Over the last few years, Sony’s multimedia receivers have become increasingly popular. As more units have sold, retailers have asked for iDatalink Maestro integration, USB-C support and powerful sound customization. With Sony’s new XAV-AX4000, those requests and more have been fulfilled. Let’s look at what this sleek and impressive car audio source unit offers.

Clean Cosmetics and Intuitive Technology

The first thing you’ll notice about the XAV-AX4000 is that it still looks great in the dash of your car or truck, and the user interface is as intuitive as it gets. Anyone can easily select source options or adjust settings without needing to read the owner’s manual. The icons on the screen can be expanded by selecting the “All Apps” icon on the screen and can be rearranged to create a layout that gives you quick access to the elements you choose on the home screen.

The 6.95-inch touchscreen display has a resolution of 800 by 480 pixels with a brightness of 600 Cd/m2. Four physical control buttons along the bottom of the screen make it easy to access the main menu, adjust the volume, change tracks or activate voice recognition features.

The radio includes wireless Apple CarPlay and wired and wireless Android Auto connectivity. Start your car, and the phone will connect automatically so you can make phone calls, send texts or get navigation directions from Google Maps or Waze. Of course, you can use your favorite streaming services like Pandora, Spotify, iHeartRadio or Apple Music to be entertained while you drive. A USB-C port on the rear of the chassis can be used with a USB mass storage device to play MP3, WMA, AAC, FLAC, WAV, ALAC, DSF or DSDIFF audio files.

You can also use the USB-C port to charge your phone with up to 3 amps of current. The XAV-AX4000 supports the LDAC codec with Android smartphones for those wanting excellent Bluetooth streaming audio quality. Of course, the radio includes an AM/FM receiver with RDS information display.

Audio Features Add Realism to Your Music

The XAV-AX4000 includes a 14-band graphic equalizer, front, rear and subwoofer signal delay setting adjustments and adjustable three-zone high- and low-pass crossovers so your installer can fine-tune your system to deliver excellent sound and detail. The preamp outputs are rated to provide up to 2 volts of output, and the built-in four-channel amp is good for 20 watts of power in compliance with the CTA-2006 standard.

iDatalink Maestro Integration

One of the most sought-after upgrades to the XAV-AX4000 is the inclusion of support for the iDatalink Maestro RR and RR2 integration modules. These interfaces will allow the radio to communicate with certain vehicles to provide steering wheel control, backup camera and auxiliary input connectivity. You can display vehicle information such as engine speed, vehicle speed, battery voltage or engine load on the dashboard display and check tire pressures and battery voltage on another. Many vehicles allow the Maestro interface to provide access to climate control adjustments. Your Sony retailer can let you know about the features that are compatible with your make, model and year of car or truck.

Installer- and User-Friendly Design

From an installation standpoint, the single-DIN chassis behind the double-DIN display dramatically simplifies installation. The radio includes an external Bluetooth microphone to deliver excellent outgoing audio quality. Another new feature is selectable and user-uploadable background wallpapers to match your vehicle interior or your mood.

The radio also includes a rear-view camera input with automatic reverse triggering, and the Maestro will include factory parking lines and sensor data in some vehicles. Finally, Sony has designed the XAV-AX4000 to wake up quickly, so your music starts playing when you are ready to go.

Experience the Sony XAV-AX4000 Today!

If it’s time to upgrade the technology in your car or truck, drop by an authorized Sony retailer today and ask for a demonstration of the new XAV-AX4000 multimedia receiver. We’re sure you’ll be impressed by its performance, features, appearance and intuitive interface. You can find a Sony retailer using the dealer locator on the Sony Car Audio website. Be sure to subscribe to Sony’s YouTube channel and follow them on Facebook and Instagram to be the first to learn about their latest car audio product releases.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

When it comes to floating-face or T-style radios, there are more options than ever. The Sony XAV-AX8100 combines all the most sought-after features with an 8.95-inch screen that will look perfect in your dash. Whether it’s staying connected with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration or having support for all your favorite digital media files to entertain you on a long drive, this solution has all the bases covered.

8.95-inch Floating Face

The center point of the XAV-AX8100 is its large 8.95-inch color touchscreen. The display has a resolution of 800 by 480 pixels and has been treated with an anti-glare coating to help ensure that its graphics are clear in bright sunlight. At the base of the screen are eight physical buttons that provide quick and easy access to source selection, volume control, track selection and voice recognition features. As with all Sony multimedia receivers, the styling and colors are specifically designed to create a look that’s right at home in the dash of your car or truck.

One of the big upgrades to the XAV-AX8100 over its predecessor is the inclusion of an HDMI input jack on the bottom of the display. Located just under the volume control rocker switch, the input allows you to connect a laptop, game system or media player to access while the vehicle is parked and the parking brake is set.

Smartphone Integration Technologies

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration remain at the top of the feature list for the 8100. Using the voice recognition features of your smartphone and its internet connection, you can make phone calls, send text messages or request navigation directions without having to enter information on the screen. Instead, press the voice button on the radio and ask for what you want. Your phone will take care of the rest.

The Sony XAV-AX8100 also includes support for Weblink. When installed on your Android or iOS-based smartphone, Weblink allows you to display images from many popular applications on the radio screen. In addition, touchscreen commands from the system are relayed back to your smartphone if the application is compatible, so navigating app menus is intuitive and seamless.

Sony XAV-AX8100 Audio Features

This media device includes an AM/FM receiver and one USB port for your smartphone or a USB memory stick. The system will play MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV and FLAC audio files, along with MP4, WMV and MKV video files (when parked). Bluetooth hands-free calling and audio streaming are also built in, and the integration features provide direct access to iHeartRadio, Pandora, Spotify and Tidal streaming services. In addition, your authorized Sony retailer can add an SXV300 SiriusXM satellite radio receiver to deliver non-stop entertainment from coast to coast.

The XAV-AX8100 has a four-channel amplifier that can deliver up to 20 watts of power to each speaker. The front, rear and subwoofer preamp outputs are rated at 5 volts and include adjustable electronic crossovers. In addition, Sony includes their EQ10 10-band equalizer, the Extra Bass loudness feature and Digital Soundstage Organizer (DSO) processing to let you fine-tune the sound of your car audio system.

The radio is based on a single-DIN chassis, which will fit in vehicles that weren’t previously compatible with double-DIN aftermarket radios. Your installer can adjust the screen angle, extension and height so that the radio looks great and is easy to use. From an integration and safety standpoint, the XAV-AX8100 is compatible with most steering wheel audio control interfaces, and it includes a backup camera input with a reverse trigger wire.

If you’re looking for a reliable, high-performance radio upgrade for your car or truck, drop by your local authorized Sony car audio retailer and ask for a demonstration of the XAV-AX8100. Be sure to bring your smartphone to experience the voice command features. For more information about this radio and the other fantastic car audio upgrade products from Sony, visit their website. Also, be sure to follow them on Facebook page, Instagram and YouTube for the latest updates and new product releases.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

When it comes to bang-for-your-buck car audio receiver upgrades, the Sony XAV-AX5600 offers amazing value and performance. This double-DIN multimedia unit is based around a 6.95-inch capacitive touch display. In addition, it includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration and support for playback of most of your digital media files. Best of all, the radio is easy to use and looks great in the dash of your car, truck or SUV.

Easy to Use and Looks Great!

Above everything else, the XAV-AX5600 radio features an intuitive interface and lightning-fast response to your input. Whether you want to access the tuner to listen to the news or your favorite radio station, stream audio from your smartphone using Bluetooth or play files from a USB memory stick, all the sources are quickly accessible from the main menu screen.

The XAV-AX5600 features two USB jacks on the rear of the chassis. USB1 is the primary connection to your smartphone for CarPlay and Android Auto integration. These technologies let you use simple voice commands to send text messages, make phone calls, get navigation directions or choose the entertainment options you want. The radio uses Bluetooth 3.0+EDR and includes A2DP with AVCRP, HFP and PBAP profiles to listen to music and place phone calls easily and intuitively. In addition, Sony includes an external microphone that your installer can mount in the center of your vehicle to deliver crystal-clear outgoing audio during Bluetooth calls and accurate responses to voice commands.

You can connect a USB memory stick to either port to play MP3, WMA and FLAC audio files. Playback of WAV and AAC audio along with MPEG-4, WMV, MKV and XviD video files is supported by USB1 exclusively. USB1 is rated for 1.5 amps and USB2 can provide 500 mA in terms of power to charge your phone. FLAC file compatibility is specified for tracks encoded with a bit depth of 24 and a sampling rate of 48 kHz.

From an audio feature standpoint, the XAV-AX5600 includes a 20-watt per channel, four-channel amplifier along with front, rear and subwoofer RCA outputs. Each preamp output is rated to provide up to 5 volts of signal so your installer can keep the gains on your amps down. High-pass crossovers adjustable to 50, 60, 80, 100 or 120 Hz are available from the deck power and front/rear preamp outputs. The subwoofer output has an adjustable low-pass crossover with the same frequency options and an output level control that is easily accessible from the equalizer menu. Speaking of equalization, the radio includes a 10-band equalizer as well as Sony’s Extra Bass and Digital Soundstage Organizer (DSO) processing to help make your audio system sound amazing. The EQ has adjustment bands at 32 Hz, 63 Hz, 125 Hz, 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1 khz, 2 khz, 4 kHz, 8 kHz and 16 kHz to tame peaks and valleys in the response of the audio system.

Expansion Options Add Entertainment and Safety

A new feature from Sony for 2021 is the inclusion of an HDMI input on the back of the screen under the chassis. That way, when your vehicle is parked, you can play movies or video from a laptop, camera or game system right into the radio. Your car audio retailer can also add an SXV300 SiriusXM satellite radio tuner to the system so you can enjoy genre-specific content almost anywhere in North America without interruption. Another connectivity option is Weblink. You can connect your smartphone and mirror compatible apps from your device right to the screen of the radio.

The radio includes a dedicated video input for an optional backup camera. The camera image will display automatically when the vehicle is put in reverse. Sony includes customizable guidelines to help you back into a spot safely. If you’re towing a trailer, you can bring up the camera video feed any time (assuming your camera is powered) to ensure that everything is safe and secure.

Amazing Integration and Installer-Friendly Design

The radio’s chassis is designed for double-DIN mounting locations, but the body of the radio is only a single-DIN, shallow-mount unit. This unique design gives your installer extra room for interface modules and wiring. The radio includes a steering wheel control interface jack that works with optional modules from iDataLink, PAC, Axxess and Scosche. The radio includes inputs for illumination dimming, a reverse trigger input for the backup camera and a parking brake input for video lockout while driving. Sony includes a remote turn-on output for external amplifiers.

As we mentioned, the 6.95-inch display features a capacitive-touch interface that helps deliver excellent brightness and contrast. Sony has a bezel-less front fascia that makes the XAV-AX5600 look as if it came with your vehicle right from the assembly line. The control panel with the six hard buttons protrudes slightly from the face, and the white backlighting looks elegant in any vehicle. Adjustable illumination brightness allows you to match the intensity of other dash lighting, and has independent brightness settings for when the vehicle lights are on and off.

Upgrade Your Drive with the Sony XAV-AX5600

If the technology in your car or truck isn’t state of the art, drop by your local authorized Sony car audio retailer and ask for a demonstration of the new XAV-AX5600. With a suggested retail price of $499.99 US/$649.99 CDN and a complete set of smartphone integration and entertainment features, this radio is a value that’s hard to beat. You can learn more about Sony Car Audio products by visiting their website, their Facebook page and their Instagram feed.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.