Sony is introducing what may be the loudest car radio at CES.
It new MEX-XB100BT claims triple the amplifier power found in most car radios, allowing users to skip the outboard amplifier in a basic system.
The CD radio has a 100 watt x 4 (40 watts RMS x 4) built-in amplifier. While most decks claim 55 watt by 4 peak ratings, they typically have RMS ratings of only 14-17 watts, said Sony’s Brian Pancarik, adding, “This is true 40 watts.”
Sony is essentially including a built-in micro amplifier in the deck. It is then meant to be used with new Sony “Extra Bass” car speakers that are designed to handle bass down to 40-55 Hz (depending on the speaker model).
Together, the speakers and deck eliminate the need for a subwoofer and amplifier. “We designed the MEX-XB100BT deck and speakers so you can just replace the factory system with a deck and speakers. You don’t need an outboard amplifier and subwoofer. The speakers are built to handle the extra bass,” Pancarik said.
“People have smaller vehicles today. There’s no space in a hatchback for an amp and a big subwoofer box,” he added.
The deck also has Near Field Communications (NFC) so you can pair your phone to it with a simple tap on the radio (with certain NFC capable phones).
The radio also uses Sony’s new version of AppRemote that lets your phone or tablet control the radio, acting as a remote control.
The deck also offers Siri control and it works with Pandora. It has built-in Bluetooth 3.1 and is SiriusXM ready. It will ship this spring at $229.99.
The new XB Extra Bass speakers include a 5 1/4 inch, a 6.5 inch and a 6 x 9 inch system. All are 3-way speakers rated at 300-, 350- and 500 watt maximum power. Each has a 3/4 inch piezo super tweeter plus a polyester main tweeter.
Also shipping in 2015 is a $129 single DIN radio with NFC pairing over Bluetooth, and AppRemote. The model MEX-N5100BT is alsoSiriusXM ready.
It is joined by a basic CD player, model CDX-G3100UP at $89.99 with Pandora control for iPhone and Android devices.
Finally, new for 2015 is an FB line of OEM replacement speakers from $49.99-$79.99.
All products are slated to ship this Spring.
Source: Sony
The pricing information really helps us retailers looking for good products to add to our lineups. Do we know the price point of the XB speakers?
All about the bass, no treble… 🙂
Love it!