If you are looking for a marine radio to upgrade the stereo system in your boat, side-by-side or motorcycle, drop by your local car stereo shop and check out the Sony MEX-M72BT CD receiver with Bluetooth. Designed with an easy-to-use interface, this single-DIN radio has all the source and control options you need to make your time on the water or the trails a lot more fun and entertaining.
The Heart of Your Marine Entertainment System
The MEX-M72BT features a high-quality AM/FM tuner that includes RDS/PTY information display, and your installer can add the optional SXV300V1 module so you can enjoy SiriusXM satellite radio. It’s easy to play music or stream entertainment from your iPhone or an Android smartphone using the front-panel USB port or the wireless Bluetooth connection. The dual Bluetooth feature allows you to pair two devices simultaneously and assign one to music playback while the other can make and receive phone calls. Near Field Communication (NFC) is provided to make Android phone pairing quick and easy.
The radio is both Android Open Accessory (AOA) 2.0 and Made for Apple-compliant to ensure reliable operation. You can use Siri Eyes Free or Android Voice Recognition using the included hands-free microphone to select music, make phone calls or send text messages using your smartphone while keeping your eyes on the road.
The system is compatible with MP3, WMA, AAC and FLAC digital audio files stored on a USB memory stick, or you can connect a portable audio player or laptop using the 1/8-inch jack on the front panel. The USB port provides up to 1 amp of current to charge your smartphone while connected.
Marine-Specific Radio Features
The 12-character reverse-LCD screen is easy to see in bright sunlight, and the button backlighting can be configured to any of 35,000 colors to match your dash, vehicle color scheme or your mood. While the radio isn’t waterproof, the main circuit board does feature a conformal coating that helps keep moisture in the air from damaging any of the components.
The radio is designed with an ultraviolet radiation-resistant coating that meets the requirements of the ASTM G154 UV testing standard. This coating helps to ensure that the face of the radio won’t fade, turn chalky or oxidize when exposed to sunlight for long periods.
The MEX-M72BT has a remote-control input on the rear of the radio that allows it to work with compatible aftermarket marine remote controls. Your installer can also connect an aftermarket interface like the Maestro SW, PAC SWI-CP2 or AXXESS ASWC-1 to allow the radio buttons on your steering wheel or handlebars to work with the new radio. Sony includes an RM-X232 hand-held infrared (IR) remote with the radio.
While we’re on the subject of remote controls, the MEX-M72BT is compatible with the Sony | Music Center app. This app allows your installer to hide the radio out of sight, and you can use your smartphone or tablet to control all of the primary functions.
Sony MEX-M72BT Audio Features
The Sony MEX-M72BT includes a four-channel amplifier rated for 20 watts RMS per channel. Front, rear and subwoofer preamp outputs will produce up to 2 volts of signal to feed external amplifiers, and your installer has the option of configuring high- and low-pass crossovers at 80, 100 or 120 Hz to optimize the performance of your sound system. A subwoofer output level control is provided to let you fine-tune your system on the fly. Speaking of system tuning, the M72BT includes a 10-band graphic equalizer with nine presets and the option to let you create your own EQ curve.
A nice touch that’s not common to many radios is an input level control menu for the auxiliary input and Bluetooth sources. These adjustments let you fine-tune each input to match the radio and USB source levels for seamless operation across all functions.
Have More Fun This Summer With the MEX-M72BT
If it’s time to upgrade the entertainment system in your favorite ride in the great outdoors, drop by your local authorized Sony Mobile retailer and ask for a demonstration of the MEX-M72BT. We are sure you will be impressed!
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One of the most recent source unit introductions from Sony Car Audio is the
By adding the optional
Another unique feature that’s exclusive to Sony is the ability to feed volume control commands back into a factory amplifier. Say you have a Toyota with the factory JBL amp. You can configure the AX210SXM and the Maestro RR to use the volume control built into the factory amplifier while the source unit provides a clean, clear signal. The result is amazing sound quality without distortion or clipping. This unique feature also gives it the ability to integrate with all MyFord Touch (or MyLincoln Touch on Lincoln vehicles) features.
The XAV-AX210SXM includes Android Auto and CarPlay smartphone integration technologies to let you make phone calls, listen to text messages and dictate responses safely and efficiently while driving. These systems also include support for myriad entertainment options like Pandora, iHeartRadio, Google Play Music, Apple Music and Tidal, as well as many options for podcasts and audiobooks.
The Sony XAV-AX210SXM includes an AM/FM receiver, will play CDs or DVDs and has a rear USB port for digital media playback or smartphone connectivity. Digital audio file playback includes MP3, WMA, AAC, FLAC and WAV formats, and the system will play Xvid, MPEG-4. WMV, FLV and MKV video files at resolutions up to 720×576 pixels (depending on the format). Bluetooth audio streaming is also included. An SXV300V1 SiriusXM Satellite Radio receiver comes with the radio, and Sony has worked with SiriusXM to provide a free 90-day trial of the service to get you going right away.
The XAV-AX210SXM features an easy-to-use and intuitive rotary volume control that doubles as a quick-access button to equalization functions. A built-in 20 watts-per-channel amplifier will drive your factory-installed speakers, or you can upgrade your vehicle with an external amp using the 4.0 volt-capable front, rear and subwoofer preamp outputs. Built-in high- and low-pass crossovers further enhance the system design and tuning options that are available. The rear chassis of the AX210SXM is not as tall as a full-size 2-DIN receiver to make it easier for your technician to mount the system in your dash.
It isn’t hard to notice that
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The left side of the end panel features no less than four 40-Amp ATC fuses. The center of the panel is home to the input connections. Your installer can choose from a pair of line-level RCA jacks or connect the amp to a factory-installed source unit or amplifier using the provided speaker-level input terminals. It’s well worth noting that the LC-1.1500 will accept speaker-level signals up to 40 volts RMS. This high-voltage compatibility eliminates the need for an external line-level converter. Last but certainly not least, an RJ-11 jack serves as the connection for the optional ACR-1 remote level control.
It should come as no surprise that signal processing has always been one of AudioControl’s strengths. Starting with the basics, the 1.1500 includes an adjustable -24dB/octave electronic crossover with a Linkwitz-Riley alignment. The crossover is adjustable from 30 to 230 Hz. Beside the crossover is the amplifier sensitivity control. When using the line-level inputs, the amp will produce full power with an input signal between 500mV and 6 volts. When using the speaker-level inputs, the input voltage range increases from 3V to 40V. Input and output level optimization LEDs are included to increase the efficiency and accuracy of the level-setting process.
A look under the top cover of the AudioControl LC-1.1500 reveals a massive power transformer flanked by two large banks of filtering and stiffening caps. The output from the Class D circuitry features two large toroidal filters and two large caps. An internal shield keeps RF emissions away from the signal processing circuitry for improved sound quality. All the caps and transformers are secured in place with silicone to prevent damage from vibration. The majority of the signal processing and control components on the board are high-tolerance surface-mount devices.
The 1.1500 is rated to produce 850 watts of power into a 4-ohm load and 1,500 watts into a 2-ohm load. The S/N ratio specifcation of -102 dBA referenced to full power and the bandwidth is 24Hz to 230Hz with the crossover at its maximum frequency. A 24dB/octave infrasonic filter that AudioControl calls the PFM Subsonic filter protects your vented subwoofer systems from damage.
Sony has been steadily increasing its share of the head unit market with the introduction of feature-packed solutions that continue to give consumers the connectivity and source options they want. The latest addition to Sony’s source unit offerings is the XAV-AX5000, a 6.95-inch multimedia receiver with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Bluetooth. The
Sony calls the display on the AX5000 bezel-less. The trim panel around the display is only a few millimeters thick and gives the unit a very clean and tidy look once installed. The display has a resolution of 800 by 480 pixels and uses a capacitive touch panel. Unlike resistive touch panels that have a plastic texture, a capacitive display is the same as what we are used to on our smartphones — crystal-clear images with a very responsive touchscreen interface.
As mentioned, the XAV-AX5000 includes Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration software. If you haven’t experienced these interfaces, they make it very easy to make phone calls, listen to and send replies to text messages, choose the music you want or get navigation directions to almost any address in North America. The interface uses Siri or Google Assistant voice recognition software to perform the majority of functions, so you can keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel.
The XAV-AX5000 includes two USB ports on the rear of the chassis. USB 1 is compatible with iPhone and Android smartphone devices for CarPlay and Android Auto. USB 2 takes care of connecting a USB memory stick to to play MP3, WMA and FLAC digital media files. USB 1 supports WAV, ACC, MPEG-4, WMV, MKV and Xvid files as well. Audio files can have a maximum sampling frequency of 96kHz and video files can have a maximum resolution of 1280×720 pixels.
The XAV-AX5000 includes a dedicated backup camera input with trigger wire to allow you to see objects or people behind your vehicle when parking or maneuvering. The system also includes an external Bluetooth microphone for excellent voice recognition and Bluetooth call quality. Finally, the system is compatible with the majority of factory-installed steering wheel mounted audio controls using a third-party interface, or by using the Custom Steering Wheel Control set-up on the radio itself.