The most complete CD deck ever made
Written: Dec 12 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: features, features, features
Cons: small buttons,
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| dipitydoo's Full Review: Pioneer DEX-P1R CD Changer |
The DEX P1R is the top-of-the-line CD headunit from Pioneer's high end Premier mobile audio line. It would make a great headunit for both competitors and casual car audio fans. The unit boasts a 4 volt output signal, a 13 band graphic EQ, a 2 or 3 way variable slope/frequency crossover, a digital time delay processor and digital signal soundfield simulation. The tuner includes Radio Data System (RDS) and ID Logic. It can control most recent Pioneer multi-disc changers, has a detachable face plate and you can change the viewing angle of the face. 3 sets of pre-amp outputs allow for connection of multiple amps (required, as this high end unit does not include built-in power). In other words, this unit will have almost every conceivable feature most people would ever need (or don't need) in a headunit.
The P1R has 2 modes, Standard and Pro. In Standard mode, the crossover is limited to a 2 way, with front and rear outputs as highpass and subwoofer output as lowpass. Another limitation in this mode is the time alignment processor, which is non-adjustable in this mode. You would only get a choice of listener position. In Pro mode, the crossover is a 3 way, so you will need separate amplification channels for your mids and tweeters, and you get full adjustability of the time alignment.
Here are some of the main features of this unit:
* 2 way/3 way crossover - the x-over section is my favorite feature of this unit. It is very flexible and it allows the user to listen to changes in x-over points and slopes from the seat without having to run to the trunk to make adjustments. Crossover points are variable for the high/mid/low channels. Slopes are variable from -6db/oct to -24db/oct for the mids and highs and -12db/oct to -36db/oct, which gives me lots of flexibility. I am a fan of steep slopes and I prefer active crossovers over passive ones for my satellites - they allow me to turn the volume up higher without distortion and provide increased protection to my speakers. Phase response can also be changed between normal and 180 degree out of phase, and each of the 6 channels of output can be turned off individually, excellent for tuning your system. The outputs of each pair of channels can also be adjusted, from +6 to -24.
* 13 band graphic EQ - 13 bands, which is almost 2/3 octave (minus a couple of bands) should be sufficient for most users. If you are a serious competitor, you may look into a separate third octave EQ, but for most everyone else, this should be ok, even though I wish Pioneer would have added a couple of more bands. The unit provides 4 preset curves and 2 user customizable presets.
* Time alignment - In Standard mode, the alignment is fixed, with your choice of listener position as left, right or both. However, in Pro mode, you can set the distance of each of 6 speakers in relation to the driver's head for a more accurate customization for a particular car. Results may vary when using this feature from car to car and for different speakers. It took me a long time messing with it to get it to sound right in my car. If not done right, your car may sound really bad, but the results were outstanding. My car now finally has in-front bass.
* Digital Soundfield Processing - I'm not a big fan of these, but some people may have use for them. There are several settings that try to simulate each environment, including Studio, Jazz, etc. Most of them appear to add some sort of echo effect.
* Auto EQ - with this feature, you can set up the included microphone at the driver seat, and allow the unit to automatically equalize your system by using pink noise and the built-in eq. It does a good job of setting up a good balanced system without the use of an RTA.
* DFS alarm - has outputs for several basic alarm features (horn, door, etc. I have a separate alarm so I have no use for it. A nice extra, but in my opinion, if you own a headunit of this calibur, go buy your self a full blown alarm.
I have had this unit for about 6 months now, and this unit has got to be, by far, the best CD unit I've ever had in my cars. It has almost every feature that I could want in a headunit. This unit simplifies the install in my car by reducing the need for a separate EQ, crossover, dsp, etc. All signal processing is done at the headunit and the outputs (a healthy 4 volts) go directly to my amps. My system consists of this unit, main 6.5" separates up front, a pair of subs in the trunk and amps to power the speakers, that's it.
All is not perfect, of course, and nothing really ever is. The display, though bright, tends to wash out in sunlight. You can, however, adjust the angle to help relieve this problem. As stated earlier, I would have wished for a few extra bands on the EQ. The remote control is rather big and bulky. However, I actually prefer Pioneer's large remotes to those credit card style remotes from other manufacturers. The Pioneer's remote is fits the hand better and the buttons are ergonomically sized and shaped. The remote is in fact a necessity with this CD player because several functions require the remote (pause is one example). I'm not a big fan of remotes, but the buttons are way too small on the faceplate for normal everyday usage, so I've gotten accustomed to using the remote.
The unit requires extensive usage of the manual to figure out how to use all of the multiple features of this unit. I, in fact, don't use most of them. After initial setup and tuning, I don't really use anything else besides the basic functions of the CD player. It's definitely not the most user friendly, but you should be used to most of the functions after some time.
This headunit's main strength is its number of features. Nowhere will you find a deck with this much advanced signal processing. The MSRP on this unit is $870, which may seem like a lot, but if you've priced a 3 way xover with the kind of slope and frequency selection as this unit lately, or the price on a separate time-alignment processor, you might realize that those two features by themselves may equal the price of the whole unit. My favorite feature, of course, is that you get all this in one box and you can listen to the changes you make while you make them.
Rarely does any single component stay in my car for more than several months, but this one, I will probably keep for a long time.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
dipitydoo
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Member: Jay Yoon
Reviews written: 24
Trusted by: 4 members
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