Tone control is straightforward and simple. Bass and treble cut/boost is available by pressing the select button at the center of the volume knob. The first press takes you to "Bass", and you then use the volume knob to adjust it up or down by up to six steps in either direction. Press the select button again and you are adjusting the treble, which also has six boost steps and six cut steps. Another press gives you balance control, and then finally fader control. I like the fact that the select button remembers which setting you were adjusting after the display returns to normal, and that the volume control is included in the selection rotation so you don't have to wait for the unit to "cycle" back to volume. Loudness is volume dependent; more boost to the lows and highs is applied at lower volumes.
The tuner is excellent; it was able to lock in on weak stations with no problems. There are two FM and one AM bands, with ten presets each which can be programmed manually or automatically. The default operation of the up/down buttons when in tuner mode is to seek to the next station it can find. Manual tuning can be selected as well, allowing you to move up or down one step or quickly scan to the frequency you want. A station scan feature will play each station preset in the current band for three seconds before moving to the next.
Three gold-plated RCA preamp outputs give you Front, Rear, and Sub outs. The Sub out is a summed mono version of the signal from both right and left channels. There is a separate level adjustment for the Sub out with 12 steps of attenuation relative to the main volume. For those that don't have external power amps, two stereo amplifiers inside the deck pump 28 watts per channel each.
A pair of RCA's provide an auxiliary input for external devices. Electrical connections include a remote line to turn on amps and a dimmer line that changes the display brightness to match the level of the dash lights.
A handheld remote ships with the unit, with all of the same features found on the faceplate. It has a logical pattern of buttons you can use without looking, and includes the direct selection buttons. Another remote, available as an option, straps to your steering wheel and gives you access to the volume and track controls.
This unit is certainly the best bang-for-the-buck that I have seen in an MP3-compatible CD receiver. If you have been waiting for the prices to come down, your wait is over.