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Product Spotlight: Sony Mobile ES XAV-9000ES Car AV Receiver

Sony XAV-9000ES

If you’ve visited the BestCarAudio.com website, you’ll know we’re big fans of Sony’s Mobile ES product line. Not only have the products we’ve reviewed performed exceptionally well in the lab, but our team members who also work on the retail side of the mobile enhancement industry love their value and reliability. It’s been a few months since anything new has joined the line. In May 2023, Sony announced the release of a second flagship multimedia receiver called the XAV-9000ES. Let’s check it out!

What Is the Sony Mobile ES XAV-9000ES?

If you’ve read our Test Drive Review of the XAV-9500ES, you know it’s a single-DIN radio with a 10.1-inch floating-face display that mounts to the front of the chassis and hovers (securely) in front of your dash. When it comes to installation, that design opens up many options. That said, not everyone wants a large display or has a vehicle that can accommodate one. As such, Sony has created the XAV-9000ES as a double-DIN solution that’s modeled after radios like the XAV-AX4000 and XAV-AX6000. The radio continues to use the anti-resonant, dual-layer design single-DIN chassis but features a 6.75-inch capacitive touchscreen with a 1280-by-720-pixel ultra-bright display. In addition, the touchscreen includes a special anti-glare coating that cuts down on reflections that would otherwise make the radio challenging to see in bright sunlight. If you’re after a benchmark-quality radio that fits a conventional double-DIN opening, Sony says, “You’re welcome.”

Sony XAV-9000ES
The high-resolution touchscreen on the XAV-9000ES features an anti-glare coating and a bright display.

At the bottom of the radio display is a row of buttons, similar to what you’d find on the XAV-AX6000. These mechanical buttons make it easy and intuitive to adjust the volume, change tracks or stations or activate the voice recognition feature of Android Auto or Apple CarPlay without looking at the radio, and the center button is programmable to mute the sound or change sources. The onscreen menu system is similar to that of the XAV-9500ES, remaining intuitive and easy to use. The five source or function icons across the lower part of the screen can be easily modified to display the options you use most frequently, and the icons can be arranged in the All Apps drawer.

CarPlay and Android Auto operate wirelessly using integrated Wi-Fi, so your phone will automatically connect after you start the vehicle. The radio has a USB-C connector on the back to charge your smartphone. Alternatively, you can connect a USB memory stick to play audio or video files.

Sony XAV-9000ES
The single-DIN chassis leaves lots of room for wiring and interfaces in the dash of your car or truck.

Audio Source Options

Aside from supporting all the popular digital media formats, the XAV-9000ES includes an AM/FM tuner with RDS support. You can pair a digital media player, laptop or desktop computer using Bluetooth to stream audio. The Sony radio supports the LDAC Bluetooth transmission protocol, so wireless audio from your compatible smartphone will sound the best it can. Finally, your installer can upgrade the radio with a SiriusXM SXV300 satellite radio tuner so that you can enjoy genre-specific programming almost anywhere in North America.

Sony XAV-9000ES
The XAV-9000ES includes Bluetooth LDAC support, so wireless audio streaming from your smartphone or a media player sounds the best it can.

Radio Design and Audio Performance Features

Sony worked hard when creating the XAV-9500ES to come up with a solution that sounds amazing. If you look at how many auto sound competitors use that unit, you can appreciate that their efforts were worthwhile. We haven’t tested a better source unit in the lab, so that says a lot! The XAV-9000ES is no different in terms of its lofty goals. It uses an ESS ES9080Q digital-to-analog converter to output high-resolution WAV, FLAC, ALAC or DSD audio files with the smoothest sound and nearly imperceptible distortion.

At the heart of the XAV-9000ES is an Analog Devices 192-kHz, 24-bit digital signal processor. This potent processor gives your installer their choice of front, rear and subwoofer or three-way high, mid and low crossover configuration options. The radio has a 14-band global equalizer and eight bands of parametric equalization on each of the six output channels. There’s also a menu to set signal delays to each of the six 5.0-volt preamp outputs and the four channels fed by the built-in 20-watt-per-channel Class A/B amplifier to optimize the soundstage.

Sony XAV-9000ES
The XAV-9000ES includes an eight-band parametric equalizer that will allow your installer to optimize the performance of your sound system.

The radio is compatible with the iDatalink Maestro RR and RR2 modules to communicate with your vehicle’s computers. Depending on your vehicle, the RR or RR2 will provide access to climate control settings, parking sensors, tire pressure and door status information. The RR and RR2 also include steering wheel radio button control connectivity to make using the radio easier. If the RR or RR2 doesn’t support your vehicle, the Maestro SW will provide steering wheel control connectivity. Your local authorized Sony Mobile ES dealer can explain all the features supported by the Maestro interface for your vehicle.

Sony XAV-9000ES
Support for the Maestro RR and RR2 allows the XAV-9000ES to communicate with the computers in your vehicle.

The XAV-9000ES retains the triple camera inputs with dedicated triggers included with the XAV-9500ES. You can use these additional camera inputs for blind spot monitoring cameras or a forward-facing parking camera, and they can be independently triggered for custom control integration.

Sony XAV-9000ES
The three camera inputs have dedicated triggers for custom control integration.

Experience the XAV-9000ES at an Authorized Sony Mobile ES Retailer Today!

If you’re shopping for a truly high-end multimedia receiver for your car, truck or SUV, drop by a local authorized Sony Mobile ES retailer and check out the XAV-9000ES. Be sure to bring along your phone to hear just how great the radio sounds and experience the lightning-fast and intuitive interface. For more information on this radio or any Mobile ES products, visit the Sony Mobile ES website.

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.

Filed Under: ARTICLES, Car Audio, PRODUCTS, RESOURCE LIBRARY Tagged With: Sony Mobile ES

Product Spotlight: iDatalink Maestro AR Multi-Amp Upgrades

Maestro AR

Several years ago, iDatalink, the company known for its class-leading remote car starter interfaces, launched an amplifier integration solution called the Maestro AR. The AR (which is short for amplifier replacement) was designed to interpret the CAN bus commands intended for a factory amplifier into something a third-party digital signal processor can understand. While DSP-equipped products from several companies work with the Maestro AR, iDatalink took advantage of a feature in the ARC Audio PRO Series line of processors to develop a unique solution. Multiple AR units can be installed in a single vehicle to control multiple digital signal processors or DSP-equipped amplifiers at the same time. Let’s examine how these upgrades work and why you’d want this solution in your vehicle.

How Does the Maestro AR Work?

In most vehicles with CAN bus-controlled factory-installed amplifiers, the radio’s audio output is a fixed-amplitude (volume) stereo signal. To be clear, the analog audio signal from the source unit, be it the FM radio, Bluetooth streaming or playback of a digital audio file, does not change level with the volume control on the radio. This limitation means that if your installer connects an amp to this signal, it will always be at full volume, no matter where the volume on the radio is set. In some vehicles, there is also a digital audio signal connection between the source unit and the amplifier. The Maestro AR will convert these to an analog signal.

Along with the audio signal coming from the radio are commands that travel along the CAN bus. These commands include volume adjustments, signal routing changes for Bluetooth hands-free calling, warning chimes and tone controls and adjustments to features like bass, midrange and treble tone controls, surround sound modes or speed-compensated volume adjustment. In many vehicles, a second analog signal from the radio caries navigation prompts and hands-free Bluetooth call audio.

The digital signal processor in the factory-installed amplifier routes the stereo audio signal to the various speakers in the vehicle after applying whatever filtering, equalization or up-mixing the manufacturer requested. The Maestro AR interprets commands on the CAN bus network and feeds them to the third-party DSP to ensure that warning prompts and Bluetooth signals are mixed into the system and routed as needed. Finally, and most importantly, the digital messages on the CAN bus control the output level of the third-party DSP in the amplifier to act as the master volume control.

Maestro AR
The radio in the dash of many vehicles sends digital commands to a DSP-equipped amplifier to process the stereo audio signal.

In the above diagram, you can see three connections from the source unit to the amplifier. Those are the fixed-level audio, the analog Bluetooth/prompt signal and the CAN network connection.

In a vehicle that uses the Maestro AR, those control commands go to a third-party DSP from companies like ARC Audio, Audison or Rockford Fosgate. These processors can then replicate the majority of the functions of the DSP in the factory amplifier to give you complete control over your audio system.

In a typical upgrade, your installer would program the Maestro AR interface for your vehicle’s year, make, model and trim level, then connect it to the wiring in the car with a T-harness that’s also available from iDatalink. All third-party partner DSP companies require the technician working on your vehicle to install a brand-specific adapter harness to work with the Maestro T-harness.

For this article, we’ll talk about an upgrade that uses ARC Audio DSP-equipped amplifiers. This ARC Audio DSP installation requires an input adapter harness called the IDATA-OEM, which would be available from your ARC Audio retailer. The IDATA-OEM harness connects to the iDatalink T-harness and the analog RCA inputs on any ARC Audio amplifier or DSP that uses the PS8-Pro platform (PS8 Pro, IPS8.8, PS8-50, Blackbird or PSM Pro). The T-harness includes speaker wires that your installer would connect to the output of the new amplifier to make it easy to feed audio signals to the speakers. Finally, your installer would configure the DSP’s output channel assignments (front left, front right, rear left, rear right, center and subwoofer), crossovers, equalization and, if applicable, delays for each speaker to make the new system sound great.

Maestro AR
An example of an audio system that includes a Maestro-AR compatible DSP-equipped amplifier.

ARC Audio Multiple Amplifier Systems

Many years ago, ARC Audio added a feature to its PS8-Pro and newer digital signal processors that allows several processors to be connected simultaneously to a computer via unique and individualized electronic product IDs for every signal processor made. The installer can label each processor, and the technician setting up the system can select which processor (or DSP-equipped amplifier) they want to adjust from a pull-down menu. While the product development team at ARC Audio was working with iDatalink on Maestro compatibility, the two companies realized they could use this feature to allow multiple AR modules to work together simultaneously to control multiple stand-alone DSPs or DSP-equipped amplifiers.

Maestro AR
The PS8-Pro and new DNA software allow your installer to connect to multiple DSPs simultaneously.

Why would someone want multiple amplifiers in their car’s audio system? We’ll use the example of Fred Lynch’s Ford Flex. Fred works at ARC Audio, and one of his many duties is to oversee international sales. He recently drove his Flex from Modesto, California, to Toronto to be displayed and auditioned at the CMA Expo in March 2023. The audio system in the Ford Flex has three ARC Audio Blackbird 12-channel DSP amplifiers and an additional ARC 1000.2 amp that powers a trio of A-Series shallow-mount subwoofers. In addition, three Maestro AR processors in the vehicle individually control each of the system’s three DSPs.

Fred built the sound system in his Flex to demonstrate the capabilities of ARC Audio’s amplifiers, processors, speakers and subwoofers in an OEM application with all OEM controls and features retained. Most importantly to his family, no storage space was lost. As such, he optimized the system with as much power as possible. He’s also upgraded the vehicle with a three-way front stage with 8-inch woofers in the doors and RS-3.0 3-inch midrange speakers, and RS 1.0 tweeters in the A-pillars. He also bi-amped the rear ARC-Series, coaxial speakers in the mid doors and rear D-Pillar speakers! The center channel midrange and tweeter are also filtered actively. A pair of preamp DSP outputs on one of the Blackbird amplifiers provides the signal to the ARC 1000.2 subwoofer amplifier.

Bonus Features of Maestro Integration

We mentioned earlier that the AR interface sends more than just volume control commands from the factory radio to the amplifiers or signal processors. The ARC Audio DNA software allows your installer to set up a dedicated equalizer band that works with the midrange control and a high-shelf filter that responds to the treble tone controls on the radio. The bass EQ control on the radio can be configured to adjust a single-band EQ, a shelf filter or the remote level control for the subwoofer output.

Finally, the Surround Mode control on the factory radio allows for selecting from several DSP configuration presets. It’s worth noting that the number of presets is limited by the interface on each vehicle’s radio. In Fred’s Flex, he has a configuration with just the front-stage speakers only. The second preset adds the subwoofers. The third preset adds the side and rear speakers. This third preset configuration added space and size to the experience without degrading the tightly focused front stage. The fourth preset changes from a sound-quality-oriented configuration to something more popular with enthusiasts who like a lot of bass by raising several crossover points so the system can safely use the amplifiers’ prodigious power. Toggling the “speed-compensated volume” selection from off to Low to Medium or High switches the presets on all three amplifier DSPs simultaneously.

Another unique feature of the Maestro AR system when using the ARC Audio Pro-Series DSP-equipped product is that installers can reconfigure the volume structure and incremental step level on the factory volume knob. For example, many factory-installed audio systems have issues where the volume control’s first step results in sound that can be too loud to converse with the person in the seat next to you. Another common problem is that the system reaches its maximum output capabilities using half of the volume steps on the factory radio. With AR and an ARC Audio processor, your installer can redefine the volume steps so the volume control works like a factory system with the range and incremental steps you expect.

Maestro AR
Commands from the midrange and treble controls on the factory-installed radio adjust the midrange and treble tone controls as configured by the ARC Audio DNA software.
Maestro AR
ARC Audio’s DNA software allows your installer to set minimum and maximum volume levels to ensure that the system doesn’t distort.

Why Use the Maestro AR?

Any audio system upgrade ideally aims to deliver improved sound quality, extended frequency response and output capability while maintaining the system’s ease of use. Upgrading the system with better speakers, subwoofers, high-power amplifiers and client-specific system calibration while retaining the intuitive control and appearance of the factory radio using the iDatalink Maestro AR ensures that the results are going to be predictable and reliable. Furthermore, this solution eliminates the need for the installer to attempt to recombine filtered, equalized and delayed signals; worry about Bluetooth hands-free calling echoes; or add an external volume control. In short, everything works intuitively and sounds excellent.

So if you have a Ford, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Toyota, Lexus, Subaru, Volkswagen or Mitsubishi, or a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, visit a local authorized vehicle iDatalink Maestro Retailer and ask about an audio system upgrade that uses the iDatalink Maestro AR interface. As a bit of teaser, we have it on good authority that iDatalink is working on an interface solution for vehicles that use A2B communication, digital over the copper (as is found in many Hyundai and Kia vehicles), along with MOST 50- and MOST 125-equipped vehicles. With the Maestro AR solutions, owners of these vehicles will be able to upgrade the sound systems with premium signal processing, amplification and speakers, ensuring that music enthusiasts can continue to have audio systems that are enjoyable and easy to use.

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.

Filed Under: ARTICLES, Car Audio, PRODUCTS, RESOURCE LIBRARY Tagged With: ARC Audio, iDatalink

Product Spotlight: Sony XM-5ES Five-Channel Power Amplifier

Sony XM-5ES

Five-channel car audio amplifiers like the Sony XM-5ES are a great way to upgrade your car stereo system to deliver great sound. Sony has created an amp that produces up to 165 watts of power per channel to the front and rear speakers and 750 watts to the system’s subwoofers. They’ve also crammed this beauty with premium processing technology and integration features to ensure that your music sounds fantastic.

Features of the Sony XM-5ES Five Channel Amplifier

The four main channels of the XM-5ES are rated to produce 100 watts of power when driving 4-ohm loads. The subwoofer channel produces 450 watts into the same impedance. Those power numbers jump to a beefy 165 and 750 watts when driving 2-ohm loads. Your installer can also bridge the front or rear channel pairs so that each can drive a single 4-ohm load with up to 330 watts. This beast can crank out over 1,400 watts of power from a chassis that measures just a hair under 15 by 9 inches and stands just a little over 2.25 inches tall.

While power is fun, genuine car audio enthusiasts know that true sound quality comes from smooth frequency response and excellent distortion performance. Sony states that the main channels have a -3 dB bandwidth of 10 hertz to an impressive 40 kHz, making this amplifier hi-res audio compatible. The subwoofer channel also has great bandwidth with a rating of 10 to 500 hertz. Distortion is specified as less than 0.05%, and the signal-to-noise ratio is -77 dB using the ANSI/CTA-2006-C standard.

Sony XM-5ES
The Sony XM-5ES has the most complete controls of any amp we’ve seen.

The XM-5ES is based on a handsome cast-aluminum heatsink. A compact speed-controlled cooling fan concealed in the back left corner comes to life when the amp is pushed hard. Sony has provided terminal blocks with high-quality set screws for speaker and power wiring. The speaker connections will accept 8-AWG cables, and the power connection is suitable for 0-AWG wire. Given that the amp can produce 1,400 watts of power, you’ll want your installer to use full AWG-spec, all-copper wire to feed this beast.

The amplifier has four pairs of RCA jacks, a connection for the included remote level control, and a switch to select between high and low-voltage input ranges on the left side of the amp. Four 40-amp ATC fuses are on the chassis beside the monster power connections.

Sony XM-5ES
All connections are made along the front edge of the amp to keep the wiring tidy.

Signal Processing and Integration Features

Turning our attention to the top of the amp, we find a removable panel that conceals all the controls and switches your installer will need to complete the installation in almost any vehicle. While the panel is off, the trim piece in the center of the amp that bears the Mobile ES logo can be rotated to suit your installation.

Sony XM-5ES
The logo plate in the center of the XM-5ES can be rotated 180 degrees to align with your installation.

The signal routing and configuration options of the XM-5ES are nearly unmatched, aside from amplifiers that include a well-designed digital signal processor. Aside from being able to use anything from a single pair of RCA terminals to feed all five channels, the amp can be configured to sum the front and rear inputs and also feed that signal to the subwoofer section to add fading abilities. This can also be used to combine speaker-level signals from a factory-installed midrange and tweeter together to produce a full-range channel. The Sony team has done its homework while developing this amplifier.

The front and rear channel pairs include both high- and low-pass crossovers so that a bandpass crossover can be created for a midrange or midbass speaker. There’s a range switch to select between 50 to 500 Hz or 50 to 5 kHz filter ranges. The subwoofer channel has a selectable infrasonic filter that is adjustable from 5 to 50 hertz and a low-pass filter that can be set anywhere from 50 to 500 hertz. The main channel filters are -12 dB/octave, and the subwoofer low-pass filter has a -24 dB/octave slope.

Sony has included remote turn-on detection for use when the RCA jacks are connected to speaker wires from a factory radio. Those inputs will accept 200 millivolts to 8 volts in the low range and 3 to 16 volts in the high range. In most applications that use a factory-installed source unit, the installation won’t need a line output converter.

Sony XM-5ES
The XM-5ES includes a handsomely designed remote level control for the subwoofer channel.

Upgrade Your Car Stereo with Sony Mobile ES

This is one of the most thoughtfully designed five-channels we’ve run across. The features and performance specifications make it a great solution for anyone who wants a premium upgrade solution for their car stereo. Drop by a local authorized Sony Mobile ES retailer today and ask for a demonstration. Follow the Sony Car Audio team on Facebook and check out their website to learn more about their premium car audio upgrade solutions.

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.

Filed Under: ARTICLES, Car Audio, PRODUCTS, RESOURCE LIBRARY Tagged With: Sony Mobile ES

Product Spotlight: Sony XAV-9500ES Mobile ES AV Receiver

Sony XAV-9500ES

Those seeking the ultimate performance from a car audio system know that the result will only be as good as what you start with. Decades ago, many companies offered high-end CD players. These days, your options are limited when it comes to genuinely high-performance car audio source units. If support for hi-res, an impressive 10.1-inch display, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and iDatalink Maestro compatibility are on your list, then you’ll want to take a serious look at Sony’s flagship Mobile ES receiver – the XAV-9500ES.

Design Features of the Sony XAV-9500ES

The first thing you’ll notice is that the XAV-9500ES is a floating-face radio with a 10.1-inch capacitive touch anti-glare interface display with a 1280 by 720-pixel resolution. The display depth, angle, height and left-to-right alignment are adjustable, so your installer can make the radio look great in your dash. The radio’s main body is standard single-DIN so that it will fit in a variety of vehicles – even an ’89 Honda Civic — without any modifications. The display is impressively bright at 425 candela per square meter and offers a contrast ratio of 1000:1. Sony’s bezel-less design is used on this radio, so the display assembly looks smooth and clean – like it belongs in a car and not a spaceship.

The radio includes a 20-watt-per-channel amp to drive the front and rear speakers. The preamp outputs are rated to produce at least 5 volts of output and include adjustable frequency and slope high-pass crossovers on the front and rear channels and the subwoofer. In addition, Sony’s gone above and beyond by including an eight-band parametric EQ for each output channel and a master 14-band graphic equalizer to shape the system’s response to your listening preferences. There are also signal delay settings for each of the six outputs that your installer can use to ensure that the sound from each speaker arrives at the listening position simultaneously. When the system is configured correctly and used with properly installed speakers, you’ll experience smooth tonal balance and a realistic soundstage across the vehicle’s width – just as if you were at the console of a world-class recording studio.

Sony XAV-9500ES
Each of the six outputs of the XAV-9500ES has an eight-band parametric equalizer so your installer can fine-tune your system.

Sony didn’t skimp on quality components inside the radio either. At the heart of the system is an Analog Devices 32-bit, 192-kHz compatible digital signal processor to handle the system calibration. The DSP feeds a state-of-the-art ESS Sable HiFi 32-bit high-performance digital-to-analog converter. Unlike most source units, the XAV-9500ES is Hi-Res Audio-certified and will output audio to 96 kHz instead of the usual 22 kHz of most radios. With the latest premium audio components, the XAV-9500ES offers performance that rivals that of many esoteric home audio source units costing in the five-digit range.

Source and Smartphone Integration Features

The XAV-9500ES includes wireless Apple CarPlay and both wired and wireless Android Auto. You can use either of these solutions with your smartphone’s voice recognition and digital assistant features to make phone calls, listen to and dictate responses to text messages or choose from dozens of entertainment options. There are dedicated apps including Spotify, YouTube Music, iHeartRadio and Tidal for music, and several options for those who enjoy audiobooks. In addition, you can get detailed navigation directions to almost anywhere in North America using Google Maps and Waze on both platforms, along with Apple Maps when using CarPlay.

Sony XAV-9500ES
CarPlay and Android Auto integration make it easy to get turn-by-turn navigation instructions to almost anywhere in North America.

The USB-C port on the rear of the chassis provides up to 3 amps of current to charge a smartphone or tablet. You can also connect a USB memory stick to the USB-C port on the back of the radio or through the included USB-C extension cable to play MP3, WMA, AAC, ALAC, FLAC, WAV and DSD/DSF audio files. Bluetooth audio streaming with support for the LDAC codec for Hi-Res Audio playback from supported devices is also included. There is, of course, an AM/FM receiver with RDS information display. Your installer can upgrade the radio with a SiriusXM satellite radio tuner for non-stop entertainment from coast to coast.

Sony XAV-9500ES
The single-DIN chassis leaves lots of room in the dash for your installer to locate interface modules and adapters.

Speaking of upgrades, the XAV-9500ES is compatible with the iDatalink Maestro RR and RR2 vehicle integration interfaces. These modules allow the radio to communicate with the computers in your car or truck to display information on the screen or adjust the climate controls in some applications. Visit your local Sony retailer to learn more about what features the Maestro interfaces offer for your vehicle.

Sony XAV-9500ES
Adding the iDatalink Maestro RR or RR2 allows the XAV-9500ES to communicate with the computer system in your car or truck.

Upgrade Your Car Stereo with Sony Mobile ES

Many car audio brands are looking for ways to save money by reducing features and performance. However, Sony continues to deliver car audio solutions with exceptional sound quality and an extensive feature set. If the quality of your music matters, drop by a local authorized Sony Mobile ES retailer today and ask for a demonstration of the XAV-9500ES, along with their impressive speakers, amplifiers and subwoofers. You can learn more about Sony Mobile ES products by visiting their website or their Facebook page.
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.

Filed Under: ARTICLES, Car Audio, PRODUCTS, RESOURCE LIBRARY Tagged With: Sony

Product Spotlight: Sony XS-163ES 3-Way Component Set

Sony XS-163ES

When it comes to speakers for the front of your car or truck, the flagship Sony XS-163ES three-way component set from the Mobile ES Series is an excellent choice. The set includes a pair of 6.5-inch woofers, a pair of 3.5-inch midrange drivers, two soft-dome 1-inch tweeters and matching passive crossovers. Sony has combined premium designs and technologies to deliver a speaker system that sounds great and can reproduce your music at impressive volume levels. Let’s check them out!

Features of the Sony XS-163ES Speaker System

Starting with the 6.5-inch woofers, Sony has developed a five-beam basket that includes their Dynamic Air Diffuser technology that prevents pressure from building up under the cone and spider at high excursion levels. The result is a speaker that’s impressively linear when pushed hard. The cone on the woofer uses Sony’s Lightweight Rigid Aramid Fiber Matrix material to balance rigidity, damping and mass. The result is a cone design that’s 10 times as stiff as polypropylene, with excellent damping to prevent resonance and distortion. Furthering the efforts to quell distortion is Sony’s Separated Notch Edge Surround. This rubber surround includes small grooves that help prevent resonances at high frequencies, so your music is uncolored and clear. A set of mesh grilles is included for the woofers.

Sony XS-163ES
The 6.5-inch woofers from the Sony XS-163ES set deliver impressive midbass output.

The Sony XS-163ES kit includes a pair of 3.5-inch midrange drivers that feature a powerful yet compact neodymium magnet housed inside the voice coil. The driver requires a mere 1 7/16 inch of mounting depth so that it will work in doors and dash locations. A rubber Separated Notch Edge Surround is employed on the midranges to allow for linear operation and distortion control.

Both the 6.5-inch woofers and the midrange driver feature an aluminum phase plug that assists in keeping the voice coil cool while eliminating the chances of distortion from an untamed dust cap. The stamped steel frames for the mids include venting under the spider plateau and mounting tabs with spacing to fit a variety of applications. The design of these drivers matches the larger woofers for a consistent look and similar excellent performance.

Sony XS-163ES
A pair of 3.5-inch midrange drivers is included in the Sony XS-163ES to reproduce midrange information clearly.

Sony’s 1-inch tweeters are based around a synthetic fabric soft dome design for smooth response. The Sony XS-163ES system is hi-res audio certified and offers output well beyond 20 kHz to ensure that your high-quality audio tracks sound amazing. The kit includes cups for surface and angled mounting applications, and the tweeters can be flush-mounted.

Sony XS-163ES
The Mobile ES tweeters are designed to reproduce audio information to 40 kHz for hi-res audio playback.

The three-way passive crossover networks from the Sony XS-163ES set are bi-amp capable with dedicated inputs for the woofer and a second for the mid and tweeter. The networks include a low-pass filter for the woofer, a bandpass crossover for the midrange and a high-pass filter for the tweeters. As such, they aren’t small – but they are necessary for the system to function reliably and sound excellent. A toggle switch allows your installer to adjust the tweeter output level to -3, 0 or +3 dB settings. The networks combine iron and air-core inductors with electrolytic and mylar foil capacitors.

Sony XS-163ES
A pair of three-way bi-amp compatible passive crossover networks is included with the Sony XS-163ES to divide audio signals between the drivers.

Enhance Your Car Audio with a Three-Way Component Set

There are three significant benefits to using the Sony XS-163ES three-way component set for the front speakers in your vehicle. First, if you want to turn up the bass and really work the woofers, the midrange drivers will remain clear and detailed. Second, the sound dispersion pattern from the speakers is very even through the listening environment as larger drivers have to reproduce higher-frequency information. Lastly, and this depends a bit on your application, the system can produce a very stable soundstage because the midrange drivers are often mounted higher in the doors or the corners of the dash. When installed, configured and calibrated correctly, the result is a listening experience that can be incredibly realistic and detailed.

Upgrade Your Car Stereo with Sony Mobile ES Today!

If you are shopping for a premium speaker upgrade that won’t break the bank, drop by a local authorized Sony Mobile ES retailer and ask to audition the Sony XS-163ES three-way component speaker set. We know you’ll be impressed. You can learn more about Sony car audio products by visiting their website (https://electronics.sony.com/audio/c/car-marine-audio) and following them on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/sonycaraudiousa) to learn about all the cool new products they are bringing to the car audio market.
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.

Filed Under: ARTICLES, Car Audio, PRODUCTS, RESOURCE LIBRARY Tagged With: Sony

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RCA Y-Cables, Friend or Foe?

September 3, 2023 

If you spend any time reading car audio discussions on Facebook or in forums, then you will have undoubtedly come across comments involving the supposed drawbacks of using RCA … [Read More...]

Product-Spotlight-Sony-Mobile-ES-XAV-9000ES-Car-AV-Receiver-Lead-in

Product Spotlight: Sony Mobile ES XAV-9000ES Car AV Receiver

August 10, 2023 

If you’ve visited the BestCarAudio.com website, you’ll know we’re big fans of Sony’s Mobile ES product line. Not only have the products we’ve reviewed performed exceptionally well … [Read More...]

Differential Inputs

Differential Inputs are Your Friend

August 6, 2023 

In the 80s and 90s, it seemed like car audio installers were often having to resolve noise issues after installing a system that included an amplifier or signal processor. In many … [Read More...]

Product-Spotlight-iDatalink-Maestro-AR-Multi-Amp-Upgrades-Lead-in

Product Spotlight: iDatalink Maestro AR Multi-Amp Upgrades

July 27, 2023 

Several years ago, iDatalink, the company known for its class-leading remote car starter interfaces, launched an amplifier integration solution called the Maestro AR. The AR (which … [Read More...]

Testimonials

Very Friendly Staff

Very friendly staff, knowledgeable group . Needed help on my remote starter, they got me back up and running in no time . They also do amazing tint jobs!!

I recommend then to everyone!

Super great place to get lots of custom things done. Very nice, very knowledgeable and very fare prices. I recommend to everyone I know.

Will be going back for sure!

Very happy with how the tint came out. Professional and friendly. Will be going back for sure.

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Location


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Address

Speed of Sound Technologies
55 Woodmont Road
Milford, CT 06460
Phone: 203-954-0066

Connect With Us

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Services

  • Car Audio
  • Custom Installation
  • Driver Safety
  • Radar/Laser Detectors
  • Remote Starters
  • Truck Accessories
  • Vehicle Security
  • Window Tint

Store Hours

Monday9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
SundayClosed

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