Everything sounds great. Setting the colors of the deck is fun and distracting. You can customize about everything on the display which I liked. HD radio sounds good and you can keep it from doing that transition thing between non-HD/HD. At least I think I can, maybe I just have great reception. Remote is nice which makes using the deck to control almost unnecessary. You need the deck to set stations and to turn it off but that's about it I think.

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Sony XAV-62BT 6.1" In-Dash Double DIN DVD/MP3/WMA/AAC Receiver with Built-in Bluetooth and iPod Control Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)[Second update: I have now come to hate and despise this unit and am negotiating a trade-in. It is a really excellent unit if you don't care about these three things:
1) It "navigates" an iPod by ALWAYS starting at Music. I have 160 GB of music on my iPod. If I'm playing (say) a Richard Thompson album and want to listen to a different album of his, on the iPod I would click Menu to show the tracks on the current album, click again to show his list of albums, scroll to the next album, click to list its tracks, and click to play. The Sony requires a minimum of 86 screen-taps to do the same thing. I say "a minimum" because the real number is approx 100: the screen doesn't register every tap. Yes, I can choose to control the iPod directly, but that reduces this unit to a very large and expensive volume control.
2) There is NO WAY to shut off the lawyer-noise. EVERY time you turn it on, you have to tap to promise you won't ever touch it while driving. Given a likely life-span of 5 years for the unit, that's ~10,000 taps. I doubt the screen is even rated for 10,000 taps on the same spot.
3) If you don't turn it on, it runs constant, dangerously-distracting commercials about its features. I already bought the damn thing, so why the commercials? Clincher: There is NO WAY to turn this off.]
Pros:
Excellent pre-amp audio quality.
Really good equalizer.
High-resolution touch screen.
Excellent, automatic Bluetooth connectivity.
Cons:
[See above, plus]
Runs INCREDIBLY hot, even when not using the onboard amps.
iPod/USB connector only on front.
It at first failed to see USB keys and iPods.
If you're using a subwoofer, you lose the separate front and rear pre-amp outs, so you cannot fade front-to-rear. Surprisingly, I don't miss this.
Poor steering wheel control integration (probably not the Sony's fault).
Too much upfront lawyer-noise: it won't play anything until you promise you'll be good and never touch it (yes, Mom: I promise...)
I avoided Sony audio equipment for many years due to poor audio quality. But I recently put myself in the hands of Charles at Systems Unlimited in Redmond, WA. (The name is not a misnomer: when I arrived he had a brand-new Bentley in the shop, getting a truly unlimited system installed.) I was very surprised when he recommended this new deck, but I trusted him, and now trust him implicity: the Sony sits at the centre of a very high-end audio system, and doesn't embarrass itself. It takes line-level Apple Lossless output from my 160GB iPod, feeds it to a Genesis Profile 4 amp which in turn feeds ultra-clean watts into two sets of Focal speakers.
I was upgrading from a decent Pioneer head unit that had driven the Focals directly (because I busted my budget buying them). I expected an improvement; I did NOT expect such an utter transformation. I put my sneers-at-technology bagpipe-playing friend and girlfriend in the car and played a pibroch at a realistic volume level: I think I might have shut them up forever, but I won't be able to tell until they get their jaws back in place. My system now sounds better than easily 99.9% of cars on the road, and is so incredibly clean that listening fatigue doesn't exist.
(Note: Most or perhaps all of the audio improvement is no doubt from the Genesis Profile 4, not the head unit. I never used the Pioneer's pre-amp outputs, so it's not a fair comparison.)
My other big concern about the unit is how hot it runs. I'm going to see if it is possible to disconnect the internal amps altogether: without them, it'd probably only pull 10-20 watts.
(But my real BIG concern is that I so obviously now need an extreme subwoofer upgrade to match the rest of the system.)


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JVC KW-AVX720 Double-DIN Multimedia Satellite/HD Radio/Bluetooth-Ready Receiver with 7-Inch Widescreen Touch Panel Monitor, DVD/CD/iPod/iPhone USB 2.0 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I just installed this product in my 2000 Toyota 4Runner and already love it. I initially bought a Kenwood flip screen but went it back because when it flipped open, it blocked all my air controls. I have no plans of sending this stereo back.
- Price - Can't beat this price. It sells on Crutchfield (who I love too) for about $100 more.
- Sound - The sound coming out of this thing with factory speakers and no additional amp or woofer is fantastic. There are preloaded rock/r&b/country/ etc setting plus 3 user settings where you can customize your own settings and save them. Very nice. I plan on visiting www.Crutchfield.com to take advantage of their unbelievable speaker sale and upgrade that as well.
- Picture - I can not believe how crisp the picture on this unit is. I watched The Bourne Supremacy and it looked and sounded fantastic. With the numerous color options available on the display panel, you can customize it to your personal likings.
- Accessories - I bought a new unit solely to play my Ipod in because the FM transmitter I was using with the factory stereo was a piece of crap. I figured I would splurge and get the DVD player as well. So, the Ipod plugs right in the usb port with the sub cable provided with your Ipod. You can do everything audio with it, but need the separate adapter to watch videos or podcasts off it. With just using the usb port however, you have complete function over the Ipod with the touchscreen which is gorgeous. I don't currently use the Bluetooth or Rear View Camera, but will at some point and will be sure to comment again. I do not have steering wheel controls.
- Tuner - Gives you 18 FM presets and 6 A presets. I don't even have 18 FM stations I like so I guess I'm overwhelmed.
- Installation - Installing a car stereo on your own may seem like a daunting task, but it is supremely easy and you are wasting money by going to a place like Best Buy or something to have them install it. Believe me, anyone can do it even if you have ZERO mechanical experience. The only thing I would recommend would be purchasing the installation kit from Crutchfield or from Amazon if it is available. I suggest this because while this unit may "fit" in your car, it may not have the same connectors that your current unit has. The installation kit from Crutchfield comes with step-by-step instructions and a support number with people that know exactly what they are doing. I installed this unit with only a screwdriver, needle nose pliers, a wire splicer and about a dozen RED butt connectors. All the wires may seem intimidating, but if you can visually match up one red wire with another red wire and a green wire with another green wire and so on, then you can install this unit. Without the installation kit, you may have trouble figuring out how to get your old unit out and you may not have properly connecting plugs. Oh yeah, don't forget to take out the factory amp as this unit has a built in one that is more than likely better that the factory one.
- Remote - Nice little throw in. Alot of units do not come with the remote and cost you an extra 20-40 bucks sometimes. Best thing about it is controlling the volume I guess. Like most, I'm capable of looking at the stereo intermittently while driving to find what I need.
Reasons for not giving 5 stars:
- Can't upload personal images. Some units in this price range allow you to upload personal images and display them as your background. No big deal though.
- Can't display album art from Ipod without buying additional adapter. Who cares.
- It only has a single disc changer. Would be nice to be able to store a few dvds or cds in there, but I can get over it.
- Unlike the previous post claims, this does not have a detachable face. The upgraded JVC AVX820 does.
Hopefully this wasn't too much and it helped your decision making. I wold not hesitate recommending this product to anyone who asks.
I will write more in another couple of months or so to see how it holds up over time and use.

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Hit the road with the KW-AVX720, and take the stress out of the drive. Enjoy movies on the Double-DIN receiver's 7-inch Widescreen Monitor, which is also a user-friendly touch panel featuring the Proximity Sensor. The stylishly-designed keys become totally black when the power is off. The unit plays both audio and video (with additional KS-U30) from your iPod/iPhone or USB devices. The 2-way control for iPod/iPhone lets you operate from either your iPod/iPhone or on the headunit. You can also enjoy Bluetooth Wireless Technology, HD Radio, and SAT Radio with optional devices.

CDs, DVDs and More Enjoy your favorite CDs or watch some video on DVD, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW or VCDs.
You can also enjoy your favorite WMA/MP3/WAV audio files, or take in MPEG1/2 videos or JPEG images, from disc or from a USB device.
AM/FM Radio The KW-AVX720 features an AM/FM radio with standards like automatic presetting. You can also add SAT or HD radio with additional accessories.
The HS-IVi tuner features higher sensitivity, thanks to three IF bandwidths (wide, middle and narrow). It also includes AM Noise Canceller plus upgraded IF filters that help avoid the distortion caused by interference from adjacent stations.
To get even more from the airwaves, add JVC optional hardware for HD Radio or SAT Radio reception.
Stylish Frame Design With its smooth slope from side to bottom, the faceplate's simple streamlined contour blends perfectly with your car interior.
Customizable Interface Choose from 12 different GUI colors and multiple graphic options to match your car interior.
Multimedia Connectivity Connect, control, and charge your iPod or iPhone with full speed using its existing charging cable. Also compatible with Portable HDD Devices, USB Flash Memory Drives, and Digital Audio Players (KS-U30 Cable required for iPod/iPhone video connections).
Proximity Sensor The KW-AVX720 features a proximity sensor that detects as your hand approaches to operate. The unit then illuminates the DVD/Video Menu icons on-screen.
Dial in Your Sound Perfect your sound with a three-band parametric equalizer and Loudness control for low level listening.
Input and Output Two pairs of 2.5V preamp outputs are provided for adding a little extra power to the KW-AVX720's onboard 50W x 4 amplifier.
An AV input is also included for use with video game systems or other devices, and you can also use the composite video output terminals to send video to a passenger screen.
Bluetooth Ready Bluetooth Wireless Technology is available with an optional adapter. A maximum of five compatible mobile phones can be registered for hands-free calling. With voice-recognition mobile phones, you can dial by just saying the name in your phone book. The wireless functions work even if your mobile phone is tucked away in your bag or pocket. You can also stream music from a compatible digital audio player, for listening on your car stereo.
Wireless Remote A full-featured wireless remote is include for controlling receiver functions.
What's in the Box JVC KW-AVX720 Receiver, trim ring, sleeve, remote control, wiring harness, installation hardware, installation manual, instructions

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JVC KW-XR810 Double-DIN Bluetooth Dual USB/CD Receiver with USB 2.0 for iPod/iPhone, and Bluetooth/Satellite/HD Radio add-on capability Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Installed it in 2010 Nissan Frontier Extended Cab, along with the HD Radio tuner, 6"x9" Alpine SPR-69C speakers in front and 6.5" Alpine SPS-600's in rear.
Pros:
1. Very easy, intuitive navigation, especially for all the features, including large dedicated buttons for preset radio stations -- which was important to me since I listen to the radio a LOT. Menu and Back buttons make the nested menus easy, especially when using USB mass storage (up to 20,000 songs). Can Hide infrequently used menu options (such as AUX input) using Setup. Can readily "customize it" to meet your preferences. Once you've tweaked your setup, it's very easy to use.
2. Color matched my dash lights VERY well, with separate settings for the display and the buttons, including totally different setups for night and day. Display is fairly customizeable, as well, in addition to choosing Negative and Positive backlighting.
3. Great internal equalizer provides 3 different adustments for each of at least 3 frequencies in each of the 3 broad ranges (High, Mid, Low) -- making it more like a 9 or 10 band equalizer. Can finetune it to your speakers and the car's acoustics -- your tweaking is most easily done by pressing and holding the preset that's closest to what you like, then make your manual adjustments and its automatically saved as a USER preset that's easily accessed via this dedicated EQ button. Or, you can do it the hard way using the Setup >> Audio menu.
4, Strong internal amp is certainly not "over-rated" at 20 watts -- it will produce 20 watts with little noticeable distortion. With good aftermarket speakers, you may not (I don't) need an amp or separate sub, though I'm sure it would sound even better. Multiple LOUD settings to enhance low volume, if desired, but I don't use them -- just tweaked the EQ. You could boost the volume even more by jacking up the input volume (see #5 below). Of course, you have 5 sets of RCA out jacks and built-in subwoofer control if you want to amp it up...
5. Adjustable input volume for each input source(Aux, USB, CD, etc) other than the Radio, so you can get the same output volume from each source withour jarring (and possibly harmful to your ears or speakers) volume changes when switching sources. Even the Aux input sounds good, though it doesn't quite compare to the 24-bit Digital-to-Analog (DAC) converter in the headunit.
6. Clean, great sound, though I didn't try it with just the stock speakers. With all the adjustments, you can tailor it to the type of music you typically listen to. Surprising bass with these nice Alpine speakers. The stereo in my truck now blows away the Pioneer/Bose setup in my house!
7. Attractive, without being flashy. Looks almost stock... hopefully won't attract the attention of theives!
CONS:
1. Couldn't transfer phonebook from my old Casio Boulder. Easily paired up to it, and the Bluetooth works great otherwise. I just dial out using Phonebook on my cell, and the headunit takes over. Could still manually dial using headunit, but it's more cumbersome. Sounds great -- callers say it sounds like I'm just using a headset, without echoes, road noise or other distractions.
2. Didn't recognize my Sansa Clip MP3 player - perhaps because I also have a microSD card in it. Bought a 8GB USB flash drive that works great, and use it on the rear USB, hidden in glove compartement. (The tiny USB Bluetooth adapter stays in the front USB and isn't very noticeable at all.)
3. File names and folders still limited to 25 characters, which initially required some renaming of the files. This has little impact on the display, however, since the Tags (Artist, Album, Song Title) can contain up to 128 characters. Can select to scroll long tags once, repeatedly, or turn scrolling completely off.
4. FM radio reception isn't really any better than stock, though the sound is clearer with less static on normal AM/FM. AM reception seems better than stock, and much clearer overall. HD radio sounds GREAT, though HD stations and their range are still limited. I saw HD as an investment in the future, without subscription charges, especially since the FCC just recently approved the HD stations to increase their broadcast power (i.e. range) ten-fold or something like that.
5. Glossy faceplate and buttons show fingerprints and dust, and makes it look "less stock" than it would if it had a textured finish. Otherwise, matches stock dash very well. At night, with the colors adjusted and stored via setup, it looks like it came from the factory instead of having a multi-colored light show... See the photos that I uploaded.
Overall, I'm VERY, VERY pleased with the upgrade. The improvement in sound (not counting flexibility of two USB inputs, AUX, HD radio, etc.) over the stock single-CD (non Rockford-Fosgate) system is simply incredible. With the 6x9 Alpines, you can crank it up and feel the bass thump your chest. IMO, this JVC has the most features available at this price point in a double-DIN deck, those features are easy to use, and the sound won't disappoint!

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JVC's double-DIN KW-XR810 is a USB/CD receiver with plenty of connectivity--connect USB devices and iPod/iPhones using dual USB ports, or other devices using the front-panel 3.5mm auxiliary input. Bluetooth technology gives you hands-free audio or audio streaming with your cell phone, and expansion options include three preamp outputs and the easy addition of HD or satellite radio. The icing on the cake is JVC's Separated Variable Color, which lets you adjust the receiver's display color to match your vehicle or preference.

Separated Variable Color The KW-XR810 features a Full-Dot LCD with JVC's Separated Variable-Color. Personalize your stereo to match your vehicle's interior illumination colors. Separated variable color lets you use two separate colors from a choice of over 30,000 options to create your own color scheme.
Built-in Bluetooth Wireless Technology Drive more safely (or legally depending on where you live) with hands-free calling. The included wired microphone offers flexible settings for clear communication. The Phone Book Access Profile (PBAP) for iPhone lets you automatically access your phone book without transfer. You can also manually transfer up to 400 numbers from compatible cell phones. Changing from hands-free to a private conversation can be done by a push of a key. You can also easily switch Bluetooth connection between 2 phones, such as for business/private use.

CD and MP3/WMA/WAV Playback Enjoy your favorite CDs or throw in burnt CD-Rs. You can also listen back to MP3/WMA/WAV data CDs, which allows you to throw hours of music on a single disc, with ID3 tag display of artist and track info. Or better yet, just drag your files to a USB thumb drive and plug it into the receiver's front-panel USB port.
A 24-bit TI/Burr-Brown analog-to-digital converter provides a solid sound base, and you can perfect it with the three-band EQ. For quiter listening, a Loudness function (in three different patterns) is provided, to ensure you still get some low-end and dynamics.
Front-Panel USB and Auxiliary Input Connect USB thumb drives, iPods/iPhones (see below), or other USB devices using the USB port. If you have another audio device that's not USB compatible, just use the standard 3.5mm auxiliary input and you're all set. A second USB port is provided on the rear of the receiver, so you can keep a couple devices connected.
USB Audio and Video for iPod/iPhone The USB connection for iPod/iPhone provides clear digital sound directly from your iPod or iPhone. While your device is in use, it also receives a charge, so it's ready to step out of the car when you do. Since the KD-R810 features two USB ports, you can connect two different iPods, or a USB device along with an iPod.

With External Mode for iPod, you can also enjoy sound from your favorite iPod/iPhone apps in your vehicle, such as Internet radio, games, video, or navigation apps (compatibility differs by model).
AM/FM Radio The KW-XR810 features an AM/FM radio, with 6 AM and 18 FM presets, for quick access to your favorite stations.
The HS-IVi tuner features higher sensitivity, thanks to three IF bandwidths (wide, middle and narrow). It also includes AM Noise Canceller plus upgraded IF filters that help avoid the distortion caused by interference from adjacent stations.
HD/SAT Radio Ready If you'd like to add some serious entertainment options to your vehicle, add an optional HD or Satellite radio solution from JVC to take advantage of XM/SIRIUS programming or HD features like Multicasting or iTunes tagging.
50W x 4 MOSFET Amplifier The built-in 50W x 4 MOSFET amp provides plenty of power, but three 2.5V preamp output terminals (front, rear, subwoofer) are also provided for system building.
What's in the Box KW-XR810 Receiver, Bluetooth Microphone, Sleeve/Trim Ring, Wiring Harness, Installation Hardware, Instruction/Intallation Manuals, Warranty Info

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Kenwood Excelon KDC-X895 CD Receiver with Built-In Bluetooth Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I recently installed this into my 2004 Corvette Coupe. I bought this radio primarily because it has a USB port on the front.
Here are my basic complaints:
Complaint #1) I cannot get the sound quality to match the OEM radio.
Complaint #2) There are way too many confusing audio settings.
Complaint #3) The LCD screen is not bright enough, I can't read the titles in daylight.
Complaint #4) The text size is small, very hard to read.
Complaint #5) You LOSE all settings when you disconnect the car battery, there is no internal memory function on this radio!!!
Complaint #6) Navigation is cumbersome, not very intuitive.
My recommendation - don't buy this particular model.


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Sony MEX-BT3800U In-Dash CD Receiver MP3/WMA/AAC Player with Bluetooth Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)You get a lot for your money with this unit. Between the front auxiliary in, USB, and Bluetooth you have plethora of connectivity options so you should be able to connect anything to this unit for a long time. That's the unit's biggest plus. In fact, it can be a little bit annoying to have to switch through so many inputs via the source to get to the one you want (you can turn off aux in the settings though). You can also add optional HD Radio through an expensive adapter. I don't mind the lack of HD Radio since from what I've read, the execution isn't great yet with radios switching back and forth between the HD and analog signal and the signals themselves not being in sync.
The display is easy to read at a glance, and RDS (displays what is currently playing on the tuner) makes finding new radio stations easy. The iPod controls on the unit are a bit too complicated to bother learning, especially since you can use the iPod's own controls if you switch to "passenger mode". The buttons on the bottom of the unit used to switch stations and perform other operations have kind of a sharp edge a the bottom, which can make them sometimes a little painful to press if you don't aim high when you hit them. The USB will charge your iPod or other device fine.
The Bluetooth connectivity works really well, and sounds great. I use the Bluetooth stereo to stream music from my Motorola Droid with no problems. The Bluetooth hands free functionality is a bit basic since the unit won't display who is calling you, just that you have a call. Not that big of a deal at this price point. My phone will automatically pair the hands free profile when I turn the stereo on, but seems kind of hit or miss with pairing the Bluetooth stereo profile automatically. From using my phone with another Bluetooth speaker, it seems like it's more of an issue with the Droid.
One thing I find really strange with this unit is the remote functionality. If I use the head unit controls to turn on the unit / change source, the only control on the remote that will work is the off button. Vice versa, if you turn the unit on with the remote, all the remote functions work perfectly fine, but you can only use the volume controls on the head unit. Seek buttons, etc will not work. It took me a while to figure this out and at first I thought the remote control was defective. Again, this is not that big of deal to me since I would hardly use the remote, I just wish it was documented somewhere.

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Sony's MEX-BT3800U is a great way to add Bluetooth and media power to your vehicle, with 52 Watts through four channels. Make hands-free calls or stream audio from your compatible devices. You can also play back CDs and CD-R/RWs, along with MP3/WMA/AAC files. A front auxiliary input is great for connecting external devices, and you can enjoy full iPod control right from the receiver.

Detachable Faceplate The MEX-BT3800U features a detachable faceplate for added security, with a 1-line, 13-segment LCD display and blue control illumination.
Bluetooth Functionality The MEX-BT3800U features Bluetooth hands-free with an integrated microphone (or through an external microphone), as well as audio streaming functionality using your compatible Bluetooth music device.
USB 1-Wire for iPod, iPhone, and Other USB Devices USB 1-Wire lets you directly connect, charge, and control your digital music player via the USB jack in the front of the unit, as well as view metadata like song title and artist on the front display.
Quick-Browzer Technology With Jump Mode and ZAPPIN Features Quick-BrowZer lets you search and select songs by category, including artist, album, genre, or playlist. Jump Mode gets you closer to the song you want by allowing you to fast forward through a music category in 10 percent increments. With Zappin, you can play music in six-, nine-, or 30-second clips until you find the song you're looking for.
MP3/WMA/AAC Playback With DM+ Multi-format playback lets you play CDs, CD-Rs, or CD-RWs loaded with hundreds of MP3, AAC, or WMA songs. Hear the music on your recorded CDs and MP3s in their original vibrancy with DM+ (Digital Music Plus), an original Sony codec enhancer that reproduces detailed and high-frequency sound from compressed audio.
Satellite and HD Radio Ready The MEX-BT3800U integrates seamlessly with satellite radio Sony Bus adaptors (sold separately) so you can receive digital satellite radio broadcasts. HD Radio capability lets you receive digital audio broadcasts when used with an optional HD Radio tuner.
Radio Data System (RDS) The Radio Data System (RDS) feature displays radio broadcast information such as artist, title, and album.
Front Auxiliary Input The front auxiliary input lets you connect almost any portable audio device to your car's sound system.
EQ3 Customize the sound with Sony's EQ3 feature, which includes 7 preset tone curves and a 3-band equalizer.
What's in the Box MEX-BT3800U, Installation Hardware, User's Manual

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