Sony XAV AX1000 Review – Is This Your Dream Head Unit?
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It is so hard to find a decent double DIN car stereo nowadays. Don’t get me wrong there is more than plenty to choose from. The market is flooded with cheap and expensive units.
The thing is it’s hard to find one that works and doesn’t cost a fortune. There are many cheap stereos out there, but they break in a matter of months. By getting a cheap one, it will cost you more in the long run.
This is why I’ve created this Sony XAV-AX1000 review. First of all, I want people to know about this media receiver. Secondly, I will be sharing with you everything the good and the bad.
The best way to characterize this media receiver is by saying it’s a good entry-level for Apple Carplay. If you have an iPhone, you will be able to utilize Siri as your assistant. On the other hand, if you have an Android phone, you will be able to get basic Bluetooth functions like voice control.
Besides this, the music is way better than the factory radio. The sound quality surpasses the previous stereo. It has an actual dial for easy sound change. Also, it comes with SiriusXM ready.
At the end of the article, I’ve compiled the pros and cons for this head unit. Make sure you don’t miss it.
Let’s get this Sony XAV-AX1000 review started.
Who is the Sony XAV-AX1000 for?
The #1 customer for the Sony XAV-AX1000 car stereo is the budget-minded person with an iPhone.
This Sony media receiver comes with great sound quality. We don’t expect anything less from Sony.
If you are interested in music, then you will have several options to choose from. There’s no CD/DVD player, so your only option is the USB port.
Another customer for this unit is who’s safety conscientious. By using the built-in Bluetooth, you will be able to make hands-free calls.
Safety oriented people got this head unit because you can mount a backup camera (rear view camera) to it. It makes parking easier and faster than ever before.
What can the Sony XAV-AX1000 do for you?
The biggest selling point for me was the Apple Carplay at such a low price. The connection happens through the USB cable, and that’s not a biggie.
What I love about the Sony XAV-AX1000 digital receiver is being fast. I don’t have to wait for ages to get the music on. The built-in Bluetooth is strong and good. I’ve only experienced a small delay here and then. Whenever I talk on the phone, my voice is easy to understand, so the mic is excellent.
Did I mention that it has a volume knob? I know it sticks out somewhat, but it gives such a gratifying feeling.
The touch screen display is 6.2” wide. It’s quite a usual size for a double-DIN unit. It’s an old school capacitive unit. Still, it’s snappy and works.
The radio works great, and the radio reception is better than my old stock radio. I’ve been picking up more stations with this new install.
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Sony XAV-AX1000 shortcomings
The perfect stereo hasn’t been invented yet. All of them have some flaws, and this is the case with the Sony XAV-AX1000 head unit. Let’s see if they are a deal-breaker for you.
Before you install, you need to know one important thing. The HU doesn’t sit flush. It sticks out a bit. If you want a seamless look, then you might want to take a pass on it.
For the price of this stereo, you only get wired Apple Carplay. If wireless is an absolute must, you will have to invest more.
As I mentioned above, Android Auto is not supported. It’s not Sony’s fault. The culprit is Google; they are too slow with updates.
I have some good news and bad news. The good news is that finally there’s a car stereo with front USB input. Now here’s the bad news this head unit comes with only front USB. There are two big problems with this arrangement.
First of all, when you touch the volume knob, you might knock it loose. The same can happen when you want to touch the display. The second issue is the USB wire might get tangled with the shifter.
The rest of the flaws are designed based. For example, you can’t change the background image. The icons are static; you can’t move them around. The screen is huge, and they have poorly divided the real estate. The digital clock takes the most space, and the icons are small and showed to the side.
The backup camera doesn’t activate automatically. You have to press the button and wait for it to come on. Also, this unit doesn’t have a power-off button.
My last observation is that an HD radio would’ve been nice to have.
I’ve reviewed a similar Sony head unit. Take a look at the Sony XAV-AX200 Review.
- Voice control with Apple CarPlay
- Rear view camera ready for easy parking
- EXTRABASS adds low end power
How To Get The Most Out Of Sony XAV-AX1000?
The first thing that you need to do is get it installed. Now I’m an advocate for pro-jobs. I have no experience with wiring and tech stuff.
After that’s done, make sure you have the latest firmware version. A customer reported that even though he had the latest version, the stereo was acting up. So he has downloaded the web one, and that fixed his problems.
It seems that even if the versions are the same, there are still differences.
I always recommend installing a backup camera (rear view camera). Nothing saves you more time than parking in tight spaces.
In this chapter, I usually talk about the cool customization that you can do. Well, I have to take a pass on that because there’s none of that.
After connecting with your iPhone, you can enjoy streaming music or use any of your favorite apps like Spotify, Pandora. If you are interested in navigation you can use Google Maps it’s free.
Here’s the bird’s eye view for this double DIN head unit.
- It’s beautiful, simple and easy to use
- Quick startup
- Real nob for volume control
- Front USB only
- No personalization, no customization
Sony XAV-AX1000 Review Conclusion
All in all, the Sony XAV-AX1000 looks clean and classy as it supposed to be there. It’s a good entry unit for iPhone users. It has some big minuses in the customization department. It compensates that it’s fast and provides many sources for entertainment. With this media receiver you’re getting top notch sound quality, phone calls and voice control.
We have reached the end of my Sony XAV-AX1000 review. By now, you should know if this unit is a good fit for you.
Don’t forget to leave feedback after you’ve installed it. If you’re interested in more car stereo reviews, let me know.
Catch you next time.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Besides this Sony media receiver are there other customer reviews?
Since this media receiver is well known. You can be rest assured that there are enough customer reviews for second opinion.
How can I use Apple Car Play?
To use Apple Car Play you need an iPhone first and then you have to plug it into this digital receiver.
How hard is to mount the XAV-AX1000 media receiver?
If you get a wiring harness it will much easier and faster to mount this media receiver.
Can I use wireless Carplay with Sony XAV-AX1000 head unit?
Sadly this media receiver only allows wired Apple Carplay. If you want to use Apple Play without cords you will need to pick a different stereo. Also you will need a bigger budget as well. With the USB input you can get good voice control. For most making phone calls and to play music is enough.
Can I use Google Maps with Apple Carplay?
Yes Apple Carplay works with that navigation.
Do I need Appler Carplay to make hands-free phone calls?
No, for you to make hands-free phone calls Bluetooth connection is enough. If you want extras only then you will need Apple Carplay.
Is there a significant change in sound quality after the Sony media receiver install?
Yes the sound quality got a lot better. When you play music you can feel the difference in sound quality. When you start Apple Carplay and choose one of the apps you will have no doubt that this media receiver was a good investment.
Will the Sony XAV-AX1000 fit my car?
Yes, the Sony XAV-AX1000 is designed to fit a wide variety of vehicles. You can check your specific model for compatibility with the mobile phone interface on Sony’s website.
What does the Sony 6.2” Apple CarPlay review say?
Reviews of the Sony 6.2” Apple CarPlay are generally positive, praising its intuitive user interface, peak power output, and Bluetooth pairing capabilities. Many users have also reported that custom wallpaper options make it fun and easy to personalize their device.
Does the XAV-AX1000 have Android Auto?
Yes, the Sony XAV-AX1000 comes equipped with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities so you can stay connected no matter what type of phone you use.
Does the XAV-AX1000 come with a USB cord or stick?
No, while there is a rear USB port on the XAV-AX1000 digital media receiver, it does not come with a USB cord or stick included in the package. However, any standard USB device will be compatible with this product.
How does Sony CarPlay work?
Sony CarPlay is an infotainment system designed to allow users to control audio, navigation and phone features from their compatible mobile device through their car speakers using a wired or wireless connection. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are available on select Sony head units. The user can control the features of their device using the steering wheel controls and external microphone for hands-free calling.
What is the difference between Sony XAV-AX1000 and XAV-AX1000 Apple CarPlay head unit?
The Sony XAV-AX1000 is a premium in-car entertainment system with a 6.2″” touch screen display that allows access to music, videos, podcast etc., while the XAV-AX1000 Apple CarPlay head unit comes equipped with Bluetooth, USB ports and other features as well as has integration with Siri (Apple’s voice assistant). Additionally, it also provides access to Apple Music App and Maps for navigation purposes as well as support for hands free calling.
What are some of the features of the Sony XAV AX 1000?
The Sony XAV AX 1000 is equipped with great audio/video capabilities along with multiple connectivity options such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and USB. It also offers several advanced functions such as remote control , back up camera integration , seamless smartphone mirroring including both iOS (Apple Carplay) & Android (Android Auto) devices; plus hands free calling capability via an external microphone . In addition it also supports Spotify Connect , Pandora , Amazon Alexa & SiriusXM ready radio stations .
Can I check how my phone screen looks on my Sony Xavax 1000 before I buy it?
Yes, you can test how your phone screen will look when connected to the Sony xavax 1000 by visiting your local electronics store or by visiting the official website at sony.com where you can view product information about this specific model along with demonstration videos which show actual use cases of using this particular head unit in real world applications.
Last Updated on February 17, 2023 by Danny Reid
