Sony's New Car Stereos Let You Take Your MP3 Player, Downloaded Music and Satellite Radio for a Joy Ride
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 4, 2006 -- (CES Booth # 11400) -- No matter your technology preferences or budget, Sony's 2006 line of Xplod(R) audio products offer several options for getting music into your car.
Products announced today include two new head units with an auxiliary input on the faceplate and nine satellite radio ready models. All of these products support the playback of CD-R/RW discs with MP3 and ATRAC3/3plus(TM) content from Sony's CONNECT(TM) online music store. The ATRAC3/3plus playback capability of Sony receivers, can play hundreds of secure digital music files burned onto a single CD.
"Whether it's burned to a disk or downloaded on an MP3 player, you can enjoy your music in the car on a Sony CD receiver," said Andrew Sivori, general manager of Sony Electronics mobile electronics division. "We know that people transfer and store their music in different ways. This year's Xplod lineup offers something for everyone."
For owners of Sony Walkman(R) digital music players or nearly any other portable MP3 player, the CDX-GT300 and CDX-GT400 receivers have an auxiliary input on the faceplate that makes it easy to plug in and play through car speakers. Both units are satellite radio ready, with a flip-down detachable faceplate and a wireless remote. The CDX-GT400 model features three pre-amp outputs and a 13-segment LED display with seven selectable colors that can be changed at the touch of a button.
The CDX-GT500 CD receiver has a full-motion florescent (FL) display with a "space producer" graphics engine. The "aux lite" auxiliary input allows for a customized installation for MP3 player integration and boasts three sets of preamp outputs.
With a motorized, synchro-flip, detachable faceplate, the CDX-RA700 unit has a stylish design for those who won't settle for a "factory stock" stereo in their dash.
In addition to standard MP3 and ATRAC3/3plus playback, the CDX-GT300, 400, 500 and CDX-RA700 models can play WMA files burned to a disk.
The new Xplod CD receivers are built on Sony's Drive-S chassis that offers sound separation from the stereo that isn't limited by a car's speakers. This technology also makes the head units resistant to interference from road vibrations. All CD receivers are CEA 2006 compliant.
Specialty Series CD Players
Sony's Specialty Series line, sold through independent retailers and car audio specialists, has four new receivers based on the Drive-S HX chassis. The CDX-R505X AM/FM CD receiver has a synchro-flip detachable faceplate with a dot matrix florescent FL display. The CDX-F605X receiver, with a full-motion FL display, offers increased sound performance with its 24 bit Burr-Brown D/A converter and 4-volt preamp outputs.
Sony's X-DSP technology is featured in the CDX-GT705DX and CDX-GT805DX receivers. Both of these models offer advanced sound customization, adjustable directly through the head unit. The intelligent time alignment of X-DSP adjusts the speakers output in two centimeter increments for width, depth and elevation within a vehicle. When adjustments are made, the preferences can be saved as a preset in the stereo.
Marine Products
For audio on the water, Sony is launching a new style of marine speakers and a remote commander. These Xplod products are UV, water and salt resistant and will begin shipping in February. The black and silver RM-X55M marine remote is satellite radio ready. The marine speakers, in black or white, feature rust proof basket construction and have rubber coated tinsel leads.
Availability and Pricing
Model # Description Additional Estimated Availability
Features Pricing
CDX-GT300 AM/FM CD Satellite radio $150 January
Receiver ready,
MP3/WMA/ATRAC3
playback, flip-down
detachable
faceplate,
front auxiliary
input and wireless
remote
CDX-GT400 AM/FM CD 3 pre-amp outputs, $170 January
Receiver MP3/WMA/ATRAC3
playback,
13-segment,
seven-color LED
display and front-
auxiliary input,
wireless remote
CDX-GT500 AM/FM CD Full-motion FL $200 January
Receiver display and
parametric
EQ3 equalizer,
MP3/WMA/ATRAC3
playback, 3 pre-amp
outputs, wireless
remote
CDX-RA700 AM/FM CD Motorized $250 January
Receiver detachable
faceplate with
Synchro-Flip
Design,
MP3/WMA/ATRAC3
playback, wireless
remote
Specialty Series
CDX-R505X AM/FM CD Synchro-Flip $220 February
Receiver detachable
faceplate
with dot matrix FL
display
DCX-F605X AM/FM CD Full-motion FL $260 February
Receiver display with
24-bit
Burr-Brown D/A
converter
CDX-GT705DX AM/FM CD X-DSP with digital $280 February
Receiver time alignment and
quad EQ 4-channel,
13-band equalizer
DCX-GT805DX AM/FM CD Motorized flip-down $330 January
Receiver detachable
faceplate
and X-DSP with
digital time
alignment
Marine Products
XS-MP1610W 61/2 in dual 40 Watts RMS, 140 $70 March
cone Watts max, water,
Marine Speakers salt
- White and UV resistant
XS-MP1610B 61/2 in dual 40 Watts RMS, 140 $70 March
cone Watts max, water,
Marine Speakers salt
- Black and UV resistant
XS-MP1620W 61/2 inch 2-way 45 Watts RMS, 160 $130 March
Marine Speakers Watts max, water,
- White salt
and UV resistant
XS-MP1620B 61/2 inch 2-way 45 Watts RMS, 160 $130 March
Marine Speakers Watts max. salt and
- Black UV resistant
RM-X55M Marine Waterproof, $130 February
Commander Satellite
radio ready, salt
and
UV resistant
Editor's Note: News releases and digital images with captions are available at http://www.sony.com/news. For information regarding the nearest Sony authorized dealer or service location, your readers can call 1-800-222-SONY.
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