Pioneer 6-Disc CD Changer CDX-FM677
This is Pioneer's most humble model in its line of universal CD. If you are unfamiliar with how a universal changer works, read on. If you already know, just skip to the next section.

The Universal Changer For Any Factory Stereo
If you want to keep your factory installed stereo but want the convience of a multi-CD changer the universal changer is a good choice to solve your problems. How it works is that once you have the changer installed, it does not have any cable connection to the factory reciever. It operates wirelessly in fact. You need only tune your radio to a commonly unused frequency, such as 87.7 FM, and the disc changer sends out the music over that same frequency. So you can listen to the tunes in your changer via the radio, wirelessly and without having to buy a new reciever or do extra wiring jobs in your car. Simple? If, in your opinion, that explanation sucked, please comment so that I can revise it. I thought it was ok.

The CDX-FM677
This particular model is not special. In fact it is as plain as anything you will ever lay your eyes on. As you saw from the picture, it looks like any other changer. There are no flashing lights, or radical design. Pioneer has maintained a conservative and clean cut look. The door is somewhat flimsy and is simply pulled from right to left to gain access to the changer magazine. This "mag" holds the 6 cd's and is inserted in the changer. If you are unfamiliar with this term, imagine a gun's magazine, and the bullets are held in the magazine to be inserted into a gun. The CD's are like the bullets.

Moving on, you simply load CD's into the magazine, re-insert it into the changer, close the door and you are ready to roll. Get in your car, tune your radio to the frequency you set, and choose the disc you wish to play via the wired remote. The wired remote should be located in your "cockpit" somewhere, depending on where you specified it to be installed. My changer came with my car.

Actually, you do not even need to use the wired remote, as you should have been provided with a wireless remote as thin as a business card holder. The CDX-FM677 gives you both for flexibility of use. Either way, the controls are simple. Select disc, select track, power off. That's about it. I know it's not feature packed, but I think it's enough to get by. The wired remote has a small LCD which will tell you the disc number, track number and track time.

General Performance of the CDX-FM677
The disc changer has never skipped on me yet. It has played all CD's flawlessly. Original CD's, as well as CDR burns. Inside the disc changer, there is an "independent suspension" that helps absorb vibration. When you push the magazine a little while it's in the changer, you will feel it give a little in any direction, as if it were mounted on rubber. It's a standard feature in most disc changers.

Basically speaking, this CDX-FM677 performs as expected. It works as it should, no bells or whistles. It does it's job adequatly and is dependable.

Sound Quality
It is significantly better than a radio station, but it is still a radio signal after all. Don't expect competition sound, but I think it's adequate for the average traffic driver.

Overall
If you want CD capability without having to rip out the factory stereo, FM changers are your best solution. I recommend any Pioneer product as I have been impressed with their quality throughtout the years. This particular model has given me no trouble, but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the 12-disc model if it suits you more. My only gripe is that the wired remote can be an annoyance since you have to figure out the best place to mount it.

Recommended:
Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 1