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Strengths: Highly Customizable, Fully Featured, Amazing Quality, Beautiful Design, Impressive Display, Plays almost all formats, Built in Crossover.
Weaknesses: Customizable options take a while to navigate, Takes some time to learn.
Summary: 2005-05-08 16:47:56 I shopped both panasonic and alpine decks before deciding to go with this unit. This deck blew the others away with its 2 year warranty, 4V pre-outs, OEL Display, and its great design at this price point. FYI: This is not the same head unit as the Pioneer 7700. Seriously consider getting the premier unit. It has the better warranty and better pre-outs. If you can afford it, Get this one!
This deck is highly customizable. The enables the audiophile and the car audio simpleton the ability to dial in the desired sound. This deck is made to compliment a competition level sound system with its crossover settings. These settings allow you to increase or decrease levels of specific frequencies from low bass to high treble. These setting can then be applied to a specific output. This is useful for running a sub. One can direct all low frequencies the sub output, and adjust the rest of the speaker output so that the other speakers just play solid mids or crisp highs. This just scratches the surface of what it can do.
This may be too much for the simple audionewb wanting to put a new deck in. I would still recommend spending the ben franklins on this because even with a basic speaker set up the sound can be tuned to be amazing. The 770 has several pre-set EQ's, but one can also play around with the 8-setting equalizer, which is enough for most ears.
The features are equally impressive. This can play almost any format of digital media, including WMA, which is actually better than MP3. It also plays Itunes, if they are not downloaded straight from apple. I put Chevelle's latest music offering in the 770, and it showed the bands name, album title, song title, along with all of the timing info automatically. That was cool. Want to open your windows and let the air in? The 770 will automatically adjust the sound in response to the extra noise in the cabin. Want the display to dim when it gets dark? When you turn on your headlights, the display automatically dims to the setting you want. The list goes on and on...Look for the manual online to view all of the features. Perusing the manual before you buy will serve you well in realizing just how much you are getting for your money. Again, this is just the tip of the iceberg.
The coolest feature to me right now is the toggle stick on the remote. I never understood remotes in a car until this one. I can move through many audio settings and features with the remote. This enables me to keep my eyes on the road. Both the deck and the remote use a joystick type toggle button to move through different functions. It is one of the easiest (and fun) to use functions I have ever had on any audio system. I wish my home surround sound system had this set up!
The display features background movies, animated screensavers, and static pictures for backgrounds. It will display the time when powered off. When on, in addition to animation, it shows all detailed song info(including ID3 tagging for MP3s), or radio station info. One can program titles for albums and songs as well. The display is a beautiful blue, and it really is readable in direct sunlight!
I love the design, with its display and its steel, metal looking surround. Some may say it may not blend well with classy interiors (like my mercedes-zebrano wood trim). I think it looks sharp, especially at night!
Although the functions and features take a while to learn, the results are impressive. Tuning is really popular these days. The 770 gives the tuning freaks and wannabes the ability to "pimp" the sound. Don't settle for less. I purchased this deck for $215 shipped, and it has been one of the best electronics purchases I have ever made. I highly recommend this deck!
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