BOSS Audio Systems 625UAB Single DIN Car Stereo with Bluetooth – No CD DVD Player, AM/FM Radio Receiver, Aux Input, USB

Since cost was a major factor in my car audio choice, I made the mistake of purchasing a Klarheit first (don’t do it!), and ended up exchanging it for the Boss 625UAB. It was a little more expensive than the Klarheit, which was why I didn’t choose it first–but all I wanted from the start was a way to play MP3s from a USB flash drive in my car. I didn’t want to mess with my phone or an MP3 player to do it, either. The Klarheit couldn’t manage that simple task.So, after looking over my options, and not wanting to spend too much, I settled on this. I’ve just installed it, and here’s my preliminary review:USB: While it lacks an easy search function, it does at least let me skip from one album (Directory) to the next, so if I have an idea of the general whereabouts of an album on the drive, I can track it down. It accesses the files in the order they were written to the drive. This means that if you copy your whole library at once, alphabetically, you’ll have an easier time finding your stuff. If you add a new album, you have to go to the highest numbered files to find it. Having said that, I had no problem actually getting there (something I can’t say for the Klarheit). I used the remote to type in the high track number (something like 1600), and quickly found what I was after. Unfortunately, if I don’t happen to know where the song is on the flash drive, it’s going to take a little hunting to find it. Still, at least navigation isn’t awful, and yes, it does display MP3 info, which at least helps in figuring out what directory you’re in.Bluetooth Hands Free: I easily connected my phone to the BOSS, and tried a quick call to a friend to test it. She said the connection had a little static and was a bit quiet on her end, but she could hear me clearly enough, and I could hear her well once I turned up the volume on the unit. I placed the call with the phone, and hung up with the button on the BOSS. It worked fine, and I’m pleased to have this feature.Sound Quality: For me, the sound quality seems fine, but I don’t have the ear for music that some people do. As far as I can tell, the sound is clear, the volume capabilities are good, and I’m pleased with it.Radio: I used an antenna converter, and hooked up the radio, but haven’t found any stations yet. I don’t listen to radio, so I actually don’t really care, and I’m not sure if the reception problem is due to the converter, the fact I was sitting in my garage, the fact that I just didn’t spend much time trying to find a station, or the unit itself (but I doubt the unit is the problem). If I figure it out, I’ll let you know…but it’s not actually a priority for me. I almost didn’t bother hooking it up at all.Display: Basic. Info scrolls across, and MP3 info includes track/artist/album. At night and in the shade, it’s easy to read, but in my car at least, it gets a bad glare during the day that makes it very difficult to read unless I’m in the shade.Clock: The clock does not display continually or alternately, as far as I can tell so far. You have to hit the Display button to check the time. A bit of a pain, but not the end of the world. When I have a chance, I’ll see if there’s a way to change that.SD: I haven’t tried it yet.Removable face plate: Haven’t tried it yet.Overall impression: This is a very simple unit, with a clean design. It serves my purposes so far, although I do wish I could easily search my music library by artist or album. Since I had originally been looking for just the ability to play MP3s, the Bluetooth Hands Free feature is something I consider a bonus, and I’m glad I decided to return the Klarheit and spend a few extra dollars on the BOSS. Definitely worth the minor cost difference!