 Better Than Factory. Strengths: Strong radio reception with its SSIR-EXA tuner; the 17 watts of power output are CEA-06 rated; 4-volt pre-outs for cab & sub.
Weaknesses: Microscopic, light-blue writing on buttons; tuner station pre-set buttons should be distinct from other buttons; image movies are pointless (they should not even be included); aluminum faceplate.
Summary: The owner's manual also lists the CDX-F7715X on the cover, but does not mention it again. At Sony's web-site, the differences I could find for the 7715 were as follows: list price $280 (vrs $250); black faceplate (vrs aluminum); 24-bit Burr Brown converter (vrs 1-bit D/A); and the CD drive chassis (Drive-S) has an HX suffix (headroom expansion?). Search for the 7715 model based on the faceplate color alone (unless you're actually going to install the unit into a brushed aluminum dash). I own a '94 Accord coupe.
I walked into the store (east Portland,OR): told the salesman I wanted to upgrade the existing radio/cassette factory system (remove and replace), including CD/MP3 and XM-sat ready. I ended up with the 7710, Boston Acoustic SX-95 6x9 coax rear spkrs, BA SL-65 6" coax door spkrs, and a Crossfire vr-354 (4 chnl) amp. (No sub: I value my trunk space & don't care to thump my eardrums into oblivion.) The sound is MUCH cleaner and stays that way through increased volume. There is not a lot of bass, but it's okay: turn the Loudness ON, the Hi & Lo Pass filters OFF, and adjust each EQ curve using the remote control to maximize the bass frequency (62Hz). For Display Imaging, Sony advertises "Space Producer": creates animated on-screen patterms in time with the music. But Space Producer is just their term for imaging! The only choices that move to the music are the five spectrum analyzers. The three wallpaper selections are better than the three "movies" available. There's also the Space Producer "home page" with some moving art, and a standard "information" screen. Labeling stations/ songs is limited to eight characters. The DSO is interesting, though I keep it low to enhance bass (ie., keep treble from overpowering). Display brightness is adequate for bright sun & dims enough at night, though I wish it would dim a little more.
I paid $275 for the head (yes, higher than list!) and a total of about $1,000 for the system installed. You can do better, especially watching for sales (eg., year-end clearance in Dec-Jan). But the hardware is fine and I'm enjoying the sounds. Just get the faceplate to match the housing where it will be mounted (black v. alum.). It's satisfactory, but I would not purchase it again; I would at least get the 7715.
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