...Where the CDs in my Pioneer play.
Written: Jul 22 '00 (Updated Oct 08 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great sound, easy to operate
Cons: Small buttons on remote control
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| mkp51's Full Review: Pioneer CDX-FM653 6-Disc CD Changer |
Every year, right around the Christmas holidays, my wife and I go through this little rite of passage. It usually happens on December 20th or 21st, and my wife usually initiates it. Typically, the scenario goes something like this: Sidling up to me on the sofa in the cozy living room of our rural Maine home, she’ll hand me a cup of hot cocoa and say: "So-o-o, big fella . . . would you like to know what I got you for Christmas?"
Now, in the early days of our 29-year marriage, I'd have fallen for this about as fast as a Tiger Woods 2-foot putt. But, over the years, I’ve gotten wise to the ploy: what she really wants, of course, is to find out what I’m giving her for Christmas. In recent years, I’ve become pretty adept at saying something diplomatic like: "No, let’s just keep it a secret until Christmas morning. I like the suspense." Especially keeping you in suspense about what I'm giving you, is what I don’t say out loud.
Last December 19th, at 8:27 p.m. (a day or two early, by my reckoning), I’m sitting in my recliner watching on TV another one of those interminable Y2K "doom and gloom" documentaries that were so popular then. Suddenly, here comes my wife from the kitchen, a steaming cup of cocoa in one hand and a saucer stacked with home-made sugar cookies in the other. "Uh-oh," I think. "It’s that time again!"
Sure enough: "Honey, I got your Christmas present today, and you’re really gonna love it!" Now, I don’t know why, but something – maybe the look of anticipation in her eye, or the sweet tone in her voice – puts my resistance into complete and immediate meltdown. "Really," I say meekly. "Well, okay, if you want, we can give each other our presents early." She nods with an unmistakable look of triumph on her face...
...So, I rescue my gift to her – a limited edition original framed print of a Jamie Wyeth painting, worth over $300.00 – from its hiding place in the garage. She absolutely loves it!! We hang it in the living room and admire it for a while. Then: "Well, honey, I don’t have your present yet, but tomorrow, we’re going to Portland to get it. I’m giving you a CD player for your truck, but I want you to pick it out." Now it’s my turn to be pleased. My wife has a knack for buying me just the right item!
Next morning, we take off for Portland. After spending nearly two hours at the electronics superstore next to the Maine Mall, looking at a huge selection of automotive CD players, I finally settle on Pioneer’s CDX-FM653 six-CD player. It turns out to be an excellent choice! It sounds great, has plenty of features, and works flawlessly.
The CDX-FM653 works by converting CD audio into an FM radio signal and then playing it through my truck’s already installed AM-FM stereo cassette player. It’s a very simple and yet ingenious design.
The first thing I noticed about the CDX-FM653 was how easy it was to install. There were only eight parts in the package to contend with: the player; a CD cartridge; a mounting bracket for the player; the player’s wired remote control head; an antenna switching unit, and three cables. The enclosed installation manual was easy to follow, so installation was a snap! All I had to do was drill two holes for the mounting bracket; mount the player (behind the driver’s seat); mount the wired remote control head (on the gearshift console, with double-faced tape); connect the antenna switching unit and remote control head to the CD player and the truck’s FM radio; hook the CD player into the truck’s electrical system; hide all the cables; and tune the player to the FM radio on an unused preset. That may sound complicated, but it only took one hour to complete everything.
The CDX-FM653 has superb sound, with just the right balance between bass, mid-range and treble frequencies. All frequencies come through clearly and powerfully, even when I'm driving at high speeds. When I bought the CDX-FM653, the sales technician cautioned that, because it works through the vehicle’s FM radio, I wouldn’t get "true CD sound." With due respect to the sales technician, I think the sound quality of the CDX-FM653 is as good as, or even better than, most other automotive CD players I’ve heard!
The CDX-FM653 is very easy to operate and is quick to respond to my inputs. Whenever I turn it on, it only takes a couple seconds for the music to begin. Everything (except ejecting the cartridge) is controlled with the wireless remote. I can select, shuffle, randomize, and repeat discs and tracks with the push of a button, as well as increase or decrease the CDX-FM653’s audio output level.
One of the CDX-FM653’s best features is that it "remembers" the disc and track it’s playing whenever I shut it off, so it will pick up at that location the next time I turn it on. A second superb feature is the player’s resistance to skipping. In the seven months I’ve owned it, the CDX-FM653 has never skipped, and I drive on some very rough country roads.
This CD player has been a constant source of entertainment ever since I got it last Christmas. In fact, I enjoy it so much, I’ve just about given up listening to the radio! For quality, reliability, excellent sound and features, the CDX-FM653 is excellent!
Thanks, darlin’, for the great gift! But, be warned . . . this coming Christmas, I’ll be ready for you!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
mkp51
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Location: Midcoast Maine
Reviews written: 187
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