This is a versatile head unit for the $$
Pros:
Features galore, nice clean sound!
Cons:
Buttons are small,Read the manual!
The Bottom Line:
A good stereo with all the bases covered
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Overall Rating:
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Author's Review
I have a 2002 Mazda Protege. The Factory stereo worked well for the past 4.5 years with no issues until recently. The display started to blank out and the volume knob on-off switch would'nt respond. Problems I could have lived with, but would have annoyed me over time.
Time to start shopping for a new car stereo system! Now, I have not fooled with car stereo in over 10 years. I went to that old standby Crutchfield.com!
If you you know car stereo then you know Crutchfield.
Their customer service is legendary and you get everything you need to put your stereo in.
But let's move on to the JVC. I also purchased the JVC iPod
controller, a pair of Boston Acoustics S95 speakers and a pair of Sony Xplod 5X7 speakers.
The whole system cost me $440 with shipping, not bad for a mid level sound system.
Removing and installing everything was simple and straight forward by following the install guide Crutchfield provides.
And the supplied wiring adapters are a Godsend for reliable connections.
Unlike the OEM stereo, I needed 30 minutes to learn all the buttons and controls and such. Once that was done it's pretty intuitive, but the buttons are small and the volume knob is hard to grab. But all the aftermarket brands have this problem, I got used to the feel of it quickly.
This model has MANY sound control features and a high power amplifier integrated in the chassis.There are preamp outputs for the front and rear as well as a subwoofer output.The claimed power output is 50w x 4 or 20w x 4 real power. That's plenty for me but there is that option for more amplification if I so choose in the future.
The other review says the unit does not have RDS and CD text,mine does, maybe I have a newer version?
It also decodes AM stereo! This is not advertised anywhere, but when I listen to WCBS-AM 880 which is in stereo the unit goes into stereo mode. It sounds good.
It plays FM well and decodes HD radio well, crystal clear.The unit switches to the stereo analog signal in weal signal areas.
It plays CD's with text, MP3's with text, it handles any CD-R/W with ease. It has 24 bit D/A converters, burr brown, for superior sound.
It will control a JVC cd changer with all the same features or a iPod; which is what I choosed. Any iPod with a dock connector will work with this unit.
Unlike factory stereos this system sings at higher volumes.
I like my music so that I can hear it clearly without drowning the outside world,but when I turn it up,the JVC delivers the goods without breaking a sweat.
This unit is a technological marvel and for around $175 it's a bargain to boot for what it does.
