I can get the Panasonic for around $260 shipped or the JVC for about $275 shipped.

Both are similiar. I like JVC's PICT setup... not sure if the panasonic is as customizable. I also like the digital parametric EQ on the JVC. Another thing i like about the JVC is the scrolling MP3 text for filenames. the panasonic just uses folder/file numbers. Both have front, rear, and independant sub outputs, but the panasonic is 5v while JVC is only 4v. panasonic is a bit more powerful 25W versus 19W rms per channel. the panasonic is a lil better for picking up radio stations (FM sensitivity 10.2 dBf vs. 11.3 dBf), but the jvc has a lil bit cleaner CD signal (CD signal-to-noise ratio 98 dB vs. 96 dB). Ok, other than that, they are about the same.... so which would you buy?

come on peeps... what u think? any ideas?

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guess ill respond, lol. let me first say that i have NO experience with these two players, but i have had experience with some of the ones from these companies a few years ago. ill tell you right off the bat that panasonic makes a more reliable product. that does not, however, mean that the JVC is crappy by any means, theres only a slight margin between the two. so lets see here:

"Both are similiar. I like JVC's PICT setup... not sure if the panasonic is as customizable. I also like the digital parametric EQ on the JVC. Another thing i like about the JVC is the scrolling MP3 text for filenames. the panasonic just uses folder/file numbers."

sound like you prefer the JVCs feature, and i can see why.

"Both have front, rear, and independant sub outputs, but the panasonic is 5v while JVC is only 4v."

no biggie. not too much difference here.

"panasonic is a bit more powerful 25W versus 19W rms per channel."

again, thats such a small difference you would be hard pressed to get a db difference out of it...assuming that those figures are correct.

"the panasonic is a lil better for picking up radio stations (FM sensitivity 10.2 dBf vs. 11.3 dBf), but the jvc has a lil bit cleaner CD signal (CD signal-to-noise ratio 98 dB vs. 96 dB)."

again, those figures are so close you wont really notice much of a difference. humans cant discern the difference between a s/n ratio higher than about 90, so the SQ should be the same in that area. i would look more at channel seperation if you really care about things like that.

Ok, other than that, they are about the same.... so which would you buy?

based soley on your description, i would pick up the JVC. sounds like it has more features than the panasonic. however i would have to play around with each one to make a real desision.

one thing you might want to take into consideration is ergonimics. i, for one, can NOT buy a CD player without a "knob" volume control. its just one of those things. sometimes with more features comes more buttons and menus....and that can infringe on basic operations of the unit. you shouldnt have to place your fingertip on a a 1/4 square inch button to change tracks, lol.
:P

thanks for the response. I agree with u for the most part, but I have had good experiences with JVC in the past as far as reliablity goes. I owned a head unit & 12 disc changer for around 3 years w/o any probs and my bro just got a lower priced mp3 unit that he's had no probs with so far as well. Panasonic on the other hand I've had no experience with.

I was kinda hoping someone could maybe point out anything i missed (benefits/drawbacks of either unit), or maybe recommend similar products from other manufactures in the same price range (under $350 msrp). Anyone else have any suggestions? Thanx again.

Let me start off by saying, your going the wrong path when you go with JVC...Yes they do make good TV's, but when you are going for dependability and experience, you should DEFINETLY go with panasonic, they beat JVC with Flat screen TV's, Audio, camera, almost all panasonic products are better in comparison w/ JVC...Tho, i do own a JVC TV, but my living room is well met with the 36in Panasonic Flat Screen..:D ...

Ok now on with, why you should go with Panasonic, I bought my
CQ-DFX983U Panasonic Deck about a month ago...And i have been reasearching on decks 2 weeks before...After going to car audio stores after another, Most of the pros at the car audio places ie: BestBuy, Audio Galaxy, Car Toys, Magnolia Hifi, had different opinions about decks, somehow I had my eye on the CQ-DFX983U not only b/c it sounded excellent, but b/c it looked better than any! The F**kin FULL DOT MATRIX would blow anyone away...And FYI, I came across with the JVC whatever u were talking about, It didnt really catch my attention, and I only now remember b/c u brought it up...Neways, I finially bought the CQ-DFX983U deck at Cartoys for around $350 w/ 4 2f2f tickets and loved every minute of it! And still loving it! The features were more than easy to use, and loved. Forget all the specs and blah blah, they are almost all the same to the naked ear, and if there was a difference niether u nor me can tell...The only thing I looked at with these two decks was the 50Wx4...If it had a strong amp builtin...and the CQ-DFX983U has a decent strong one...So in my very own opinion, I would HIGHLY!!! recommend the Panasonic CQ-DFX983U...With experience of it, it is truely worth every cent I paid for, and would be an excellent buy for, what were u gettin it for $250 something??...Its way under the retail price...And if u do go with JVC, you might goto hell j/k!..alrite there is my opinion, and if your wondering how it looked in my car, I took this picture ESPECIALLY for YOU!

:thumbsup

wow.. lookin good. me likes! One question tho if you don't mind.. well actually two. Does it have an onscreen EQ and does it do MP3 text (song title, etc)? those are the big things I liked about the JVC.

Yes and yes..the Mp3 text is great and helpfull..Actually I like it better than most decks ie: Rockford, Pioneer, and JVC..it very easy to use..The on screen EQ is also easy to use, even wen ure driving..You know the buttons just like that after playing with it a few times..Very very simple and very very well worth the money..Go with Panasonic..Jvc got nothing on PANASONIC! Good luck..
-Andre

thanx man... i'm getting it then :)

good choice!