Boss Audio 455BRGB Multimedia Car Stereo

love it

I purchased this unit for my 2006 Ford Ranger along with an adapter and dash kit. The unit exceeded my expectations by automatically connecting to my phone and resuming music playback where it left off. The microphone works well for calls, though its effectiveness may vary based on placement in the car. I had to make minor modifications to the dash kit, which was manageable with some tools. Overall, I am very satisfied with the sound quality, which is clearer than my original 2006 unit and helped me detect failing speakers.

I bought this receiver to upgrade the Factory unit in my wife's 1998 Volvo S90. It has all the modern features we needed and more, including multi-color back lighting.

I found the lack of a touch screen disappointing, but the device functions well with its traditional buttons. The sound quality is good, and I was pleased to discover that a USB flash drive works for MP3 music. Additionally, the radio works well.

Installation was a breeze. This device is compact and connects easily to my iPhone via Bluetooth every time I power it on. Sound quality is decent on my old truck speakers. It's affordable and functional, but lacks a Play button. Occasionally pauses when connected to my phone, requiring manual intervention. Mounting tray is loose in the adapter, causing some rattling. Considering securing it with hot glue.

The unit offers 7 color options, but I was drawn to the CYAN setting that matched my interior. Installation and setup were straightforward, although pressing the clock/mute button also activates the source button. The sound output is disappointingly quiet compared to my previous unit, making it hard to hear with the top down. Despite this, I appreciate the Bluetooth auto-connect feature that starts playing music automatically when the radio turns on.

If you're considering a lower-end option, I recommend spending a bit more for the BOSS 550B. The stereo I got with my used car is decent, offering seven color options and Bluetooth streaming. It lacks preamp outputs on the front and isn't optimized for Spotify or Pandora. Unfortunately, it doesn't work with steering wheel controls. Overall, it's better than nothing, but I would have preferred the stock radio. I hope the installation was done properly without cutting wires, but it seems unlikely given the stereo choice.

DOBT BUY IT! Ordered this item for a Christmas present, which you generally do BEFORE Christmas, and cannot return now after 14 days. Item is defective and will not work! Read the fine print before you buy. Will NEVER buy anything from this seller again. Will be mailing this item back and filing for small claims.

The radio keeps resetting itself unexpectedly, losing all presets and settings. Sometimes it won't turn back on for a while or resets repeatedly. I'll switch back to the factory radio for now. The Bluetooth radio is basic but functional, allowing calls with a built-in mic. However, it lacks display brightness adjustment and requires a button press to show the clock.

The unit is disappointing - worse sound than the factory unit and a display that's hard to see in sunlight. It shows the station, not the time, requiring you to push a button to check the time.