Pioneer DEH-P7000BT In-Dash CD/Mp3/Wma/iTunes AAC/Wav Receiver Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is the third in-dash receiver I've installed in my car in the past 2 years, and I have to say, this is by far the best head unit yet. I didn't install an amp and I'm using the stock speakers, so I can't comment much on audio quality. It's as good as can be expected from the marginal factory speakers. Instead, this review will focus on features.
The P7000BT has a very nice, clean design. Some car receivers are just overloaded with dozens of tiny buttons and goofy graphics. Not so with this unit: it is clean and neat, but not too spartan. The cool blue and white faceplace looks modern, and is bright and easy to read in both sunlight and at night.
The large rotary knob on the left side controls volume, station selection and tons of other functions. Its not as elegant as the click wheel on an iPod, but lets face it, no other company can come close to the ease of use of an Apple product. It will take a little getting used to, but after using this Pioneer receiver for a few days, I got the hang of the interface, and I like it. Note that there are no station preset numbers on the faceplate itself; instead, you use the rotary knob to select from one of 6 favorite stations, or you can use the included remote to directly select a preset. At first, I thought this was kind of lame, but after using it for a while, I don't mind it at all.
The built-in Bluetooth is a godsend. Within minutes of first installing the P7000BT, I was able to pair it with my iPhone. It just works. Not much else to say about this.
I also installed a USB to Dock cable, allowing an iPod or iPhone to connect directly to the head unit via USB. Nothing special is required: a standard dock cable is all you need (Apple brand or third party, doesn't matter). Not only does the receiver play the iPod's audio through the car speakers, but it also charges the iPod without the use of an extra clunky cigarette lighter charger. You can even choose to have the head unit control the iPod, in which song titles, artist info, track number and duration show up on the head unit. Or, if you prefer, you can choose to do all your searching on the iPod or iPhone itself. I like how the receiver gives you both options. I prefer to control all my music on the iPod or iPhone, because Apple's interface for browsing music is simply unmatched.
In this review you've seen me mention the iPhone several times. Just to confirm, yes, the P7000BT does work flawlessly with the iPhone, despite the fact that Pioneer never lists it as officially supported. No complaints here. It just works.
Overall, a very nice receiver. Highly recommended!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Pioneer DEH-P7000BT In-Dash CD/Mp3/Wma/iTunes AAC/Wav Receiver

Click here for more information about Pioneer DEH-P7000BT In-Dash CD/Mp3/Wma/iTunes AAC/Wav Receiver

Read More...

Sony MEXBT2700 CD Receiver with Bluetooth Hands-Free with Integrated Microphone (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I purchased and installed this unit yesterday. It does do what it says: radio/CD/Bluetooth connection for phone and audio streaming. It does seem to do these things well, and pairing with my iPhone 3G (w/3.0 software) was easy enough. However, there are a few limitations/annoyances that you should be aware of:
1) Single-line display gives no input as to who is on the phone, or what is playing through streaming bluetooth audio. Not a problem for me, but numerous car stereos (all more expensive) will do that.
2) The microphone used for bluetooth calling is embedded in the unit. For me, this is a plus: the lack of external microphone makes my care look cleaner. For others, this may be a minus: the embedded microphone is probably less effective at picking up your voice than an external microphone would be. If you plan on talking through the phone a lot, you may want to spring for a more expensive unit that focuses on doing this task better.
3) There are a few minor user interface oddities/inconsistencies. However, every car stereo I've ever used has had its own way of doing things. This system is better than many (Pioneer!), and the buttons are nicely laid out and labeled.
4. This one bugs me to no end, though I suspect others are less annoyed: The car stereo beeps three very annoying times when you take your key out of the ignition, unless you remove your faceplate. This security/insanity feature can not be disabled. The beeps are annoying, but I'm truly annoyed that no reviews on Amazon or Crutchfield mention this. I guess I could have read the manual online first to look for this issue, but I didn't think of that.
5. With the unit paired to both my phone and my wife's phone, it is annoying to make the stereo change its attention from one phone to the other. This is, in part, an annoyance due to the way bluetooth settings are accessed on our iphones. However, it is annoying.
These are all minor issues (though those beeps do drive me crazy), and the unit does work well otherwise. I'm glad I bought it, and would happily buy it again for my purposes: radio, bluetooth audio streaming, bluetooth phone infrequent use. If you're planning on talking on the phone a lot, or if you want more bluetooth-related information from the stereo, you should probably look elsewhere.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sony MEXBT2700 CD Receiver with Bluetooth Hands-Free with Integrated Microphone (Black)

Welcome to a hands-free nation. The Sony MEX-BT2700 CD Receiver MP3/WMA Player features Bluetooth wireless technology for simple hands-free phone calls and audio streaming (with a Bluetooth compatible phone). This means you can now make and receive calls through you car's speaker system--letting you keep your hands on the wheel instead of your cell phone.

The MEX-BT2700 Bluetooth technology also lets you stream music files from your compatible device over your car speakers. Now you can listen to your tunes on those long commutes without all those pesky wires getting in the way. This means you can now make and receive calls through you car's speaker system--letting you keep your hands on the wheel instead of your cell phone.
Connect Via Aux Input You also have the option of plugging your compatible (non-Bluetooth enabled) audio player it into the Sony MEX-BT2700's front auxiliary input to jam to your favorite tunes.
Plays CDs, MP3, and WMA The MEX-BT2700 CD player crisply plays MP3 and WMA files--as well as commercial CDs you buy at your local retailer. You also have the option of adding Sony satellite radio for commercial-free music--or add a Sony HD Radio tuner for superb radio reception and extra programming from your local participating stations.
This unit has a high power output of 52 watts x 4. Additionally, this receiver has a low-pass and high-pass filters and all come with a wireless remote for convenient control.
Key Features Include:
CD receiver with built-in amplifier (17 watts RMS CEA-2006/52 peak x 4 channels)
Bluetooth wireless connectivity works with compatible cell phones, music players, and more
Bluetooth features include hands-free calling, integrated microphone, high-quality audio streaming, and control of compatible equipment (no phone book transfer or Caller ID)
Plays CDs, CD-Rs, and CD-RWs, including discs loaded with MP3 and WMA music files
Detachable faceplate for added security
rRemote control to easily navigate between songs.
EQ3 3-band equalizer with preset sound curves Compatibility with Sony's iPod adapter, HD Radio tuner, and satellite radio
Front auxiliary input for connecting compatible devices
4-channel preamp outputs (front, rear/sub)
What's in the Box Sony MEX-BT2700 CD Receiver, manual

Get 28% OFF

Click here for more information about Sony MEXBT2700 CD Receiver with Bluetooth Hands-Free with Integrated Microphone (Black)

Read More...

Pioneer DEH-P6200BT CD Receiver with Built-In Bluetooth and USB iPod Control Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Definitely recommending this product to my friends.
Pros:
1. GREAT SOUND! What a difference from my previous stereo.
2. USB works great. I've tested with an 8GB drive but it probably can handle much higher capacities.
3. Sleekness looks really good without becoming a gaudy light show.
4. Plays songs reliably from USB (other stereos randomly cut songs way short)
5. Surprise feature: Supports limited RDS. While not a feature called out, you can view text from a radio station for song title and station information. However, there are no advanced RDS features enabled (ex: can't scan for radio stations by genre).Cons (all minor):
1. Doesn't ship with a faceplate case (come on Pioneer, please spring for the 60 cents of plastic).
2. No microphone mute option during a Bluetooth phone call.
3. Microphone sound quality is good but not great. If you are extra finicky you can use a different mic. I'm sticking with the factory mic.
4. Display does not alternate through Artist, Album, Song Title, etc. You have to explicitely change these yourself.
5. The manual is written so-so. There are a few things that are not explains well (ex: what is "private mode") and sometimes it says you can "press the M.C." and that "pushing the M.C." also does the same thing. Overall, the manual is mostly ok.
6. When you are in Repeat:Track mode and want to jump to another track you want to repeat on, the unit changes to Repeat:Folder instead of staying in Repeat:Track mode. Seems odd to me.
7. Does not ship with a remote control (optional upgrade), but I've never used the remotes from my past stereos anyways.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Pioneer DEH-P6200BT CD Receiver with Built-In Bluetooth and USB iPod Control

Pioneer's DEH-6200BT is a CD, digital media, and iPod receiver with built-in Bluetooth. Enjoy the convenience of hands-free calling, built right into the unit. Expand your options by adding HD Radio, XM Satellite Radio or Sirius Satellite Radio, and expand your system with three RCA preamp outputs.


DEH-6200BT Features
Fed up with your Bluetooth headset? Here's a better hands-free solution. Enjoy the convenience of having Bluetooth built right into the unit, with no additional hands free car kits or other accessories needed. The unit acts like a speakerphone, channeling the sound through your car speakers which makes the call sound better. It also automatically mutes your music so that you'll never miss a call.
CD-R/RW Playback Play back your favorite CDs and burnt CD-R/RW discs in the slot-loading CD player.
MP3/WMA/AAC Playback Don't let your favorite music downloads languish on your computer hard drive. Burn them to a CD-R or CD-RW and play them right on the car stereo. Enjoy hours of your favorite tunes MP3, WMA, and AAC audio content.
You can also just throw some files on a USB thumb drive and insert it directly in the front panel USB input.
iPod Made Easy It's easy! Simply plug your iPod directly into the unit using the optional CD-IU50 iPod cable, and you are ready to rock and roll. Listening to an artist that you just can't get enough of? Now you can hold the "List" button down and it will pop up folders containing that specific artist, album, or genre. You can also have your passenger control your music directly from the iPod.
Connect, Tag, and Download Have you ever heard a great song on the radio, but couldn't remember what it was called or who sang it when you went to go look for it later? Now you don't have to worry about missing out on great music. iTunes Tagging gives you the power to "tag" all of your favorite songs without having to scramble for a piece of scrap paper in the car, then later preview or purchase music at iTunes Music Store.

A better way to control your music Sick of using buttons to search through your songs? Now you can scroll through your music with greater ease using the 7-way rotary commander.
Bring Your Music to Life with Advanced Sound Retriever This year you can hear the detail, warmth, and clarity the way the artist intended it, from all of the highly compressed MP3, WMA and AAC files playing on your CD player. By restoring data that tends to get lost in the digital compression process, we can make your music sound close to CD quality.
Supertuner IIID AM/FM Tuner Pioneer's legendary Supertuner IIID combines the best of digital and analog tuner technologies to reduce distortion to bring you exceptional FM and AM performance. If you live in an area where reception is weak, you'll hear a big improvement in signal strength. And when you're near tall buildings, Supertuner IIID reduces the effect of multi-path noise, which occurs when the signal is reflecting off of the buildings.
MOSFET 50W x4 Amplifier for the Power Hungry Compared to conventional power supplies, the MOSFET amplification circuit is smaller and more efficient, delivering power with less distortion and absolutely zero on/off switching noise. And that doesn't just mean a boost in volume: it means that your music will be cleaner at higher volumes because you're not pushing the limits of the amplification circuit. Clean, efficient power that will rock your vehicle.
The DEH-6200BT is also ready for expansion, with two sets of 2V RCA preamp outputs (front, rear/subwoofer) for system expansion with external amps/speakers, and a two-way crossover with separate high and low pass settings.
Get Plugged In Use the built-in AUX input for connecting any digital portable player and other external auxiliary devices. For extra-convenient access, the input is on the front panel.
Dial In Your Sound Tweak the sound to your liking with the on-board five-band graphic EQ. A Loudness feature ensures ample low-end even during quiet listening, and standard balance/fader controls let you adjust the stereo image to suit your vehicle and preferences.
DEH-6200BT Basic Specs

What's in the Box Pioneer DEH-6200BT In-Dash CD Receiver, Wiring Harness, Installation Hardware, Owner's Manual

Get 42% OFF

Click here for more information about Pioneer DEH-P6200BT CD Receiver with Built-In Bluetooth and USB iPod Control

Read More...