HD Radios Denver CO

Every new leap in car audio technology takes us one step forward in functionality and one back in simplicity. For instance, what ever happened to the simple tone knob? New technology is a double-edged sword that's both fulfilling with all its user adjustability and frustrating since it has to be done with the same number of buttons. You can sheath the sword as it regards HD Radio. With HD offered as free service in many areas (there are 1,000 stations in the U.S.), HD tuners are adding another level of gizmo wizardry, which at least doesn't require much more user input.

JVC's detachable face single-DIN KD-HDR1 head unit combines the requisite AM/FM radio, CD and MP3 playback capabilities in addition to the JVC proprietary input port in the back for satellite radio, multi-disc changers, iPod players or just a good old 1/8" audio input. Like so many newer head units, you have to buy the appropriate input cable from JVC for your choice of aux inputs and you can only choose one. Like many source units, the KD-HDR1 includes preamp RCA outputs for front and rear channel in addition to an output pair for a subwoofer amp. They also throw in a toy-sized remote for those too lazy to reach for the mute button while talking on the phone.

As the model name alludes to, the KD-HDR1 has a built-in HD Radio receiver that can process HD signal for both AM and FM broadcast, which in most cases are clearer and more defined than the conventional analog broadcast - assuming you have a consistent HD signal. Combined with JVC's use of SRS Circle Surround Auto surround technology and high-quality playback reproduction, HD Radio is a noticeable step or two higher on this system regardless of speaker quality or arrangement, even to tone-deaf ears.

Since HD broadcasts digitally encode information bundled with the analog frequency waveform, some FM stations also piggyback multiple digital channels on one broadcast frequency - otherwise known as multicasting. This means that not only does the signal carry more information, such as traffic, song title, and song information as text data, but that some stations (500 stations at this point) will simultaneously air two programs similar to how a cellular channel multiplexes, just in case you can't get enough of the same top 40 hip-hop hits played in endless loops.

SRS Circle Surround Auto (CS Auto) is a first in JVC's car audio application. The technology allows the KD-HDR1 to emulate a multi-channel recording from conventional 2-channel recordings, and also incorporates a tunable TruBase and Focus feature. Focus and TruBass are psychoacoustic techniques used to move the perception of a soundsource or bass by tricking the human ear. This essentially allows the head unit to remap the cabin soundstage, allowing you to tune specifically for your car and speaker arrangement. SRS has three already defined modes that you can tweak in addition to another user mode that you tune yourself (for more on this technology, see our ...