This CD/mp3 deck was a birthday gift tyo myself back in 2004, however, it was stolen about a month later from my car in the mall's parking lot! (And if that was not enough, they got the deck, the remote, my 2 amplifiers and my CD pouch, which was in the car, but they left the box, which was ... Read review
Car Radio - Panel Release, Panel/Quick Release - with CD Player, With CD-Player - without CD-Changer, With changer control - with MP3 Playback, With MP3 Player - 208 Watt
Advantages: powerful and good FM reception anywhere Disadvantages: easily stolen
...was the one model which Sony convinced me of their superior Japanese technology. Mp3 CDs took a couple seconds to start playing, but once they were loaded, they ran like normal CDs. However because of the design of the faceplate, I always used the supplied remote control, since no matter how small they make the control knobs, my fingertips aren't getting any smaller.
Navigation through the menu to find the 40th song in a folder was ... ...landscaping (mainly hills) but my Sony played radio stations on the FM band with no static at all! It is also worth of mention that this deck was installed in a 1993 B13 Sentra at the time, with no powered or electric antenna - just a normal car antenna.
Durability? This deck was playing mp3 CDs non-stop on cross-country treks (driving non-stop for 2 to 3 hours at a time), powering four Sony 6"x9" speakers and two 12 Sony ... more
This CD/mp3 deck was a birthday gift tyo myself back in 2004, however, it was stolen about a month later from my car in the mall's parking lot! (And if that was not enough, they got the deck, the remote, my 2 amplifiers and my CD pouch, which was in the car, but they left the box, which was still in the trunk!)
Immediately, I must say that this was the one model which Sony convinced me of their superior Japanese technology. Mp3 CDs took a couple seconds to start playing, but once they were loaded, they ran like normal CDs. However because of the design of the faceplate, I always used the supplied remote control, since no matter how small they make the control knobs, my fingertips aren't getting any smaller.
Navigation through the menu to find the 40th song in a folder was very simple and quick (once the CD had loaded), visibility was very good, even in complete darkness (I do have 20/20 vision, but sometimes you are in the middle of nowhere, and your cabin light refuses to work) although there was no way to adjust the brightness or contrast of the display.
If I remember correctly, there was a 3-band equaliser and Sony's DSO processing. The purpose of the DSO was to allow the user to feel as though the front speakers (which are usually installed in the base of the front doors or down to the driver's feet) to sound as though they were installed at a physically higher level. From what I understood from the manual (which I incidentally STILL have) is that they use some sort of digital processing technique to direct certain audio frequencies to the front speakers which fools the user into thinking that the speakers are physically higher than they really are.
FM reception was excellent - I was down at the beach, where cellphones and radios refused to work because of the remoteness of the area and the surrounding landscaping (mainly hills) but my Sony played radio stations on the FM band with no static at all! It is also worth of mention that this deck was installed in a 1993 B13 Sentra at the time, with no powered or electric antenna - just a normal car antenna.
Durability? This deck was playing mp3 CDs non-stop on cross-country treks (driving non-stop for 2 to 3 hours at a time), powering four Sony 6"x9" speakers and two 12 Sony subwoofers via the RCA connectors, and it played with no overheating, skipping (except for when I hit a pothole the size of a swimming pool).
Connectivity was very well laid out (at the time, at least) with 4 RCA outputs on the back for front and rear output and a separate subwoofer output, plus an input for a CD changer. However, I used all the audio outputs supplied - the powered outputs and the RCA connectors. Even though the unit only supplied 35W RMS on 4 channels, Sony taught me something - you don't always look at power ratings - start looking at dB levels. For 35W x 4 channels, this deck gave some competition to some of my friend's other units, which were as high as 45W x 4 channels. The audio was clear and did not distort when you cranked up the volume, as some decks tend to do.
While I did not have the opportunity to try it with an optional CD changer, when connected to a secondary signal processor such as an equaliser/pre-amp, this deck is worth every penny. I had 2 Sony subwoofers, which were installed in the trunk (I cannot remember the model number at this point) each playing at 150Watts RMS, supplied by two Sony Xplod amplifiers.
The audio quality was flawless, with crisp, clear mid range and tops, while the bass either pounded or rumbled, according to the type of music being played, and for easy listening, it added a nice kick to the music, adding "warmth" according to a friend of mine. I should also mention that when it came to mp3 audio, try to maintain a 196kbps sample rate, since the deck has some issues with 320kbps encoding.
Because of my involvement at the time with car audio installation and design, I installed the entire system myself. Installation was fairly standard, but the supplied wiring schematic was idiot-proof with detailed wiring schemes for the CD deck and possible connection setups.
However, (and I stand to be corrected on this) this model is no longer made by Sony - which is totally sad, because of all the "higher" models Sony makes in the Xplod line, I will purchase none - I have had 2 newer CD/mp3 decks since then, and they have been plagued with overheating issues and poor compatibility with CDR and CDRW disks - apparently preferring poor-quality Sony CDRs (the recording surfaces of which peel off like a used condom after enough time).
Long story shortened: very good construction and design, easy to install and use (as long as you are not intimidated by removing your car's dashboard and getting into the wiring), very durable, very good audio quality (providing you use hi-quality mp3s - all of mine were encoded at either 196kbps or 320kbps) and excellent FM reception, no matter where you are heading. So, if you do come across this unit in a clearance sale or something as NEW, GRAB IT IMMEDIATELY!
Advantages: MP3 compatible, Great sound Disadvantages: Slow fast forward on MP3 CD's
Great head unit at the price, Full of features "that you will use" not the usual gubbins that mean nothing to anyone This head unit will work with both CD's and MP3 CD's which you can easily create at home on your PC, from downloads or ripping CDs. On average i've found I can get 8-12 full albums onto a CD which is great as I don't need an auto-changer. Also you don't need to keep rummaging about for CDs when on the move. Only problem is if you like ... ...be very slow, but is no problem on normal CD's though???? isnt a major deal though.
This unit has provides 50x4w, so four channels each able to provide 50watts, on top of that it has 2 pre outs so you could connect an amp for a sub and an amp for 6x9's if you felt the need. It also has one input which is normally used for CD player auto-changer.
The graphic equaliser on this head unit is quite good too; it has 7 standard settings of rock, pop, ...
John_severn 30.03.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Sony CDXMP40
Advantages: Superb sound quality, Great looking Disadvantages: Track name only scrolls once
...by saying previous to this Sony car stereo I had a £200 Clarion "profesional" car stereo. to my dismay it has recently passed away and caused me to look for a new alternative. I have a sony Monitor a sony DVD player Sony Surround Sound AMP and a Sony Video Player. Therefore I knew sony are good, BUT i didnt know they were this good.
All my faults with this unit have been described in the above column which is the fact it only scrolls the track name ... ...so crisp and well output. Sony have created a cheap CD/MP3 system that blows the socks off my last setup.
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Looks
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Simple yet efective bright blue display with white writing makes everything stand out yet not be too busy. there are no huge rotating knobs which interfere with anything and everything is well placed.
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Security
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This Unit has a removable face plate therfore if it ...
Jimmy_D 09.12.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Sony CDXMP40
Advantages: Excellent sound quality, impressive functions, decent price! Disadvantages: The background light, if you don't like bright blue?
...for money as with many Sony units.
TUNER++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The radio function is good quality too with RDS and traffic alert etc, and lots of room for pre-sets of radio channels. There's also a remote control for the extremely cautious or terminally lazy!! Or maybe for posing by the car? who knows, or cares with such quality and gadgetry on offer for this price.
COMPATABILITY / IN's and OUT's++++++++++++
It also incorperates two ... ...CONCLUSIONS+++++++++++++++++++++++++
In my experience Sony produce great music units for the price, as regards functions and quality. So it has everything the regular or fanatic could need for great sound reproduction, compatability and features! A great piece of kit with more features than my home CD player! and I like the blue anyway, very calming, and highly recommended all round! ...
rfmoon82 28.04.2004 (08.06.2004)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Sony CDXMP40
Advantages: So much for your money, easy install, nice looks too. Disadvantages: I have no gripes really apart from it not coming with MP3 software for conversion which none do that I know of.
...bought it because it was Sony even tho mates advised that Sony weren’t all that good in the stereo market. They were wrong, ever so wrong on this count. Crisp & Clear – of course this will all depend on what you are sending it out through (Speaker quality etc) This beats any stereo I’ve owned before – and cost a lot less too.
I quite like to port the majority to my rear speakers and have some thru the front and crank it up. ... ...invested in Sony front and rear speakers)
Ease of Installation:
Simple swop with my stereo as you would expect (I have a 99 Citroen Saxo), no faffing with wires. Won’t be as simple with older cars, but expect this with any stereo if you have an older car.
Look and Design:
Fantastic looking, looks real good in my blue Saxo with all its blue trim. Scrolling details is quite funky too, but it only does it once I think and then sits so could ...
karenlearmonth 05.01.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Sony CDXMP40
Advantages: Looks Great, Sounds Great and plays MP3s Disadvantages: None
Stylish and sleek MP3 CD Radio Head unit. Looks great in your car and sound quality is excellent. I have owned this Head unit for 4 years and it has lasted me really well. First of all the Radio has plenty of presets that can be used to store all your favourite stations quickly and easily. It benefits from FM, MWand LW radio which I use for listening to the cricket.
The CD player is excellent too, no problems, doesn't skip and you can play CD-R, ... ...your downloaded music.
It comes with a remote which I have always found a bit strange for a car stereo... consequently I have never used it but I'm sure it is very useful if you need that kind of thing for a drive by party or something.
Only downside is that the volume down button has become difficult to press and the unit sometimes needs pressing in again to make contact, no surprise after 4 years of daily usage. I would definitely recommend this ...
aliwhiteley 28.12.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Sony CDXMP40
How is the Sound Quality?
Ease of Installation
How is the Look & Design?
Range of Features
Value for Money
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Advantages: Great Design, Easy to use, good sound quality Disadvantages: usb socket flap looks a bit flimbsy
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My Lust for all things Sony continued when I had to replace my old SonyCDX-MP40 head unit. The old unit was exceptional and had lasted me 4-5 years so my expectations were high and so far I haven't beed dissappointed but I guess only another 5 years will show whether sonys have improved.
But what I can say is as follows:
Sound Quality - very good, stereo output is very crisp and the choice of equaliser options is better. Bass sounds better too and doesn't distort even at louder volumes. I found the chemical brothers best hits were a good test for this.
Features are excellent and include MP3, CD, Radio, USB and Aux input for your ipod, flash drive or a good tip is to get one of those mini usb hard drives which you can copy hundreds of tracks onto.
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aliwhiteley 29.12.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Sony CDX-GT620U
For MP3 lovers, Sony presents the CDX-MP40 CD receiver. Record your MP3 files onto a CD-R or CD-RW and slide in the disc. Flip up the faceplate, and the song titles and other text information will scroll across the LCD display. Use the attractively organized controls to navigate through your songs and radio stations. Your MP3s will sound great when powered by Sony's beefy internal amp (23.2 watts RMS/50 peak x 4). Seven preset EQ curves give you quick sound control to help sculpt the music to your liking. If your speakers are low in the doors, you'll love the Dynamic Soundstage Organizer. It makes the music sound like it's all around you instead of at your ankles. Tired of hearing the same handful of songs on the local radio stations? For astounding musical variety, add Sony's 10-disc MP3 changer or XM Satellite Radio tuner (antenna and XM service also required). Sony's Dynamic Soundstage Organizer (DSO) uses proprietary circuitry to induce subtle phase shifts, simulating a sound source that is placed higher than the actual speakers in the vehicle. For example, when the DSO function is used in a vehicle equipped with speakers mounted low in the front doors, it creates virtual speakers in the dash to raise the soundstage. This unit offers three levels of DSO, each with a larger and higher soundstage. You can store the DSO setting for each source.
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