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Mobile Enhancement Experts in Milford CT

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Product Spotlight: Sony XS-162GS and XS-160GS 6.5-inch Speakers

Sony 6.5-inch

You’d think that the Sony product development team would deserve a break after releasing no less than nine new Mobile ES speakers and subwoofers over the past few years. While they might deserve it, they kept up the momentum by redesigning their popular GS-Series speakers. This Product Spotlight will examine Sony’s new XS-162GS component and XS-160GS coaxial 6.5-inch (16-cm) speakers.

Sony XS-162GS 6.5-inch Component Speakers

The XS-162GS is a 6.5-inch (16-cm) component speaker set that includes a pair of 6.5-inch (16-cm) woofers, two 13/16-inch (21-mm) soft dome tweeters, an inline passive crossover for the tweeter for discreet installation, and mounting hardware for the tweeters. The woofers in the set feature a high-quality stamped-steel chassis with a four-spoke design. The rigidity of the design is improved over typical stamped baskets by adding a reinforcing rib down the center of each spoke.

Sony 6.5-inch
The four spokes of the XS-162GS speaker basket feature a reinforcing rib for added strength.

The basket design includes two sets of mounting tabs, making it suitable for both three- and four-position mounting hardware when replacing a factory-installed speaker. The woofers have a total mounting depth of 1 7/8 inches and sit above the mounting surface by 7/16 inch. Your installer will need to leave extra room in front of the driver to ensure that the cone and surround don’t run into the speaker grille or a trim panel in your vehicle.

Sony 6.5-inch
Dimensions of the XS-162GS tweeters and woofers.

Each woofer is based around a composite polypropylene cone that delivers an excellent balance of bass and midrange frequencies. A foam rubber surround at the top edge of the cone features an air-filled matrix structure that’s low in mass while being durable. The result is a reliable and flexible connection that provides good damping characteristics.

The woofers in the XS-162GS set feature a phase plug design that’s a direct descendant of the Mobile ES XS-162ES speakers. The Dynamic Air Diffuser phase plug eliminates the need for a dust cap, which can add high-frequency distortion to the speaker. Further, the exposed ridges provide a significant amount of surface area to help extract heat from the voice coil and motor assembly. Sony uses a progressive-rate spider, another component brought over from the Mobile ES line, at the base of the cone to maximize physical power handling while providing precise compliance for accurate bass performance. A single ferrite magnet serves as the heart of each speaker.

Sony 6.5-inch
The Dynamic Air Diffuser phase plug improves power handling and reduces distortion for clearer sound.

The tweeters in the set feature a silk dome material with a diameter of 13/16 inch (21 millimeters). Each tweeter has a super-efficient neodymium magnet for excellent efficiency. The assembly is housed in a custom-tooled frame with a perforated mesh grille. Sony includes flush, angled and flat surface-mount accessories to optimize the installation. Filtering for the tweeter is handled by a passive crossover in line with the tweeter speaker wires.

Sony 6.5-inch
Sony includes flush, angled and flat surface-mounting hardware for the silk dome tweeters in the XS-162GS set.

The XS-162GS set has a continuous power rating of 45 watts that complies with the CTA-2031 measurement standard. Peak power is 250 watts. Efficiency is 89 dB at 1W/1M with a tolerance of 2 dB SPL. Finally, frequency response is specified as 45 Hz to 24 kHz using the IEC 60268-5 standard.

Sony XS-160GS 6.5-inch Coaxial Speakers

The sister speakers to the above are the XS-160GS 6.5-inch coaxial set. This speaker system includes a pair of two-way coaxial 6.5-inch (16-cm) speakers along with appropriate mounting fasteners. The basket design for the coaxial speakers is the same as those found on the component speaker woofers with seven mounting tabs. The woofer design is the same as the XS-162GS component speakers with a composite polypropylene woofer cone, foam rubber surround and progressive rate spider.

Sony 6.5-inch
The coaxial design of the XS-160GS is a direct descendant of the Mobile ES XS-160ES speakers.

Where the speakers differ is in the tweeters. The top of the Dynamic Air Diffuser post in the driver’s center is home to the 13/16-inch (21-mm) tweeter, with its integrated phase plug built into the mounting assembly. In both instances, the integrated phase plug, another trickle-down technology from the Mobile ES speakers, helps improve tweeter output around the crossover point. This improved midrange output allows Sony to lower the crossover point and reduce directivity issues typical in two-way systems that use a relatively large woofer. These tweeters share the same neodymium magnet design for excellent efficiency and compact dimensions.

All the specifications for the XS-160GS coaxial speakers mimic those of the component speakers with power handling rated at 45 watts continuous and 250 watts peak. Efficiency and frequency response numbers are also the same at 89 dB 1W/1M and 45 hertz to 24 kHz.

Sony 6.5-inch

Environmentally Friendly Packaging

Sony has committed to significantly reducing environmental impact by simplifying the packaging design for the GS speakers. Gone are the fancy full-color graphics, now replaced with single-color line art, reducing the amount of ink by about 90%. The internal packaging is now paper-based, further reducing environmental impact.

Great Sound with a Great Warranty

Sony backs the XS-162GS and XS-160GS speakers with a three-year warranty that covers defects in materials or workmanship during ordinary consumer use. As with all speakers, you’re on your own if you overpower them with a large amplifier or too much distortion and damage them.

We have each set on their way to our labs for a Test Drive Review, so we can share how they perform shortly. In the meantime, if you want a great set of speakers to connect to a factory-installed or aftermarket radio, drop by a local authorized Sony retailer and ask for a demonstration of the new 6.5-inch (16-cm) GS series speakers. You can find an authorized Sony car audio retailer using their dealer locator. For more information about Sony Car Audio products, follow them on Facebook.

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, PRODUCTS, RESOURCE LIBRARY Tagged With: Sony

Product Spotlight: Drone XC-LTE Dash Cam

Drone XC-LTE

If you’re a regular visitor to BestCarAudio.com, you should be familiar with dash cams and smartphone-based remote vehicle control solutions like Drone. Imagine combining the features of both units into one product and then adding live video streaming capabilities! The new Drone XC-LTE 2K QHD dash cam with LTE, GPS and Wi-Fi does precisely that. Let’s check it out!

What Is the Drone XC-LTE Dash Cam?

There are a lot of features and design elements to unpack with the Drone XC-LTE. The unit has a footprint of 4.2 by 2.8 inches with a thickness of 1.5 inches. A vertical mounting orientation on the windshield minimizes obstruction.

Drone XC-LTE
The XC-LTE mounts vertically on the windshield to stay out of your line of sight.

The XC-LTE uses a Sony STARVIS image sensor for excellent contrast and low-light performance. The sensor is mated to a wide 154-degree lens to allow recording well off to the sides of the vehicle. The camera records at a 2K Quad HD resolution of 2560 by 1440 pixels at 30 frames per second. A built-in Wi-Fi transceiver lets you download stored videos to your smartphone.

Firstech includes a high-quality 64 GB microSD memory card to ensure reliable recording. Upgrading to a 128 or 256 GB memory card allows the system to store more data. The system also accepts a secondary camera input signal. Your installer can add the XC-RC100 rear-facing or the XC-IR100 infrared interior cameras. The interior camera is very popular with taxi, Uber and Lyft operators. The parking mode feature allows it to monitor the visible area continuously and then record when something or someone enters its field of vision.

Drone XC-LTE
The optional XC-RC100 rear-facing camera allows the Drone XC-LTE to capture video of what happens behind your vehicle.

What makes this dash cam unique is the ability to view live video on the DroneMobile app on your smartphone using an LTE cellular data connection. You can see exactly what the camera sees on your phone. The system uses an LTE data connection to transmit video. As long as your phone can access the cellular data network, it doesn’t matter where it’s parked or driving. Remote live-viewing capability is a feature people have been requesting for years.

Drone XC-LTE
The DroneMobile app provides access to a live video feed from your Drone XC-LTE dash cam.

Regarding live-feed details, the video stream has a resolution of 960 by 540 pixels. Depending on your chosen service package, you get 1 or 2 GB of cloud storage for important videos you tag via the DroneMobile app.

Drone Vehicle Control

While the excitement of the remote video viewing is the highlight of the Drone XC-LTE, it’s crucial to remember that this is still a Drone vehicle control interface. When paired with a compatible control module from Compustar, Arctic Start, FTX or NuStart, you can use the DroneMobile app on your phone to lock and unlock your vehicle or start the engine. You can even pop the trunk or open a sliding door or motorized hatch in many applications.

Drone XC-LTE
The updated DroneMobile app retains lock, unlock, remote start and auxiliary control features.

The Drone XC-LTE acts like the DAS-II sensor to detect impact, tilt, motion and glass breakage. Any of these triggers will instantly send a notification to your smartphone. You can use the LTE streaming feature of the dash cam to look around your vehicle to find out what’s going on. The DroneMobile app also allows you to trigger the Panic feature to scare away would-be thieves or the neighbor’s cat.

Drone XC-LTE
The Drone system pushes security alerts to your smartphone so you’ll know immediately when someone is tampering with your vehicle.

The system also functions as a vehicle-locating or -tracking solution with one of the GPS-enabled Drone service plans. You can configure speed-based warnings to monitor vehicle operation. Location-based notifications, often called geofencing, are also available. These warnings tell you when the vehicle enters or exits a specific area or location.

Drone XC-LTE
The Drone’s GPS receiver provides location and speed-based warnings on your smartphone.

See Why Your Car Alarm Triggered

Most of us are familiar with hearing car alarm sirens, getting a security alert from a two-way remote key fob or perhaps seeing an alarm notification on our smartphones. We all want to know what is happening in and around the vehicle. With the new XC-LTE, you can open the DroneMobile app and see what the cameras see in real time. There’s no need to leave the house or your office. You could be on vacation in the Caribbean and check on your car or truck from the pool while sipping a mojito or enjoying a beer.

The XC-LTE is ideal for commercial equipment left on a job site or in a company-owned service or delivery vehicle. The XC-LTE is a perfect solution if you rent your car or truck on Turo or Getaround and want to see where and how the renter uses your vehicle.

The Best Vehicle Monitoring and Control Solution

The Drone XC-LTE is the first aftermarket dash cam solution with live view capabilities that can integrate with a car alarm or remote start system to provide vehicle control and monitoring. You can also use the system as a stand-alone dash cam with remote live viewing. Your local Compustar retailer can explain the remote control and live-view service plans and the features they offer. To find an authorized Drone retailer near you, use the locator tool on their website. For more information about Drone solutions, visit their YouTube channel, Facebook page or Instagram. Check back frequently, as a full Test Drive Review of the Drone XC-LTE is coming soon.

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, Driver Safety, PRODUCTS, RESOURCE LIBRARY, Vehicle Security Tagged With: Arctic Start, CompuStar, DAS-II Sensor, Dash Cameras, DroneMobile, Firstech LLC, FTX, Getaround, LTE, Lyft, NuStart, Sony, Turo, Uber

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

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