Just some 20 years ago, the presence of a car radio attached its owner to a certain status group. This was especially felt when she could not only play records from old cassettes, but also work with new media like CDs and flash drives. In modern realities, the radio tape recorder is more of a necessity than a luxury, because it helps on long trips, preventing you from falling asleep or being distracted. More advanced models help not to be distracted by the smartphone while driving, taking control of it. One of these radios is the Pioneer DEH-5450SD. In order to make sure that it is worth buying, you should read both the official specifications from the manufacturer and the user reviews, which reflect the experience of using it in real conditions.
Model in brief
The considered radio tape recorder is universala device that combines good functionality and a fairly reasonable price. Its main feature is a rich selection of media and inputs through which you can play sound files. So, the Pioneer DEH-5450SD radio tape recorder can work with CDs, which, although they are currently considered obsolete technology, are still an indispensable attribute of many cars. If you don’t want to carry a large number of discs with you, then you can simply burn your audio collection to a flash drive, and it can be either USB or SD. The radio supports flash drives up to 32 gigabytes, which is quite enough to record a very large collection.
Of course, there is also the possibility of listening to conventional radio stations. Thanks to the built-in scanner, the user does not have to add each of them manually. It is enough to start the search process according to the instructions for the Pioneer DEH-5450SD, and all available radio stations will be added to the memory with a number assignment. It remains only to remember which of the numbers corresponds to your favorite channels.
The radio can also work as a conventional amplifier. For this, a line input is provided. You can connect any device to the AUX connector, be it a player, smartphone or even a portable TV.
Key Features
The radio tape recorder can be called absolutely standard. It has a classic form factor that allows you to install it in a special DIN-socket on the panel of any car. The amplifier is also installed as usual for this class of audio equipment and is capable of developing a peak power of 50 watts for each of the four channels. The speakers are connected in a quadraphonic circuit, a pair of front and a pair of rear. If desired, the Pioneer DEH-5450SD car radio can be supplemented with an active subwoofer, the output for it is provided on the rear panel.
In the firmware of the radio there are a large number of options that allow you to achieve the best sound. So, the built-in filter helps to deal with radio signal interference. And the presence of a 5-band equalizer provides the ability to adjust the output frequency in accordance with the installed speakers and their characteristics.
Working with mobile devices
Through the built-in USB connector, you can not only connect standard flash drives, but also synchronize with Apple mobile devices. Their list includes almost all smartphones, tablets and players released at the moment.
This connection has more advantages than the sound signal through the AUX input. So, during a call to the phone, music playback will be automatically paused and will continue after it ends. The audio system at this moment can be used as a hands-free device, and you can receive a call by pressing a button on the radio. Given the fact that control can be placed on the steering wheel using a special remote control, it turns out quite conveniently, and you do not have to be distracted from driving.
The radio tape recorder can scan the library of audio files located on a mobile device and sort them according to the specified parameters. Therefore, there is no need to make additional media with music if the smartphone is always with you when traveling. An added bonus is that you can charge your mobile device while playing.
Positive reviews of the model
To get a complete picture of a particular gadget, it does not hurt to study the reviews left about it by users. So, in the case of this radio, among the main positive points they note the following:
- High sound quality. Despite the relatively low cost, the Pioneer DEH-5450SD radio tape recorder can please even those who like to find flaws in the sound. Listening to music through it is a pleasure, especially uncompressed recordings on AudioCD.
- Nice design. The radio can fit well into the interior of any car due to its modern and advanced design. It can be seen that the developers have tried to place the controls not only ergonomically, but simply beautiful.
- Remote control included. Most of the Pioneer DEH-5450SD settings are more convenient to do using the universal remote, as it allows you to get to the necessary sections of the menu by literally pressing one button.
- Synchronization with smartphones. Despite the fact that the model is quite old, it supports the ability to work with modern Apple devices, which makes it easier to use them duringmovement.
These are far from all its pluses, but even they are already enough to add up a general positive opinion about the radio. However, you should be aware of some of the disadvantages inherent in this model.
Negative sides
Of the minuses, the main drivers considered the lack of a button with which you could abruptly turn off the sound on the Pioneer DEH-5450SD. So, in case of a phone call or the need to talk, you have to smoothly turn down the volume using the knob, which is not always convenient, and then return it to the previous level.
Another drawback was the confusing menu and the lack of buttons for selecting radio stations. Because of this, you have to switch between them, going through the numbers in sequence, which can seem inconvenient and annoying.
Conclusion
This radio is an excellent representative of the budget price segment with good sound and wide functionality. It is able to satisfy the needs of most users and at the same time is not a luxury item. The Pioneer DEH-5450SD can be easily installed on your own in any car because it is completely standardized. A pleasant and unusual appearance will emphasize the individuality of the finish of the car panel.
