Pioneer DEH-P6900UB Car CD / USB / MP3 Player

I own an 02 Jetta TDI and have had nothing but problems with the factory radio, which apparently is nothing new among VW owners. Great car….crappy radio/receiver. The dealer replaced it twice under warranty, but when the right side speakers started cutting out with the last one and finding out it was a bad amp (a known issue), it was time to take the bull by the horns and make my own changes, especially since the vehicle warranty had expired. So I started researching various receivers. I decided I definitely wanted one with a rear USB input and put my music on flash drives instead of messing with a ton of CDs and having to access the CD changer in the trunk in order to change the preloaded magazines. And it was a pain in the butt to store all the CDs. So it was time to get into the 21st century. After researching various receivers online, I quickly discovered not too many had rear USB input. Upon reading user reviews of the ones with rear USB, the Pioneer DEH 6900UB and 690UB (the "Premier" line of Pioneer, which is the exact same receiver but with a 2 yr warranty and iPod cable included) seemed to stand out. And I've always had excellent results with Pioneer products. I wanted to see what the 6900UB looks like, so headed to a local sound shop that had the 690UB Premier version. They hooked one up for me, and even hooked up the USB flash drive I'd brought along with a few songs I'd uploaded. The salesman ran through some of the features and I was sold. I considered buying the 690UB from them and having them install it, but after adding in the wiring harnesses, antenna adapter and installation, the price was about $80 higher than purchasing from Crutchfield, who includes everything you need. And I'm not interested in iPod, so didn't really need the "extras" included in the 690UB. So I got home and called Crutchfield to speak with an installation person to see if there were any tip and tricks for installing the 6900UB in my VW. I was told the 6900UB is slightly longer than the VW factory receiver and certain "modifications" would be necessary for installation, including cutting out the rear support where the factory receiver sits. Hmmmm. Maybe I should just pay the extra $80 and have the local sound shop do it. Nah. I can do it. I've done it before. But those days were….well, long ago. So I got on the VW Vortex forum and received several replies from people who'd installed oversized receivers in their Jettas and said it's no big deal. I bit the bullet and ordered the 6900UB from Crutchfield on a Thurs and received it on Mon.

IN THE BOX
You get the Pioneer DEH 6900UB, trim ring, wireless remote, faceplate case, USB extension cable, metal mounting sleeve, user manual, and warranty. Also included from Crutchfield was a set of radio removal tools to remove the VW factory receiver, wiring harness, VW antenna adapter, and complete instructions for connecting the wiring harness and installing the receiver.

APPEARANCE
The 6900UB's face is refreshingly clean and devoid of the plethora of buttons you see on so many other receivers. This is due mostly to the use of what Pioneer calls a Multi Control knob that takes the place of several buttons. This Multifunction knob will be touched on later in the review. The 6900UB has a modern look, but simple in appearance. But beware! The online photos make the receiver appear all black, with a black trim ring. But when I saw the 6900UB (actually the 690) at the sound shop, I was surprised and a bit disappointed to see that except for the display, the receiver is all silver. Not a bright shiny chrome (thank God!), but the typical standard silver color of many receivers. But I liked the features, sound, basic clean look, and price so decided to go with it anyway. In my car, as with most cars, the center console dash area that houses the radio and other components is all black, so the 6900UB stands out like a sore thumb. But I've become used to it and don't really think much about it.

JETTA INSTALLATION (Not the easiest thing I've ever done)
I had started to write about the interesting and challenging experience I had installing this receiver, but decided the review is about the receiver, not what I had to go through to install it. Suffice it to say Jettas don't provide a whole lot of room for an extra wiring harness and antenna adapter if all spaces in the center dash area are occupied. The basic wiring was easy. Getting the slightly oversized receiver (just a bit too deep) into the dash was another story requiring some ingenuity and a hacksaw to cut out the rear support…but well worth the effort. In a nutshell, in order to accommodate the extra wiring harness and antenna adapter, I had to remove the factory single CD player in the DIN space above the receiver and place the extra harness in that space. That factory CD player wouldn't work with the new receiver anyway so to cover that upper DIN opening and hide the wiring, I popped the faceplate off and used double-sided automotive tape in each corner to secure it into place and looks like the CD player is still there.

ON THE FACE
Located on the face in the upper left is the SOURCE button that navigates between all available sources: XM Tuner, SIRIUS Tuner, Tuner, Television, DVD Player, Built-In CD Player, Multi CD Player, iPod, USB, External Unit 1, External Unit 2, AUX1, AUX2, BT Audio, and BT Telephone. NOTE: Sources not in use can be turned off so they don't appear when cycling through the source list. This button is also used to turn the unit off by pressing and holding. NOTE: To set the default settings (turning off unused sources, demo display, warning beep, faceplate auto-open, or setting date/time, language, etc), the 6900UB has to be turned off.

At the bottom left is the BAND button that selects between three FM bands and one AM band, and is used to cancel the control mode of functions.

Located vertically between the Source and BAND buttons and offset to the right for easy access is the LIST button, which is used to display the disc title list, track title list, folder list, or preset channel list depending on the source. For example, I'm using USB, so when I press the LIST button, the titles of the USB flash drive appear on the display and I can either turn the Control knob or press the top or bottom edge of the Control knob (mentioned below) to scroll up or down through the list. Once I find something I want to listen to, I press the Control knob straight in to select. One thing to note here is the volume can't be adjusted via the Control knob while in LIST mode. If you turn the Control knob while in LIST mode, you'll only scroll through the list. You must press the LIST button again to get back into the normal display mode, and the Volume can then be adjusted by turning the Control knob or using the remote control volume buttons. Or, if you do nothing after selecting a title, the LIST mode will automatically revert back to normal display mode in several seconds. At first I thought this was crazy, but actually it makes sense and it's no big deal.

Just to the right of these three buttons is the Multi Control knob that controls many functions, including manual seek tuning, fast forward/reverse, folder/track search controls, volume, and accepting selections by pushing straight in.

At the bottom of the 6900UB's face you'll see a row of five small buttons. From left to right:
EQ, which selects from five preset EQs… Powerful (default), Natural, Vocal (more highs), Flat, and Super Bass. There are also two Custom EQ settings that can be customized to your taste using the 7-band Graphic Equalizer and saved. So you should be able to get the sound the way you want it.

SW, which selects the subwoofer setting menu. Press and hold to select the bass boost setting menu.

DISPLAY, which selects several different displays that appear while the unit is in operation. BTW, the display brightness is adjustable. I've read some complaints that even the dimmest setting is too bright at night, but I'm still using the default highest setting and it's fine. It's all personal.

CLOCK, which changes the clock display. This button also changes the channel select mode when XM tuner or SIRIUS tuner is selected as the source by pressing and holding.

EJECT, which when pressed, automatically rotates the faceplate down, allowing a loaded CD to be ejected from the built-in CD player, or a CD to be inserted. This button is also used to open and close the front panel (faceplate) without ejecting a CD by pressing and holding.

Located at the end of this row of buttons is the RESET, which resets the microprocessor if problems arise. This is your typical reset requiring the use of a pen or other pointed instrument…safety pin, etc.

REMOVABLE FACEPLATE
As with most higher end units, the 6900UB has a removable faceplate to deter theft. By default, the unit is set to provide an audio warning with the faceplate rotating down automatically when the ignition is turned off…to remind you to remove it. However, and thankfully, this feature can be turned off which I've done. To remove the faceplate, simply press and hold the EJECT button at the bottom right of the unit. The faceplate will rotate down, allowing removal (just grab and slide out), then once removed, the carriage will return to normal position automatically. The faceplate quickly and easily snaps back in place. Pioneer includes a plastic case to protect the faceplate while stored.

ON THE BACK
On the back of the 6900UB, you'll find the female harness connector, USB cable connector, 2 AUX cables, antenna cable connector, and product info.

SOUND QUALITY
As soon as I fired the 6900UB up, I could immediately tell the overall sound quality was much better than the factory Monsoon receiver. Music has more life, and there are several preset EQs to vary the sound. There are also two custom presets that can be saved with your own EQ tweaking. Nice. Even through the factory speakers, I'm hearing good balance between highs, mids, and bass. For my personal taste, I've found the Super Bass setting to work best with the Jetta's factory speakers and the varied type of music I listen to…Irish/Celtic, Steely Dan, Clapton, Pink Floyd, classical, etc.

OPERATION
As mentioned, for most functions, the 6900UB utilizes the Multi Control, which is a large round knob located on the left side of the receiver with a rubber ring around the edge for better grip when turning. Through turning, pressing straight in, or pressing on the left, right, top, or bottom edge, this thing controls an amazing amount of functions. The rest of the buttons are pretty self-explanatory in what they do. I've read many reviews complaining that the Multi Control "isn't intuitive" and is "hard to use", but I found it very easy to use, and most functions make sense. I've had to consult the manual for a couple things I didn't understand, but that's what manuals are for. I've found the majority of those who complain about not understanding things or find them too difficult don't bother to read the instructions! I have a good friend who's terrible about this. "I just don't understand this thing and can't get it to work." Well, did you read the instructions?" "Well…..no." OK then!

WIRELESS REMOTE CONTROL
The remote is relatively small at 1.75" W x 3.25" H x 3/8" Thick. I'm not sure how useful the remote control actually is, although there are a few functions that are easier to access via the remote than the receiver. In the upper left are the VOL up/down buttons, and located to the right are the BAND and FUNC buttons. Just below the BAND & FUNC buttons, is the "Joystick" or the Multi Control that controls List selection, Enter, and Select. This joystick (actually a large slightly raised button) operates much like the Multi Control on the receiver by pressing up or down, sideways, or straight in to select. Other buttons include SRC (Source), AUDIO, ATT (attenuator that cuts volume immediately to about 10%), ENT (Entertainment selection for different automated displays), DISP, and PGM. There's also a numbered keypad to directly select tracks by number. I've used the remote on occasion while driving and it works well to adjust volume and flip through the tracks without having to take my eyes from the road. So I guess it has its place and usefulness.

FEATURES/SPECS
As with all my reviews, rather than copy a bunch of Feature/Spec info, I prefer to provide a link: http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/v3/pg/product/details/0,,2076_310069880_338818745,00.html

BOTTOM LINE
I'm sure there are higher quality receivers out there with more base power, etc, but for my needs and the rear USB, the Pioneer 6900UB in my opinion is an excellent quality receiver with many useful features and audio adjustments, solid construction, good sound, and looks good…although as I mentioned, I'd prefer it'd be all black. The face is clean and uncluttered, which is a plus in my opinion. I hate cluttered radio faces with buttons in every nook and cranny. All functions work well and USB drives are read quickly. I don't mess with iPods so can't report on how well that function works. From what I've read, it does a good job as well. Other than having silver trim, so far I have no complaints. I'd recommend the 6900UB or 690UB (Premier line) to anyone.

UPDATE
I've changed my purchase price from $269.00 to $239.00 that reflects a $30 price drop in the 6900UB I just discovered while cruising the Crutchfield site. Since I'm still within 30 days of purchase, I called and got the $30 back.