Over the past few years, Double-DIN multimedia receivers have taken the spotlight when it comes to new head units. With that said, Sony knows that single-DIN solutions are still an important part of the industry. The Sony MEX-GS620BT offers more connectivity features and source options compared to most of the multimedia receivers on the market in a Single-DIN format. The intuitive design and layout make it easy to use while driving. A Sony GS 3-Year Warranty provides peace-of-mind, as well as an indication of the long-term reliability that Sony is well-known for. Let’s dive in and check out the MEX-GS620BT Bluetooth CD Receiver.

Audio Source Options

Having your cake and eating it too should be a label on the front of the MEX-GS620BT. This radio features an AM/FM receiver with RDS information display, a CD mechanism, USB and auxiliary inputs on the front panel and a second USB port on a wired pigtail on the rear of chassis. The unit also includes Pandora streaming and control for iOS and Android devices. You can add an optional Sirius SXV300V1 tuner for SiriusXM reception almost anywhere in the country.

The system can play MP3, WMA and AAC audio files at sampling rates up to 48kHz from a CD. Switching to a USB mass storage class device adds support for WAV and FLAC formats. The MEX-GS620BT includes USB music playback support for Apple iPhone and Android AOA 2.0 compatible devices. The front USB port charges devices with 1 Amp of current and the rear will provide 1.5 Amps. With so many songs available to the listener, Sony has included a search function called Quick-BrowZer. You can select from different categories, then jump through the track options quickly using the main control dial. Quick-BrowZer works wirelessly with AVRCP compatible Bluetooth devices as well.

Unique Remote Control Solutions

The free Sony | Music Center app for Android and Apple iOS devices provides full control over the radios source, function and configuration settings from your smartphone. You can set up the equalization, seating position, button / screen illumination colors, and much more through the app. The connection to the radio is handled wirelessly by Bluetooth to reduce clutter. SongPal is onboard and is a great solution for custom installations where you are using a tablet in the dash instead of the radio.

Sony has provided a dedicated connection to let your installer connect a steering wheel control interface to make your new radio safe to use while driving. Sony includes an RM-X231 infrared remote control with the radio for more conventional long-range control.

Dual Device Bluetooth Connectivity

You can pair two Bluetooth devices to the MEX-GS620BT simultaneously. The primary phone can stream audio and handle phone calls. The secondary device is for phone calls only. Sony has included NFC pairing to get your NFC-enabled smartphone connected quickly and easily. An included external microphone provides excellent outgoing sound quality on Bluetooth calls and voice recognition tasks. Siri Eyes Free and Google Voice compatibility is provided to make calls, listen and send text messages, and choose the music you want to enjoy.

Sony MEX-GS620BT System Features

You can choose from 35,000 different display and control panel illumination colors; both capable of being set independently to match your OEM lighting color palette in the dashboard. Or you can opt to let the radio follow the beat of your music with various color patterns. The reverse-LCD screen has 12-characters, each with 14 segments to make it easy to show numbers and letters. Audio configuration features include a 10-band equalizer called EQ10, high- and low-pass crossovers and an extensive list of adjustments to configure a subwoofer.

A function called Extra Bass works in conjunction with the volume control to reinforce low-frequency output across a wide range of listening levels, while minimizing distortion and clipping at high volume. ClearAudio+ processing helps optimize different source formats for natural and realistic reproduction. Finally, the Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE) will restore high-frequency audio information lost in compression to MP3 and WMA formats.

Your installer can fine tune your system using the Dynamic Soundstage Organizer (DSO) and listening position adjustments. Sony has pre-programmed signal delays into these features to help create a realistic soundstage in your vehicle.

Sony has equipped the MEX-GS620BT with their Dynamic Reality Amp 2 internal amplifier. They rate the amp as being capable of producing up to 55 Watts per channel into a 4 Ohm load, or 20 Watts using the CTA2006 Standard. The preamp outputs are capable of producing up to 5 Volts of signal and have an output impedance of 220 Ohms.

Premium Entertainment and Communication

When it is time to upgrade the radio in your car or truck, drop into your local Sony dealer and check out the MEX-GS620BT. Be sure to bring along your smartphone to experience all of the fantastic connectivity options. With all the modern sources and file formats covered, coupled to an easy-to-use design, the MEX-GS620BT is destined to be one of the most popular single-DIN CD receivers on the market.

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.

The Sony GS series of source units, amplifiers, speakers and subwoofers offers excellent performance at accessible price points. In this spotlight, we take a close look at the features and benefits of the GS-Series speakers and subwoofers.

GS Component and Coaxial Speakers

The GS series includes the XS-GS1621 6.5-inch coaxial, the XS-GS1621C 6.5-inch component and the XS-GS6921 6×9-inch coaxial speaker sets. Common to all three speakers are Mica Reinforced Cellular (MRC) and glass fiber-enhanced pulp woofer cones. The addition of mica and glass fiber strands to the pressed pulp construction improves the thermal and structural stability of the woofer cone. Each woofer features a large ferrite magnet for excellent efficiency and a rubber surround at the top of the cone to ensure long-term reliability.

Each speaker set employs a two-way design with a 1-inch synthetic fabric soft dome tweeter. The tweeter features a rare-earth magnet for excellent efficiency. The XS-GS1621C component set includes hardware to flush- or surface-mount the tweeter. An optional angled adapter increases the surface-mounting installation options. All three speaker sets include removable grilles with two-piece fine mesh inserts. High-quality rubber rings hold the grille inserts in place securely.

The 6.5-inch speaker baskets include provisions for three- and four-hole mounting in 6.5- and 6.75-inch standard applications. Mounted depth on the 6.5-inch speakers is 2.25 inches and 3.25 inches on the 6×9 driver.

Passive Crossover Networks

All three GS speaker sets include two-way crossovers. On the coaxial speakers, the crossover components are attached to the basket. On the component speaker set, the crossover come in their own enclosures. The tweeters are filtered at 5,000 Hz with a 12 dB/octave slope for excellent power handling. The output of the woofers is filtered at 5,000 Hz with a 6 dB/octave slope to reduce high-frequency output. The first-order response of the passive network, combined with the natural high-frequency roll-off the woofer cone, results in the output of woofer and tweeter blending nicely for smooth and natural frequency response. Not many coaxial speakers include passive crossover networks with both high- and low-pass filters. This is very impressive at these price points.

Also unheard of at this price point are passive networks that can be driven from a single amplifier channel or bi-amped for more tuning flexibility. The tweeter output on the XS-GS1621C components includes 0 dB or -3 dB level adjustment using a toggle switch in the tweeter housing. To improve system efficiency and frequency response, it uses high-quality polypropylene capacitors in all applications instead of inexpensive electrolytic caps. Electrical connections use 0.110-inch and 0.205-inch quick-disconnect spade terminals.

Sony GS Series Subwoofers

The GS Series includes the XS-GSW101 10-inch single voice coil, XS-GSW121 12-inch single voice coil and XS-GS121D 12-inch dual voice coil subwoofers. All three subwoofers are based on the same MCR glass fiber composite cone material as the speakers. A heavy-duty rubber surround at the top of the cone provides reliability, and a rubber boot around the magnet gives the subs a clean look. The woofers are constructed on a black stamped-steel basket with integrated vents under the spider mounting plateau. Combined with the vented pole piece, the vents allow hot air to escape from the voice coil to improve power handling.

The 12-inch subs are rated to handle up to 500 watts of power, and the 10-inch sub can handle 450 watts referenced to the CEA-2031 test standard. Peak power handling is rated at four times those numbers. Sony includes a rubber gasket and foam tape to ensure the installation looks great and is airtight.

GS Subwoofer Applications

The single voice coil subwoofers have a nominal impedance of 4 ohms. The dual voice coil 12-inch can be wired in parallel to present a 2 ohm load, or in series for an 8 ohm impedance. Your choice of amplifier and the number of subwoofers you intend to use will determine how they should be wired. Electrical connections are made via binding posts that will accept bare wire, spades or banana plugs.

The 10-inch sub will work well in extremely small sealed enclosures or vented enclosures between 0.75 and 1 cubic foot. The 12-inch subs also work well in sealed enclosures. If you want more low-frequency output, then a vented design of around 1.3 cubic feet will dramatically increase efficiency and power handling.

If you are in the market for new speakers or a subwoofer for your vehicle, the GS Series from Sony offers features found on speakers often costing two to three times as much. Your local authorized Sony retailer can help find the perfect GS solution for your application.

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.