Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I bought this stereo because of the Sony brand name and the price. Overall this is a great sounding receiver, and I'm sure when I replace my 12-year-old factory speakers, the sound quality will improve even more. I'll just list some of the pros and cons I found on this unit in the few days I've owned it:
PROS:
1) The controls are easy to use, and set up so the driver can access the various functions quickly. Most of the buttons (aside from the presets) are clustered on the right of the face so you can hit them without reaching too far. There is a large knob that adjusts volume and lets you scroll through menu options. I personally prefer the knob controller to a button, but that's me. On that same note, this unit also comes with a slim remote control that has glow-in-the-dark buttons. It is easy to use, and is small enough where you can store it out of the way with ease.
2) The white on black LCD display is nice and bright even in direct sunlight. This was one reason I didn't go with a comparably priced Pioneer (which is otherwise a great unit also). The design and the clear, crisp display of the Sony won me over. The red coloration of the face buttons at first was off-putting. It didn't match my green interior illumination at all. However, the illumination is subtle and attractive, and avoids turning my car into the 'Christmas car'.
3)It was pretty easy to install. Between the included instructions and those that came with my mounting kit, it was fairly obvious what I had to hook up. (I would recommend buying a cheap pair of wire strippers, as the Sony wiring harness does not come pre-stripped).
4) The features for the price are great. Beside the FM/AM radio and CD, you get an aux input so you can plug in your MP3 player (The main reason I installed an aftermarket stereo). You also get access to a full suite of pre-set equalizer settings and a custom setting so you can tweak the sound however you like.
5) The stereo itself has three port sets (not sure the technical term) in the back so you can hook up amps, subs, etc. It really supports you if you want to have an elaborate and powerful system, but is great if you're just replacing factory equipment (like me).
6) Radio reception is quite good. I can pick up all of the major stations, as well as the lower-frequency college stations around town.
7) There is a subtle feature this Sony has that I really appreciate: When you turn on the unit, it brings the volume up from totally silent to whatever your last setting was. It's a nice way to avoid getting jarred in your seat when you turn on the ignition. Not an advertised feature, but I like it.
8) This stereo comes with a card that you can use in various places all over the country to have it professionally installed. I really wanted to do it myself so didn't use it(must be a guy thing). But trust me: if I can install this thing successfully so can you! However, if you don't want to go through the hastle, it's nice to just drop it off soemwhere and have a pro hook you up.
CONS:
1) Some of the presets are kind of crappy. Some of the presets are way too trebble-heavy for my tastes (Space for example) so as to be fairly useless. (The one that I do like is 'Xplod' which really articulates and emphasizes the bass of a track but doesn't neglect the highs or midrange). Again, though, there is a custom preset so you can tweak the sound however you prefer. Or simply turn the EQ off which yields a pleasant neutral sound. The presets all have cheesy names like 'Gravity' and 'Space' and their differences aren't obvious just by reading them.
2) It would be nice if the remote buttons lit up via LCDs or something, as opposed to just glowing in the dark. But that's a minor niggle.
Overall, this is a great unit for the price, and I really recommend it despite some of the sub-par presets. To me, the pros outweigh the cons. Combine it with some nice speakers (and other items if that's you desire), and I think you'll be happy with your purchase.
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Sony CDX-GT330 MP3/WMA-Compliant CD Receiver with iPod Adapter, HD Radio, and Satellite Ready
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