JVC KD-S890 Car CD / MP3 Player
- MP3 / WMA Playback: MP3 Playback
- Player Type: CD
Available From
Why are these offers here?
Lowest Price!
- Overview
-
Reviews
- Compare Prices
User ReviewRead All Reviews »
JVC KD-S890 Slick MP3 user interface with cool sound for under 100US
Pros
MP3 menu is a breeze to work. Sound is excellent
Cons
Digital display could be better, particularly at night
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
At this price and with the easy use I highly recommend this unit for anyone wanting to use MP3 discs. Actually at 100USD I even recommend to non MP3 fans.
This review covers JVC KD-S890 MP3 car radio
Update after 1 year of ownership of TWO of these babies. Both are going strong. Displays: OK Coverglas of Displays: OK Soundproblems or other signs of wear: NONE
Do I still think this is the right choice? Absolutely, and I raise the quality rating up to the next level.
The basics:
MP3/CD-R/CD-RW Compatible
Keychain-Style Infrared Remote Control
Multi-Color LCD Display
Rotary Encoder Multi-Control
cEQ
Multi-bit (24-bit Resolution) 1-bit DAC
Line Output Terminals (2 pairs)
Loudness Control
Detachable Control Panel with Carrying Case
CD Text, Disc Name Registration
Preferred Setting Mode
CD Player Intro Scan
CD Random and Repeat Play modes
HS-II Tuner
Station Name Registration
18 FM & 6 AM Presets
SSM (for FM) (Two button automatic load of strongest stations in the area. Will take the first 6 strongest, not the absolute strongest it seems
AFNS/PNC
Preamp Fader Control
Electronic Volume Control
4x50W peak, 4x 19 W RMS (equivalent to sustained power or the actual OOMPH you get).
Pro's
Cheaper then most In-Dash CD Players without MP3 capability
CD loads through the front surface, no need to flip it down or something like that, which would be cumbersome while driving. Has little white LED illuminating the slot, so you can find it at night very easily.
This unit has exactly the MP3 menu structure I was looking for:
- Choose MP3 files by folder and name with both shown in clear text
- Random Play Folder or random play disk (across folders)
- Scrolling text shows entire title
- restarts where it left off, when you shut the unit down
No matter what in dash unit you buy, if it does NOT have above features, you will regret it. 10 hours of music that you always start listening to from Song Nr. 1 ain't cutting it. Equally if you can't find the song / folder you are looking for or if you can't randomize music or it is cumbersome operation deep down in a menu.
This unit uses the cross button on the right to navigate through folders (up and down) and then through songs (left right).Once you are inside a folder you can step forward in increments of 10 songs with button up/down. The unit will actually jump to the next full increment of 10 first and then move up/ down in 10's. So if you are at song 8 and you want to listen to 33, you push UP (jumps to Song 10) UP (20) UP (30) Right (31) Right (32) Right (33). Works like a breeze, if you can remember all 100 songs you put on by number.
Shake-Rattle and Roll: Ever experienced a skipping CD player? Me being an engineer i took the radio for the drive on a shake rattle and roll test on some dirt road, to see whether I could get the unit to skip. Well, I almost shook my brains out and hurt my spine, but not a single skip in the music. That is if you surely attach the unit to the chassis at the front and the rear. (There are latches at your old radio that you should reuse). If you don't firmly fix it, the unit will skip at road bumps.
Compatibility with different CD-R: So far all except one worked fine, with the latter one I suspect an issue with the burner rather then the player. Confirmed that it was the CD. I found out that the player has some problems with CD's that got burned with "Justlink" or "Burnproof" kicking in. Those features will take a buffer underun (not enough data to the writer while burning), pick up the track again and continue burning. In normal players or computer drives, that is no problem. This radio however produced a skip of music wherever the burner had compensated a buffer underrun.
It will manifest itself usually with an increased skip rate towards the last songs on the CD (which sit outside on the disk and get burned faster). If the CD burns OK, there are no problems.
MP3 Load time: Unlike standard music CD's, when you put an MP3 disc in the unit will "contemplate" while reading the MP3 menu structure. I noticed as long as you go only one folder deep it is pretty fast (5 sec). Two folders deep it takes about 10 seconds to read everything in.It will blink "CHECK" while it does that and then display number of folders and number of Tracks. 200 Songs on one CD? Whoaa.
Once it is read in though, the change of tracks when in random play is instantaneously. It also will start back up next time you switch it on very fast.
Currently available (until end of September 03) with a 30 USD mail in rebate, so actual price is below 100 bucks.
Radio reception a guy at Best Buy told me is very good and I can only confirm it, get more channels clearly then with my old Ford OEM radio (which is a 350 USD unit).
Replaced a Ford Explorer OEM radio with this one and the sound is WAY better. Bass boost has almost BOOMBOX quality .
Simple and effective menu structure
Built in equalizer has preset feature set for Rock, Jazz, Classic etc. and each one can be tuned to user gusto with a built in memory set.(i.e. you go into ROCK and turn the bass up even higher, it will remember it until you change it again.
Remote Control: Well, so what ? I don't hang out on street corners with the car doors open, blasting the neighborhood. If you do, you might appreciate it. It carries all major functions, so you could operate OK from a distance. That is if you have a free line of sight, as the remote is infra red. That limits it to the back seat as from outside the car unless you own a convertible, you won't get that. Walk around your car and try to find a direct line of sight to your radio. Then envision why you would stand right there and want to steer it.
I put emphasis on being able to navigate the radio "blindly" i.e. not taking my eyes off the road while driving and it serves that function beautifully.
Installation: Radio comes with a plug that goes into the main unit. All cables have printed identification and industry standard colorcoding on them. Easy to identify.
Buy a wiring harness and a mounting kit for your car at eg.
Soundoffaudio.com for 23 USD. Connect the right color cables to each other with crimping or suttering. Mount the in-dash mounting kit for your car and connect the plugs. Voila, 1.5 hours max and you are off and playing. If you never have done this, the hardest part is finding the right plugs and kits on the net. Assembly is pretty easy.
Cons: LCD display has segments shine through at night (i.e. you see a little bit of all segments, not just the ones which are totally lit)
The indicator segments for Random Play, Folder are very tiny and blue, so hard to read and pretty much useless in daylight
The integrated clock is big,but font is hard to read (takes longer then it should really).
LCD backlight doesn't dim at night (stays a bit to bright, not annoying but noticeable)
When switching from play to random folder or random disk, the currently playing song will stop at once and start a new one. Kind of a nag factor, better would be to finish the song and then randomize.
Radio stations don't show radio text i.e. station name
When clock is on, you don't see station frequency either
Have to reselect random mode every time you change CD (Easy two button operation, but still, why can't it lock in?)
White text on black background harder to read then the reverse
Wish list: Nicer font on display, Radio frequency and clock show simultaneously
Radio text.
A few more letters on the display to show longer part of text instead of a "bouncing" equalizer, which looks nice but doesn't provide real information
Front surface available in black rather then silver
Buttons are backlit in red, I'd preferred a more neutral color
My OEM Ford radio would continue to play until I open the door, not shut down when you turn the ignition key. I liked that feature and miss it on this unit. In a Ford Windstar however the power supply to the radio gets managed externally and there the unit stays on until you open the door. When it shuts down it bids you a "goodbye"
Cool factor: If you could teach the radio to say "Hello xxxx" instead of "Hello JVC".
General hint on compiling MP3-CD's.
You will need some loudness equalizing software such as MP3Gain in order to bring all sounds to a similar level, otherwise you will continuously regulate your loudness, when you randomly swap folders.
Update after 1 year of ownership of TWO of these babies. Both are going strong. Displays: OK Coverglas of Displays: OK Soundproblems or other signs of wear: NONE
Do I still think this is the right choice? Absolutely, and I raise the quality rating up to the next level.
The basics:
MP3/CD-R/CD-RW Compatible
Keychain-Style Infrared Remote Control
Multi-Color LCD Display
Rotary Encoder Multi-Control
cEQ
Multi-bit (24-bit Resolution) 1-bit DAC
Line Output Terminals (2 pairs)
Loudness Control
Detachable Control Panel with Carrying Case
CD Text, Disc Name Registration
Preferred Setting Mode
CD Player Intro Scan
CD Random and Repeat Play modes
HS-II Tuner
Station Name Registration
18 FM & 6 AM Presets
SSM (for FM) (Two button automatic load of strongest stations in the area. Will take the first 6 strongest, not the absolute strongest it seems
AFNS/PNC
Preamp Fader Control
Electronic Volume Control
4x50W peak, 4x 19 W RMS (equivalent to sustained power or the actual OOMPH you get).
Pro's
Cheaper then most In-Dash CD Players without MP3 capability
CD loads through the front surface, no need to flip it down or something like that, which would be cumbersome while driving. Has little white LED illuminating the slot, so you can find it at night very easily.
This unit has exactly the MP3 menu structure I was looking for:
- Choose MP3 files by folder and name with both shown in clear text
- Random Play Folder or random play disk (across folders)
- Scrolling text shows entire title
- restarts where it left off, when you shut the unit down
No matter what in dash unit you buy, if it does NOT have above features, you will regret it. 10 hours of music that you always start listening to from Song Nr. 1 ain't cutting it. Equally if you can't find the song / folder you are looking for or if you can't randomize music or it is cumbersome operation deep down in a menu.
This unit uses the cross button on the right to navigate through folders (up and down) and then through songs (left right).Once you are inside a folder you can step forward in increments of 10 songs with button up/down. The unit will actually jump to the next full increment of 10 first and then move up/ down in 10's. So if you are at song 8 and you want to listen to 33, you push UP (jumps to Song 10) UP (20) UP (30) Right (31) Right (32) Right (33). Works like a breeze, if you can remember all 100 songs you put on by number.
Shake-Rattle and Roll: Ever experienced a skipping CD player? Me being an engineer i took the radio for the drive on a shake rattle and roll test on some dirt road, to see whether I could get the unit to skip. Well, I almost shook my brains out and hurt my spine, but not a single skip in the music. That is if you surely attach the unit to the chassis at the front and the rear. (There are latches at your old radio that you should reuse). If you don't firmly fix it, the unit will skip at road bumps.
Compatibility with different CD-R: So far all except one worked fine, with the latter one I suspect an issue with the burner rather then the player. Confirmed that it was the CD. I found out that the player has some problems with CD's that got burned with "Justlink" or "Burnproof" kicking in. Those features will take a buffer underun (not enough data to the writer while burning), pick up the track again and continue burning. In normal players or computer drives, that is no problem. This radio however produced a skip of music wherever the burner had compensated a buffer underrun.
It will manifest itself usually with an increased skip rate towards the last songs on the CD (which sit outside on the disk and get burned faster). If the CD burns OK, there are no problems.
MP3 Load time: Unlike standard music CD's, when you put an MP3 disc in the unit will "contemplate" while reading the MP3 menu structure. I noticed as long as you go only one folder deep it is pretty fast (5 sec). Two folders deep it takes about 10 seconds to read everything in.It will blink "CHECK" while it does that and then display number of folders and number of Tracks. 200 Songs on one CD? Whoaa.
Once it is read in though, the change of tracks when in random play is instantaneously. It also will start back up next time you switch it on very fast.
Currently available (until end of September 03) with a 30 USD mail in rebate, so actual price is below 100 bucks.
Radio reception a guy at Best Buy told me is very good and I can only confirm it, get more channels clearly then with my old Ford OEM radio (which is a 350 USD unit).
Replaced a Ford Explorer OEM radio with this one and the sound is WAY better. Bass boost has almost BOOMBOX quality .
Simple and effective menu structure
Built in equalizer has preset feature set for Rock, Jazz, Classic etc. and each one can be tuned to user gusto with a built in memory set.(i.e. you go into ROCK and turn the bass up even higher, it will remember it until you change it again.
Remote Control: Well, so what ? I don't hang out on street corners with the car doors open, blasting the neighborhood. If you do, you might appreciate it. It carries all major functions, so you could operate OK from a distance. That is if you have a free line of sight, as the remote is infra red. That limits it to the back seat as from outside the car unless you own a convertible, you won't get that. Walk around your car and try to find a direct line of sight to your radio. Then envision why you would stand right there and want to steer it.
I put emphasis on being able to navigate the radio "blindly" i.e. not taking my eyes off the road while driving and it serves that function beautifully.
Installation: Radio comes with a plug that goes into the main unit. All cables have printed identification and industry standard colorcoding on them. Easy to identify.
Buy a wiring harness and a mounting kit for your car at eg.
Soundoffaudio.com for 23 USD. Connect the right color cables to each other with crimping or suttering. Mount the in-dash mounting kit for your car and connect the plugs. Voila, 1.5 hours max and you are off and playing. If you never have done this, the hardest part is finding the right plugs and kits on the net. Assembly is pretty easy.
Cons: LCD display has segments shine through at night (i.e. you see a little bit of all segments, not just the ones which are totally lit)
The indicator segments for Random Play, Folder are very tiny and blue, so hard to read and pretty much useless in daylight
The integrated clock is big,but font is hard to read (takes longer then it should really).
LCD backlight doesn't dim at night (stays a bit to bright, not annoying but noticeable)
When switching from play to random folder or random disk, the currently playing song will stop at once and start a new one. Kind of a nag factor, better would be to finish the song and then randomize.
Radio stations don't show radio text i.e. station name
When clock is on, you don't see station frequency either
Have to reselect random mode every time you change CD (Easy two button operation, but still, why can't it lock in?)
White text on black background harder to read then the reverse
Wish list: Nicer font on display, Radio frequency and clock show simultaneously
Radio text.
A few more letters on the display to show longer part of text instead of a "bouncing" equalizer, which looks nice but doesn't provide real information
Front surface available in black rather then silver
Buttons are backlit in red, I'd preferred a more neutral color
My OEM Ford radio would continue to play until I open the door, not shut down when you turn the ignition key. I liked that feature and miss it on this unit. In a Ford Windstar however the power supply to the radio gets managed externally and there the unit stays on until you open the door. When it shuts down it bids you a "goodbye"
Cool factor: If you could teach the radio to say "Hello xxxx" instead of "Hello JVC".
General hint on compiling MP3-CD's.
You will need some loudness equalizing software such as MP3Gain in order to bring all sounds to a similar level, otherwise you will continuously regulate your loudness, when you randomly swap folders.
