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Revisiting the Rockford Fosgate R2-1200X1 Test Drive Review

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R2-1200X1 Test

In late October 2023, we had the opportunity to give the Rockford Fosgate R2-1200X1 subwoofer amplifier a thorough Test Drive Review (https://www.bestcaraudio.com/test-drive-review-rockford-fosgate-r2-1200×1/). We were very impressed that this entry-level amp had features and performance that dramatically outperformed entry-level and mid-level products from other brands.

Power Testing and the Importance of Supply Voltage

The original test had one hiccup. When running a 1-ohm load, the amp produced 1,155.3 watts, which is a few watts (44.7) shy of the rated 1,200 watts the amp should produce.

Why did this happen? Is the R2-1200X1 not a real 1,200-watt amplifier? The answer lies in the power supplies we used to feed the amplifier. The supplies, a pair of Stinger SPS80 units, don’t have an output voltage adjustment. We’ve used their high- and low-voltage settings to show how different amplifiers perform at different supply voltage levels. The problem is, amplifiers tested to the ANSI/CTA-2006-D specification must be supplied with 14.4 volts. We only fed the R2-1200X1 13.61 volts. So, making just 44 watts shy of the rating, with 0.79 volt less than is expected, is actually impressive.

We typically explain that minute differences in output power are inaudible. The difference in output level between 1,155.2 and 1,200 watts is only 0.16 dB. You can’t hear that difference. Nevertheless, car audio enthusiasts want to see the largest numbers possible regarding power ratings … for some reason.

R2-1200X1 Test

New Power Supplies Fix Everything

After months of research, we have purchased two new 100-amp, 15-volt power supplies for the BestCarAudio.com test bench. The new supplies have an adjustable output, so we can fine-tune them to produce precisely 14.4 volts to ensure that the measurements we provide fully comply with the ANSI/CTA-2006-D specification. We use our QuantAsylum QA403 audio analyzer to measure harmonic distortion and noise and adjust the output level to be within a tenth of 1% THD+N.

Repeating the Rockford Fosgate R2-1200X1 Test

With the new supplies wired up and a few wires re-terminated, it was time to repeat the power measurements. As you can see from the chart below, the impressive R2-1200X1 does indeed produce every bit of power that Rockford Fosgate claims – and more. If you’ve been paying attention to the other products we’ve tested from them, that should be no surprise.

R2-1200X1 Test

We picked up 27.3 watts at 4 ohms, 36.5 watts at 2 ohms and an impressive 109.9 watts when driving a 1-ohm load.

Distortion Versus Output Graphs

While the amp was back on the bench, we generated THD+N versus power output graphs for each load. The graphs show total harmonic distortion and noise on the vertical scale and power output on the horizontal scale.

R2-1200X1 Test

R2-1200X1 Test

R2-1200X1 Test

Different amplifier designs have different characteristics regarding how they add harmonic distortion to the signal. The R2-1200X1 behaves well, with moderate THD+N increases as output levels rise. There’s nothing bad or unexpected in any of the measurements.

Why Does More Power Supply Voltage Increase Maximum Power Output?

Before we close, we should discuss why increasing the supply voltage increases an amplifier’s maximum power. In the case of this amp, the power supply is unregulated – or, at the very least, loosely regulated. In terms of practical explanation, the voltage supplied to the amp is multiplied by a fixed amount to create the rail voltages that drive the output.

If we had to guess, the R2-1200X2 takes the supply voltage and multiplies it by roughly 2.25. This gives us positive and negative rail voltages of approximately +32V and -32V. The audio signal can swing between these voltages, giving us just over 44.3 volts RMS available to drive the subwoofer. At 4 ohms, that’s just under 500 watts.

At lower impedances, the limiting factor in how much power the amp can produce is the power supply’s current delivery capabilities. We measured 41.4 volts into a 2-ohm load and 35.57 volts into a 1-ohm load. Once again, this is entirely normal behavior for a high-quality amplifier.

Check out the R2-1200X1 for Your Car Audio Subwoofers

If you’re shopping for an affordable subwoofer amplifier that sounds good, offers fantastic efficiency and includes all the features you need to make your car audio system sound great, drop by a local authorized Rockford Fosgate retailer and check out the R2-1200X1. Be sure to tell them the gang from BestCarAudio.com sent you!

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.

Product Spotlight: Sony XAV-AX3700 Multimedia Receiver

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Sony XAV-AX3700

Car audio source unit manufacturers are constantly developing new products to fill the gaps between entry-level and flagship models. Sony recently released a new 2-DIN digital multimedia receiver called the XAV-AX3700, which slides into the mix just below the XAV-AX4000. This new radio features a 6.95-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay connectivity and iDatalink Maestro vehicle integration. Read on to learn about what else it offers.

Sony XAV-AX3700 Source Features

The XAV-AX3700 starts with extensive support for digital media files stored on a USB flash drive. The radio can decode MP3, WMA, WAV, AAC, FLAC, ALAC, DSF and DSDIFF audio files. It also has Bluetooth, which includes the A2DP and AVRCP profiles, which allow music to stream from a smartphone or digital media player. The radio supports LDAC for impressive wireless sound quality and SBC and AAC for maximum device compatibility.

Of course, the radio has a high-quality AM/FM receiver, which captures RDBS information so you can see album and song title information if the station provides it. The retailer installing the radio can upgrade it with a SiriusXM satellite radio receiver, allowing you to listen to genre-specific music or your choice of entertainment channels nonstop from coast to coast. Sony provides a rich SiriusXM interface, including the channel logo and the album art for the track being played if the station you’re tuned in to provides it.

Sony XAV-AX3700
The XAV-AX3700 can be upgraded with a dedicated SiriusXM satellite radio receiver for uninterrupted entertainment.

Apple CarPlay Smartphone Connectivity

The XAV-AX3700 includes support for wired Apple CarPlay. Plug your phone cable in, and you’ll have access to all the music on your phone or your favorite streaming services. You can choose whatever you want using intuitive voice commands. Of course, you can make phone calls, send text messages or get detailed turn-by-turn directions to any address or business in North America using your favorite app.

Sony XAV-AX3700
Wired Apple CarPlay connectivity makes it easy to communicate while driving.

Vehicle Interface Features

As mentioned, the XAV-AX3700 supports the iDatalink Maestro SR, RR and RR2 interfaces. These modules allow communication with the computers in your vehicle to provide access to climate controls, as well as factory-installed infotainment components like microphones, steering wheel controls and a rear-vision camera.

If your application does not have an RR or RR2 module, your installer can integrate steering wheel controls using other modules, like the Maestro SW. Talk to the Product Specialist you are working with for details about your vehicle’s specific make, model and trim level.

Sony XAV-AX3700
The Sony XAV-AX3700 supports the Maestro SR, RR and RR2 vehicle integration interfaces.

Intuitive Interface Simplifies Operation

Sony is the benchmark when it comes to human-machine interfaces. Not only does the XAV-AX3700 boot incredibly quickly, but the button layout on the screen and the menu functions are super-intuitive. The 6.95-inch touchscreen display is bordered by a row of six buttons along the bottom edge.

The main display menu includes five user-configurable options. You can set your favorite sources or commonly used functions, like the backup camera display, to be readily available. When an iPhone is connected, a dedicated icon for Apple CarPlay appears to the left of the clock.

You can also customize the wallpaper image behind the icons from several included options or upload your own image to personalize the radio. A new customizable clock layout feature gives you an option for either an analog or digital clock in the center of the screen, or a smaller digital clock in the top right corner.

Sony XAV-AX3700 Audio Features

This new Sony radio includes a full suite of audio integration features to maximize the sound system’s performance. A five-channel time alignment screen helps improve staging and imaging. A 14-band graphic equalizer can smooth out peaks and dips in the system frequency response. Built-in electronic crossovers with adjustable slopes maximize the performance of your speakers.

The radio includes a four-channel amplifier rated to produce 20 watts per channel, making driving the factory speakers easy. Thanks to dedicated front, rear and subwoofer preamp outputs, you can easily upgrade the radio with an external amplifier. An integrated subwoofer level control makes fine-tuning your system to suit your music or mood easy.

Sony XAV-AX3700
Time alignment, a 14-band equalizer and adjustable crossovers make it easy to fine-tune your audio system.

Single-DIN Chassis Simplifies Installation

A feature that car audio installers will love is the single-DIN chassis behind the 2-DIN display. This 2-inch tall chassis design leaves room for wiring, integration modules and wire harness adapters. Notably, the space is available beneath the radio, where these parts typically rest. The depth of that chassis is shallow as well, allowing use in vehicles with a tight fit behind the radio screen.

Upgrade Your Driving Experience with Sony

Whether you’re looking to add Apple CarPlay or high-quality audio streaming to an older vehicle, or you have to replace a factory-installed radio that’s kicked the bucket with one that requires the use of a Maestro module that retains some factory features or settings, the new Sony XAV-AX3700 is an excellent choice. Drop by a local Sony car audio retailer today and ask for a demonstration. You can find a retailer using their online locator tool. Also, follow Sony on Facebook and Instagram to keep up with the latest new car audio products.

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.

Product Spotlight: Rockford Fosgate M2-65 and M2-65B Marine Speakers

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Rockford Fosgate M2-65

I remember when only one or two large car audio companies offered products designed specifically for marine applications. These days, there are dozens of brands in that market. From my extensive hands-on research, I can tell you that Rockford Fosgate is one of the brands you’ll want to check out for your boat. Their engineering-based marine speaker solutions are truly unique in the market. This Product Spotlight will examine the M2-Series M2-65 and M2-65B 6.5-inch Color Optix marine speakers.

Rockford Fosgate Marine Speaker Features

As is typical of Rockford Fosgate, they offer diverse speaker solutions to suit every application and budget. The Marine series starts with the affordable M0 line, which features white or black 6.5-inch coaxial drivers. From there, you step up to the M1 line, adding 6-, 6.5- and 8-inch drivers with Color Optix integrated RGB LED lighting. These speakers can handle even more power so that they can play louder. At the top of the marine speaker series are the M2 speakers. In this line, you have 6.5-, 8- and 10-inch coaxial drivers, with the two larger offerings available with a conventional tweeter or a small compression horn.

The M2-65 and M2-65B speakers are 6.5-inch coaxial drivers with your choice of white or black (the B at the end of the part number) grilles. The speaker system includes two drivers, stainless-steel grille inserts, mounting hardware and speaker wire pigtails with high-quality Deutsch connectors.

They are rated to handle 150 watts of power continuously with peaks of 300 watts. Efficiency is specified as 91.8 dB at 1 watt/1 meter. The drivers have a nominal impedance of 4 ohms and require 2.49 inches of mounting depth in a 5.36-inch cutout in your boat.

Rockford Fosgate M2-65
The M2-65B marine speaker set includes a pair of 6.5-inch coaxial speakers, wire pigtails, stainless steel hardware and grille inserts.

Marine Speaker Chassis Design

The woofer basket is injection molded from PA66 with UV inhibitors, a plastic mixture reinforced with 30% glass fiber for added thermal stability, damping and rigidity. As mentioned, electrical connections to the speaker are made via integrated Deutsch connector sockets.

The speaker’s chassis includes cooling vents with a nano-coated mesh screen to help keep water out. The basket conceals a -12 dB/octave crossover for the tweeter. They call this their Integrated Concealed Crossover design.

The speakers have a 12-spoke plastic grille made from ultraviolet- and salt-resistant Centrex plastic. As mentioned, the laser-cut stainless-steel inserts are also included in the package. Just let your installer know what look you want; they can take care of everything during installation.

Rockford Fosgate M2-65
The fiberglass-reinforced PA66 chassis includes Deutsch connectors for the speaker and connection to the Color Optix RGB LED lighting.

Speaker Component Features

The mineral-filled polypropylene woofer cones feature a co-molded thermoplastic elastomer synthetic rubber surround. The surround uses the Vertical Attach Surround Technique mounting geometry where it attaches to the chassis. This feature increases cone area, which improves sensitivity and bass output. A 1-inch diameter, high-temperature Kapton voice coil former is at the base of the cone. The large diameter of the voice coil is the key reason these speakers are rated to handle 150 watts of power continuously. A linear aramid-polyester spider provides good cone control and high excursion levels. The tinsel leads, attached to gold-plated brass terminals in the chassis, are encased in rubber to protect them from water damage.

The 1-inch tweeter in the speaker’s center features a design that Rockford Fosgate calls PXNX. It uses a pair of compact neodymium slugs for excellent efficiency.

Rockford Fosgate M2-65
The 1-inch PXNX tweeter is designed to offer exceptional clarity and great efficiency with its dual magnet motor design.

Color Optix RGB LED Lighting

A second four-pin socket on the speaker chassis provides access to the Color Optix RGB lighting. Your installer can power the lights using the Rockford Fosgate PMX-RGB LED lighting controller. The controller works with the RF Connect app on your smartphone to let you select the light color or illumination pattern. The RF Connect app is available for both Android and iOS mobile devices.

The LEDs are mounted to the underside of the grille. An optically clear, UV-stable coating protects the lighting from water damage. When on, the lighting makes the woofer cone glow in your choice of thousands of colors. You can also use the RF Connect app to select color-shifting patterns.

Rockford Fosgate M2-65
The M2-65B and M2-65 include Rockford Fosgate’s Color Optix integrated RGB LED lighting.

Element Ready Design Ensures Reliable Performance

Rockford Fosgate doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to ensuring that their marine audio products can withstand whatever Mother Nature throws their way. Their Element Ready design covers water resistance and UV and salt exposure. In terms of waterproofing, these speakers carry an IPX6 rating. Ultraviolet exposure testing passes the ASTM G154 500-hour accelerated UV test. Salt exposure is evaluated using the ASTM B117 500-hour salt-fog test. Finally, many marine and powersports speaker manufacturers overlook vibration and impact testing. Rockford Fosgate uses the ISO60068-2-64 Vibration testing standard to ensure that the speakers can take a beating as your boat hits even the gnarliest waves. Rockford Fosgate backs the M2 speakers with a two-year warranty against manufacturing defects.

Rockford Fosgate M2-65
All Rockford Fosgate marine speakers pass their torturous Element Ready testing to ensure that they’ll perform reliably in your boat.

Upgrade Your Boat with Rockford Fosgate M2-65 or M2-65B Speakers Today

If you’re shopping for high-performance marine speakers for your boat, drop by a local authorized Rockford Fosgate retailer today to audition the M2-65 and M2-65B speakers. They can design a marine entertainment system with a source unit, high-performance amplifiers, speakers and subwoofers so that your boat sounds the best on the lake or river. To find a retailer, use the locator tool on their website. For more information about Rockford Fosgate products, visit their website, Facebook page, Instagram feed or YouTube channel.

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.

Product Spotlight: Rockford Fosgate M2D2-10I and M2D4-10I Marine Subwoofers

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Rockford Fosgate M2D2-10I

When choosing subwoofers for a boat audio system, having the correct drivers for the application is crucial to designing a system that sounds good and will last for years. The marine audio fanatics at Rockford Fosgate have a subwoofer solution for every application. We will examine the 10-inch M2-Series M2D2-10I and M2D4-10I subwoofers in this spotlight.

Subwoofer Solutions for Every Application

Before we discuss the M2D2-10I and M2D4-10I subwoofers, we should discuss all available options. The M2-Series includes subwoofers for relatively small sealed or ported enclosures and the I-series for infinite baffle applications. You can choose from 10- or 12-inch woofers with dual 2- or dual 4-ohm voice coils. You can also choose from black or white “sport” grilles. All 16 different M2-Series subwoofers also include a stainless-steel grille insert so you can pick your style before installation.

The M2D2-10I is a 10-inch subwoofer with a white grille and dual 2-ohm voice coils. Its brother is the M2D4-10I, which has dual 4-ohm coils. The same drivers are available with black grilles in the M2D2-10IB and M2D4-10IB.

Rockford Fosgate M2D2-10I
You can choose black or white grilles with either dual 2-ohm or 4-ohm voice coils in the 10-inch M2-Series marine subwoofers.

10-inch Infinite Baffle Subwoofer Specifications

The Rockford Fosgate M2D2-10I and M2D4-10I are rated to handle 400 watts of continuous power with peak power rated at 1,600 watts. The drivers have an efficiency of 90.3 dB and an Xmax specification of 11 millimeters of excursion in each direction. These subwoofers have a stiff aramid-polyester spider with a linear rate to control cone motion without an enclosure. The result is a driver that plays loudly without concerns about the woofer cone bottoming out.

Marine Subwoofer Features

These subwoofers are based around a 30% fiberglass-reinforced PA66 nylon basket. The mixture includes UV inhibitors, so the plastics won’t chalk, fade, crack or discolor when exposed to the sun. The electrical connections are made via Deutsch/Amphenol connectors with gold-plated brass terminals molded into the basket. The basket also has integrated cooling vents protected with nano-coated mesh to keep water out.

The woofer cone is made from mineral-filled polypropylene. The mineral powder adds thermal stability and improves the damping characteristics. A large 2-inch Kapton voice coil serves as the heart of the subwoofer. The tinsel leads from the voice coil to the terminals are encased in silicone to protect them from damage. Rockford Fosgate includes a VERSA switch that lets your installer quickly select between series and parallel wiring to simplify the installation. For dual 2-ohm models, the VERSA switch allows you to select between 1-ohm (parallel) or 4-ohm (series). On dual 4-ohm models, you can select 2-ohm or 8-ohm.

Rockford Fosgate M2D2-10I
The VERSA switch allows your installer to select series or parallel wiring to speed up installation.

The top of the cone is bonded to a UV-stable, injection-molded foam surround. The surround mounts vertically to the edge of the basket. Rockford Fosgate calls this their Vertical Attach Surround Technique, a design that increases the effective cone area while maintaining standard mounting dimensions. The effective surface area of the M2D2-10I subwoofer is 363 square centimeters or 56.72 square inches. Popular competing products have 320 to 340 square centimeters. When it comes to optimizing efficiency, cone area matters.

Designed for Durability

The Rockford Fosgate engineering team takes reliability seriously. Their marine speakers and subwoofers pass torture tests to earn their Element Ready label. These include 500 hours of accelerated UV and salt fog testing, an IPX6 water intrusion rating and durability testing that meets the ISO60068-2-64 standard. A two-year warranty backs the M2-Series marine subwoofers against manufacturing defects.

Color Optix Integrated Lighting

Nobody can think of a wakeboard boat without thinking about style. As mentioned, you can choose from white or black sport grilles and decide whether you want the stainless inserts installed. Rockford Fosgate has integrated RGB LED lighting under the grille in a design they call Color Optix to take things a step further. You can choose from thousands of illumination colors using the RF Connect smartphone app with the optional PMX-RGB lighting controller. You can also configure color-shifting patterns if you want. Of course, the wiring for the lighting, along with the circuit boards, also meets the Element Ready requirements.

Rockford Fosgate M2D2-10I
The M2-Series subwoofers feature Color Optix RGB LED lighting, which illuminates the woofer cone in thousands of colors.

Infinite Baffle Installation Simplicity

We should clarify the definition of an “infinite baffle” subwoofer installation. This refers to mounting the subwoofer in a location where the sound coming from the back of the driver can’t mix with the sound from the front. In short, it’s like mounting the subwoofer in a wall that extends forever. In a boat, a storage locker under a seat is one of the most common installation locations. Many infinite baffle subwoofers are mounted in the podium in a center-console boat.

Rockford Fosgate M2D2-10I
The front storage locker of this Yellowfin fishing boat serves as an ideal installation location for infinite baffle subwoofers.

Upgrade Your Marine Audio System with Rockford Fosgate M2 Subwoofers Today!

Whether you want your marine audio system to play louder or deliver a solid kick, the Rockford Fosgate M2D2-10I and M2D4-10I infinite baffle marine subwoofers are perfect. Drop by a local authorized retailer today to discover how these subwoofers can transform your time on the water. For more information about Rockford Fosgate products, visit their website, Facebook page, Instagram feed or YouTube channel.

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.

Product Spotlight: Sony XAV-AX8500 Multimedia Receiver

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Sony XAV-AX8500

Floating-face car radios are popular because of their flexible installation options and relatively massive displays. The Sony team has been hard at work updating their products, and the new 10.1-inch XAV-AX8500 digital multimedia receiver is their latest offering in this hot market segment. Let’s see what’s been added to the platform to keep it at the forefront of the category.

High-Definition 10.1-inch Floating Face Display

The first thing you’ll see in the XAV-AX8500 is its classy 10.1-inch HD display. The screen has a resolution of 1280 by 720 pixels. The touch panel has an anti-glare coating and features a capacitive-touch interface. Compared with a resistive-touch interface, the capacitive design obscures the display less, making the information on the display easier to see. The gapless design around the screen lets it blend into the display chassis. Sony leads the industry in clean and classy styling. While it might not be flashy or attention-grabbing on a display board, it looks as though it belongs in your car or truck rather than at the helm of an intergalactic spacecraft.

Sony XAV-AX8500
The 10.1-inch High-Definition capacitive-touch screen features an anti-glare design so information is easily visible.

One of the most interesting features of this model is the multiple adjustments that can be made during and after installation in the dashboard. During installation, your technician can set, in relation to the chassis, the vertical height, the horizontal left to right position, and the depth between the screen and the chassis mount, and can tilt the screen forward and back to accommodate most dashboard slopes.

After installation, during normal use, you can adjust the screen position, with no tools or disassembly. You can swivel the screen up to 15 degrees left or right to fine-tune the viewing angle in relation to your seating position or for a passenger to view it easier, and tilt the screen forward or backward up to 15 degrees as well to mitigate any direct sunlight shining on it or to improve visibility.

The screen interface is similar to what we experienced in the XAV-9500ES Test Drive Review, with five icons across the bottom. You can pull up a complete list of additional source and setting options and swap any of them into these five primary locations. You can also upload custom wallpapers to the radio to add some personalization or choose from several preset color schemes.

This radio includes six physical buttons along the bottom of the display, making it intuitive to adjust the volume, change sources or activate voice recognition for CarPlay and Android Auto. Hard buttons, as they are called, are crucial to using the radio while keeping your eyes on the road.

Sony XAV-AX8500
The chassis of the XAV-AX8500 is a shallow-mount, single-DIN design, making it compatible with many vehicles.

Source Features

Nowadays, most people stream music from online services like Pandora, iHeartRadio or Spotify. The XAV-AX8500 includes Bluetooth streaming with radio-based control over track selection. As a Sony product, this unit also includes the high-quality LDAC codec to improve performance with modern Android-based smartphones.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration is included, and wireless connectivity means your phone connects just after the radio finishes booting. Speaking of which, the Quick Wake-up design ensures that you have a rearview camera image and music playing seconds after you start the vehicle.

Of course, you can connect a USB memory stick to play MP3, WMA, WAV, ACC, FLAC, ALAC, DSF and even DSDIFF audio files. You can view AVI, MKV, MPEG-4, WMV and ASF video files to pass the time when parked. Speaking of video, there’s a micro-HDMI input beside the USB-C port on the rear panel that will work with a smartphone, laptop or even a media player. It supports video file resolutions up to 720p.

The integrated AM/FM receiver includes RBDS to show station information so you know what track is playing. Your installer can add a SiriusXM satellite radio receiver at installation time for uninterrupted entertainment from coast to coast.

Sony XAV-AX8500
The XAV-AX8500 will automatically connect to your smartphone for communication, entertainment and navigation through wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Vehicle Integration and Safety Features

A significant highlight of the Sony XAV-AX8500 is that it supports the iDatalink Maestro RR and RR2 vehicle integration modules. If a Maestro RR is available for your vehicle, the radio can communicate with the vehicle computers to display information like speed, engine rpm, etc. In some applications, Maestro RR interfacing includes climate control and vehicle setting menus. Check with the retailer you’re working with for additional details.

Sony XAV-AX8500
Support for the iDatalink Maestro RR and RR2 allows the Sony XAV-AX8500 to communicate digitally with the computers in your vehicle.

Regarding audio features, the radio has a four-channel amplifier rated for 20 watts RMS per channel into a 4-ohm load at less than 1% THD+N. The front, rear and subwoofer preamp outputs can produce 5 volts of signal, so the gains on amplifiers can be set nice and low.

On the topic of audio features, the radio has a 14-band graphic equalizer and adjustable high-pass crossovers for the front and rear powered and preamp channels. A subwoofer crossover with polarity and level control for the preamp signal is also included. Signal delay settings are available for the front, rear, and mono subwoofer output to fine-tune the soundstage and imaging in your vehicle. Be sure to ask your installer about configuring these features during installation.

The Sony has a dedicated backup camera input and two additional video camera connections that can be used with a forward-facing camera or blind spot monitoring solutions. These camera inputs can be integrated with the Maestro module for automatic activation in a supported vehicle, or by the hardwire triggers included in the video harness. The radio includes an external Bluetooth microphone to optimize outgoing voice clarity.

Sony XAV-AX8500
Two-way crossovers, signal delay settings and a 14-band graphic equalizer allow your installer to fine-tune the performance of your car audio system.

Upgrade Your Vehicle with the Sony XAV-AX8500 Digital Multimedia Receiver Today!

If you’re shopping for a high-performance radio for your car, truck or SUV, visit an authorized Sony car audio retailer and ask about the new XAV-AX8500. Be sure to bring your smartphone to experience the intuitive interface and the fantastic responsiveness in person. For more information about this radio or any of Sony’s car audio products, visit their website or 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.