If you are looking for an entry level bargain basement CD player, you have come to the wrong place here.
One of the latest editions to the Sony stable is the feature packed mid priced MEX GS600BT
Smart-phone Integration
With more and more manufacturers jumping on-board with smart-phone connectivity and integration it was only natural that Sony would also jump in head first and supply not only iPhone integration but ALSO Android integration via the iPhone and Androids “Sony App Remote”.
The Sony App Remote opens up a new level of interactivity between the GS600BT and your chosen Smart-phone, not only can you control your new GS600BT from your chosen smart-phone, by for instance changing input options, volume, and tracks; you can ALSO control your smart-phone via the GS600BT in the form of selecting apps on your smart-phone using the source button as you would changing between input methods on the head unit.
Future changes I feel that would bring the App Remote to the next level:
– Music list browsing to display your files and folders in a list view to make scrolling even easier than it already is.
– Remote EQ controls to enable the user to change the preset and custom EQ settings from their smart-phone.
It’s about more than integration
While being able to integrate your smart-phone with the GS600BT is more than fun, thats not where the GS600BT stops.
The GS600BT is crammed full of MANY great features and audio controls.
Features:
– Built-in amplifier with true RMS 17watt x 4 Channels (CEA-2006/52 peak)
– Detachable face with multiple colour illumination
– Remote Control
– App Remote mode for iPhone and Android
– Bluetooth for hands-free calling (includes hands-free Mic) and audio streaming
– Plays CDs, CD-Rs, and CD-RW discs including discs and USB thumb drives loaded with MP3, WMA, and AAC music files, with “CD TEXT” support
– True 5v 6ch (Front, Rear, Subwoofer) RCA preouts
– Rear USB input (1.4m cord)
– Front 3.5mm Stereo Aux input
– Optional Steering wheel control interface (not included)
Audio Controls:
– Digital time alignment
– High and low pass filters
– Incredible 7-band Graphic Equaliser
– Integrated subwoofer level control
– Supports rear bass enhancer, and Subwoofer Direct Connection
Time for the low down
Menu and Controls
After many hours sitting in front of the MEXGS600BT learning its menu structure. The menu structure is very simplified without many ‘menu within menu’ options which makes the menu very easy to scroll through if on the move, yet still retaining all of the controls one would hope for and expect.
Sound Controls:
Sound controls have always been a strong point for Sony, this unit being no exception.
With no less than 7 preset Equalizer settings, and 1 custom 7 band equalizer.
For those that are more comfortable sticking to one of the many preset settings, you will find the enhancements to your particular music preferences more than you had hoped for. For those wanting to explore deeper into the Custom options will also not be disappointed at all with the 7 band graphic equaliser, and positioning options, to tailor the sound to your heart’s content.
Browsing and playing your music:
Music browsing on devices such as USB thumb drives, at first proved a little frustrating (being used to a different layout). Learning the best ways to search the many folders on my USB thumb drive took a while to work out, but once worked out, became very seamlessly and almost second nature, the large format lettering making browsing on the move even easier.
There are 2 cool features built into the MEX GS600BT.
ZAPPIN
Zappin enables you to play short passages (Choose 6, 15, or 30 second options) from your CD or USB music source, this is incredibly handy if you remember what a song sounds like, but just cant remember the name of the track
Quick-Browzer
Quick-Browzer enables you to browse your music via built in categories and even alphabetically, making it easier and faster to find your desired track, very useful if you store a large abundance of music on mp3 CD or USB.
Colour Illumination:
With the ever growing desire to customise the look and colour of your cars interior, the Sony MEX GS600BT does not fall short. With 12 preset colours, 5 preset Colour cycle patterns, , and an un-paralleled number of Custom colours, the MEX GS600BT will not fail to fit into even the most extreme interiors. Want to push the colours to the limit? Activate SOUND SYNC, select a preset colour Pattern and watch the colours pulsate to the music!
Tuner Talk:
With all the advancements in CD, USB, BT, and many other new technologies that constantly hit the market, its easy to forget the many Tuner based advancements that have been made. The MEX GS600BT is equipped with 2 such amazing advancements.
Digital Clarity Tuner
The Digital Clarity Tuner delivers the cleanest sound reproduction I have heard from an in-car radio tuner with not only the markets lowest s/n (signal to noise) ratios, but also un-paralleled stereo sound separation.
RDS (Radio Data System)
RDS enables your chosen Radio Station to send non audible data or digital information to your MEX GS600BT, what does this mean? This means that the Radio station can send information such as current competitions, current song playing, even traffic details (not all RDS features are available in all countries)
Handsfree Communication:
With the ever increasing need for ‘communication on the move’, there has come a huge need for hands free communication for safer driving (and in more increasing countries, to comply with LAW).
The MEXGS600BT ALSO includes with its Bluetooth connectivity, Hands-free communication including an omni directional Hand-free microphone. The MEX GS600BTs noise and echo cancelling circuitry will ensure that each and every call is made with clarity second to none, while enabling you to keep both hands safely on the wheel.
Ratings
Build Quality ¤¤¤¤¤
Ease of Use ¤¤¤¤
Sound Quality ¤¤¤¤¤
Value for money ¤¤¤¤¤
”[OUTLWD] Factor” ¤¤¤¤
Key: ¤ = 1 Star ½ = ½Star
[OUTLWD] Factor:
What is The “OUTLWD” factor?
The [OUTLWD] factor is my overall rating taking all factors into consideration, and the overall factors that I feel could make the entire experience better.
Aaron “OUTLWD” Bublitz