JVC KD-SH9101 Test and Review

The JVC KD-SH9101 is not strictly a novelty. Nevertheless, its enormous potential and direction fi with its D / A converter 24 bits we have brought to our attention more fully to this unit.

Presentation
KD-SH9101R got late 2003 EISA Award for best car of the 2003-2004 season. We had little time to do a test before the reign ended. The EISA award is given by the whole European press to the best products in each category of consumer electronics. Suffice to say that if the KD-SH9101 was obtained, it is surely no coincidence.

The Package
KD-SH9101 comes in a cardboard everything there is normal. All elements are compartmentalized. At the equipment delivered can find the audio and metal belt, a remote control rather flat but large, the ISO beam, a large manual and a CD-Rom that we detail below .

The presentation of the KD-SH9101 was excellent. Aluminum finish, it feels about a product very well built. The weight of the facade is a proof. This product is also available with a titanium dress under reference KD-SH9102.

The remote offers a good grip. We regret, however, its size a bit too much. In terms of features, it gives direct access to each source connected to the internal or KD-SH. There is also direct access to the EQ curve to change on the fly, or to change the angle of the facade. The button called RD is also welcome, she instantly takes you back to the root of an MP3 disc, thus avoiding tedious navigation in too many nested folders.

Connectors
In this area, the KD-SH9101 is fairly standard. ISO beam right RCA cables, aerial socket and connector for remote commands to the left. The input for a CD changer or DAB tuner option is also available on this side.

KD-SH9101 has an auxiliary input on RCA that can be used for any external source to analog output: MP3 player, DVD player or game console into a multimedia environment, etc.. It supports this possibility that is often offered as an option, or not at all, in competition.

Customization
A notable feature of this device that allowed him to get the EISA Award is the software JVC Image Converter. For simplicity, Image Converter can select any image or animation of your choice and turn it into a format recognized by the JVC. Then just burn to a CD-Rom to be inserted into the receiver.

KD-SH9101 has already stored many photos and animations. It includes internal memory that can accommodate up to 90 images (file. JML) or an animation of 90 frames up to a screen saver file (. Dmy). The transfer from the CD-ROM in the car is slow cons. It takes 6-7 seconds for a still picture and up to 10 minutes for an animation of 90 frames.

Less common, it is also possible on a CD full of MP3 files to link a file (eg corresponding to a CD album) to an image. Simply add the folder, along with MP3 files, an image file. JML recognized by the JVC receiver and JVC developed the format with Image Converter. We can imagine having the CD case that appears in listening on the radio!

Some figures

KD-SH is a combination of 4x50 Watts max. or 19 Watts RMS into 4 ohms, from 40 to 20,000 Hz (0.8% distortion). It is equipped with a platinum CD playback with MP3 (320 kbps max.) And WMA (192 kbps max.). CD-R and RW are also supported. In all cases, the KD-SH uses a Burr-Brown 24-bit. We will not tell you that this is the best, there is no better. But it's still a digital / analog high level that we find pleasure in this unit.
DSP Mini

A small minimum DSP has been integrated in this handset. It offers a lot of atmosphere classic rock, disco, hall, etc.. We will ignore these effects, but often amusing test of stamina in the long run to take an interest in integrated 7-band equalizer. The latter provides opportunities for adjustment of + / - 10 dB in seven fixed frequencies: 60, 150, 400, 1,000, 2,400, 6,000 and 12,000 Hz This is not so bad and this equalizer called iEQ should already make good services to enhance a basic configuration. It can store personal three curves.

Multiple functions

Behind the beautiful facade of aluminum, the KD-SH longer hides a heart-fi. Very many features designed to simplify your life have been implemented. It is firstly a very complete menu including the options are clearly illustrated. We get lost a bit because sometimes the navigation logic can change depending on the type of setting. We found it quickly by looking at the keys on the front that flash: they are those that are available for a given setting.

Directly on the facade, the "mode" button provides access to audio adjustments. These are independent for each source, even an auxiliary input. The key "salt" it gives access to the DSP and the equalizer. We will also retain the key upward direction in MP3 mode, which skips the tracks 10 through 10. Finally, the key with a small drawing of the front can change its angle of a power driven for better readability.

The display is also not stingy with information. With this Multi-Pixel LCD screen, you always know what happens. KD-SH indicates permanently if you listen to MP3 or WMA files for example. It can also give a name to a CD if it is not CD-Text. This way we can remember the name of his 40 favorite records in the handset.

In MP3 mode, the screen displays the names of files in groups of six, navigation becomes very easy. Once inside a folder, are the files that are displayed by six. We find this very interesting feature for MP3 CDs contain dozens of titles that are rarely remembers the names and ranking.

Our opinion

This handset JVC KD-SH9101 has given us many hours of enjoyment. Its performance is really a good level, either wholly or in part of the D / A 24 bit Burr Brown built. The sound is full, it does not remain in the feet in spite of our test vehicle where the speakers and midrange units are downstairs door. The audio message is detailed with a rising trend. Bass is reproduced correctly but we have had our most successful combination in this area recently.

KD-SH9101 is well worth the price at which it is marketed, or even more. The sonic qualities are obvious, and if we add equipment bloated, we finally really value for money. We do not necessarily find all the sound settings sharp competition but we win a lot of interesting functions for everyday use. Customizing the display, the little extra that you will perhaps finally crack for this handset JVC.

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