HEAD UNITS
Flexibility is what head units need today. Have an iPod? Need to control it. Want Sirius Satellite Radio instead of XM Satellite Radio? No problem. Want to play your AAC files (iTunes files)? Okay. That’s what the engineers at Pioneer say. Does the performance of the Pioneer DEH-P7700MP match its flexibility? Let’s find out.
First Look
The Pioneer DEH-P7700MP is a single ISO-DIN, detachable face, powered CD player. The DEH-P7700MP will play standard CDs as well as CD-R/RWs. The DEH-P7700MP is capable of decoding your standard .wav and MP3 files as well as AAC and WMA files (a Pioneer first). When playing audio formats other than CDs, the DEH-P7700MP displays the titles and file folders on its very cool, deep blue OEL (Organic Electro-Luminescent) display. The display supports both ID3v1 tags and the more current ID3v2. Up to 16 characters can be shown on the display at one time, and it will auto scroll up to a maximum of 64 characters. The display comes with two screensaver movies, four background animations, four background pictures, two level indicators, level meters, and a cool battery voltage display!
Closer Look
The Supertuner IIID+ Enhanced Performance Tuner’s enhanced design improves the cancellation of FM multi-path noise and AM noise. You can store up to 18 FM or 6 AM stations or let the DEH-P7700MP pick the stations with the BSM feature. The Pioneer DEH-P7700MP is rated to deliver a maximum power of 50 watts per channel (22 watts, continuous) on the front and rear speaker outputs. The DEH-P7700MP also has front, rear, and subwoofer RCA outputs rated to deliver 2.2 Vrms to power external amplifiers. To control that power, the DEH-P7700MP has a built in high-pass and low-pass subwoofer crossover that work on both the RCA and speaker outputs. Nice feature. To finish the unit off, Pioneer includes a full-function, 23-button remote that allows you to control all of the basic functions of the DEH-P7700MP.
Want more? The Pioneer DEH-P7700MP is XM Satellite Radio-ready and can have either Sirius Satellite Radio or an iPod added to the unit. Being this flexible is great. Using a CB-IB100 (a $140 dollar option), you can connect an iPod to the DEH-P7700MP, or you can connect an auxiliary input to the unit if you have a different MP3 player or source unit. For maximizing the sound quality of compressed files, the DEH-P7700MP uses BMX (BitMedia eXpander) digital enhancement. When MP3 or WMA files are compressed, the sound can be thin, dull, or can even lack depth in the soundstage. The BMX technology takes the audio file and recreates the sound, restoring depth and width to a soundstage as well as increasing the lively ness of the program material.
Ease Of Use
I found the Pioneer DEH-P7700MP extremely easy to use. The 7-way rotary commander control knob works like a combination joystick and dial and can access nearly all of the functions of the DEH-P7700MP. With it, I was able to access track selection, audio functions, display functions, and Track navigation when using a disc of MP3-encoded files. By incorporating so many functions via the rotary commander knob, the rest of the unit was very clean and uncluttered, a must for good ergonomics. With a little practice, you can control the functions without looking at the unit. Great job!
Installation
The installation of the Pioneer DEH-P7700MP went well. Installation is typical from what you would expect from a source unit. There were no external boxes required to install for the unit to function. The RCA jacks are located on an external pigtail on the back of the unit. Hidden by the power connector is a 10-amp fuse. With all head units, proper installation will yield maximum performance. For the best results, it’s recommended to have an authorized Pioneer dealer perform the installation.
Manuals/Web Support
There are two manuals for the Pioneer DEH-P7700MP. The installation manual covers all of the basic information needed to install and wire the unit. It’s simple and easy-to-read. The operation manual covers the functionality of the unit. It covers all of the basic functions of the DEH-P7700MP as well as the not so common. It’s necessary to read the manual to learn how to control the non-common functions of the Pioneer unit.
The company’s Web site, www.pioneerelectronics.com, is well laid out and easy to navigate. I was able to quickly find information on the DEH-P7700MP — I found basic information, specifications, and accessories for the unit. I was also able to download a PDF of the installation manual and the operation manual. Well done.
Sound Q & Performance
The performance of the Pioneer DEH-P7700MP is good. With the tone controls set flat, the RCA produced a maximum unclipped output of 1.89 Vrms at 61 on the volume control. At the maximum volume setting of 62, the DEH-P7700MP delivered a slightly clipped 2.32 Vrms.
On the speaker outputs, results were similar. At 49 on the volume, the DEH-P7700MP produced a clean 18.5 watts into 4 ohms. Raising the volume to 50, the output increased to 21.6 near 1% THD + Noise. Setting the volume to maximum produced a square wave output generating 39.9 watts per channel.
The sound quality was above average. The sound was open and detailed. Noise floor specs on the unit match my test: undetectable. On my test speakers, the speaker outputs were a little bright. However, a quick adjustment of the tone controls fixed that. In fact, the adjustability of the tone controls allowed me to really fine tune my system, yielding awesome sound — a very useful feature.
Summary
The Pioneer DEH-P7700MP is a very good head unit for mid- or entry-level systems. The DEH-P7700MP is extremely capable, allowing the control of nearly all types of media, including iPod encoding. With the extremely flexible controls, cool display, and ease of use, the Pioneer DEH-P7700MP would make a fine addition to your system. <<
Pioneer DEH-P7700MP Specs
Price & Contact: $300 (MSRP); www.pioneerelectronics.com
Rated Performance
Power Requirement / Fuse Type: 14.4 (11-16) V.DC
Built-in Speaker Power MOSFET: 50W x 4
Continuous Power Output: 22W x 4
Preout Voltage & Impedance: 2.2V, 1k Ohm
Pre Output Voltage (Before Clipping): 2V
Measured Performance
Continuous Power Output: 21.6W x 4
Preout Voltage & Impedance: 2.32V, 1k Ohm
Pre Output Voltage (Before Clipping): 1.89V
CD Player
DAC Type: Regulated 1-Bit
Dynamic Range (1kHz): 95 dB
Frequency Response: 5-20k ±1 dB
Channel Separation (1 kHz): 85 dB
Oversampling: 8X/352.8 kHz
Sampling Rate: 44.1 kHz
Signal-to-Noise (S/N): 105 dB
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): 0.008%
Wow & Flutter (%WRMS): B.M.L.
CD-R/CD-RW Compatible
AGC (Automatic Gain Control)
Codec Support MP3, WMA, WAV, iTunes AAC
Supertuner Supertuner IIID+
24-Station/6-Button (18FM/6AM) Presets
BSM (Best Stations Memory)
AM Tuner
Tuning Range: 530-1, 710 kHz
Usable Sensitivity (IEC Standard): 22.5/27.0(uV/dBf)
FM Tuner
50dB Quieting Sensitivity: 1.3/13.5 (uV/dBf)
Alternate Channel Selectivity: 80.0 dB
Capture Ratio: 2.0 dB
Mono Usable Sensitivity: 0.8/9.3 (uV/dBf)
Signal-to-Noise (S/N): 65.0 dB
Stereo Separation: 35.0 dB
Tuning Range: 87.7-107.9MHZ
Display Features
Display Type Deep Blue Organic EL (OEL)
Dot Matrix OEL Size 128x32 + 24x32 (Deep Blue)
Audio Features
Equalizer: EEQ (3-band Parametric)
Loudness: 3 Mode
Automatic Sound Levelizer (ASL)
Source Level Adjuster (SLA)
Crossover Network: Two-Way Crossover
High-Pass Crossover (HPF): 50/80/125Hz, -12 dB/Oct.
Subwoofer Crossover (LPF): 50/80/125Hz, -18 dB/Oct., +/-12 dB
Bass Center Frequency (Selectable): 60 Hz, 80 Hz, 100 Hz, 120 Hz
Bass Level Control Range: +20 to -14dB at 60Hz (2 dB Steps)
Subwoofer Level Adjustment Range: -15dB to 0dB (1 dB steps)
Treble Center Frequency (Selectable) : 10.0 kHz, 12.5 kHz, 15.0 kHz, 17.5kHz
Treble Level Control Range: +-14dB at 10.0 kHz (2 dB Steps)
General Features
Nose Piece Size (W x H x D)in: 6-11/16” x 1-13/16” x 11/16”
Nose Piece Size (W x H x D) mm: 170 mm x 46 mm x 18 mm
Weight: 1.6kg (3lbs. 8oz)
Lies, Damn Lies, and Amplifier Power Ratings
The Pioneer DEH-P7700MP is a very good head unit, however, the claim of 50 watts-per-channel max power is very misleading. Even with a CD with all bits high (the highest possible recording level), the maximum power achieved with a complete square wave did not reach 40 watts into 4 ohms. I realize that many manufacturers feel it necessary to subscribe to a power rating of this nature, however, the max power rating for the DEH-P7700MP, like head units from other manufacturers, should be ignored.
The Pioneer DEH-P7700MP On the Sonoda Scale
Strengths: Good sound quality, decodes AAC as well as MP3 and Wav files, choice of XM or Sirius Satellite, build in crossover and EQ tone controls work well.
Weaknesses: RCA outputs clip before max volume
Best Use: A good value head unit for entry to mid level systems.
Performance Value (Out of 5): * * *
Performance vs. Weight (Out of 5): * * * *
Power vs. efficiency (Out of 5): * * * *
Manuals, Online Support (Out of 5): * * * *
|
|
|
CEA PREDICTS SALES OF IN-VEHICLE ELECTRONICS WILL GROW TO $12.8 BILLIONSales of in-vehicle consumer electronics (CE) will grow at a rate of 13 percent in 2008 to more than $12.8 billion, according to a recent study released by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). West Coast Hot-Rod Legend Boyd Coddington diesThe Associated Press is reporting that car-building legend Boyd Coddington, whose cable TV reality show "American Hot Rod" introduced the nation to the West Coast hot rod guru, has died. He was 63. DuPont Helps Auto OEMs Achieve Reduced EmissionsIn a breakthrough for structural automotive components, DuPont announced that its reinforced DuPont™ Zytel® nylon resin has replaced steel in exhaust system parts on all Volkswagen vehicles built on the current Golf platform, cutting weight of the component by nearly 50 percent. VALUE, PERFORMANCE DRIVE SONY'S LATEST NAV-U NAVIGATION DEVICESFor drivers geared toward value, Sony Electronics is announcing that its new nav-u™ personal navigation devices (models NV-U73T and NV-U83T) are now available at retail and online stores for about $300 and $400, respectively. PIONEER’S SECOND ANNUAL SOUND BUILD-OFF COMPETITION COMMENCESFollowing a successful event last spring in Tucson, Arizona, Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. has announced the second annual Pioneer Sound Build-Off. Twenty-two of Pioneer’s Premier nationwide retailers, including the top five that participated in last year’s event as well as the People’s Choice winner, are being challenged to build the best sounding demo vehicle using select Premier-branded audio equipment.
[See More Headlines]
Paint QuestionI have a 1998 Honda Accord and I'm trying to paint the radio trim bezel to achieve the smooth glossy finish. I bought the installation kit for a cd... Hello from NZHi all. I am an ex auto electrician here in little old nz. Unfortunately, the recession shut down the bosses shop, so I lost my job(like so many... Price Drop! JL250/1, Bp VA2100I have some rep. at; http://www.heatware.com/eval.php?id=49948
　
- JL Audio Slash 250/1 v2 - 6 months old, w/ original... python 872I have a 2005 neon srt-4. I would like to hookup my remote start. I have the key bypass & it works. Anyone know what wires I want for the remote... installing second amp for bass box.hey everybody, new to forum. need to know if i need to do anything special to add a second amp in my 2003, 2500 dodge ram as far as the power lead...
[Visit The CARSOUND.COM FORUM]
|
|
|
