Blaupunkt Houston DM189

Price Paid:  $130.00 from Fry's electronics

Strengths:
Lots of power when it works

Weaknesses:
Rarely works without interuption. Worst display of any radio I've owned. Can't be read from mich of an angle or in sunlight.

Summary:
This is the worst car stereo I've ever owned. It worked OK for a while (except the non-sunlight readable display), then after a while it would quit playing. Turning it off, then on would get it going again, then the display would flicker on and off. I continually have to open and close the front to keep it playing. What a piece of dog doo.

Price Paid:  $129.00

Strengths:
Love the rotary knob, 4v preouts, Great sound quality. Who else loves the little X-Bass button that makes your sound slam? Great night display. Love the flip-down face, as it keeps the internals clean from dust and such.

Weaknesses:
Direct sunlight makes this thing impossible to read.
Treble adjustment doesnt do much.

Summary:
Overall this product is a great buy, I have recommended this deck to most of my friends when doing upgrades. You gotta love the 4v preouts, they make for a very clear, crisp, tight sound. 47 watts X 4, leaves not too much to be desired for not using an amp to power the speakers. Definately a great German product.

Similar Products Used:
Stock Radio - Dead after 13 years.
Houston made me go out and buy new speakers to replace the OEM's cause they couldnt keep up. Using a Jensen amp for rear subs, and this deck can crack out those frequencies pretty accurately.

Price Paid:  $145.00

Strengths:
this unit has a very cool display, and makes the factory speakers sound great if you choose to stay with them.

Weaknesses:
very hard to see display in direct sunlight

Summary:
for the price/performance ratio, you cant beat this unit. I paid 145.00 for it on ebay, and it was new in box. Never used. I would recomend this unit to anyone looking for high quality and low price.

Similar Products Used:
None

Price Paid:  $109.00

Strengths:
Convenient knob control during evening driving.
Plays CD-R without skipping.
Various bass control settings + 47wx4 power makes factory speaker suddenly sounds much better.
Big multicolor display pleasant to look at.
Radio station naming function

Weaknesses:
No romote capability which other Blaupunkt receivers have.
Lacking high frequency control.(5 level treble setting doesn't sound any difference)

Summary:
Paid $117 including shipment on egghead.com, top notch quality at this price range.

Similar Products Used:
stock Toyota receiver (by Fujitsu Ten), dead after 7 yrs of service.

Price Paid:  $150.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
 93 Subaru Legacy

Strengths:
Love that knob! I had been looking for a knob controlled CD player with changer capability for about 2 months when I came across the Blaupunkt. I went with the Houston because of the power and was pleasantly surprised by the amount of bass this unit produces - even with the stock 7 year-old speakers. The flip down face for CD access is pretty cool too. I would have to say it's most impressive at night due to the multi-colored display. The VU meter control is seemingly endless and station naming is a neat trick also. I love the power, versatility of adding a changer in the future, the great display and, of course, the knob.

Weaknesses:
Can't see that great display during the day. Virtually impossible.

Summary:
Paid $150 on eBay in February 2000. Prices are have dropped slightly since. I highly recommend. In fact, I'm buying another as mine was just stolen 2 weeks ago!

Similar Products Used:
Had mostly Pioneers growing up (not that I'm completely grown up even now). I like the Blaupunkt more than any Pioneer I've owned. I doubt the sound is much different - at least to my ear - but I like the well-thought features of the Blau - and, of course, that wonderful knob!