Xplōd Bluetooth CD Receiver

Good Overall Stereo

Pros: sounds great, lots of options, as easy to use as one could expect

Cons: LED around knob is WAY TOO BRIGHT. What's the deal with this, Sony?

This is a replacement for the factory unit in my Acura RSX. I'm very happy with it. The Bluetooth works great, streaming and phone with the iPhone is just what I wanted. Good job of making the menus accessible since this device, like everything else these days, must perform so many functions and offer nearly infinite options. But, Sony, what's with the glaring bright LED ring around that knob? (maybe I said that already!)

Easy to configure and operate on my motorcycle

Pros: Ipod usb, internal , external mic's are a plus along wth the front audio input jack. Less expensive than HD units.

Cons: Cannot change key illumination color as advertised

I have installed this unit on my motorcycle. Very simple to use and the boothtooth sync's easily with my cell phone. I had a concern about how well I would be able to see the key illumination in the daylight. One of the features was the ability to change the color of the keys to red, green or blue. Searching the unit and manual I did not see any directions for the color change . After calling tech. support I found that even though advertised this option was not built into this unit. Blue is the default.

Great system

Pros: iPod/iPhone control, great sound, handsfree features

Cons: LCD a bit dim in direct sunlight (this is often the case with such screens), needs to be manually turned off

This stereo is a great addition to my car audio system and has all the features and quality of a much more expensive unit. It allows for handsfree control or passenger control of iPods & iPhones, and has a full-featured Bluetooth system. The control knob can act as a 1-button dialing feature on most phones (tested it on an old Moto KRZR), which will activate the phone's voice control feature. Control buttons are laid out well, and I find it easy to switch songs and navigate my iPod without lifting my hand from the gearshift (manual transmission) or taking my eyes off the road. Wiring the unit in to my existing sound system was also a snap, with easy interfacing with my subs and Phoenix Gold amplifier. The GM-provided data bus interface also helped. The only drawbacks of this unit is the LCD when in direct sunlight, it is virtually unreadable. This is often the case with such screens (my $3000 Canon SLR camera included), and should not be a deciding factor in the purchase of the unit. The other drawback, though this may be due to the way GM has their newer cars set up (always supplying +12V to accessories), is the fact that the unit has to be manually turned off after shutting the engine down. This is a non-issue for me, as it would be suicidal to leave the deck's faceplate attached when leaving the car anyways.

Blutooth doesn't seem to work

Pros: Easy to use, great features

Cons: Bluetooth does not work properly

The radio works, the sound goes to the car's speakers... the bluetooth successfully pairs with my iPhone, but no sound comes into the speakers during a call. The other party can hear me, but I hear no sound. It's mysterious. I paired a Motorola Razr V3xx and the same symptom occurred. Would love to know why the bluetooth doesn't work properly. So essentially, the unit doesn't serve the purpose for which I bought it. Otherwise, seems like a great radio. Very easy to use and figure out.

Pretty good overall

Pros: Love the Bluetooth

Cons: Sound only OK for factory speakers

I love the Bluetooth phone and audio, works great. I still only have factory speakers, and the stereo doesn't sound as good on them as the cheaper stereo I had before. Plus, you CAN change the background image on the screen (don't know what that one review was talking about) and the display doesn't seem that bright to me at night, maybe I'm not used to having super dark tint or something. And the Bluetooth automaticaly pairs every time. And 1 button calling would be better. So overall good, but could be better.

Pros: Best bang for the buck!

Cons: Can't change color of LED

I just had this installed today and I'm loving it! Just wanted to add a few notes that people have mentioned. First of, the bluetooth issue (disconnecting). When I first paired my Blackberry with it and walked away from the car, upon returning I had to manually connect the two. However, I found out that by going into the device properties from the phone with the stereo connection, I enabled the device as trusted. After that, it would connect to my phone automatically. Secondly, the LED issue. I have sensitive eyes, and the LED light doesn't bother me at all. I'm not sure if it's just the positioning in my car (92 525i BMW), but frankly I can't don't even notice the brightness difference from my old Kenwood stereo (just got back from a 2 hour drive at night). Furthermore, during the day the stereo light is still very much visible to me even under the full sun. Overall, I have found only one issue that I'm hoping a firmware upgrade will resolve: Be able to change the LED light color to orange (as advertised it's supposed to let you choose from 3 different colors). With all the features that it offers, I'm very pleased with the product and value! DC

Almost got it right.

Pros: Phone BT and remote passanger controle.

Cons: Front USB, aux inputes, and color of display.

Installed this into my 2006 Harley FLHX to replace the stock HK radio. The BT feature works great with my phone and the iPod charges with the song info on the radio. Downs: The blue display clashes with the orange gauges. USB and aux inputs should be at the rear of the radio for a cleaner install.

Brand Loyalty

Pros: 4-Volt Pre-Outs, Bluetooth, Front USB & AUX inputs

Cons: Caters to Apple Ipods NOT MS Zunes!

I had this deck installed today replacing an existing Sony that worked perfectly fine. I really wanted the front USB and AUX ports for Zune connectivety. The auto dimmer for night driving is going to be an issue I can already tell considering the display dims but the rest of the led lighting stays bright. The white led around the main control knob is blinding! After plugging in my Zune via USB, the deck informed me displaying "Not Supported". So now my only option it to use an 3.5 AUX to AUX cable. They are dirt cheap but I won't sacrafice quality over quantity especially when it comes to my tunes. The real question is, Does sony have an update/upgrade for the onboard USB for support with Zunes?

Perfect Receiver

Pros: Bluetooth, USB, many features, easy to use

Cons: Remote size

I bought this receiver mainly for the Bluetooth aspect as it lets you connect your phone so you can make calls, and with the case of the iPhone, play music. I hooked this thing up today and quickly set up my iPhone. Through Bluetooth I was able to play music, sync phonebook and make/receive calls. The audio worked fine both with me hearing them through the speakers and them hearing me (with the provided mic). Setting it up was pretty easy, as well. Holding down the volume button gives you a lot of options and is much easier to use than my last Xplod. The display is quite nice and easy to read once you turn the background image off, as it can get in the way and make the important stuff hard to read. The USB is a nice feature especially since you can use it to charge an iPhone, iPod or other USB based chargers... though I don't think you can use it to play music from your iPod/iPhone (I haven't been able to yet). This will make my long road trips nice because I no longer have to worry about conserving my phones battery life. My only real complaint is how large the remote is, but I could just be used to my last one. It was smaller than an Orbit gum package while the new one is as big as the package and an inch longer. It's nothing major, just something that you may have to get used to. Overall, this product works great and has ample features and very easy to use. Though I have only had it a short while, my last Xplod lasted many years so I expect this to be just as good in terms of reliability. I would definitely recommend this to people and have already told my roommate he should consider buying it when getting a new stereo. ** For the guy with problems with the dialing aspect, I don't think it ever said anywhere that you DIDN'T have to go through those steps, so your own fault for not researching. For others that may come in contact with this problem, it can be easily avoided if you have voice dialing. That's what I use and it makes it extremely easy.

Trying to return

Pros: Sound is ok

Cons: Dim, unreadable display and too many steps for outgoing call.

Purchased the radio for Bluetooth function to comply with California law banning use cel phone while driving. Too much data is crowded on to the display and the display is unreadable while driving during the day. To place a call it is necessary to perform several steps while trying to see the display which requires taking your eyes off ther road, even if the display were readable it still defeats the purpose of compliance with California law. While searching this model online, I saw one ad which showed the display as a single line with a bright readable display. Very misleading ad. All other ads show the radio and the pictures in the ads show the true dim, unreadalbe display.

So close, but some major flaws.

Pros: Bluetooth RX calls, BT music, nice main display, sounds good.

Cons: Bluetooth wont reconnect button brightness/color not adjustable. WAY TOO BRIGHT for night driving w/o modification.

There are somethings here that are just awesome. Nice playing through directories on USB/CD drives. BT audio sounds great. Incoming calls turn off music, and resumes it when done. Overal, I'm thuroughly impressed w/ how it sounds. The Sub control, EQ, and DSO work very well, I was pleased! <br> Some things are just wrong:<br> I actually had to take the faceplate apart, and paint the LED's to dim them, that is how bright they are. That is ludacris. It's still brighter than the sun at night, I may change the surface mount LEDs altogether. Blue lights / display don't match stock for most cars. <br> Display images are not changeable, I hope that becomes upgradable eventually via firmware. I'm not happy I've purchased it, but at least it sounds good, was better than stock, and lets me recieve calls easily if I reconnect BT when I get in the car. (it says it's connecting, but doesn't work unless I d/c and reconnect every time I start the car. <br> 3 very simple things would make this a 5 star deck? <br> 1. Fix button brightness via an adjustable setting. 2. Fix BT reconnection bug. 3. That brings me to 4.5 stars, for the full 5th star, allow us to upload new wallpaper!

MEX-BT5700U

Pros: three four-volt preamp outs, dot-matrix display, Bluetooth, USB

Cons: exposed mini plug input port

The Bluetooth hands-free phone operation works fine with my LG Voyager. I love the display especially after I turned off the animations. I already had a Sony CD changer, so getting a Sony deck was an easy choice. I just needed one with some modern features. I love playing music from USB flash drives. The sound is great through my outboard amps. CD Text, a Sony exclusive I believe, is excellent for CDs that support it. When I get a CD, I make a copy with CD Text to put in the car, and store the original on my media rack to keep it from getting scratched. I like that the USB port is behind a sliding door. It looks better than having an exposed USB port. I wish that the mini plug input jack was hidden as well. I think I will try the Bluetooth music streaming sometime. I’m not sure how fast that will run down my battery.

Display washes out in daylight

Cons: stuck with a $290 radio

Bought this radio to be compliant with California law regarding ban on using cel phone while driving. unlike many other brands which have a button on the remote to make a call, you must go thrrough 3-5 steps using the display. The display is extremely dim and unreadable during daylight hours which makes it impossible to navigate to a place to make a call. Completely defeats the purpose intended use.