---Quality on a Budget--- (Sony XR CA 670)

Member Name: pleasure2read

Product:	Sony XR CA 670
Date:	27/06/04 (577 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: snazzy , easy to operate, cheap

Disadvantages: no MD player

For those of you who have read my Punto opinion, you will know that i recently refurbished the sound system within the vehicle.

So what did I choose for a head unit. For the entire kit, I had a budget of £1500, for which I wanted, head unit with CD radio, CD changer, amplifier, 6x9 speakers and twin subwoofer. A little extravagant yes, but I like my music, and am a little bit of a poser!

I set aside a cool £300 for a head unit and CD changer, which was to replace the very average cassette Blaupunkt Fiat factory model already in place. So what made me choose this?

---Looks---

The appearance of a head unit is vital in today's era of car poser's with lots of flashing and cool features essential. As you can see by the picture, this unit does the job well, with a scrolling marquee across the dial. The buttons are large and easy to use, with is important if you are driving and do not desire fiddling with the tool. One thing I like about piece of equipment is the lead through to the CD changer. There is no slot on the actual head unit. For me this is important, as a relatively untidy person, dust and ash seems to accumulate everywhere in my car! Hence, any slot holes such as where a CD would go, can be missed. Furthermore, a little feature which just adds a little more panache is the positioning of the tape player. The head unit flips open revealing an all dancing tape deck. Although I don't use it regularly, it can come in handy when listening to some of the old DnB mix tapes!! However, I can't help but feel that this space could have been used more advantageously. I feel that a Mini Disc Player installed could have been much better. Although undoubtedly, the price would have reflected this!

---Features---

This equipment is definitely loaded with features and are easy to operate. The Radio operates with a Best Tuning Memory which is very good on long distance. This gadget auto seeks while still playing
at the current frequency using Alternative Frequencies until it locates a better frequency and automatically adjusts to it. Also 6 stations can be stored in the memory on Fm, Am and Mw wavelengths. Furthermore, the unit as with most nowadays have all the usual ideas such as Traffic Announcements and News Bulletins. The CD changer is similarly practical with all the latest gadgets.
Perhaps the best thing about this, is its Remote Control which works very well. For me, this makes is Cool! as you can be parked up, laying outside with your friends enjoying a few beers when you just press a button on the remote control and the system comes on regardless of the status of the car-ignition on or off.

---Quality---

The sound quality is very clear, but frankly, it is the speaker system and amplifier which determine its quality. Therefore with my amp and speakers it is excellent quality. Furthermore, the power in terms of output is excellent which serves to create a trully impressive sound.

---Price---

I paid £299.99 for this piece of equipment with full installation and the 10 CD changer, however, in order to remain up to date, the price currently stands at £179.99- which I think you will agree is more than satisfactory!

---Security---

A head unit storage case is provided with the unit to store it. Therefore, no problem there. Furthermore, one little piece of advice which this adhers to regarding car audio security is what is under the head unit. Behind the unit, which is all that is on display when the vehicle is secure is a tape deck slot. This automatically reduces the incentive for any robbery to take place. Nowadays, criminals receive pennies for tape players whereas for CD units they can still be handsomely rewarded. Therefore, the incentive of stealing this unit is greatly reduced.

---Final Say---

For a cheap, affordable, and secure music entertainment system I would definitely recommend this p
iece of kit. It provides everything that is required from a music system at an affordable price.

Summary: