Sony introduced their new XS-GS1631C 3-way component speaker system at the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The system includes a pair of 6.5-inch woofers, a set of 3.5-inch midrange drivers, a pair of 1-inch soft-dome tweeters and a set of passive crossover networks. This system is designed as a premium upgrade for vehicles with door and dash speaker locations. The system offers a 3-year warranty for long-term peace of mind. Let’s take a close look at what Sony has come up with.
Benefits of the Sony XS-GS1631C
A trait common to all speakers is directivity. Based on the cone diameter alone, the sound coming from a speaker becomes more directional as frequencies increase. One of the key benefits of a 3-way front speaker set is that each driver is operated below the frequencies where they become directional. As a result, the speakers provide evenly distributed sound throughout the vehicle. When the midrange and tweeters are mounted high in the doors or dash, the soundstage will typically be higher compared to a conventional 2-way speaker configuration.
6.5-inch Woofer Features
The woofers from the set are based on a stamped steel basket. Mounting holes and tabs are provided for 6.5 and 6.75-inch bolt circles. The cones of the woofers are made from Sony’s proprietary MRC (Mica Reinforced Cellular) polypropylene. In this application they are reinforced with aramid fibers. The result is a low-mass design with rigidity more than ten times higher than competitor polypropylene cones, but just a fraction of the mass. Rubber surrounds and poly dust caps round out the moving component features. Sony includes trim rings and a set of grilles with the woofers.
3.5-inch Midrange Design
The midrange drivers in the XS-GS1631C set also feature stamped steel baskets. Two mounting tabs are provided and serve as a direct fit for Toyota, Chrysler, Dodge, Ram as well as many GM and Ford vehicles without the need for modification. In some cases, the midrange drivers use the factory mounting bolts. Each midrange speaker uses a compact neodymium magnet that helps keep the overall mounting depth to a diminutive 1-7/16 inches.
The cones of the midrange drivers use the same aramid fiber reinforced MRC poly cone material as the woofers. They also feature a rubber surround. Rubber surrounds last longer than foam. They help to ensure these speakers will continue to sound great for years.
1-inch Tweeter Technologies
The tweeters in the set include provisions for flush, surface and angled installations. Unlike the midrange, the tweeter design includes a grille that is optimized for installations where the unit will be visible. The tweeter has a 1-inch synthetic fiber design for smooth and detailed sound.
Passive Crossover Networks
As mentioned, the set includes a pair of passive crossover networks. The networks filter the speakers at 500 and 5000 Hz. A switch inside the crossover allows the installer to set the tweeter level at -2, 0 or +4dB to compensate for different installation configurations and listener preferences. The crossover can be wired in a bi-amplified configuration to provide independent control over the woofer level. Alternatively, you can jumper the inputs and drive the entire speaker set from a single amplifier channel.
Sony uses a combination of air and iron-core inductors, electrolytic capacitors and a premium mylar capacitor for the tweeters. Sony took the time to mount each inductor to the circuit board securely to prevent any reliability issues.
Specifications
Sony rates the speaker set as being capable of handling 120 watts of power using the CTA-2031 standard. Efficiency is specified at 87dB (+/- 2dB) and frequency response at an impressive 30 to 30,000 Hz range.
Sony XM-GS6DSP Compatible
For a truly amazing listening experience, combine the XS-GS1631C with Sony’s new six-channel XM-GS6DSP amplifier. The GS6DSP amp can be used to power the system speaker in a fully-active 3-way configuration or in combination with the passive crossovers and a dedicated subwoofer, to create an amazing four-way system. In either case, the signal delay and equalization capabilities of the GS6DSP will allow your installer to create an impressively accurate soundstage across the dash of your vehicle. A good tech can further tune the system for a smooth and natural frequency response.
Premium Speaker Upgrade Solution
The new XS-GS1631C three-way speaker set is a bold step forward for a Japanese company like Sony. As is evident from their other recent product introductions, Sony is focused on developing cost-effective, high-performance solutions to make car stereo systems that sound great! If you are in the market for speaker upgrade for your vehicle, and it has room for a three-way speaker set, drop by your local Sony dealer and audition the XS-GS1631C system today.
This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.
Did you know that about 25% of accidents take place while a vehicle is in reverse? To reduce the chances of injury or accidents, Firstech — maker of Momento in-car camera solutions — has recently introduced a complete backup safety solution. The heart of this solution is the 
The R1 is a 10.5 by 3.2-inch mirror designed to equal the quality, performance and reliability of a factory-installed mirror. During normal use, the mirror works just like the mirror that came with your car or truck. When the mirror detects a video signal from a camera, a 4.3-inch 480 x 272 pixel screen on the left side of the mirror displays the image. The screen is visible through the reflective coating, allowing you to see the camera image clearly, even in bright sunlight. The R1 includes a built-in light sensor that adjusts the display brightness to compensate for day and night operation.
Finally, the 
Sony introduced its new six-channel 
Most factory-installed source units only provide 18 to 20 watts of power. The XM-GS6DSP will serve up 45 watts of power from its four main channels to give your music an extra kick. This power level is the perfect complement to factory-installed speakers or an upgrade like the 
The XM-GS6DSP includes dedicated six-channel preamp and speaker level input connections on Molex plugs. The preamp input will accept up to 6V of signal and the speaker-level inputs will take as much as 12 volts. The tweeter/front channels include an optional high-pass filter that is adjustable from 500Hz to 4kHz. The mid/rear channels include a 50 to 500 Hz high-pass filter and a 500 to 4kHz low-pass filter. A three-position switch allows for full range, high-pass or high- plus low-pass operation. Finally, the woofer/subwoofer channels include an optional 50 to 500Hz low-pass filter and an adjustable bass-boost circuit that adds up to 10dB of boost. The woofer/subwoofer channel is rated to play from 20Hz to 10kHz.
The onboard DSP processor is accessible by a Bluetooth connection from your smartphone using the 
The Sony XM-GS6DSP measures a mere 11.6 by 7.85 inches and is 2 inches thick, which is perfect for installation under a seat or behind a panel in the trunk. All of the connections and controls are along a single side of the amp, making it easy to install and configure. The power terminals will accept 4 AWG spade connections, and the subwoofer channels can handle 12 AWG spades without any problem.
As mentioned, the XM-GS6DSP is an ideal amplifier for most OEM upgrade solutions. You can power a set of front and rear speakers from the main channels, then add a subwoofer to enhance low-frequency output. Alternatively, in a three-way configuration, the flexible crossovers afford you the choice of a two-way front stage using a set of woofers and tweeters, or you can build a three-way stage using passive filters between the midrange drivers and the tweeters. The latter is a nice upgrade that provides excellent musical clarity and stage height in your vehicle. If you don’t want a subwoofer, but still have room for a 3-way front stage, the extended frequency range capabilities of the woofer/subwoofer channels can be used to power six speakers in a fully active configuration. Adding a second amp, rear speakers and a subwoofer would make for a stunning listening experience.
