 a good value for the price |
| Review Date: September 28, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Magnus Lindgren, |
My new (used but new to me) vehicle that had a decent stereo installed. I would have been completely happy with it except that it lacked a tape player or AUX port to use to play my own CDs (MP3/WMA compilations). I settled on this one after reading positive reviews in many other publications.
I chose this one because it provided what I wanted, a good price and the ability to play recorded CDs. The sound quality is undoubtedly not as good as a high-end unit but it is good enough for me; I haven't experienced anything to complain about.
The one question that I could not find an answer to prior to buying was "does the unit remember where it was on the CD when you shut it off?" In case anybody else want to know that same thing, the answer is yes (as long as the removable faceplate is left in place).
Features:
a handful of preset equalizer settings
plays standard CDs as well as CDR(+-) CD-RW, and the MP3 and WMA compressed formats
a wireless remote - the faceplate controls can be a bit difficult to locate without taking your eyes off the road (at night the labels are not visible). The simple remote puts a handful of standard commands literally at your fingertips (volume, playback controls, AM/FM/CD/Aux selector and a few others)
Overall, the quality is good for the price. I would recommend it to somebody who doesn't have to have "amazing" sound quality. |
Good value with JVC quality and good RMS power
|
| Review Date: February 28, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Corey, |
bought this CD/stereo as a package with 5.25 inch 2-way speakers. I recently bought a low mileage 2000 Jeep Cherokee Sport (used) that still had the factory cassette system in it (broken EQ, factory front speakers were shot, non-CD format, no aux input for mp3 player. Obviously an affordable and decent stereo upgrade was needed ASAP.
The JVC is not garrish or a distraction at night while driving. It is straight forward and does what you want well. I just want to play CD audiobooks, run my iPod in, and have some decent wattage (volume) to the speakers. I'll speak more to wattage later.
Install (it is very easy, at least for a Jeep) was a snap with a $10 dash mount and the $7 DIN adapters (the harness that goes to the truck's electric and speaker connection). No need to go to the 'Big Box' stores and play the `we don't schedule installs in advance' waiting game on the install department. Most vehicle specific instructions are searchable online for free. Tools for install are a Swiss Army knife and electrical tape. Again, easy as long as to route the right wires (via diagrams) to the right connections. Take the old unit mounting screws off, disconnect the DIN plug from the rear, and replace with the new JVC. No problem.
Since someone already smashed my car windows last year to steal a $400 JVC stereo out my old Jeep, I have learned to take the face plate with me! I also had a $80 Pioneer taken via the same `smash and grab' method happen at a Metro Park in the DC suburbs in broad daylight. Now I make it a habit to pop off the faceplate and stuff it in my jacket pocket when I park overnight or go into work. Just sticking it under the seat or the glove box doesn't fool anyone, btw... LOL. During the summer it goes in my laptop bag with me. Just a little advice.
Use the detachable face- it can save you the cost of the stereo ($100+) as well as $250+ worth of auto glass repair. Trust me, you do want to either drive with the window out (like, um, rain?) or end up like one of those poor souls with plastic sheeting duct taped over the passenger door window until you can find the time to get it to an auto glass shop, if they even have your model and correct side/glass in stock.
The remote is cool, I guess. I don't use it. Looks great in the glove box... All those presets are great but I don't like 95% of the commercial radio stations, hence the iPod. I use three or four presets at most. The Monster iPod line (via headphone plug) is fantastic- gets more of the signal directly into the stereo, but I am still looking for a plug that runs from the bottom connector. Anyway-
Like any car stereo peak wattage isn't nearly as important as RMS wattage. Peak indicates the sound level when it is cranked to 'max', usually resulting in a distorted sound that can wreck speakers. RMS is the constant average power (or loudness) to the speakers. There is a big sound difference IMHO between a car stereo that can deliver only 10 or 15 watts of power compared to 20 watts RMS. Low end stereos like that are usually in the $40-60 range and not only are low power but produce a very `dirty' or muddle sound as compared to better (more expensive) stereo.
Of course, a car stereo is only as good as the speakers you run it to. Factory speakers (unless the vehicle already had what manufacturer calls a 'premium' sound package) are flat and don't even get close to the low/high range of the sound spectrum. They also will lack the clarity or decent aftermarket speakers. Just like cheap headphones can make a $400 iPod sound like a crappy transistor radio from the thrift, lcheap speakers will ruin the sound out of a new car stereo.
I went JVC CSV-525 speakers for my front speakers (5.25") in my Jeep. After pulling out the old factory speakers, I inserted some after market sound baffles ($12) to help drive the sound into the truck and not the door panel, too. The CSV525 2-way speakers have a decent sound range for the money, with decent low end (bass) and respectable highs (treble). Since it is a Jeep the interior has more road noise than a sedan- every little bit of extra stereo volume helps...
Bottom-line, for the money this car stereo is a good deal. JVC is a brand known for long life, too. Just remember to use the detachable faceplate, so you (and not someone pawn shop buyer or juvenile delinquent) get to enjoy that long product life. |
|
No video reviews found for this product.
No customer reviews were found for this product.
No details are available for this product
