JVC KS-FX480 Car Cassette Player
Out of stock |
Similar in In Dash Receivers
- Player Type: Cassette
- Controlled Devices: CD Changer
- Overview
-
Reviews
-
Compare Prices
User ReviewRead All Reviews »
A quality JVC deck for minimal dinero
Pros
Fidelity, functionality, durability, display visibility, power
Cons
Faceplate contact oxidation
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
Buy this tape deck if you like playing tapes or if you want to use a JVC cd changer the way it is intended to be used.
I purchased this deck after the factory stereo in my 89 Riviera bit the dust. I had a JVC CHX350RF cd changer that had been hooked up to my factory stereo via the included FM modulator. However, I was lusting after the true CD quality sound afforded by the direct connection via the J-Link to a JVC head unit. I was surpised to find that this deck has several convenient features that were rare on tape decks when last I used them.
Installation:
The unit generally sounds clean, but be warned that there needs to be airspace around the heatsink on the side of the unit to provide for adequate cooling (as with all head units). Otherwise, the unit will begin to distort at high volumes the longer the unit is played. (Note: this will not be an issue for a traditional installation into a typical factory cut dash slot)
Features:
+Full logic controls so that you don't have any mechanical buttons to break
+Auto reverse
+The ability to skip tracks on the tape (up to 5 tracks at a time by tapping the seek button up to 5 times)
+tiny full function infrared remote control
+settings to turn the dim on the display to auto, off, or on so that the driver wouldn't be blinded by the intense daytime lighting of the display even if they couldn't wire the unit to their car's lighting system
+a line input which can be used with an adapter in place of the cd-changer plug on the back
+2 FM modes and 1 AM mode for a total of 36 presets
Connections
This unit has two sets of preouts one for the front speakers and one for the rear. These respond to the fading controls on the deck, but this is a mixed blessing for those who want to connect subwoofers to the unit because they can't be separately controlled from the interior speakers. This particular unit has no subwoofer specific output. There is also a typical antenna input jack as well as a J-Link jack.
Sound Quality
There are eq settings for pop, classic, hiphop, and custom. However, all of these EQ settings can be modified by the user. Bass, and treble can be adjusted, and the loud feature enhances both bass and treble simultaneously. However, this loud setting is inferior to JVC's BBE sound processing available on some of their other receivers.
FM reception is adequate with this unit, and the strongest station search feature is nice to have when traveling to new areas.
Maintenance:
As noted in the manual, repeatedly removing the faceplate increases oxidation on the contacts that will make the faceplate malfunction until they are cleaned. I'd say that someone who takes the faceplate off every time they park the vehicle might need to clean the contacts once every 10-12 months.
Overall:
I'm very pleased with this unit. It looks more expensive than it was, and the controls are easy to use without looking during driving. Also, controlling a CD changer is very easy with the six buttons that correspond to disks 1-6 or 7-12 depending on how long they are depressed.
Update 12/05:
My old vehicle was destroyed, and I purchased a new Jeep Liberty. I salvaged this stereo, and installed it in my new, otherwise completely stock vehicle. It sounds great with no audio problems at all due to a better installation situation. It can get very loud without clipping, and it still works great with none of the problems I've had on other stereos where the response of the knobs become unpredictable as they age.
Installation:
The unit generally sounds clean, but be warned that there needs to be airspace around the heatsink on the side of the unit to provide for adequate cooling (as with all head units). Otherwise, the unit will begin to distort at high volumes the longer the unit is played. (Note: this will not be an issue for a traditional installation into a typical factory cut dash slot)
Features:
+Full logic controls so that you don't have any mechanical buttons to break
+Auto reverse
+The ability to skip tracks on the tape (up to 5 tracks at a time by tapping the seek button up to 5 times)
+tiny full function infrared remote control
+settings to turn the dim on the display to auto, off, or on so that the driver wouldn't be blinded by the intense daytime lighting of the display even if they couldn't wire the unit to their car's lighting system
+a line input which can be used with an adapter in place of the cd-changer plug on the back
+2 FM modes and 1 AM mode for a total of 36 presets
Connections
This unit has two sets of preouts one for the front speakers and one for the rear. These respond to the fading controls on the deck, but this is a mixed blessing for those who want to connect subwoofers to the unit because they can't be separately controlled from the interior speakers. This particular unit has no subwoofer specific output. There is also a typical antenna input jack as well as a J-Link jack.
Sound Quality
There are eq settings for pop, classic, hiphop, and custom. However, all of these EQ settings can be modified by the user. Bass, and treble can be adjusted, and the loud feature enhances both bass and treble simultaneously. However, this loud setting is inferior to JVC's BBE sound processing available on some of their other receivers.
FM reception is adequate with this unit, and the strongest station search feature is nice to have when traveling to new areas.
Maintenance:
As noted in the manual, repeatedly removing the faceplate increases oxidation on the contacts that will make the faceplate malfunction until they are cleaned. I'd say that someone who takes the faceplate off every time they park the vehicle might need to clean the contacts once every 10-12 months.
Overall:
I'm very pleased with this unit. It looks more expensive than it was, and the controls are easy to use without looking during driving. Also, controlling a CD changer is very easy with the six buttons that correspond to disks 1-6 or 7-12 depending on how long they are depressed.
Update 12/05:
My old vehicle was destroyed, and I purchased a new Jeep Liberty. I salvaged this stereo, and installed it in my new, otherwise completely stock vehicle. It sounds great with no audio problems at all due to a better installation situation. It can get very loud without clipping, and it still works great with none of the problems I've had on other stereos where the response of the knobs become unpredictable as they age.
