Sony’s all new XAV-AX200 builds on the popularity of the XAV-AX100, but now it includes a CD/DVD transport as well.
A perfect choice for smartphone integration, it features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. This allows you to control your favorite features with the units touchscreen or voice commands, as well as receive spoken directions from navigation apps. To further simplify your life, it even automatically detects the type of phone you’re using!
FEATURES
In addition to the DVD player, the XAV-AX200 also comes with a host of other features and functions, but the real story here is the availability of Android Auto and CarPlay. Apple’s CarPlay has been around for a while now, but only recently has the Android Auto app really taken off, and people in the know seem to think it’s going to be even more popular than the Apple system. Whether you’re an Apple or an Android person doesn’t matter, what’s important is that a compatible receiver, like this Sony, allows you to push the information on your phone to the large display in the car’s dash. This keeps your phone out of your hand, and makes you safer while driving. Navigation is always at the ready, and you can even have your text messages and emails read to you. Any phone-based apps like iHeart Radio, Spotify, or Pandora will now work on the display of the Sony radio in your dash.
The XAV-AX200 has other cool features as well, such as three camera inputs for three externally connected cameras (one must be reverse), allowing the driver to link up to them and view the images on the receiver’s display. Of course, the unit also supports Bluetooth hands-free calling and streaming, SiriusXM Radio, and it will even play back FLAC audio format files stored on a USB drive.
On the audio side of things, the Sony won’t disappoint. A 20x4 amplifier is built in, and there are front, rear, and sub-out pre-amp connections, with four volts of output. Combine that with a 10-band EQ, Sony’s “Extra Bass” bass reinforcement, DSO (Dynamic Stage Organizer) and built-in crossovers, and you’ve got a ton of tunability and adjustment at your fingertips. The XAV-AX200 is compatible with many factory steering wheel controls, without needing an adapter.
CONTROLS AND FUNCTIONALITY
I like the clean and simple layout of the controls and on screen menus. Everything is extremely intuitive to use - I didn’t even need the manual. The touchscreen works well and provides sharp, clear video performance. I’ll also give a nod to the rotary encoder-style volume control, which is simply the best possible way to control the volume on a car radio; you don’t have to look for a button, and when your hand falls on it, you simply rotate the knob. It doesn’t get simpler or safer than this. In addition, there are hard buttons for track up and down, as well as a home button for the main screen. If you like to customize your screen, the Sony provides several different wallpapers to choose from, or you can import your own image via the USB port.
One thing I wish most source unit manufacturers would improve on is the convenience of accessing the subwoofer level control. This should not require the distraction of navigating multiple screens and menus to access, as it gets used frequently. The Sony is as good (or bad) as the rest, needing a multi-menu process to arrive at the sub level output control. At least it has one.
AUDIO PERFORMANCE
The Sony proved to be a good sounding unit, regardless of the source selected. The tuner pulls in all my favorite stations easily, but I did miss having my HD channels available. When listening to a standard CD, the sound is natural and uncolored, with zero audible noise. Bass response is full, deep and powerful, while details in the highest frequencies are distinct and easily identified, but not at all harsh or hard sounding. Listening to the Cowboy Junkies’ Trinity Sessions and Robbie Robertson’s self-titled album, there’s a very good sense of space, the vocals are clear and natural sounding, and the stereo separation is excellent as well. Switching to a USB drive and some high-resolution MP3s, the results are pretty much the same as the CD section. The Sony’s sonics leave little to ask for, and I found absolutely nothing to gripe about. USB track search and selection is reasonably fast, and you can also search quickly via a file list. Oddly enough, the XAV-AX200 does not support iPod connectivity.
When my listening session was over, I connected the Sony unit to my test bench, and measured the actual performance specs. Reinforcing my pleasant listening experience, the specifications measured well. The preamp outputs are excellent, with high voltage and low source impedance. Output impedance is very important because it allows good signal transfer over the vehicle’s noisy chassis with minimum degradation, and a high signal voltage permits minimal gain required at the amplifier. This provides the best possible noise immunity and dynamic range. I generally won’t consider a head unit truly high performance unless it has at least three volts of clean pre-amp output.
One thing I was a little surprised to find were the basic -6-dB/Oct crossover slopes in the pre-out filters. I would have expected at least second order filters, if not selectable slopes. For those who are simply going to use the built-in amplifier, it meets the CEA-2006 rated power and the S/N measurements for both the amplified outputs, and the pre-amp outputs also exceed the rated spec. Distortion at rated power is also very low, and the frequency response is reasonably flat as well.
MEASURED SPECIFICATIONS
AMPLIFIER
- CEA-2006A Power per channel (all channels driven, @ 4 ohms): 20.4 watts/ch X 4
- A Wtd S/N Ratio (ref to 2V/1W @ 4 ohms) Amplified output: -84.0 dBA
- THD+N @ 2V/1W @ 4 ohms 1 kHz: 0.08%
- Frequency Response (-3.0 dB): 20 Hz – 20 kHz
PREAMP SECTION
- Max Usable Output Voltage: 3.95 Vrms
- A Wtd S/N Ratio ref to full output voltage: -91.2 dBA
- Output Impedance: 80 ohms
- Frequency Response (-3.0 dB): 20 Hz – 20 kHz
Graph 1: CD SOURCE - AMPLIFIER FREQUENCY RESPONSE
Graph 2: CD SOURCE - RCA OUT FREQUENCY RESPONSE
Graph 3: HIGH PASS FILTER - FREQUENCY RESPONSE
Graph 4: SUB OUT LPF - FREQUENCY RESPONSE
CONCLUSION
Overall, the Sony XAV-AX200 is a good-sounding, easy-to-use source unit. It has good audio specs and enough features to satisfy most everyone. Its primary focus is unquestionably the smartphone integration, and if that is high on your wish list, this is definitely a receiver worth serious consideration. For more information, visit www.sony.com, www.sony.ca, Twitter (USA), Twitter (CAN), Instagram, Facebook.
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