A Double Din Stereo With A Single Din Secret!
There was a time when your car had only radio. But time has changed and today, smartphones roll the way we do everything. And thanks to the digital media receivers, we can make the most of infotainment when driving.
Sony XAV-AX5000 is one of the most popular double-DIN digital multimedia receivers integrating with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay to let you access your media through user-friendly interface right in your car’s dashboard. You can even make voice commands and keep your eyes on the road.
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Sony XAV-AX5000 Review
When you dive deep into the Sony receiver’s experience, you will be impressed with the color and clarity of innovative bezel-less 7-inch flat screen mirror display. This unit is one of the sharpest receivers in the market with a beautiful display screen that Sony excels at.
In this review, we take a close look at the features, offerings and benefits of the Sony XAV-AX5000 head unit to help you find out what you can expect from this products
The XAV-AX5000 is the latest double-din head unit introduced by Sony to be compatible with popular car music systems. It is Android Auto and Apple CarPlay Ready and makes it easier than ever to communicate, navigate and enjoy music on the road.
Design and Interface
To offer smooth control for each journey, the Sony XAV-AX5000 features a responsive 7-inch touchscreen display which wakes up 2.5 times faster than other models. The innovative bezel-less display fits smoothly on the car’s dashboard and blends seamlessly with the interior. Using maps, sorting through playlists and making calls is as easy as a single tap on the touch controls with the responsive screen.
It features dual USB ports to provide you more music options. You can easily connect a smartphone and a USB device at the same time. Keys along the bottom of the head unit give instant access to basic playback controls.
Despite a dual-din display, the head unit has a smaller rear chassis than standard units, facilitating easier installation and leaves space for cabling and accessories behind the display.
Smartphone Integration
Easy integration with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay allow accessing the phone’s content with a finger touch or voice. Just plug in the iPhone or Android smartphone and the stereo controls start working as your phone’s interface. You get instant access to phone calls, messages, navigation and music from your phone.
Apple CarPlay. Just plug in your iPhone and use essential phone functions, listen to music, open maps, check messages and voicemails without having to take your eyes off the road. You can even talk to Siri using the microphone and speakers to make the most of your iPhone on the go.
Android Auto. Connect your Android smartphone to get lane guidance, traffic info, real-time navigation from Google Maps. You can make calls, send messages, get directions and do more with voice control to keep your hands free.
Built-in Bluetooth
With integrated Bluetooth, the head unit allows wireless streaming of podcasts, music, audio books from your favorite Bluetooth-enabled device. Sony receiver lets you access the content right on the dashboard without plugging in when on the go.
It also lets you enjoy hands-free communication with a facility to make and answer calls right from the screen. The head unit controls can be used to dial a number, answer a call or end a call.
You can use the included wired microphone and the car’s speakers to make loud and clear conversation while keeping your hands free. Latest Hands-Free Profile provides a natural sound quality with wireless communication.
Variety of Music
USB Connection. With dual USB ports, the head unit allows playing music from a device at all the time. You can play a wide variety of file formats and control the playback and view song and artist info.
The receiver also allows playing video from a USB device. The head unit supports files in MP3, WMA, AAC, FLAC, MPEG4, WMV, MKV and other formats.
Digital Clarity Tuner. The Sony XAV-AX5000 features a Digital Clarity Tuner to allow clear AM/FM sound and 5 memory bands to store stations.
SiriusXM Ready. The receiver is SiriusXM-Ready and you can use the Vehicle Tuner to access channels and related information right from the head unit. Just connect the tuner to start enjoying free music, news, sports and entertainment.
FLAC Compatibility. The head unit lets you play lossless audio files to be able to enjoy the finest details.
Sound Quality
Amplifiers. The Dynamic Reality Amp gives enough power to play the music as softly or loudly as you may like. The amplifier offers increased output and natural, clear sound at any volume.
Preouts + Subwoofer. The receiver comes with three pre-outs that provide endless possibilities to expand your setup. You can easily plug in your own subwoofers and amplifiers to customize the sound the way you like.
Filters. The subwoofer pre-out features a low and high pass filter with selectable cut-off frequency. The 10-band equalizer also lets you select from a range of preset EQ curves.
Dynamic Storage Organizer. Your speakers can give unclear sound if they are under the dash or in the doors. DSO adjusts the signal to improve your stereo positioning, giving you the feel that sound comes from the dashboard.
ExtraBass. You can activate ExtraBass function at a button touch for an instant boost. This feature reduces distortion at all volume levels.
Remote/Camera Features
Remote Control. The Sony XAV-AX5000 comes with a wireless remote control and offers compatibility with steering wheel remote adapters.
The remote control lets you control the basic receiver functions while the steering wheel audio control adapters retain the existing factory steering wheel controls on replacing the factory radio with this head unit.
Rearview Camera Input. The head unit is equipped with a video rearview camera input that allows connecting to a backup camera. You can connect the camera and use the head unit touchscreen to see what’s behind the car.
When viewing a rear view image, parking guide lines are shown on the screen to make parking safe and easy. With auto-switching, the screen automatically switches to rear view camera when you are in the reverse position.
What’s In the Box
- Digital Media Receiver with 7-inch touchscreen monitor
- Remote control
- Wiring harness
- Microphone with bracket
- ISO screws
- Two-sided tape
- Owner’s manual
- Warranty card
| Specifications |  Sony XAV-AX3000 |  Sony XAV-AX5000 |
| Screen Size | 17.8cm wide / 10cm tall | 6.17 by 3.21 inches |
| Audio Specifications | 4 x 55W Dynamic Reality Amp | 4 x 55w |
| Apple Car play/ Android Auto | Android Auto | Both |
| Audio sources | USB – Bluetooth – XM – Android Auto | Usb – Bluetooth – XM – Apple Car play – Android Auto |
Summary
Considering the warranty, latest updated software with compatibility of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, bezel-less screen interface with dual USB ports and rear view camera, Sony XAV-AX5000 is definitely recommended to those who want to enhance their in-car entertainment and smartphone integration experience.
Technician Notes:
This stereo fits like a dream into dash cavities of cars that require cutting and mutilation of the inside brackets that the old factory radio used to sit on. For example, the early to mid 2000 model Chevy silverado, Tahoe and the earlier model Cadillac Escalade’s.
Those dash cavities require a heck ton of cutting and snipping. The majority of the cutting is to install a standard double din, particularly in order to fit the bottom of the rear chassis of the stereo into the back. The good news is that with this stereo you wont have have to do that. This stereo fits like a glove!
