SONY XAV AX7000
The Sony XAV-AX7000 has been launched in India a little time ago. I have installed this head unit in my Honda City and here is a brief review of the unit.
Features: - 6.95" Capacitive Touch Display
- Minimal and clean interface
- 4x45W RMS power (100Wx4 max) with built in class D amplifier
- Single din chassis
- Wired Android Auto/Apple CarPlay
- 5V pre-amp output (5 channel)
I had been using an Android HU with a 10.1inch display, and I was fed up of the sound quality. The Sony has a great 5V output which in turn keeps the gains low on the amplifier.
It also has a mega class D amp built in which can even power a subwoofer. It greatly reduces the need for an external amplifier.
Apart from these features the unit is the same as the Sony XAV AX5000.
If you do not want to upgrade your factory speakers, then this unit is not for you, it would be better to get the cheaper 5000 version, because this will definitely fry your speakers.
Fitting/Looks:
Fits neatly into a double din slot. Just the bottom buttons stick out. A volume knob will be sorely missed.
It has buttons for Home(Standby), Volume, Option (Attenuate), Prev/Next, Voice in that particular order.
The display in anti-glare and holds really well in direct light pointed at it.
Even though it has a single din chassis, it is strictly for a double din slot. The chassis just makes the installation easier.
Interface:
![Review: Sony XAV-AX7000 Head Unit-20200713_231303.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/car-entertainment/2030129d1687368125t-review-sony-xav-ax7000-head-unit-20200713_231303.jpg)
Android Auto
![Review: Sony XAV-AX7000 Head Unit-20200713_231850.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/car-entertainment/2030141d1687368125t-review-sony-xav-ax7000-head-unit-20200713_231850.jpg)
Apple CarPlay
![Review: Sony XAV-AX7000 Head Unit-20200713_231339.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/car-entertainment/2030132d1687368125t-review-sony-xav-ax7000-head-unit-20200713_231339.jpg)
Home Screen when an Android Device is connected. The HU recognises the device and then automatically shows AA/CarPlay based on the phone.
There are 5 preset wallpapers, and you can save your own image using a USB stick.
![Review: Sony XAV-AX7000 Head Unit-20200713_231827.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/car-entertainment/2030140d1687368125t-review-sony-xav-ax7000-head-unit-20200713_231827.jpg)
Home screen when an iPhone is connected.
![Review: Sony XAV-AX7000 Head Unit-20200713_231429.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/car-entertainment/2030134d1687368125t-review-sony-xav-ax7000-head-unit-20200713_231429.jpg)
FM radio screen. It has 3 bands of FM and 2 bands of AM. Upto 18 frequencies can be saved. Has RDS to display basic text information. Using auto scan or BTM (Best Tuning Memory) as Sony likes to call it, is also an option.
Phone menu with Contacts and Dialer displayed.
Bluetooth Microphone.
Call quality on this unit is great with the included Bluetooth Microphone. The calls sound natural and the other party had no problem recognising the speaker's voice. Call volume can be set to be different from the volume of the HU.
Bluetooth streaming.
Displays Song name, artist and album. No album art is displayed. Bluetooth pairing takes no time and has no codes. After start up, it takes upto 30 seconds to connect to the phone. Streaming quality is up to par, none of that android stupidity.
Sound settings:
Features a 10 band eq with many presets and a custom. Subwoofer level can be controlled with this unit and can be turned off. There is Extra Bass of levels off, 1 and 2. The music didn't sound boomy or distorted even at high volumes.
Audio quality is leagues ahead of all the Androids in the world. There is no static, hissing or noise in the pre-outs. A large volume control with increments of 50 levels is present.
Reverse Camera:
Reverse camera input is a RCA video jack. Reverse trigger is present in the wiring harness of the HU.
The camera can be activated while driving if it is powered. Camera quality is good but it also depends on the camera present in the vehicle.
Cons:
- No AV input
- No Video Output
- No AUX in (is this even a con?)
- Fit and finish is not as perfect as Android HUs
Verdict:
A fantastic HU for audiophiles. The USP of this HU is audio quality. Coming from Sony, this unit also has a great reliability factor. There is a 3 year warranty on the unit. The interface is fast and responsive. Minimal design looks good on any car. The display is anti-glare and does not easily catch fingerprints.
Coming to my personal views, I was using an Android HU and I definitely miss the large 10.1 inch display and the functionality coming with it. I have lost OBD scanning, video apps, and many such features. But what good is all that when the output sounds like crap? After driving around with this, I also realised that you don't need all those distractions while driving. This is a quality product and will hold the test of time.
![Review: Sony XAV-AX7000 Head Unit-20200713_232127.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/car-entertainment/2030143d1687368125t-review-sony-xav-ax7000-head-unit-20200713_232127.jpg)