Pioneer DEQ-7600

Price Paid:  $260.00 from local shop in ghetto

Year / Model Reviewed:
 DEQ 7600

Summary:
Most people buy this as a show toy which is dumb. Sadly enough, the factory settings, they are awful. Just like one of the other guys said, it really takes some tweaking before you can get it where u like it. I have a friend who works for BOSE who set mine up.... thank god.

Strengths:
It makes a huge difference since I have 2 sets of splits in my truck with 3 10w6''s. It''s just a fine tuning process i guess.

Weaknesses:
Wish i could delete factory settings. Buttons are awkward at times. Steering Remote is compliant but other remotes of mine won''t work with it.

Similar Products Used:
None

Summary:
I have owned this eq for a couple of months now and I can honestly say I really like this eq! I have tried a bunch of others and this one is by far and away the most complete. I would say that I have had enough experience with eq's to know what is good and what is crap. This is near the top of the list. There are other things I would like it to have, but to this point, it is the most complete eq out there.

Strengths:
Same as other review above.

Weaknesses:
1. The output on the EQ is quite low at only 1.5v. I just noticed the problem when I took it out of my old car and installed it into my new Mustang. In my other car, I had line drivers for each amp so I never knew of the issue. I had to put the old line drivers on to get maximum gain out of it. I actually went and bought Phoenix Gold line drivers (highly recomended) for each amp. I can see where this could be a major issue for some people, however, I do beleive that it is better to have external line driver so you can independly set the gains. For instance: the back will have more distortion than the front in some sound field listening modes. It helps you get the absolute most out of your equiptment, but requires a good tweek session. I am still going to list this as a weekness, because it requires more to buy.

2. You can only adjust each point at +/-2db per adjustment (however, every digital eq I have tried does the same thing). It would be nice to be able to adjust each point by just 1 db.

3. The 5 different listening fields are pretty pointless. I only use 'room', 'dance', and 'hall'. The others, 'jazz' and 'stadium' are pointless. The jazz setting cuts your highs off. The stadium sounds exactly like the hall does. But the other settings are very useful.

I AM NIT-PICKING NOW

4. I would like to see an easier way to access the sub volume. Right now you have to hold down a button for 2 seconds and then press the increase button twice just to increse the sub volume by one.

5. I would like a varriable high pass crossover built in. Something like the low pass would be great!

6. I wish you could adjust the delay like you can on the 9200.

7. The factory presets are absolutly useless. I have had this in two different cars with different configurations, amps, and speakers and the presets are (to my ear) off. THis is realy just nit-picking.

Similar Products Used:
None

Summary:
This eq kicks a##! It has almost everything you could want! You can select different sound fields and adjust how much the field affects your car. You can select which speakers to equalize. You can select your listening position. The subwoofer out on this thing is sooo clean. I was running the Alpine ERE-G190, which is a great subwoofer processor, but this eq is way cleaner. I have had alot of eq's and this is by far and away the most complete, best sounding one I've ever seen or heard. I personly think that everyone would like this product. I really can't see any configuation that would not benefit from it. An outstanind product!!

Strengths:
13 band 2/3 oct.
Very very good subwoofer out
Nuance control
6 listening modes (that actually effect the sound! yea!!)
4 preset curves, 3 user
Volume control
Listening position selector
Looks really nice
souround sound effects

Weaknesses:
Only 12 db per oct
No high pass out
Steap learning curve (this could be considered a good thing, because there is so many things to tweak.)

Similar Products Used:
Memphis eqp4
Kenwood KGC-9044
KGC-6042
Alpine ERE-G190