yippyyappy's Full Review: Dual Electronics XHD6425 Car CD/ MP3 Player
This is a phenomenal value in car stereo. It has so many features that at this time there isn’t anything to compare it to. The only drawback I find is the sound quality could be a little better, but it is a car stereo. It goes really loud and clear. I’m using it in a Ford Focus with Infinity speakers.
This first thing you may notice is how clear the radio sounds. This is because it has built in HD. Other manufacturers sell this as an expensive add on. I was surprised by how many HD stations there are. I live on the outskirts of Milwaukee and most of the time there is no problem with signal. Occasionally driving under a bridge or something will cause a dead spot in the sound. When you are really on the edge of the signal it annoyingly cuts back and forth between HD and regular. It would be nice to have a switch that would turn off the HD at these times. Otherwise it sounds great, displays artist information, station information, and track time from the HD signal. Some stations even have HD-2, notably WUWM in this area has an all adult music signal with no commercials.
When you drive away from WUWM you may need to find some music to listen to. Might I suggest a 2 to 4 GB USB drive? It holds as many songs as a 6 CD changer and cannot skip. Here it would be nice if the display would show which folder you are in. You can skip up and down the folder list but other than waiting a while for it to read (like a 6 CD changer) then listening for a little bit there is no way to determine where you are on the drive. The Dual also has problems with files recorded in WMA lossless mode and nested folders. Copy all your folders into the root directory of the drive.
There is a CD changer built in for when you buy a new CD and can’t wait to listen to it.
So you can drive safely I highly recommend the optional Bluetooth device. You also need a cell phone with Bluetooth. Once you connect your phone to the Bluetooth all you need to do is have your phone in your pocket when you turn on the Dual. If you turn on the Dual and go back inside to get your phone it will not connect. Once connected the output from the phone comes out the car speakers. I have found this works great for hands free calling. I also thought that I could stream music from my phone to the Dual. It works, but so poorly there is no reason to do it.
There are bunch of connections for external amplifiers if you feel you need them. I would prefer you didn’t use them and instead the makers gave us a dimmer switch. Even the Bluetooth microphone has a very bright led that shines down from your visor (paint it black).
There isn’t much way to adjust the bass and treble, other than the bass and treble, or pre-set equalization modes. I don’t find this a big problem.
The control knob in the middle of all the switches is too small. It takes a delicate touch to grab it and adjust the volume among other things. Other than that you don’t need to read the owner’s manual to run all the features (think Kenwood).
The Dual comes with a remote control. Why? I thought it’d be cool for tailgating, but it doesn’t have the range.
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