Sony MEX-XB120BT

High Power Single DIN Deck

Purchased the MEX-XB100BT after scoping out all head units under $600. The MEX-XB100BT is the ONLY head unit (as of Mar 15th 2015) officially rated 40Watts RMS that I can stick in the dash and effectively power my aftermarket speakers without an amplifier and me re-wiring the entire factory sound set-up. The 40Watts RMS produces amazingly sweet & precise sound from my upgraded speakers and without any sign of fatigue after hrs. of loud playing. The next highest rated head units have 22 watts RMS and you'll need an amp to get decent aftermarket speakers going and making sweet sounds. Setting up a 45watts RMS amp with a new H/U & labour will set you back roughly 3X+ the price of MEX-XB100BT.

The MEX-XB100BT has Bluetooth digital audio streaming, NFC, Sony’s Mega Bass sound shaping, Pandora, SiriusXM ready, voice control capability, 5-volt 6-channel preamp outputs, plays MP3, WMA, WAV, AAC and FLAC files, ClearAudio+ version of HD Radio with RDS capability and front USB input.

The MEX-XB100BT front panel is a bit tacky and most suitable for compact cars. Can Sony please re-design the front panel to be a bit more eye pleasing, streamlined and better looking? I've grown to dislike main volume knob after a day of use as it lacks a sense of crisp rotary feel and retards the build quality. The deck's volume knob is the MAIN touch point and Sony wrapped a LAME rubbery grip strip on the volume knob? In other words, you get a lot of great technology, functionality with the MEX-XB100BT and ugly design is included for free!

You'll need roughly 40-50watts RMS per channel to control decent aftermarket speakers and getting your music to feel lively and energetic. I believe the MEX-XB100BT offers the best combination of power, ease of installation, quality audio features and value for your dollars.

No need for an additional amp - just one for a nice sub

This unit is far the best I have ever heard for just a single deck unit (40rms per channel x 4) about double of any other single unit on the market. Sounds incredible with the new 6x9 and 6.5” Polk speakers in my 2008 Chevy Impala. Install was fairly simple (just need and additional power cable run to battery) I ran mine at the same time of running my sub wiring.
JUST BUY IT!!! You won’t be disappointed.

By Patrick on June 12, 2015 Verified purchase

Awesome power with no amp!

I was a bit skeptical of the hype. The site only has a few reviews, and I figures if it was such a great headunit, that it would have Tons of rave reviews. I guess No news is Good News!!!

This deck is AMAZING . It has all the convenient features one would expect from a modern headunit with the addition of crisp, clean and powerful sound.

I am no longer surprised that this guy has little reviews, because everything works as it is supposed to. Its a natural addition to any setup. I love it!!

AWESOME

This is an awesome unit and I love the power output. Very clear with great sound.

Best head unit I have ever bought :-)

I waited 4 months for this to come over to the UK and I have finally installed it (the proper way straight to the battery) I don't use song pal or bluetooth and if I want to speak to someone I still pull over and answer my phone, so cant really comment on all the ancillaries and no I am not 50 years old I'm only 25 but I hate it when I call my friends and they use it so I just do it the old fashioned way. I have lestened to music through bluetooth which was very easy to set up but the quality isnt as good, so I stick to USB. Anyway this system is AWESOME I had already upgraded all my speakers 2 x Kenwood Components + 2 x Vibe Coaxials (all 6.5") and had gone through 3 head units with these speakers and as soon as I plugged this in and turned it up it was as if someone had replaced my whole sound system and sneaked a sub somewhere! It really was that good all my friends keep asking me when I installed a sub! If your thinking of getting one and have aftermarket speakers just do it. I can play this on full volume with the Mega Bass button on and it only distorts a very tiny bit, it can play at vol 45/50 all day long and the sound quality is amazing, you can even set the unit to favour the driver/passenger/front or rear of the car which actually makes the audio sound better.

Sony MEX-XB100BT

I love this Receiver :) I have it hooked up to my pioneer 6x9 5 ways and two pairs of 6 1/2 in my G-Body Cutlass and they sound so clear and loud wow... I keep smh thanks again Sonic Electronix

Get it,,,, get it now!

Best car radio I've ever got, get the matching Sony speaker,,. Very happy with system.

By David on October 20, 2015 Verified purchase

It was getting a meslee 9-10 watts per channel so the bass sounds like junk. But I wasn't trying to win and ...

I had a stock Sony stereo in my pontoon boat. It was getting a meslee 9-10 watts per channel so the bass sounds like junk. But I wasn't trying to win and stereo comp ext. It was just a stereo that played music.
Well I saw the reviews and a video where they bench tested this unit and it put out out over 100 watts. Just having a head unit that put out out a little power made my system sound 100 times better.
Being able to adjust the sound the the EQ threw the phone is so much easier then learning all the functions on a new unit is frustrating.
Bluetooth is strong and is good for 50 foot away

I'm impressed and disappointed at the same time.

To begin this review, I would just like to point out that I am not very knowledge able when it comes to car audio. I did do research and ended up getting this head unit instead of running an amp in my car due to the ease of installation.

Pros:
The Sound Quality
The Size
The Customization Options
The Inputs

The quality of sound this head unit puts out is pretty impressive. I paired it with 4 Kenwood KFC-6965S and they sound amazing for what I paid for them. I am half tempted to add an amp and sub just to increase the quality even more.

The size of the head unit is pretty standard yet some of the buttons are (in my opinion) weirdly sized.

The ability to change almost everything about the head unit is great for people that want to find the perfect sound. This is a big plus for me. Also, when you don't want much base and you want a clean sound, the "Clear Audio" option is amazing.

If you are unable to get your device to connect to this head unit, you might want to rethink your future purchases. It has Bluetooth, USB, and AUX; what more could you need?

Cons:
The Interface
SONGPAL

The interface is a little confusing to use but after playing with it for a while you get used to it.

Songpal is the worst thing about this head unit. When you connect your phone, it always asks you to "Open App" which the app is self is buggy on my iPhone 6 and I would rather it just connect to my phone and play music automatically like my other cars.

All in all if you can get over the SONGPAL and the interface quirks, this head unit is a great purchase for anyone who doesn't want to rewire their whole car and still wants a loud, powerful, and crisp sound.

By David on October 20, 2015 Verified purchase

She says that the changing color display on the stereo "just adds to the cool factor. " We couldn't be happier with this ...

We bought this stereo to replace the original radio in my daughter's 2004 Kia. It didn't take my husband any time at all to install it, we didn't replace the car's original speakers, and my daughter loves it. She uses the bluetooth capabilities to stream music from her android phone. She says that the changing color display on the stereo "just adds to the cool factor." We couldn't be happier with this purchase!