H & B Car Radio CA9000i

Specializing in multimedia products very attractive price for small budgets, B & H sells a unit dedicated to MP3 music. Following the current trend, it has no CD player and is compatible with key MP3. With more of an iPod / iPhone dock built, this unit deserves that one is interested!

Compatible with key MP3!

The radio without CD player with integrated iPod dock, this is not entirely new. Several brands have already chosen to accommodate the Apple music player instead of CD in the car. The iPod or iPhone is well protected from shocks, and avoids the conventional USB socket on the front with iPod "strolling" in the center console. Above all the systems we tested so far, we found that the iPod docks were not very practical. Although specialized small price, H & B has a dock much more convenient!

Benefits: A dock iPod / iPhone to replace the CD drive!

The CA9000i H & B presents itself as a classic car with a 1 DIN and removable tilting front. A carrying case is provided for storing the facade. Black face, silver accents, blue illumination, rotary control, this unit has a modern design and quite successful. If the finish is not the standard of Japanese brands, this unit does not "cheap" either. In front, it has an auxiliary input minijack for connecting the headphone output of any MP3 player. Under a rubber cover, the cover also includes a USB port. But most interesting is behind the front overhead: the iPod dock!

iTouch, Nano, iPhone, CA9000i is compatible with all major music players Apple

Behind the facade, a button to eject a dock rigid plate to slide the iPod. For the various iPod models are fine now, H & B provides several foam holders. Simply insert into the dock, the model suitable for your iPod. To easily connect the iPod to the dock outlet, making the rack is hinged. Then, there is more to put the dock into the unit, as we did before with a magnetic tape and fold down the front. From there, the iPod is controlled by buttons on the radio. The unit also stores the playlists and tracks on the iPod. This system is compatible with major players like Apple iTouch, Nano or iPhone.

This dock system is well designed and practical

Behind the tilt, it also has an SD memory card reader. As the USB port, this drive is compatible with MP3 and WMA. To the traditional functions, the CA9000i is equipped with an RDS tuner, an amplifier 4x50 Watts, an equalizer with programmed sound effects, setting a standard bass / treble, ... 3 line outputs are present for those who wish to make an installation with power amps. Failing to be compatible with the original steering wheel controls, this unit H & B comes with an IR remote. Now see what it gives to use.

Discover and use: a dock internal well designed!

If basic functions are fairly intuitive, the interface is not perfect for controlling your iPod or USB. The facade would have deserved a clearer indication to the keys, because we are obliged to read the instructions for how to search the playlists. Once we have understood, research is so carefree. Still on the subject of ergonomics, we really enjoyed the iPod dock system. Of all the radios that can accommodate an iPod inside, it is by far the most practical system we've seen yet. Control iPod or iPhone back safely playlists of Apple music players. Just as the display is small, wait for the scrolling titles to choose from. Apart from this little detail, no particular concern to report, control works well and sound quality is decent.

The USB port allows playback of MP3 and WMA

Control USB and SD are also carefree individual, except again, the display is too small. The sound quality will of course depend on the quality of files you put on these media nomads. RDS tuner receives the radio correctly, but in difficult areas, some noise appears. Finally, the internal amp is honest to animate small HP Classic, but if one likes to listen hard, better off using the line outputs for power amps.

The notice

For those who have a very small budget and looking for a receiver compatible with all major MP3 sources, including iPod, CA9000i H & B is a nice little product. We particularly appreciate the dock system, allowing easy storage of the Apple player in the car. Overall, this unit works well and provides decent performance. It can of course compete with Japanese car radios without CD, but this is not the same price either. Our main criticism relates to the display too small, especially the lack of compatibility with the original steering wheel controls. But again, less than 90 Euros, the CA9000i gives value for money and it is difficult to ask for more!

Control iPod playlists back and titles of the Apple music player