Sony XAV AX5000 Review in 2024 – Get an Amazing Sounding Ride Without Breaking The Bank
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Pure elegance no shiny black plastic, no over the top lighting or futuristic fonts…
The reason why many people installed this head unit is because of the looks. It has no over the top rainbow colors. It doesn’t give the cheap shiny plastic feeling. It doesn’t try to catch your eyes with hard to read futuristic fonts.
On the other hand, it looks like a premium item. The interface is clean and simple. It has real buttons that give a world of satisfaction to costumers. The colors are reserved, so they go perfectly with car interiors.
This is why I’ve created the Sony XAV-AX5000 review. So you know what’s a good stereo in this sea of never-ending lookalike products.
But before we get to the review par, we need to talk about something.
Let’s get this out of in the open: some call it an overpriced starter double din head unit. Yes, it has some features which I will discuss in the shortcomings section.
You will have two USB ports at your disposal. And the head unit comes SiriusXM ready.
If you are looking for the best double din car stereo, by reading this review, you will understand why it deserves the premium price tag.
At the end I’ve compiled the pros and cons for this head unit. Make sure you don’t miss it.
Now let’s get this Sony XAV-AX5000 review started.
Who is the Sony XAV-AX5000 for?
The Sony XAV-AX5000 car stereo is for those customers who want something elegant and upscale. People who want something that doesn’t scream aftermarket and has some key features.
Everybody wants hands-free controls plus many music options. This is where this head unit delivers. Since it’s compatible both with Apple Carplay and Android Auto (Google Maps), all the apps can be mirrored to the screen.
Did I mention that there are fewer fingerprints on the screen?
Car stereos are notorious for being fingerprints and dust magnets. That’s not so with this Sony stereo.
What can the Sony XAV-AX5000 do for you?
Let’s see what kind of great features the Sony XAV-AX5000 double DIN has for us.
As I mentioned earlier, it’s compatible with Apple Carplay and Android Auto. Sadly it’s not wireless. You need to tether it through USB. The good news is that the stereo comes with two USB ports.
I have one port of the phone and the second one for the flash drive. I like to keep my phone memory free of music. Plus the sound quality is phenomenal.
I love the 6.95” capacitive screen. The response time is fast. The whole menu is simple and easy to use. There’s no learning curve. It has large icons and easy to tap them. The whole touch screen gives a modern look.
They have done this right the brightness and dimming work great. Once you dim your head unit, all the apps (Siri, Spotify, Waze, etc.) are switched to night mode.
Don’t get me started with the physical buttons. Other stereos don’t have it. It’s so satisfying when you feel the feedback of that click.
It lacks in the personalization department. You can choose from a few background images, and that’s it.
Key Features:
- Digital multimedia receiver with AM/FM tuner
- 6.95″ touchscreen
- Dual USB ports
- Pandora and Spotify control with iPhone and Android
- Built-in 4 x 55 W amplification
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Sony XAV-AX5000 shortcomings
The Sony XAV-AX5000 isn’t the perfect radio if it has flaws. And if you’re familiar with my writing style, you know that I don’t hide them. So let’s see if these issues are deal-breakers for you.
Two features are dearly missed. This double DIN car stereo doesn’t come with HD radio and HDMI. I mean, like almost everybody is offering HD radio. What’s the problem?
Another feature that is missing is time alignment. Pioneer is the leading company in this. Sony, it’s time to wake up.
Android users reported problems with the app. It seems that Android Auto is not working. The standard response was to either get a high-quality cable or change the phone. I believe a good firmware update would’ve fixed the whole issue. But Sony is notoriously slow with updates. That’s life in corporate.
You can’t upload your custom background image. There are like 6-7 to choose from.
There’s no album art. What? Why? How could they miss this?
I also have beef with the EQ. First of all, there are only 6-bands to adjust. Now there are some presets which are good, but if I could tweak it a bit more, then it would be perfect. Sadly the presets are locked, so you have to start from scratch.
We’re in 2020, and car stereos are still using 480p resolution? It’s time to evolve 720p would be the bare minimum.
So these would be the shortcomings of this car stereo. Are you still here reading? Or did you abandon this digital receiver?
- Apple car play: Apple car play allows users to get directions, make calls, send and receive messages, and listen to music, all in a way that allows you to stay focused on the road. The brightness is 500 cd/m2 and the contrast ratio is 600
- Android auto: connect your compatible Android Device to display applications on your vehicle's screen. Enjoy instant access to maps, music or your Phonebook.
- See and control everything on a flush 6. 95" (diag. ) touchscreen : Bring up maps, sort through playlists, and make phone calls—all with just a quick tap on the touch controls.
How To Get The Most Out Of Sony XAV-AX5000?
Now we are going to get technical. Just kidding, I’m not a gear-head, and this is why I recommend pro installs. It’s such a time and nerve saver.
You might want to consider another add-on item for your purchase. If you want to keep you stock steering wheel controls, you need something like the iDatalink Maestro. By adding it next to the stereo, you can use the steering wheel buttons. Not only will that, but it will give you vehicle diagnostic info. One thing that makes the install easy is getting a wiring harness.
I never hit the road without checking them. The first thing I check is the tire pressure, and there is other info as well, like temperature gauges and voltage.
Last but not least, do consider installing a backup camera (rear view camera). I know I was against it, but once I got used to it, I can’t live without it. I can park in much tighter spaces. It beats circling the block a few times for sure.
Here’s the bird’s eye view for this head unit.
- Elegance that looks great in an older luxury car
- Fast loading capacitive touch screen
- Finally a stereo with a great dimmer
- Might not work as advertised with Android Auto
- Missing features: HD radio and HDMI
Sony XAV-AX5000 Review Conclusion
All in all, the Sony XAV-AX5000 seems to be a good car stereo. It has some cool features, and it lacks a few. There’s the issue with Android phones will it work or not. All this can be solved with a firmware update.
We have reached the end of this Sony XAV-AX5000 review. This car stereo is polarizing. You either love it or not. It’s time for you to decide.
I love hearing your feedback about this Sony stereo. What do you think? Do you have it installed? What Ire your experiences? Reading customer reviews highly recommend it.
Comment below.
Catch you next time.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I install the Sony XAV-AX5000 digital media receiver in a Jeep Wrangler?
Yes this car stereo is compatible with the Jeep Wrangler.
Will this satellite radio work with Apple Car Play?
Yes the Sony satellite radio supports Apple Car Play Android Auto.
Can I use Google Maps as navigation?
Yes this stereo model works great With Google Maps.
Is the Sony XAV-AX200 a good alternative for the Sony XAV-AX5000?
One of the best alternatives is Sony XAV-AX200. The Sony XAV-AX200 Review will explain it detailed.
How good is the sound quality after the install?
What I’ve noticed is that the sound quality significantly improved. I mean the speakers are the same and still the sound quality is way better. Making phone calls will be never clearer.
How many USB ports does this touch screen radio have?
This deck comes with dual USB port. They are located in the rear. To access it you need to get a USB be cable this is sold separately.
How does the Sony XAV-AX5000 look?
The Sony XAV-AX5000 has an elegant and upscale look that doesn’t scream aftermarket. It comes with a 6.95” capacitive touchscreen, dual USB ports and great dimmer feature.
What type of audio formats can be played with the Sony XAV-AX5000?
The Sony XAV-AX5000 can play digital media from Pandora and Spotify when connected to an iPhone or Android device, as well as regular broadcasting from its built-in AM/FM tuner.
Are there any wireless capabilities for the Sony XAV-AX5000?
No, there are no wireless capabilities available on the Sony XAV-AX5000. However, it is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto so you can still connect wirelessly using those services.
What features are missing on the Sony XAV-AX5000?
Some features missing on the Sony XAV-AX500 include HD radio, HDMI inputs, custom background images or album art uploads, as well as time alignment options being enabled.
How do voice commands work with a digital receiver?
Voice commands in digital receivers can be used to access the receiver’s features, such as playing music or making hands-free phone calls. The voice command feature is enabled by Bluetooth and requires a compatible bluetooth enabled device for it to work properly.
What does the Digital Clarity Tuner do?
The Digital Clarity Tuner enhances sound quality and provides natural sound with minimal distortion. It also supports AM/FM broadcasting, allowing users to enjoy their favorite radio station using the receiver’s virtual speakers.
Does Sony hardware have Dual USB ports?
Yes, Sony hardware includes dual USB ports which allow users to connect two USB peripherals at once, such as a rearview camera input and a USB flash drive for playing music. An OEM head unit may also include Apple CarPlay or Android Auto capabilities via a single USB cable.
Will the screen automatically switch when playing music?
Yes, in most cases when playing music from an external source (such as a smartphone or laptop), the screen will automatically switch to show track information or album artwork depending on your model of digital media receiver and its settings. This feature is usually available on models with capacitive touchscreen displays and Sony hardware.
Last Updated on November 4, 2023 by Brian Beasley
