Car Audio Buff

If your bass sounds weak or garbled when you hook it up as a 2 channel system, try using the balance control on the head (all system speakers playing). First, balance it left and note the output. Then balance it right and note the output again.

If the system sounded worse (meaning weaker bass output) when centered or faded to one side versus the other, that sub is out of polarity with the rest of the system. Reverse the wires on that sub only and you should be good to go.

If running a mono bridged amp and 2 or more subs, the same idea applies: turn down the gain to the sub amp then disconnect all woofers. Now, connect 1 woofer and note the bass. Reverse the polarity and note the bass. The polarity that sounds fullest when the rest of the system is playing, is the correct choice. Now, match all woofers used with the known good one. All cones should move in the same direction at the same time. Readjust your gain to obtain the bass you desire. That’s it! If you got it right, now you have full, clean and unadulterated bass, in phase.

Then again, this should not have happened if you just took the time to look at all the labels, and or are organized, right?

A lot of people think that they can just buy whatever size amplifier and electronics they want to, stuff it in the car, and it will all work out.

Not true.

For example, when you put a 1200 watt amplifier into your car, your car’s charging system has to be able to power it. To find out how much power (or current) is required, divide the RMS of the amplifier by the voltage of the electrical system (with efficiency factored in) which would be about 12v. 1200/12 would be an extra 100 amps of current that your alternator needs to accommodate on top of the every day electrical needs of the car.

To find out if your alternator is adequate for your system, look at the hot rating on the alternator, if you cannot find it, contact the dealer and find out.

A common mistake in this area is buying a 50 farad or whatever capacitor – this will not help if you are underpowered.

If you find out that you only need about 10-12 extra amps of current and do not want to buy a new alternator, you could get a new, larger battery (like Optima Yellow Top), and a stiffening cap (1 or 2 farad) – this should get the job done, but that will not solve everyone’s problems.

A proper charging system makes all the difference.

Product Feature

• Auto-EQ and Auto-Time Alignment
• Dual (L/R) 16-Band Graphic EQ
• Burr-Brown DACs for the purest sound
• Hi-Volt (5V) Pre-Outs

The DEH-P880PRS uses an exclusive White OEL (Organic Electro-Luminescent) display. This creates a clean, easy-to-read display that easily fits in with any dashboard.

For extra convenience, selected OEL models now come with a multi-language display, which can show information in three different languages-English, French, or Spanish. Using the Rotary Commander, allows the user to change default language for all screen displays and menus.

Pioneer DEH-P800PRS

First Look

The JL Audio 8W7 is a single voice coil, 3 ohm subwoofer. The cone is black plastic dish with a cool “W7” logo. When you first look at this subwoofer, you realize that it is something different and special. The most obvious are the dimensions. They are almost square. Even the 2.25 inch voice coil is out of the ordinary. From the front of the woofer you realize something is missing: the mounting flange. It’s hidden behind the oversized large surround.

Closer Look

Nine patents. In the world of “me too” engineering, JL Audio’s 8W7 has nine things unique enough to be granted patents. (Eight application patents and one design patent) The most obvious is the OverRoll™ surround (U.S. Patent #5,687,247 and #5,949,898). In most “large roll surround” woofers, the actual cone area is reduced to accommodate the huge surround. In the 8W7, the surround actually goes over the mounting flange right to the edge of the basket. The result is more cone area for a given size basket. The rest of the patents can be grouped into two different areas: structural reinforcement and thermal stability. Patents #6,496,590, #6,501,844 and #6,118,884 refer to the cone and spider assemblies and accounts for the excellent control the 8W7 has over its massive linear excursion (1.5 inches peak to peak linear excursion to be exact). Patents #6,243,479, #D472, 891, #6,219,431 and #6,229,902 refer to the pole piece and basket which maximizes the thermal power handling by directing cool air more effectively and efficiently over the voice coil. Detailed information about all the patents is available on the JL website.

Sound Quality and Performance

The enclosure used for testing is the recommend vented enclosure from the owner’s manual. The enclosure volume is a modest 1.0 cubic foot tuned to 32Hz. In a minivan, the 8W7 generated an impressive peak SPL of 106dB, 127.1dB and 129.2dB at 1 watt, 250 watts and 500 watts respectively. These performance figures are on par with most of the 12 inch subwoofers I have tested. (The 12 inch woofer enclosures were also about twice the size!) I then placed the subwoofer enclosure into my RX7 and, as you would expect, the numbers went up. The 8W7 delivered a whopping 107.6dB, 129dB and 131.3dB at 1 watt, 250 watts and 500 watts respectively. Most woofers I have tested do not gain any significant SPL between their “rms” and “peak” power ratings. This is not the case with the 8W7. In fact, the SPL was quite consistent 2dB increase between 250 watts and 500 watts. Did I say this was an eight inch woofer?

Don’t think the 8W7 is just a “one hit wonder.” In fact, the JL Audio is one of the better woofers I have heard. I listened to a variety of music on the JL Audio 8W7. No matter what type of music I played, the JL woofer accurately reproduced what was recorded. It did not color the sound in anyway. On one track, I had to check to see if the woofer was even on. It blended so smoothly with my front 3-way set-up it disappeared. Never did I think, “Not bad for an eight inch woofer.” The truth is the JL Audio 8W7 is a great woofer regardless of size.

Summary

Simply put, the JL Audio 8W7 is the best damn 8 inch subwoofer ever made. Yes it’s expensive, but who cares? What is so amazing is that it doesn’t sound like an eight inch woofer. In fact, it performs like a great sounding 10 to 12 inch woofer. It also has the performance numbers to back that up. If I could give any criticism, it would be the woofer is too accurate. Bass heads wont like that it doesn’t make everything sound like an SPL track. But, if you are looking for big audiophile sound in a package that requires a small amount of power and space, the JL Audio 8W7 isn’t a good choice, it’s the only choice.

JL Audio 8W7

First Look

Like its predecessor, the Eclipse AVN5495 is an “all-in-one” audio/video/navigation system. It has the ability to play CD/MP3 and DVD combined with the power of navigation. Replacing the CD drive, the AVN5495 swaps in an internal 30 GB hard drive that stores the immense data now required for navigation (gas stations, restaurants, hotels etc.). For its new bag of tricks, the AVN5495 6.5-inch tiltable TFT touch screen reveals accesses to a single slot for DVDs and a memory stick slot rated to accept up to 128 MB of MP3s. The real beauty of this unit is that it performs all of these functions in a double DIN area without the need for additional external boxes.

The Eclipse AVN5495 has front, rear, and non-fading RCA outputs. The much-needed improvement over the AVN2454 is the big increase from 0.8 volts RMS to 5 volts RMS on its RCA outputs. The speaker outputs have been re-rated to a respectable 15 watts per channel into 4 channels. There’s still a maximum rated output voltage of 50 watts per channel. The AVN5495 can also control a couple of CD changers, accommodate a rear view camera (a proprietary piece from Eclipse), and accept and aux AV input. Basically, this unit will play everything except the less common DVD audio format.

A Closer Look

The biggest change to the Eclipse AVN5495 is the addition of a hard drive. Space not used for navigation is available for the Music Juke. According to Eclipse, the Music Juke can allow up to 3000 songs to be stored. When a CD is inserted into the AVN5495, it can be ripped and stored on the hard drive. Song information is available via the Gracenote CDDB, which contains information for over 230,000 songs. This is a cool feature that has its quirks. While it does record as promised, it does not allow you to listen to the stored music while it’s recording. Also, the recording happens in real time instead of faster read speeds that you’re accustomed to with your
computer.

The new AVN5495 is a significant upgrade in performance. The AVN5495 navigation is based on hard drive instead of DVD. This allows a significant increase in information and speed at which the information is displayed. The real benefit of the AVN5495 is the ability to play DVD while using the navigation. (Even though it’s only viewable on the external monitor.) The audio performance has drastically improved over the AVN2454. Using a high-performance 24-bit DAC (digital audio converter), this allows the AVN5495 to keep all of the signal processing, like the nine-band EQ, Circle Surround, and DSP sound field processing in the digital domain. Combine that with high RCA output voltage and impressively low 55-ohm source impedance, the results are a higher signal-to-noise ratio and better sound quality.

Looking a litter closer at the signal processing will impress you. The nine-band graphic EQ with six preset memories is adjustable in 1 dB steps up to 10 dB. Also, the AVN5495 includes DSP sound settings that simulate sonic signature from cathedrals to theaters to clubs. The AVN5495 lets you fine-tune the acoustical center of the listening space. The new Circle Surround II is an audio technology that is designed to generate multi-channel sound from any conventional CD or MP3 two-channel source. With it, the stereo sound field can be changed to sound higher and more up front, like two-channel home audio systems. The TruBass feature is designed using psychoacoustics to allow smaller speakers to generate seeming impressive bass without the need for larger subwoofers.

Ease of Use

The Eclipse AVN5495 is very easy to control. It will only take you couple of minutes to familiarize yourself with the controls. (Do this while you’re in your driveway, please!) The menu driven software is understandable and well written. Unlike the AVN2454, the volume control is located on the left-hand side. Thank you. Access of all the different audio and video formats is a snap. The only thing that I didn’t like was the clock — it only appears when the controls of the CD and Tuner are displayed. When the navigation map is on, the clock was nowhere to be found. Even searching the set-up menus didn’t give the clock display as an option. On the plus side, setting the time of the clock is as simple as choosing whether or not to use daylight savings.

Installation

The Eclipse AVN5495 is an installer’s dream. Without external boxes to install, only additional wire connections and its GPS sensor make this unit different from a standard CD player. For additional assistance, the basic wiring diagram is located on top of the AVN5495 chassis. Most Japanese and American vehicles can accommodate a double DIN radio, but you may have challenges from some European vehicles due to the different mounting standards used. As much as this unit is easy to install physically, it does require care and knowledge to install it properly. Interfacing the AVN5495 wires with the vehicle speed sensor, parking brake, and reverse lights makes this install better suited for the experiences installers at Authorized Eclipse dealers.

Sound Quality and Performance

The sound quality of the AVN5495 is excellent. Thank you Eclipse for the increased voltage (5 V rms) to the RCA outputs. With an impressively low source impedance of 55 ohms, the AVN5495 should be able to function even in the most demanding of audiophile systems. Add the digital 9-band equalizer to the mix and you have a system that can correct for small frequency response problems without adding additional noise. The lack of a fixed-level audio output for headphones is disappointing. On the plus side, DVDs look outstanding.

Of course, the real reason that you buy this unit is for the navigation, and it’s here that the Eclipse AVN5495 really kicks ass. While showing an enthusiast how fast the navigation works, we plotted a course from the depths of Florida to British Columbia. It took about three seconds. Cool. When following a route, you can take different roads and the AVN5495 immediately re-routes you to your destination. Also, when driving, you can display points of interest based on restaurants to gas stations to hotels. The navigation system works seamlessly.

Summary

The Eclipse AVN5495 is a extremely competent upgrade over the AVN2454. With more database information, the ability to play DVDs and navigate at the same time, and the new signal processing and performance capability, the AVN5495 is a worthy successor to previous models. The AVN5495 would be complete if it incorporated a fixed-level output with dual zone capability. The bottom line is that the AVN5495 is impressive, and with its improved sonic capabilities, a real sound performer. Add its simple user interface and you have an all-in-one navigation, DVD, and audio unit that’s hard to beat.

Eclipse AVN5495

First Look

The ARC Audio KAR 400.4 is a Class AB, 4-channel amplifier housed in a sleek clear anodized aluminum chassis. The understated style looks classy and refined. The front two channels include a 12dB per octave fully variable crossover from 55Hz to 550Hz. The front channels also include a 45Hz bass boost that allows up to 18dB of maximum boost. The rear channels include a 12dB per octave fully variable crossover from 55Hz to 5500Hz via a “x10” frequency multiplier. The RCA connections and signal adjustments are located on one side of the ARC Audio KAR 400.4 while the power and speaker connections along with the 40 amp fuse are located on the other side. The gold plated power and speaker screw terminal connections can easily accept either bare wire or fork terminals.

A Closer Look

What you can’t see in pictures is how solid and sturdy this amplifier feels. All the connections are positive. All the controls feel precise. For those who are familiar with amplifiers the ARC Audio 400.4 may seem a little different. Typical amplifiers generally assign the front channels for midrange and tweeters and the rear channels for subwoofers. In the KAR 400.4, it is exactly opposite. When looking at connecting the amplifier, this makes sense. I generally hook up the midrange and tweeter first. (The rear channels are on the bottom level of connections) and tune them. Next I add the subwoofer and blend them with the midrange and tweeter. The different configuration of the KAR 400.4 made this easier. Another nice feature is the ability to bridge the front channels to the right RCA and the rear channels to the left RCA. This make it easy to transform the KAR 400.4 into an extremely power two channel amplifier for satellite speakers.

Installation

The installation of the ARC Audio KAR 400.4 is simple. The metal mounting tabs are solid and placed at the four corners of the amplifier. The connections are well marked and easy to use. The ARC Audio KAR 400.4 gives you the right amount of controls to extract the best sound from the amplifier. If you are unsure about your installation capabilities, it is recommended that you have an Authorized ARC Audio Dealer perform the installation.

Sound Quality

This performs as well as it looks. On the test bench, the ARC Audio KAR 400.4 delivered 70.2 watts x 4 into 4-ohms with less than 1% distortion. Into 2-ohms, the KAR 400.4 delivered 107.5 watts per channel into four channels. This KAR 400.4 exceeded is rated power around 40%. Very impressive. Into 4-ohms bridged, the KAR 400.4 delivered a respectable 248.5 watts per channel into two channels for a total amplifier power of 497 watts. At peak power the ARC Audio KAR 400.4 average slightly above 70% efficiency drawing 27.8 amps at 4-ohms stereo and 47.7amps at 4-ohms bridged. At one-third power the amplifier’s efficiency dropped to 32%. This level of efficiency is typical of a Class AB design. Only in one category did the ARC Audio fall short of its rated performance. Using the CEA-2006 standards, I measured the signal-to-noise ratio at 92 dBA. This was 3 dB shy of its rated 95dBA.

When auditioning the ARC Audio KAR 400.4, the sound was smooth, detailed and crystal. There were no audible noises during turn-on or turn-off. On bass tracks, the KAR 400.4 delivered good impact and control. While the amplifier did run warm, never did the KAR 400.4 sound strained or thermal.

Summary

The ARC Audio KAR 400.4 is a solid performer. This amplifier has enough power and is flexible enough to drive your complete system. Or, you could use it as the beginning to a high-power, high end system of sonic goodness. If you are looking for a great sounding amplifier with the ability to grow, the ARC Audio 400.4 would be an excellent choice.

ARC Audio KAR 400.4

Continued from this article. Part two.

Ohms not Gnomes

When choosing an amplifier, it is important to match the nominal impedance of the speakers with the performance capability of the amplifier. Nominal Impedance is the average load a speaker or subwoofer presents to an amplifier. This is measured in ohms. (Ohms are the measurement of electrical resistance.)

Most amplifiers are typically capable of 2 ohms stereo (unabridged outputs) and 4 ohms mono (bridged output). Higher performance amplifiers, typically 2-channel and mono-block (single channel) dedicated subwoofer amplifiers, are capable of dealing with lower impedances up to and exceeding 0.5 ohms! Choose an amplifier that meets your minimum requirements for impedance load. Always refer to the manufacturers spec and not what an enthusiast will say it can do. This will ensure the longevity of your amplifier.

Power per channel

Power is the most important feature of an amplifier. It determines how loud your stereo can play as well as how much power it will draw from your electrical system. There are many misconceptions about power. The most common myth is that overpowered speakers will break more often than underpowered speakers. This is false. One of the most common causes of speaker failure is damage due to amplifier distortion (amplifier clipping). An under powered amplifier will most likely be driven into clipping hard which will result in blown speakers or worse, a blown amplifier. When deciding on an amplifier it is best to match the power of the amplifier to the RMS power rating of the speakers. This will give you the maximum safe output of the speakers. Make sure the amplifier’s power rating meats CEA 2006 standards. At a minimum, choose an amplifier that can deliver one half the rated RMS power handling of your midrange and tweeters. For subwoofers, the goal is to balance the output of the subwoofer with the rest of the system. Choose an amplifier that has at least one-quarter the RMS (continuous) power handling of the subwoofer. In most situations, you will not need to exceed the RMS power handling of the subwoofer to balance the system. If high bass out put is your goal, pick an amplifier that can deliver the peak power handling of the subwoofer. Peak power handling is the amount of power a woofer can safely handle for brief moments. In any situation, never exceed the Peak power rating of the subwoofer.

Internal Crossovers and Signal Processing

Today, most every amplifier includes internal crossovers or additional signal processing. Signal processing varies between simple high-pass or low-pass crossovers to full adjustable digital crossovers with time alignment and 31 band equalizers. For amplifiers driving midrange and tweeters, make sure the high-pass crossover has the frequency adjustment range suitable for your application. If you plan a three way system with separate amplifiers for the tweeter, midrange and woofer, make sure the crossover range fits the recommended frequency range for the speakers. For subwoofer amplifiers, amplifiers with a bass boost or better a subsonic filter. (A subsonic filter is the a circuit the protects subwoofers for excessive low-frequency excursion) Make sure the amplifier you choose has at least the electronic crossovers you need to properly control the system. Additional controls and adjustments make for a more flexible and potentially better sounding system.

Conclusion

There are other important factors such a good warranty and build construction to take in to consideration as well. And, of course, amplifier looks are always important. If you need additional assistance, rely on your local car audio stereo shops for expert advice. They have the latest information of what is hot and not. Plus they will be able to recommend amplifiers based on their observed reliability. Choosing an amplifier that is perfect for your needs can be a challenging task. But the results will be worth the effort.

An amplifier’s function is to convert the audio signal from your source unit to a higher output level capable of driving speakers without changing the sonic characteristics of the audio signal. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? Actually it is quite a complex process. Fortunately for us, we do not need to know how an amplifier works to pick one that is right for our needs. This article will cover the features of amplifiers and how to choose the right amplifier to fit your needs.

Amplifier Class

Amplifier Class refers to the circuit topology of the amplifier. The common classes of amplifiers are Class A, Class B, Class AB, Class D and Class H. Class A, Class B and Class AB are variations of analog amplifier circuit design. Class D and Class H amplifiers are different implementations of digital driven amplifiers designs.

Class A amplifiers are the most inefficient but typically have the best sound quality. Their efficiency rate can be as low as 25%. That means the other 75% is wasted in heat! A typical Class A amplifier similar in size to a Class AB amplifier will only deliver about half the power. Only choose a Class A amplifier if your goal is ultimate sound quality without regard to cost and power output. Class B amplifiers are much more efficient but have the problem of notch distortion. Class AB amplifiers are a combination of Class A and Class B design yielding the best combination of amplifier efficiency and sound quality. Typical amplifier efficiency for a good Class AB design is about 60% efficiency. This is the most common choice for an amplifier that needs to reproduce the entire audible frequency range.

If you have checked out high-powered subwoofer amplifiers chances are you have heard the term Class D amplifier design. A Class D amplifiers best feature is its efficiency. Good Class D designs can meet and even exceed 80% efficiency, drawing less battery power when compared to a Class AB design. More important, they routinely have over double the efficiency of Class AB designs when running less than full power. The problem with Class D amplifiers is that they are not so good (even bad) at powering midrange and tweeter speakers. As a result, most Class D amplifiers are bandwidth limited to frequencies for subwoofers. Class H amplifiers are a newer version of digital amplifiers designs. They share the efficiency of the Class D amplifiers plus they can be very competent at powering midrange and tweeter speakers.

Number of Channels

This is one of the most important aspects of your amplifier purchase decision. There are many different configurations of amplifiers. Amplifiers range from signal channel mono-blocks to 8 channels total system amplifiers. The most common configurations are 2-channel and 4-channel amplifiers. The first step to choosing the right amplifier (or amplifiers) for your system is to first determine the number of speakers you plan to use in your vehicle. In an average system, this would consist on speakers in the front of the vehicle, amplifiers in the rear with one or two subwoofers. For this example, let’s create a simple system that uses nice set of front component speakers with a single 4-ohm subwoofer. We will look at several different options: one amplifier for the entire system, or two separate amplifiers.

Two amplifiers vs. one multi-channel amplifier

Deciding between the two possible amplifier choices will depend on comparing the benefits and advantages of two amplifiers versus one multi-channel amplifier. Multi-channel amplifiers have several advantages. The most obvious is ease of installation. Installing one box is always easier that installing two. Multi-channel amplifiers with a common power supply can also provide extra current for subwoofers when the amplifier duty is split between powering midrange and tweeters on two channels and subwoofers on the other channels. The multi-channel amplifier can make the system simpler by needed only one set of RCA signal wires and one set of power cables. Of course the most obvious benefit is cost. Multi-channel amplifiers will most often cost less for the same power as separate amplifiers of the same power and brand. If “bank for the buck” is most important, multi-channel amplifiers are the right choice.

On the other hand, separate amplifiers also have their benefits. Separate amplifiers have less cross-talk (signal bleed between channels). If the subwoofer amplifier distorts, you do not have to worry about that distortion adversely affecting the sound quality of the other amplifier. Separate amplifiers typically have more heat sink area for better heat dissipation. Another benefit is the ability to better select amplifiers for a given task. Class D amplifiers, known for their high power versus current draw from your electrical system, are perfect for subwoofers but not so good for midrange and tweeters. With separate amplifiers, each amplifier can be chosen for optimal performance in the system. If cost and space is no object, separate amplifiers are the way to go. Next, we need to match the performance of the amplifier to the impedance of the speakers and subwoofers.

Click here for the continuation…

The Basics

The KD-AVX44 is a single-DIN CD/DVD receiver with a detachable faceplate. When not in use, the face of the unit appears glossy, black, and otherwise unremarkable. But when you wave your hand near it, a proximity detector illuminates the panel in red light. Presto! You have controls.

In addition to a variety of CD and DVD formats (no DVD-Audio, however), El Kameleon supports ancillary devices such as HD Radio and satellite radio tuners, CD changers, a rearview camera, and iPod video (the adapter cable is purchased separately for $49.95). You can even feed video content from a navigation unit. Built-in media options include USB connectivity (for thumb drives, MP3 players, and iPod) and Bluetooth for phones and other enabled devices.

At specialist retailers, another version of El Kameleon is available for the Arsenal line: the KD-ADV49. This version has a two-year warranty (versus the one-year) and features blue illumination. It also costs $30 more at $579.95.

User-Friendliness

The black-out faceplate controls-the aspect of the KD-AVX44 that makes it so desirable-also makes it a bit difficult to use. With the paucity of actual buttons (there’s one on each corner of the unit), most commands need to be inputted through the smart panel. Once you get a hang of it you’ll be fine, but otherwise, answering a phone call, skipping a track, or even raising the volume can be frustrating.

Fortunately, JVC Mobile threw in a remote control for those who want a more tactile experience. Following the simple trend of few buttons on the unit’s actual faceplate, the remote keeps it basic. For some functions (e.g., hands-free phone use), the remote is highly recommended.

Functionality

Audio features include a seven-band iEQ, 50 watts x 4 of power, 5-volt line and subwoofer preouts, and gold-plated A/V input and output terminals. The unit supports a center channel and Dolby and DTS surround sound sources. For two-channel audio, Dolby PLII will simulate the surround sound experience.

CD and DVD playback works well with the unit automatically detecting the type of media and accessing it. Four levels of tilt make avoiding glare on the screen more doable but in full daylight, it may be impossible. The main limitation, of course, is the screen’s small size. For anyone wanting a discreet, sleek look, El Kameleon definitely has it; moreover, the bright screen has an attractive jewel-like quality.

With its dual-zone capability, you can have the DVD playback routed to monitors in the rear cabin. But if you don’t want to listen to the movie the kids are watching or the MP3s they’re flipping through, you can have them switch to headphones while you indulge in other sources (other than USB). Using the remote, your passengers can control the media of their choice.

Hands-free phone calls and streaming Bluetooth audio are built-in. The microphone is hidden at the top left corner and calls are clear for both the driver and the recipient. Like any Bluetooth setup, one can’t expect it to function seamlessly with every phone. Out of the box, the KD-AVX44 paired perfectly with our Samsung Blackjack, but it wouldn’t download the address book (if you frequently change your phone or are unsure about compatibility, visit www.mobile.jvc.com for CD-ROM updates)

Receiving calls requires only pushing a soft button on the upper left corner (or setting up the Auto Answer feature). However, making calls necessitates delving through three screens of the menu. Using shortcuts on the remote makes this a safer proposition. Better yet, use the voice dialing option on your phone if it has one.

With many media options and minimal visual clutter, the KD-AVX44 has a lot of appeal. It offers a lot of features that work well and many add-on options if you want more. JVC, however, designed it to be more cool than user-friendly. Keep that in mind if you don’t like a high learning curve.

Key Features

CD/DVD playback with Dual Zone mode* IPod and USB device connectivity* Built-in Bluetooth for hands-free phone and audio streaming* Dolby Digital and DTS surround sound* HD and satellite radio ready* Attractive black-out removable faceplate* Poor ease of use

JVC KD-AVX44

In-Dash Double-DIN DVD Multimedia AV Receiver with 6.1″ Widescreen Display

• DVD Video, DivX, MP3/WMA/iTunes AAC playback
• iPod Direct Control (CD-I200 Required)
• Bluetooth® Adapter Ready (CD-BTB200 Required)

Connect your iPod® to the AVH-P4000DVD for direct control of iPod® audio and video menus, functions and selections via on-screen touch panel. This makes song access and search extra-quick and easy. The headunit keeps song, artist, time and album information displays very clear and user-friendly, and control is exceptionally easy with the touchscreen control.

Take control of your networked life with the ability to have two devices connected at same time – iPod® and also USB memory device! USB 2.0′s capability allow nearly limitless expandability for portable media players and USB memory devices.

Pioneer’s AVH-P4000DVD plays various digital compression formats from DVD-R/RW and CD-R/RW discs, and easily connects to a variety of digital audio devices. Play your MP3, WMA, iTunes AAC and even DivX files from either CD-R/RW or DVD-R/RW.

Pioneer AVH-P4000DVD