Pioneer Premier DEH-P520

Price Paid:  $490.00 from $490 Australian (abo

Year / Model Reviewed:
 2000 DEH-P5250

Summary:
I only got this CD player the other day and i''m already impressed by the features on it. The displays quite difficult to see in the daytime especially in my car considering the deck sits quite low in the centre console. At night its very effective and the inclusion of the orange headlight wire is excellent considering lower down pioneer models don''t have this feature. At the moment i''m running just stock speakers from the deck and it already sounds good even when the speakers are 13 years old

Strengths:
The rotary volume is the best thing to ever come from pioneer. It is excellent. The remote is a good size, better than the top of the range models as u can put velcro on the back of it and stick it where ever u want in the car

Weaknesses:
the display. and only 2.2V preouts. it should be higher. it says u can run a sub directly from the deck but with only about 40WRMS. which is quite week

Similar Products Used:
none yet as this is my first deck... well it beats the original stock deck!

Price Paid:  $270.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
 Pioner DEH 5250

Summary:
Very good cd player for reasonable price.
It's compromised solution between cheap series of Pioneer and high states of the art for lot of money.
I didn't want to pay more for OEL (dolphins) about 100$, so it's wise solution for people,counting their money.
CD is very resistant to vibrations, so i hadn't see any breaks, when listening to it.
Menu is great, better than in Kenwood, remote is just a slim card type, works fine. So, in head units Pioneer is pioneer...

Strengths:
Parametric EQ
Presets
Separate adjustments for Radio and CD
SLA, because as usual CDs and FM have different levels
Subwoofer control
FIE to move stage ahead, very helpful, even with external PA.
Rotary knob (much more better than buttons)
And finally, sound is great

Weaknesses:
Display is not good visible daytime, has no contrast adjustment (comp. to Kenwood)
CD is sensible to dust
Very attractive to theft (mine was stolen after half a year)

Similar Products Used:
KENWOOD MASK

Price Paid:  $290.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
 1990/Mercedes 190E

Summary:
I find the sound quality very impressive. It's not only clear in both tuner and CD Player, it also very smooth for listening. There are a lot of features and very easy to use

Strengths:
None

Weaknesses:
Buttons could be a little bigger,

Similar Products Used:
JVC

Price Paid:  $225.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
 DEH 5200

Summary:
I have used this rockin unit for about a year and i love it, the low grade stock stereo in my dodge shadow GT drew no looks. BUT, this pumpin head unit gets the looks and the smiles.

Strengths:
Amazing sound for the bucks. Detachable face, 2 amp outs..... the 2 amp out allow you to not use the lowly 45 watts per chan.

Weaknesses:
45 watts per chan, no head unit should do bellow 100...... but this is better than most.

Similar Products Used:
DEH-10, JVC Junk

Price Paid:  $230.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS

Summary:
+ Good features and sound

- Display and control troublesome

For the price this is one of the best decks in my opinion.

Strengths:
Good sound/looks good/4v preouts x3/good price

Excellent features.

Weaknesses:
not easily accessable features such as eq/volume knob too little,too delicate and too close to the eq presets/
I would prefer the look of the nakamichi though unfortunately it does not have enough features necessary for expansion. I would rather sacrafice all the gimmics and display for better & easier control. The hidden CD is a pain, too much trouble opening the face in order to insert a CD.

Similar Products Used:
None