Feature Story:
Sony announced on the eve of the CES Show in Las Vegas a third Car Play/Android Auto radio, the model XAV-AX5000 with its largest screen to date at 6.95 inches.
The XAV-AX5000 is a mechless head unit with a shallow mount chassis for easy installation. It also has two USB ports (Sony’s other CarPlay models have one USB port). The company is also touting the deck’s “Super Quick Wake Up” feature with double the activation speed of other units, so it’s ready to use when you turn on the car.
The new deck is joined by a Sony OEM upgrade amplifier with onboard DSP. The XM-GS6DSP is Sony’s first car audio amplifier with Bluetooth music streaming directly from a smartphone or tablet. Users can set amplifier settings via Bluetooth using the Sony Music Center app to measure the distance from the seating position to the speakers for basic time alignment. The GS6DSP is a Class D, 6-channel amplifier with 780 watts RMS power output (4×45 watts at 4 ohms for full range;and bridged 600 watts at 2 ohms for a subwoofer).
Sony is also showing a new high powered car audio deck with built-in 100 Watt X 4 Max (45 Watt X 4 RMS) Class D amplifier. The new MEX-XB120BT CD receiver has built in digital signal processing including time alignment and a Dynamic Stage Organizer (DSO) to lift the sound stage.
The XB120BT also provide a Bluetooth connection for two phones with One-Touch pairing over NFC (Near Field Communications).
Other features include:
- “Music Center,” formerly SongPal, an Android/iOS app for smartphone integration with Sony car audio. Two devices can be connected at once.
- Voice Control on Android™ Phones: Voice commands are available to get directions, play music, and make calls when connected with Android smartphones.
- Siri® Eyes Free: This feature allows users to ask Siri to make calls, select and play music, hear and compose text messages, use Maps to get directions, read notifications, find calendar information, add reminders, and more.
- High Voltage Pre-out (5V): Sony’s head unit with high voltage pre-out gives 5-volt signal, which achieves clearer sound with less distortion when the head unit is used connected to the power amplifier.
- SiriusXM Radio Ready: Provides a seamless, fully-integrated satellite radio experience.
- AOA 2.0 Compatible USB Terminal: The USB terminal supports AOA 2.0 (Android Open Accessory Protocol 2.0) in addition to MTP (Media Transform Protocol) and MSC (Mass Storage Class) connections. AOA 2.0 allows to play back music through a variety of music smartphone apps.
Also new this year is a Sony XS-GS1631C, Three-way component speaker:
- Three-Way Component Speaker System: As an addition to Sony’s premium GS series speakers, this 3-way component speaker system features the Sony original MRC (Mica Reinforced Cellular) Aramid Fiber Matrix cone diaphragms, newly developed 3”1/3 mid-range drivers with neodymium magnet for superior response and easy installation, and a 1” soft dome tweeter with wider dispersion.
- Perfect Match with The XM-GS6DSP Amplifier: Pairs perfectly with the new 6/5-channel amplifier, including power allocations and crossover managements.
The XAV-AX5000, XM-GS6DSP and XS-GS1631C, and MEX-XB120BT, will be available across North America in Spring 2018.
