Sony CDX-M800

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2.00 votes

Price Paid:  $249.00 from Circuit City

Year / Model Reviewed:
2003 sony cdx-m800

Summary:
This thing lasted just over one year (and thus fell out of warranty). Had trouble with the buttons on the face not working when the interior of the truck was hot from sitting in the sun. Eventually, everything in the face died, all it would do is open then immediately close. Since Sony won't even look at it unless you pay $150, I took it apart. The ribbon cable from the motherboard to the face snapped in half. The problem was the cable tore where it was creased for the flip-down face. Not a very good design by Sony on this one.

Strengths:
Sounds good, looks cool.

Weaknesses:
Seems to have some inherent flaws. Piece of crap, in other words.

Similar Products Used:
Have used Kenwood stuff in the past, with success. I do have a 200W Sony amp that's about 15 years old that still works great, after a lot of abuse.

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Price Paid:  $169.00 from New image car hifi

Year / Model Reviewed:
2003 Sony CDX-M800

Summary:
Trick looking stereo with fairly good features but fiddly to use I ended up changing the face over and back all the time as you cant use any controls when you have the active black screen on.

Strengths:
Good stereo for the price and like I said trick looking

Weaknesses:
Stands out like a sore thumb when tured off which could be easy for a thief and can be fiddly to use even with a remote.

Similar Products Used:
Change my stereos about every 2 months not an exageration!

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $329.00 from Circuit City

Year / Model Reviewed:
2004 Sony CDX-M800

Summary:
I wanted to upgrade my factory Mitsubishi factory CD/radio (not the Infinity). First, I installed the Alpine 9813 which is fairly near the top-of-the-line. It has an incredible amount of features. From what I understand, Alpine has a signature sound. To me, the HU was an ear-bleeder. I ran beck to Circuit City with-in an hour after it was installed. I swapped it for the Sony CDX-M800. I can't be happier. It sounds sweet as can be - and looks tres cool. I purchased it at full price since I was about to embark on a road trip. Crutchfield is selling new ones at $229 ($100 discount).

Strengths:
Great audio quality. Has a variety of useful sound processing and EQ features. Can add auxilary units such as a CD changer, MD, or cel phone attachment.

Weaknesses:
Need to use the remote control to memorize stations (cannot do it from the chasis). When getting in the car, the volume blasts from whatever setting it was last left at - which might be very loud. Sony should put in avolume chip which allows the volume to ramp up.

Similar Products Used:
Alpine 9813