Yamaha HTR-6180BL 735 Watt 7.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)After a month, still belive it is everything that was promised. Wanted an HD radio. And so far, every San Fran FM station I can find comes in in HD and has a 2nd HD channel with it!
Agree with other posting at other sites, the remote control is a little confusing, but getting yourself a Harmony RC seems to be the only way to go these days!


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Channels: 7
RMS Output Power (20Hz - 20kHz): 105W x 7
RMS Output Power (1kHz)
Total Power (20Hz - 20kHz): 735W
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Digital EX/ Dolby Pro Logic IIx (Plus)
DTS-HD Master Audio
DTS-ES Discrete 6.1
DTS 96/24 / DTS Neo:6
Pure Direct
HD Radio Tuner
iPod Compatibility (With Optional YDS-10)
Bluetooth Compatibility (With Optional YBA-10)
Compressed Music Enhancer
Neural Surround
XM HD Surround
SRS (Circle Surround II)
THX Processing
Sirius Satellite Radio Ready
XM Satellite Radio Ready
HDMI (In/Out): (3 / 1) Ver. 1.3
i.Link (IEEE 1394)
Component Video (In/Out): (3 / 1)
A/V Inputs (S-Video) 5 (All S-Video)
Digital Inputs/Outputs [O: Optical, C: Coaxial] (O: 4, C: 2 / O: 1)
Front A/V with Digital Input (S-Video / Optical)
Front Mini Input for Portables
Front USB Input For Flash Memory Drives
LAN Terminal RJ-45

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Pioneer AVH-P3100DVD 5.8-Inch In-Dash Touchscreen Double-Din DVD Multimedia A/V Receiver Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Edit 2/2/10: After several months of use, I am revising my review to give this radio 4 stars. I still think it is the best out there today, but am subtracting a star to account for some poor design flaws on it with the way they integrate with the Bluetooth and Sirius units.
The Pioneer AVH-P3100DVD is a touch-screen Double DIN aftermarket car stereo. It has a 5.8" full color widescreen face, front auxiliary port for connecting an IPod or other device, a front USB port for connecting a USB flash drive, and it can play DVD-R/RW, CD-R/RW, DivX, MP3, WMA and AAC files. The Pioneer AVH-P4100DVD 7-Inch In-Dash Double-DIN DVD Multimedia AV Receiver with Widescreen Display is the same exact radio, except it adds a bigger screen (7") by removing the physical buttons to the side, and it adds a subwoofer preamp output.

INSTALLATION AND DVD BYPASS: Double DIN means that it is roughly twice the size of a conventional car stereo, so before ordering, you need to make sure it will fit in your car. The best way to do this is to go to Crutchfield's web site and determine if it will work on your vehicle. The unit itself comes with the receiver, mounting screws, manual, a stylus pen, front mounting cover, and a power cable. I found it fairly easy to install. The power cable it comes with just has bare wires coming out of it. In addition to the radio, you will want to buy a mounting harness and mounting bracket for your vehicle. The harness looks just like the one that comes with the stereo, but it is designed to clip into the factory harness that's in your vehicle, to make it easy to remove the stereo. If you don't have one, you'll have to connect all of the wires by hand, and disconnect each one to remove. The mounting bracket is designed to make sure you radio fits correctly in your specific vehicle. I purchased both the harness and bracket from Crutchfield. My only problem with installation, is that it comes with a long green wire that is supposed to be connected to your emergency brake wire. This is necessary, because the unit has a safety feature that requires the emergency brake to be applied in order to play DVDs. My emergency brake wire was extremely hard to get to, and once I was able to finally remove the center console and find it, it was buried and almost impossible to access. I don't suggest doing this, but if you have the same problem and want to get around this issue, or if you want to be able to watch DVDs without having to engage the brake, then you need to connect this wire to an auto relay switch. Go to Radio Shack and buy a momentary push button switch, part number 275-1548. Cut the green wire coming out of the radio harness from the receiver, close to the end of it, maybe 5 inches away from that red clip. Strip the wire, and run it through one of the holes on the relay switch. You can solder it or just wrap it with electrical tape. Buy a standard 16 gauge wire from Radio Shack and connect it to the other hole on the switch, then connect the other end of it to a grounded connection on your vehicle. I just wrapped mine around one of the mounting screws for the radio. I stuffed this wire out of site under the dash and pull it out when I need it. Alternatively, you can just cut the green wire directly in half, and use the half you cut instead of having to buy more wire at Radio Shack, but I wanted an extra long wire in case I ever want to move it. Now, when you play a DVD, the warning screen will come on. Just press the button on the switch and it will go away, since it tricks the receiver into thinking you have engaged the parking brake. Be sure to check with your local laws, as having the DVD player on while driving or bypassing this may be illegal in your area. It may also void insurance claims. I definitely do not recommend ever watching a DVD while driving.
FORM FACTOR: The radio itself is beautiful. It fit flush with my dash and looks gorgeous. There are only a few buttons on the left hand side, and I didn't even realize they were buttons until I looked at them closely. They control volume, forward/backward, source, mute, and power. I like having these physical buttons, especially for volume and mute. If I get a phone call or need to hear something, I want to be able to instantly mute the radio without having to fool around with a touchscreen. It's very nice to have a radio that doesn't have 15 buttons all over it and looks cluttered. Customization is easy with the radio. You can select from several different colors, which will change the LED colors on these physical buttons and on the touchscreen menu buttons, so that it matches your car's LED colors. You can also choose from seven factory background screens, three of which are animated videos. The animation on the videos is very subtle and doesn't distract you. Plus, when you change the LED color, it actually changes the color of the background videos to match it, which is really cool. If you don't like these, you can use your own image from a CDR or USB drive. The screen contains a dimmer option, so when you turn on your lights, it automatically dims. This is pretty nice, but can also be annoying. I like to use my lights during the day, and while the screen is still readable, it can be hard to see. Fortunately, you can completely adjust the dimmer options through the settings.
TOUCHSCREEN: The touchscreen is very easy to navigate and done very well. The menu system is very intuitive and set up a lot like a computer. There is a back button and an escape button to get you through the menus. Seeking through a song can be done in three ways. You can hold down the physical forward/backward buttons on the unit, you can do the same with the touchscreen forward/backward buttons, or you can use your finger to slide a progress bar back and forth, the same as you would do with a video file on your computer or with an IPod. This is great because a 30 minute song can start, and I can just press the end of the progress bar with my finger and it will immediately skip to the end of the song (or whatever position I press on the bar). From what I can tell, it will scroll exactly like a computer and stop at the exact position you touch. A lot of touchscreens would have "segments" or 5-10 seconds, and stop on whichever segment you came close to. But with the AVH-P3100, it is segmented into 2 second increments, so you can have much more accurate scrolling. This is the only instance where I can see the stylus being of any use, but I have fairly large fingers and don't have any problem with the scroll bar. My main gripe with the touchscreen navigation, is with the up/down scrolling. This is used when navigating radio/satellite stations, song tracks on a CD, or file folders on a USB/IPod. There is no page up/down feature, so if five folders are displayed and you press the down arrow on the scroll bar, or if you press anywhere below the current position on the scroll bar, it will move the list down by one, instead of down by five. This is a major oversight in my opinion, and will affect the way you setup your folders. I have one folder on my USB with 80 subfolders. That means if I want to scroll through every folder in the list, I have to press the down button 75 times. Now you can put your finger on it and simply drag the arrow down to move quickly, but it goes kind of fast, and paging through the list would be so much more convenient. Also, since it only displays five lines at a time, it means you have to scroll one time to view all six of your radio presets.
USB: USB is the main reason I purchased this radio, and works well, with a few faults. First, it takes about 10 seconds when I start the car or select the USB source, for it to "read format." This is possibly because I am using a 8Gb drive with over 1000 songs on it, so it's acceptable to me. My main problem with the USB feature, is the way it organizes the folders. They do not appear alphabetically. I am not sure what method it uses, but like a lot of MP3 audio devices, it just seems to throw them up in the folder list in whatever order it wants. It will use the same order every time, but you can't trick it by copying a folder you want to appear at the top first, or adding "01, 02, 03, etc" in front of your folders/file names." There is probably a workaround for this, but I have no idea what it is. I think it would make more sense if it just listed the folders alphabetically. It does read ID3 information very well, however it cuts off anything after a certain character limit. It would be nice if it scrolled sideways through long song titles/artists to show you the full ID3 information, but for about 95% of people's music, this won't be a problem, and for the other 5% you should have enough of the title to figure out what it is. However if you don't have ID3 tags on your music, it can be a problem. For example, if you have a folder with 10 songs in it labeled "DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince - Greatest Hits - Girls Ain't Nothing But Trouble," and there are no ID3 tags, it is only going to display the first part of the filename until it reaches the character limit. So your list on the screen will have 10 songs on it that all say something like "DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fr." Additionally, the USB drive is going to stick out 3" or so from the unit, so unless you remove it every time, you have to be aware of it and careful not to break it off. It doesn't bother me at all though. (Edit - I recently purchased elago Mobile Nano II USB 2.0 microSDHC Flash Memory Card Reader (Black) for it, which only sticks out about 3mm from the unit and is awesome. Get this and a ...Read more›

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The Pioneer AVH-P3100DVD in-dash double-DIN DVD multimedia AV receiver features a 5.8-inch widescreen display and plays back DVD video, DivX, and MP3/WMA/iTunes AAC. It also features iPod direct control (CD-IU50V required) and is Bluetooth-adapter ready (CD-BTB200 required).
Now Playing in a Dash Near You This is what drive-in movies were supposed to be. Audio/video players improve on CD players by adding a large touchscreen. With features like touch-slide control and improved iPod interface, taking your favorite movies, music, and other media on the road is better than ever.

I Can See Clearly Now The 5.8-inch widescreen touchscreen on the AVH-P3100DVD allows you to enjoy all of your music and videos in style. Sick of having to search through your music song by song? Now you can scroll through your music at the touch of a finger.

iPod Made Easy Simply plug your iPod directly into the unit using the CD-IU50V iPod cable, and you're ready to rock and roll. Touch-slide scrolling, alphabetical high-speed search, album art, and improved link search make it easy to find your music.

Bring Your Music to Life Hear the detail, warmth, and clarity the way the artist intended it, from all of your highly compressed MP3, WMA, and AAC files. By restoring data that tends to get lost in the digital compression process, Pioneer can make your music sound close to CD quality.

Smooth Operator Controlling your movies and music has never been easier. With a smooth swipe of your finger on the touch-panel display, you can fast forward and rewind audio/video content. (Note: The touch-slide fast forward/rewind function is not available on iPod.)

Now it's Personal Select among five display colors and 112 key panel illuminations to match your car's interior lighting, color, and design. You even can set your favorite JPEG file as wallpaper. Parked with no place to go? Now you can enjoy a slideshow of your photos on a CD or USB device.

Get the Blues Fed up with your Bluetooth headset? Here's a better hands-free solution. Use the available CD-BTB200 Bluetooth adapter and your Bluetooth-enabled cell phone for easy, safe, and hands-free operation. 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. (Note: CD-BTB200 adapter is required.)

Other Features The AVH-P3100DVD also includes features that are designed to expand your system, customize your experience, and provide both superior sound quality and easy operation, such as:

built-in AUX input for your media devices;
two RCA high-Volt pre-outs for adding external amps and speakers;
built-in MOSFET 50 W x 4 amplifier for excellent sound quality, minimal distortion, and efficient power handling; and
supertuner IIID advanced analog and digital processing to ensure superior imaging, less distortion and noise, and stronger, smoother broadcast signal reception.

What's in the Box Pioneer AVH-P3100DVD, wiring harness, installation hardware, operation manual, installation guide, warranty sheet

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Myron & Davis NV8TCM1 2008-2011 Toyota Camry In-Dash Navigation System Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)THIS IN-DASH NAVIGATION SYSTEM IS AWSOME!!!! VERY EASY TO INSTALL AND REALLY COOL TO USE. THE NAVIGATION, BLUETOOTH, DVD, RADIO, EVERYTHING IS REALLY EASY TO USE AND GIVES THE CAR A GREAT NEW LOOK. EVERYONE WHO GOT IN MY CAR AFTER I INSTALLED IT WOULDNT STOP COMPLIMENTING ME ON IT. THE HANDS FREE PHONE IS AWSOME ON IT, YOU CAN PLAY SONGS STRAIGHT OUT OF YOUR PHONE WIRELESS WITH THE BLUETOOTH AND SOUNDS AMAZING.. NO STATIC NOISE AT ALL. REALLY EASY INSTALLATION WITH STEP BY STEP GUIDE. THE ONLY THING I WAS A LITTLE DISSAPOINTED IN WAS THAT I THINK IT SHOULD HAVE CAME WITH THE BACKUP CAMERA FOR THE CAMERA FUNCTION, SO YOU WOULDNT HAVE TO BUY IT SEPERATLY. ITS A LITTLE PRICY BUT LIKE I SAID WORTH EVERY DOLLAR, YOUR REALLY GETTING YOUR MONEYS WORTH WITH THIS SYSTEM. OVERALL, GREAT UNIT EASY TO USE AND GREAT LOOK FOR YOUR CAMRY. IF I HAD TO I WOULD DEFFINETLY BUY IT AGAIN.

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Onkyo TX-NR509 5.1 Channel Network A/V Receiver Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I recently upgraded from an Onkyo HT530 receiver to the TX-NR509 for its HDMI and some of the fancy extras (networking, USB playback, etc.)Some thoughts on the receiver:HDMI issues from last gen of Onkyo receivers?
----------------
Doing a little research before buying, I was worried that the HDMI handshake issues that popped up for the TX-SR508 and TX-SR608 owners would be present here, but so far so good. Currently using it with a PS3, no issues so far. Will definitely update this if I come across issues.Easy Setup
----------------
The old receiver didn't have the Audyssey EQ configuration, using it was interesting. The set up process ended up pretty darn accurate in terms of automatically configuring speaker distance and values I'd normally have to put in by hand on my old receiver. +1 for painless initial setup!Great On-screen display
----------------
The OSD is actually pretty clean and makes the menus easy to navigate. I'm not used to being able to configure so much without staring at the receiver's built-in display (which is actually pretty cool to look at). The OSD for network-based playback is a bit simple, but it gets the job done.Mediocre Network-capabilities
----------------
A large part of spending a little more for this model over others I was considering was the networking capabilities. It was very cool to have it connect online and download a firmware update. Hopefully this means there will be an improvement on the next part: the DLNA playback for the receiver. This is where I have the most trouble.
I have PS3 Media Server set up on my home server and it diligently serves media to the PS3 via the gigabit network without problems. The TX-NR509 is able to see it and connect to it, but that's when the problems start. I haven't pinpointed the cause of it yet, but from what I've noticed, folders that contain "lots" of sub-folders or files (I'm just talking about over 20-30 here) cause the receiver to error out and force you to go up a directory/level and try again. Some directories only containing 1 file refused to open (I couldn't figure this one out). Letting it sit there and populate the contents of the folders didn't help either.
I was hoping I could play music off the server without turning on the PS3 and television, so the DLNA problems I'm experiencing are a little discouraging. Luckily, it's possible that Onkyo can remedy this through a future firmware update.
From Rodney's review, I tried the free Android app OnkyTroller on my phone to control the receiver. It does the job, but the app looks pretty ugly and seems somewhat limited in terms of functionality. Still, very cool idea. I noticed simply browsing through DLNA directories using my phone caused skips in music when playing from the network (too much network activity for the receiver to handle?).Additional thoughts
----------------
-The TX-NR509 only gets warm after hours of use (way cooler than my old HT530)
-I love the 'Dynamic Volume' function of the receiver, it prevents opening theme songs of TV shows from blasting and helps us hear softer dialogue without fiddling with the remote
-This receiver is pretty tall compared to the one it replaced, plan accordingly if space is limited

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New at the entry level, the networking ability of the TX-NR509 takes you one step closer to fully integrated home entertainment. Audio fileson your computer and streaming internet radio can both now be played through your main system, with fidelity far beyond what you're used toon a PC. When it comes to setting up the TX-NR509, Audyssey 2EQ works to adapt the soundstage to the unique dimensions of your room.On-the-fly adjustments to audio and video settings are simple, thanks to the user-friendly overlaid on-screen display. Additional system controlis provided by Onkyo's Remote App, which lets you use your iPod/iPhone as a remote controller. The receiver's four advanced HDMI inputshandle stunning high-definition audio from Dolby and DTS, as well as dynamic new 3D video. Further connectivity highlights include a newfront-panel USB port that offers a clean digital link for both iPod/iPhone and USB storage devices, and Zone 2 line-outs that let you send astereo audio signal to a second room equipped with an amp and speakers. All in all, the TX-NR509 offers a superb feature set for the valueconscioushome theater fan.

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Bowens Multi-functional Transceiver Pulsar Radio Slave Trigger Twin Pack, for Cameras, Flashes and Light Meters Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)These transceiver radio slaves are designed in England (great country)and they work perfect every shot, through concrete walls and with the build in antena it reachs with no problems the 100meters range.
Very recomended.

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Samsung D980 Duos - Unlocked Dual Sim TriBand Cellular Phone - 5MP Camera, Touchscreen, FM Radio - International Version with No Warranty (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)i'd owned the d880 duos before and while it was a great phone it was difficult to use and required some learning to master it; got this one and unfortunately found myself with an instruction manual in french. but it's been quite easy to use has decent battery life and the spare battery provided with it's own charging and carry compartment make this a fine phone plus it looks and feels great ... touchscreen's very responsive you never need to use the stylus ... all in all .. great phone ... for a great price ... don't regret buying it one bit and allows me to access both my lines simultaneous using the call hold / call waiting feature ... great stuff....

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LG GD580 Lollipop Unlocked GSM Tri-Band Cell Phone with 3.15MP Camera, Bluetooth, FM Radio, and MP3 Player--International Version with No Warranty (Red) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)My lollipop came on the expected arrival date in good condition. There was a converter for the charger so that was good. I bought my lollipop from FGS Trading and was able to luckily get the bubble font :) I've had it for about a week now and I'm currently using it with at&t and it is working decently. I had to do a little searching online to manually put in the settings for internet and mms but that works now too. There are plenty of cute wallpapers, songs, and games on this phone to entertain you. The battery lasts for about 2-3 days depending on use. The internal camera is awesome! The external camera takes really clear pictures as well. The cons are that it sometimes doesn't have signal out of nowhere, it lags occasionally and it doesn't have threaded text messaging. Also, I'm having trouble finding software updates for the phone so that it can run faster. Overall this is a really adorable phone if you don't need a touchscreen or all the features of a smartphone. I definitely recommend getting this cute phone!
EDIT: 6-4-11
My friend decided to order from the same company and did not get bubble font. So it is really random; it is not guaranteed that the lollipop will have bubble font.

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Kenwood Kvt-516 7-Inch In-Dash Navigation Ready DVD Receiver Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Some issues with this unit but overall it functions pretty well.
CONS
1 - Sub Woofer control keeps turning off, for no apparent reason. The memory seems to not want to keep in the unit. Every once in a while the sub and audio controls will be greyed out and cannot be turned on.
2 - The angle of the monitor can be set, however the unit never remebers the last position and resets every time I turn it on.
3 - Pretty difficult to customize, the unit has 9 or so accessories that can be attached but you cannot disable the buttons if you dont have these devices so basically it goes to a blank screen, ie: Navigation bluetooth controls.
5 - USB must be USB 1 because it takes a long time to read the flash drive.
6 - Ipod classic and 1st Generation Iphone seem to freeze when using the Ipod controls.
7 - The unit shut off errantly a few times at the beginning but has'nt after the first week. This may have been because of a power wire that was not adequate. After changing to a larger power wire it seems to have resolved this problem.
8 - Hard to navigate the DVD menus unless you have the remote.
Pros
1 - Awesome picture for the DVD, playback is flawless.
2 - Sound quality is great, 0 distortion.
3 - Sub and EQ controls rival $300 units with the same functinality.
4 - Geat buy for the money since this same unit sells for $750 at Best Buy.

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Tivoli Audio MSYCLA Music System Digital AM/FM/CD Hi Fi System with Classic Walnut/Beige Finish Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Received one as a gift. CD sounds great. MP3 input sounds great..
FM reception is terrible. You want it for the radio? --think twice.
I tried several amplified antennas, wire. Maybe a roof mounted
antenna with coax cable is necessary?
Cheap fm stereo boom-box gets MUCH better reception.
I had to send it back once as it just "died". Replacment
was 200.00.

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The Tivoli Audio Hi-Fi Music System is a full-featured tabletop system that gives you the ultimate in high-fidelity stereo sound.With its concert quality sound, the Hi-Fi Music System is designed to bring stunning audio to the ears of the most discerning audiophile and music lover.It includes a slot-loading CD player, digital AM/FM radio, and a built-in powered subwoofer with amplifier.The CD player has shuffle and repeat functions, and is compatible with CD, MP3, WMA, CD-R, CD-RW, and CD-Text formats.Both AM and FM antennas are included for optimum radio reception, and six presets are available for AM and FM radio stations.An easy-to-read LCD automatically adjusts to lighting conditions and shows CD/MP3 text or Radio Data System information (where available).The Hi-Fi Music System offers full and expansive high-fidelity stereo sound via its two 3" drivers with SpacePhase equalization.A built-in, down-firing 5" magnetically-shielded powered subwoofer adds rich musical bass and features a separate volume control.The unit also features a bass reflex design for extended bass response, and separate amps for maximum power efficiency.A front panel stereo headphone output, a stereo record output, and auxiliary and mixing inputs give you additional flexibility.The digital clock with battery backup has convenient dual alarms with snooze function.The Hi-Fi Music System also comes with a credit card-sized remote.It is all housed in an attractive furniture grade walnut cabinet.

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Denon DM38S Micro AM/FM, CD System Featuring USB Input and iPod/iPhone Connectivity Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I wanted a bookshelf system for my kitchen with CD player, decent radio, and iPod and auxiliary inputs. The DM-38 delivers all this with a striking elegance of design that makes my engineer heart happy just to look at it. I like it so much that I'm ordering a second unit for my office.
There's no need to buy an iPod dock. I connect my iPod Touch 32G (third generation) to the USB port. I can operate the iPod in either of two modes. Normally I control it by tapping on its screen as usual, calling up apps and playing music. I can, for example, run the NPR News app, sending the audio over the USB cable. That's a win because the digital signal is converted to analog inside the DM-38, which does a much better job than the iPod.
Or I can press the "browser" button on the DM-38 remote. Now the iPod goes into "accessory connected" mode and I can control the music player with the remote -- start/stop/pause and forward/reverse work. The two-line display on the DM-38 shows the song info.
Here's why I didn't go all the way to five stars:
*) No HD radio. None of the competition has HD either, but still ... the British version of this product handles digital radio, why doesn't the American?
*) No support for RDS, the metadata in the radio signal. My car radio can tell me what station I'm listening to and the name of the current track, but the DM-38 cannot. There's a "DAB/RDS" button on the remote that does nothing.
*) When playing MP3 files from a USB storage device (like a flash drive), the DM-38 doesn't sort by the track number meta-information in the files. Instead, it uses the order in which the files appear in the directory. This means that the only way to get the correct playlist order is to format the USB device and then carefully copy in the files in track order. Portable MP3 players don't have this silly limitation.
*) No option to leave the USB port hot when the stereo is turned off. This means I have to unplug the iPod from the stereo and connect it to a separate charger to keep the battery full. And no, you can't put a self-powered USB hub in the circuit; the DM-38 doesn't work with hubs.


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Tivoli Audio NetWorks Global Audio System with FM (Cherry/Gold) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)It was easy to set-up and immediately I was able to listen to my favorite internet radio stations. Highly recommended.

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Pioneer AVIC-Z120BT 7" In-Dash Double-Din Navigation CD/DVD/MP3 with Pandora iPhone streaming Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)[*** UPDATE 9/9/2010 - It turns out that firmware version 2.003, which I just installed tonight, fixes the bug where you have to press OK before your phone connects to the AVIC-Z120BT. I tested this out and it works as expected now. ***]
I got this AVIC-Z120BT unit a few days ago and installed it in my 2009 Nissan Frontier. The install did take a while; but, I had several quotes by some car audio installation places and I decided I'd be better off doing it myself and saving the money. So far, I am absolutely loving having this system in my truck!
In the attached video, I tried to go over some of the main features of this unit. I'll also try to cover most of the same material here for people that don't want to spend the time to watch the video.Here are the things I'm loving about this Pioneer navigation system:
1) The sound quality is very good. The radio reception is also exceptional for both AM and FM.
2) The media source selection is great! This unit supports playing from CDs & DVDs (including MP3s from either), SD cards with either video or music, iPods (using an additional interface cable), USB keys, or the internal AM/FM tuner. You can also add an HD radio tuner, although I didn't add that feature. Personally, I love that I can stick an SD card with all my music in this unit and it is always available to me without having to mess with an FM transmitter or hook up my phone to the receiver.
3) The navigation system itself is very good. The maps are up to date in my area, and it looks like new maps can be downloaded from Pioneer when they are available. It has all the standard nav features, like being able to adjust the scale or change the top of the map to be either North or to be inline with your current heading. It also offers turn-by-turn guidance, waypoints, and can be controled using voice commands - although I haven't played with this much.
4) The Bluetooth interface on the receiver is amazing! It automatically downloads the contacts from my phone whenever it turns on and then I have access to all of my contacts through the nav system. Even though my Android phone does NOT support voice dialing over Bluetooth, I can now use the voice dialing feature of this receiver and it automatically dials my phone.
5) The voice interface in general is very good. It handles everything from voice dialing to switching inputs - even when I'm driving down the highway. The included mic works fine for phone calls in the truck, although it does sound like I'm talking on a speaker phone (which I basically am when using this system).
6) Incoming calls on this system work very well. A small overlay pops up on the screen that lets you answer incoming calls, hang up, etc... It also mutes (or turns down) the currently playing audio during the phone call.
7) The backup camera is a great addition. It switches on automatically when the truck is in reverse, and it can also be used in conjunction with the map view - which will be great for towing.
8) The system boots fairly quickly. The backup camera and previously selected music source are available almost instantly, where the navigation system and other controls are available after about 15 seconds. My Android phone typically takes about 45 seconds to connect from the time the system first starts up.
9) I should have shown this in the video, but the screen tilt can be adjusted if you need it to angle up a bit. In my truck, I don't need it to tilt at all; so I tend to forget about that.
10) The interface looks great and is very easy to use! The system also looks great in my truck.
11) You can set an anti-theft password through a 'secret' interface, and the system will prompt for the password if the backup power is ever cut. I think this is a dubious 'anti-theft' feature since the system could easily be stolen and the thieves wouldn't find out about the password until they were back at the secret lair :). I guess I would have the satisfaction of knowing they probably couldn't use it...Although I absolutely love this Pioneer nav system, there are some quirks in the firmware that I hope will be addressed by future releases:
1) [*** UPDATE - This is fixed in firmware version 2.003. ***] When booting the system, you need to press OK on the warning screen BEFORE the system connects to your phone. Otherwise, you won't be able to voice dial until the car is turned off and back on again. If the system boots up into the map screen, this is pretty easy since the prompt will show before the map is displayed. If, on the other hand, the system boots into the media mode, the prompt won't even display until you manually switch to either the home screen or the navigation system - and it can be easy to forget until you need to make a call...
2) The AM and FM presets are named based on the text being broadcast by the station. That makes no sense in my case, so I end up with presets with names like "ive,". I wish that could just be turned off and I could just have the frequencies displayed - or it would also be great if I could name the presets myself. Normally, I don't mind remembering the preset numbers - but this interface doesn't really lend itself to that. Hopefully this will be fixed/changed soon!
3) I wish this system would show album art for songs that are on the SD card. I called Pioneer and verified that isn't supported in the current firmware.
4) On bright days, the display tends to be a bit washed out - even on the brightest setting. It's still visible, but just barely. I may end up getting my front windows tinted to help out with this.Overall, I really love this system and would highly recommend it if you want an integrated nav/bluetooth/multimedia system in your vehicle. The combined feature-set that this added to my truck wouldn't have even been possible a few years ago; and, the Pioneer pulls it all off with a very nicely integrated user interface. There are some quirks in the firmware, but I think they should all be easily addressed by future firmware updates - I just hope Pioneer does us all the favor of actually updating the firmware!
I will update this review to reflect any changes in my opinions, or if new firmware versions are released.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Pioneer AVIC-Z120BT 7" In-Dash Double-Din Navigation CD/DVD/MP3 with Pandora iPhone streaming

Pioneer's new flagship AVIC-Z120BT integrates sophisticated navigation capabilities as well as new groundbreaking features, including a revolutionary 3D touch slide interface, Pioneer MusicSphere and ECO Graph. In addition to built-in navigation capabilities, the new double-DIN AVIC-Z120BT features a large motorized 7-inch WVGA hi-resolution touchscreen display, a 3D graphics accelerator, DVD playback, built-in Bluetooth1for hands-free calling and music streaming, USB connectivityfor iPod/iPhone connectivity, a micro SD card slot, a back-up camera input, and is SIRIUS XMsatellite and HD Radioready.


Sophisticated Navigation and Groundbreaking Features
AVIC FEEDS for iPhonecompatible
Bluetooth Hands-Free
Bluetooth Audio Streaming (A2DP and AVRCP)
Navigation destination entry byVoice Control (Address Search, POI selection by category or brand name)
USB Direct Control for iPod/iPhone and USB Devices (Optional Cable Required for iPod/iPhone)
Advanced Sound Retriever to restore your compressed media to near CD quality
XM and Sirius Radio Ready
3 Hi-Volt (4V) RCA preouts for adding on external amplifiers
Two-Way Crossover with separate High and Low Pass settings.
Built-in MOSFET 50 W x 4 amplifier for excellent sound quality, minimal distortion and efficient power handling.
DVD/CD Player
Supertuner IIID advanced analog and digital processing assure superior imaging, less distortion and noise, and stronger, smoother broadcast signal reception.
AUX input to easier plug in your portable media devices
Back-Up Camera Ready

The Last Word in Navigation The line of AVIC-Z products have long been considered the last word in navigation, and this year, the AVIC-Z120BT stays true to its Pioneer heritage with its high performance features. Out of the box, this systemoffers a comprehensive map database from Tele Atlas, covering the entire United States, Canada, Alaska and Hawaii, enabling users to route to millions of destinations including more than 12 million points of interest (POIs). The built-in Text-to-Speech engine clearly pronounces turn-by-turn direction and street names to ensure smooth travels. The AVIC-Z120BT also offers a wide variety of map views tailored to different driving experiences. For example, "Rear View" allows you to watch your cargo in tow with your optional back-up camera while simultaneously being able to view the map. High-resolution 2D and 3D maps provide renderings of nearby landmarks and terrain to help you navigate the world around you. The Z's high-powered graphics processor and precision-guided GPS sensor deliver stunningly detailed mapping with amazing accuracy. Pioneer's AVIC-Z120BT takes convenience to the next level with voice-activated navigation. You can simply input an address by voice or find a place to re-fuel by saying, "Find the nearest gas station" or "Find the nearest McDonalds"

Enjoy All Kinds of Media Built to navigate, but born to entertain, the AVIC-Z120BT offers audio and video playback from the most popular formats. Whether you're watching DivX files on DVD, H.264 video on SD card or iTunes AAC files on CD, there are dozens of playback options for your favorite media. You will also appreciate the Z's ability to simultaneously entertain your front and back seat passengers with two different audio and video sources using Dual Zone functionality. You can also access your favorite Pandora stations through your iPhone.

Ditch the Headset With Built-in Bluetooth Take incoming calls through the AVIC-Z120BT, and be heard clearly without a headset courtesy of Bluetooth technology. Connecting your compatible phone is easy and gives you instant touch screen access to your contacts. You can also dial a contact with the sound of your voice by simply saying "Call Jack Smith."

Your iPod (and iPhone) Will Thank You On top of being an exceptional navigator, the AVIC-Z series delivers an iPod experience that blows away FM transmitters or cassette adaptors. Even at the first glance, you will fall in love with the easy-to-use touch screen controls for your music and brilliant 7-inch display for your videos. Album art is also beautifully displayed. With the optional cable (CD-IU50V) connected to your iPod, you will notice how easily you can find songs, videos, artists, or playlists with a few simple taps of your finger. Pioneer has also created powerful searching tools such as Link Play and Alphabet Search to help you find content faster. The AVIC-Z120BT also features voice-activated control of your iPod. Simply say the name of an artist, album, playlist, or genre to bring up the next song.

Customize and Colorize This all-new AVIC-Z120BT features a revolutionary touch screen interface that let's you build your own home screen with the navigation, multi-media and Bluetooth functions that your use most. Simply drag and drop a function's icon in the menu to create up to 15 shortcuts within your home screen. You can further customize the navigation receiver by adjusting button illumination color to match the interior of your car, or by uploading your own boot-up screen photo.

The Freedom of Speech Navigation functions, iPod audio control and hands-free Bluetooth calling can all be controlled with the sound of your voice. Voice-activated control over your navigation system not only performs in-car tasks with greater speed, but helps you keep your eyes (and attention) on the road ahead.

MusicSphere Pioneer's new MusicSphere for the AVIC-Z120BT allows you to easily create instant playlists from the music in your iTunes library. MusicSphere uses an advanced plug-in that works with iTunes to intelligently construct playlists from your massive music collection by analyzing attributes such as feeling (bright, energetic, gloomy, relaxing calm), rhythm pattern, Beats Per Minute (BPM), and more. Playlists are stored on your iPod or iPhone and accessed through the AVIC-Z120BT's MusicSphere interface.

ECO Features For eco-friendly consumers, the system also features the second generation ECO Driving function with new features that provide driving status reports and the driver's impact on the environment with visual images on-screen. Through Pioneer's proprietary AVIC FEEDS PC software, the unit can estimate the fuel cost of trip routes as well as the vehicle's CO2 emissions through detailed Drive Reports. Through a proprietary fuel consumption algorithm, AVIC FEEDS can also log and archive driving data and analyze driving habits to generate various reports with suggestions to improve fuel efficiency.

ECO Graph New to this generation of eco-conscious features, the ECO Graph feature provides a view in addition to 2D and 3D, which divides the map view screen with a new graph to provide drivers with a visual representation of their environmental impact. Additionally, when a route is set, the unit will calculate a Drive Score based on driving efficiency which factors abrupt stops and accelerations and idle time.

HD/SAT Radio Ready The AVIC-Z120BT gives you plenty of room to expand your broadcast options. With optional tuners, experience the vast channel selection of XM Sirius Satellite Radio and HD Radio.

What's in the Box AVIC-Z120BT Main Unit, Installation Hardware, User's Manual

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Aura Sound Station Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I don't really enjoy writing sour or scathing reviews, because I want to think manufacturers make devices that are really good! But in this case, I had the rough duty of some brutal honesty. I hope this is helpful and not seen as just a complaint!
This is sold as a portable device, but it doesn't have a handle and in many ways is designed to consume as much space as possible with an awkward flat oval egg shape. From the very beginning, I started my awkward relationship with this device with a fumble and a stumble... I continued and gave it a chance.
When turning it on, it gives what a computer person knows is a touch screen calibration cross hair-- if you didn't know what this was, you might even think the unit didn't work! There was no message saying "press the cross hair as it moves to calibrate the screen!"
The screen itself functioned fine, though it didn't have the clarity you get with a capacitive touch screen, it was good. It is a little spongy when you touch it due to the type of screen.
The sound quality was quite good, but navigating the menus was not all that pleasant, simple or visually appealing. I can think of other devices that sound as good but take up less space if we're just going for sound... but I continued on. At this point with the device I found myself asking-- the iPhone has a really great menu system as do many MP3 players-- I see why so many other manufacturers just have a dummy speaker system and utilize the menu on the device! It makes sense! But here, we went a different route.
It didn't take much time with the device to conclude it wasn't one for me. I felt like it was trying to solve a problem that didn't exist. It looks simple from a design perspective, but in this case for me it complicated operation.
From the perspective of the remote control, I agree with other reviewers that it didn't share enough functionality with the touch screen to be of use.
It's pretty uncommon that I feel pretty uninspired by a product, but with this one, we didn't hit it off from the moment we met. There may be some people for whom this device makes the perfect solution to a specific need or problem. I haven't yet been able to imagine what that might be, though!?
If you have any specific questions, please post them below and I'll do my best to try out and comment on features you may want to know about.

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Tivoli iYiYi High-Fidelity AM/FM Stereo System with Alarm Clock and iPod Dock (Black/Silver) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've had the iyiyi for about 2 weeks. I did a lot of shopping around before taking a shot in the dark and ordering this thing online. What makes it beat the Bose is the fact that it has a radio and that you can hook other devices into it.
The sound is sharp and it fills a large sized room. The sound is not overpowering, though. On songs with a lot of heavy base, it does distort a little at high volumes. Tivoli recommends not turning on ipod's equalizer as this could cause damage to the speakers.
I can pick up radio stations from far away. It looks really cool. My ipod looks like it belongs with it. It is compact, so it fits just about anywhere you want to put it without taking up too much space. The power cord is just that, a power cord. It tucks away neatly.
The other cool thing about it is that when you unplug it, it remembers what time it is and your preset radio stations.
I like this product and I think it is worth the price.


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The iYiYi from Tivoli Audio combines an iPod docking station with a built-inAM/FM tuner and alarm clock, making it the ideal iPod speaker system for radio lovers.The system's centerpiece is the universal docking station, which amplifies and rechargesany iPod with a 30-pin dock connector, including the iPod 3G/4G, iPod photo, iPodvideo, iPod mini, and iPod nano. As a result, you can listen to your favorite iPod songsand playlists in the bedroom, garage, kitchen, or any other room in the house, all withoutthe use of headphones. The iYiYi's highly sensitive AM/FM tuner, meanwhile, sportsinternal and external FM antennas and a built-in AM antenna to handle reception, whilealso offering 10 station presets (five AM and five FM) for quick and easy channeltuning. The radio even includes a seek function that automatically searches for yourfavorite stations while you listen. It's a particularly handy system for bedside tables andoffice bookshelves, as the footprint measures only 11.88 by 7.36 by 8.66 inches (W x Hx D).
From an audio perspective, the iYiYi offers a pair of 3-inch, full-range, bass reflexspeakers that deliver an extended bass response and superior sound quality. It's also abreeze to control your iPod and radio from a distance thanks to the credit-card-sizedremote control. Add in a blue backlit LCD display, which offers an auto-brightnesssetting while showing Radio Data System (RDS) information when available, and youhave everything you need in a portable speaker system. Other details include an alarmand a 20-minute sleep timer; settings for waking or falling asleep to the iPod or AM/FMtuner; an auxiliary input for connecting to a TV, console, computer, or MP3 player; and astereo headphone jack for private listening.
Also available in high-gloss black, the high-gloss white iYiYi is backed by a one-yearwarranty.
What's in the Box iYiYi speaker system, remote control (with battery), seven iPod dock adapters, externalwire FM antenna, power cord, warranty card, user's manual.

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Clarion VZ401 7" In-Dash Single-Din Touchscreen DVD/CD/MP3/USB Receiver with Bluetooth Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I don't know where to begin about this DVD Player. I've installed it and have been testing it for a while now. This player is awesome. I put it in a 2001 grand prix gt. I was worried that the screen was going to hit my air vents, but you can adjust the angle of the screen. I have not used the bluetooth, or sirius. This unit does not come with an iPod cable, but you can run your computer cable to the usb port on this and control it from the screen with the ipod receiving a charge as well (you must buy a specialized cable from clarion to hook directly into your ipod). The unit does allow you to upgrade to navigation later on if you want to add that, as well as a rear view camera to be added later on as well. I do have 2 12" Rockford p3's hooked up to this as well as a 1000W amp, and this unit handles them beautifully, well maybe even a little too well because of how loud my car can get. I did ground my cable and am able to watch movies with the flip of a switch. It is quite easy to do (I know almost nothing about cars and I did this myself). There are so many features about this player I haven't even gotten to explore yet. The only downside to this player, is that if you are listening to music, lets say Metallica's S&M album, where the music is continuous from track to track, this player does pause between tracks when the album is supposed to be seamless between tracks. Still, overall, I'm more than happy to have this DVD player in. A lot of jealous friends

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GenevaSound All-in-One Stereo for CD, iPod, Radio, iPhone, Line-in (Xtra Large-White) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have bought many products through Amazon and yet this is the first time I have felt the urge to leave a review.
If you are looking for natural studio reference quality sound reproduction with style and simplicity, you have now found it.
True stereo sound from one beautifully designed enclosure and no wires!
One remote control handles all functions.
This unit plays CDs, I-Pods and I-Phones and will accept connection to all other manner of inputs. The only drawback is that the built in FM radio antenna does not receive strong stereo signals but why bother when you can play any world radio station through an I-Phone with a wi-fi connection and charge your phone at the same time. I have not switched on my expensive high-end music system since buying the Genevasound. The speaker enclosures are a wonder to hear and also look great.
Very highly recommended.

Click Here to see more reviews about: GenevaSound All-in-One Stereo for CD, iPod, Radio, iPhone, Line-in (Xtra Large-White)

One look at GenevaSound reveals why it's sold in leading design and fashion houses from Milan to Manhattan. Listen to Geneva Sound and you'll know why its patented audio engineering is found in recording studios that repeatedly win Grammies and Oscars.From Switzerland, GenevaSound is "furniture music" – a renewed fusion of home entertainment and home décor that brings technology and design full circle. Visually, Geneva is a classic design statement. But beyond its striking simplicity, Geneva's clean lines embody an advanced acoustical array that's won the highest marks from leading audio reviewers. Never before have such a variety of functions been integrated into one compact cabinet - a complete, powerful hifi system with a slot-loading CD player, an iPod-iPhone dock, a radio tuner with digital presets, and a line-in jack. Leading reviewers say it's the easiest multi-function stereo ever. GenevaSound XL can fill a dance hall with music, thanks to the power of its six 100 watt amplifiers, for a total of 600 watts of Class D amplifiers, a new generation of extremely efficient, low-power-consumption amplifiers. On the top of the GenevaSound XL is a slot-loading CD player. Behind the CD slot is the 30-pin iPod+iPhone connector. Embedded in the GenevaSound cabinet is a digital radio tuner; no tabletop radio has ever sounded this big before. Setting your favorite stations as a present in the remote control has never been easier. GenevaSound XL also has 2 auxiliary line-in connections, 3.5 mm and RCA, connecting to almost any audio device.The cabinet measures: height 24.1 inches, depth 14.5 inches, width 21.7 inches. It weighs 84 pounds. This model comes with brushed aluminum feet with rubberized footpads. The GenevaSound XL is available in three colors: white, red and black gloss.

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Tivoli Audio Model CD Player, Black/Silver Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This unit was easy to set up and sounds great for its size (much better than the higher price Bose system). The styling and build quality are excellent.
I have a few minor quibles. It would be nice to have bass and treble controls on the main unit (although I rarely find myself wanting to make adjustments). The icons (play, stop, rewind) are very hard to read. After turning on the power to the CD player, you cannot eject the CD until it starts to play, which seems unecessary.

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The Tivoli Henry Kloss Model Two Radio with companion speaker, the Tivoli Model Subwoofer and the Tivoli Model CD are designed to be used together as part of a complete compact stereo system but are sold separately from each other.
All the elements of the component system have classic styling that makes Tivoli products so distinctive. Simplicity and elegance are engineered into all three components and, for the most part, we came away impressed with what this little system could do in terms of sound quality, as well as its ease of use. It's worth noting here that all three components sport separate ports for AC and DC power, making them a great choice for boating or RV use.
Henry Kloss Model Two The Model Two serves as the base unit for the Tivoli component system. It is very similar to the Model Three clock radio, without the alarm clock section. Like other Tivoli radios, the Model Two is just over 8 inches wide, 4.5 inches high, and 5.25 inches deep--about the size of a toaster turned on its side. The unit also ships with a companion speaker which, unlike the monaural Henry Kloss Model One, gives the system full stereo separation.
The Model Two has a single rotary dial that handles tuning for both AM and FM stations. The dial is designed to move between stations at a speed that's a bit slower than the speed at which the user turns the knob--a five-to-one ratio, to be exact. This ratio dialing technique makes it far easier to tune stations accurately and quickly. It's a nice touch that sets the unit apart from other desktop radios. The tuner band selection and volume dials are easy to control, and they're well designed for hands of all sizes. A small LED power indicator, as well as an LED that helps determine signal strength, are positioned between the dials. We did have one gripe about the Model Two controls, though--the same gripe we had about the Model Three. Unlike the high-contrast labeling we found on the Platinum Series Model One radio, the Model Two's blue-gray lettering atop a taupe background is difficult to read, especially in low-light situations.
The Model Two's 3-inch driver is housed next to the tuning dial and is protected by a handsome metal speaker cover. The companion speaker contains the same driver in a form factor that is the same size and construction as the Model Two's main unit. A 15-foot RCA speaker cord attached to the companion speaker allows you to set the speakers well apart in a room--great for getting optimal stereo separation. There's a small balance dial on the rear of the main unit as well as a mono-stereo switch.
A coaxial antenna jack for the included FM antenna wire is provided, although the Model Two also has an internal FM antenna. Tivoli recommends using the supplied external antenna for tricky tuning in locales with a lot of closely spaced stations. There's a handy switch for alternating between the internal and external antennae, as well. A standard 3.5-millimeter headphone jack is also provided, as is a 3.5-millimeter auxiliary line-in port for plugging in the Model CD. For the really techno-savvy, there's also a 3.5-millimeter mixing input that permits audio from your computer to be mixed in with the radio. A preamp-out jack is provided for the Model Subwoofer, and if you want to use the Model Two as a component tuner--not a bad idea given the overall quality and accuracy of the tuning circuitry--Tivoli has provided a 3.5-millimeter output port.
Model Subwoofer At 6.5 inches high, 9.5 inches wide, and 6.1 inches deep, the Model Subwoofer is a bit larger than the other components in the Tivoli component system. While a 5.25-inch bass driver dominates the front of the unit, there's also a deep front port for added bass response. A bass-level dial lets you decide how much of the low end you want to hear. The on-off switch has a sensor that automatically activates the subwoofer when a signal is detected. With 20 watts of power, the Model Subwoofer is an impressive little box with the capability of dramatically extending the fullness and richness of the Model Two sound.
Model CD With its cherry wood casing, Tivoli's component CD player matches the Model Two perfectly while offering equally simple operation. We really liked the elegant slot-loading mechanism; it felt solid and reliable. Basic functions like play, stop, and track selection can be controlled on the unit. There's also a tiny little remote that adds shuffle, direct track selection, repeat, and intro-scanning functions. True to form, the remote is simple and easy to use. The Model CD's display is bright and crisp with the look of a high-end audiophile-class component. We played a number of CDs, including CD-R discs with nary a hitch. Tivoli says that the Model CD will not play CD-RW discs, however.
A 3.5-millimeter headset jack is provided on the back of the unit, as are RCA outputs and an AC power port that connects to a supplied brick-style AC adapter. The unit is also capable of running on DC power.
All Together Now Setting up the component system was fairly straightforward. All of the inputs and outputs are clearly marked, and each component ships with everything you need to make the right connections. Although it might be too much to ask for, it would be great if the Model Two main unit had an AC power input for plugging in at least one of the components. This is admittedly a minor quibble, and it might not be feasible in such a small device.
Just like our experiences with other Tivoli products, sound was impressive--full of clear highs and mids and rich, room-filling lows. The Model Two tuning feature felt less accurate than the Model One, but we still were able to dial in stations quickly and easily. Overall, we recommend the Model Two as a high-quality mini-component system, because systems this size rarely sound this good. Even without the subwoofer engaged, the sound was rich and resonant. As soon as we plugged in the subwoofer, though, we were transported to near sonic bliss. It's a must-have accessory for the Model Two.--Joshua Gunn
Pros
Simple, stylish construction on all the component parts
Great sound from such a compact system; good tuning accuracy
Subwoofer option adds exceptional dynamic range
Cons
Tuner is slightly less accurate than the Model One

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