The Next Generation


Well, maybe. Manufacturers seem to be obsessed with creating some new way to present a cars stereo to the passengers. This seems true across the board, from the earliest Active Black Panels (ABP) from JVC, to the unique (and relatively useless) card systems from Blaupunkt, to reversing panels that are still detachable...hmm, overkill anyone?

OK, maybe its obvious that I am not a fan af these new reversing drop down active black panel color changing micro matrix super fluorescent security enhanced units. Panasonic has had some very nice entries from an aesthetic standpoint. Its also obvious from a macro view that silver and champagne chassis are now back in. The latter is not so bad. Black is beautiful, but a well done champagne (metal, not plastic) can be breathtaking.

Sony has opted to go the silver route with the ES XR-M550. The silver is only evident when the unit is open. Unlike my head unit that will return to the upright position, this one can stay open for oft used functions showing the attractive fascia all the time. I still believe it would look good black, but I can get used to the silver.


Looks


Like many epins entries, this one is misleading. This is an ES (Elevated Standard) unit and has a higher S/N ratio than shown on this site and others. Like most ABP units, the display, in my opinion, isn't all that impressive and tends to be almost unreadable in the direct Texas sun, its more of a night thing. By means of comparison, the Pioneers with the organic displays are quite impressive as are some of the Pro Audio units. This stereo does have the ability to display a numerous variety of schemes on the ABP, from a simple spectrum analyzer to a multiple info format that displays all the relevant systems information. There are several colors in the display itself, blue, white, yellow, red. The blue is not a strong or deep blue, its washed out, almost white. The red is also rather light.

I think the interior is very good looking. When the panel is open, what you see is the opening to the tape deck flanked on the right by a little blue light, the eject button, also blue, and the IR receiver. The controls are on the back side of the ABP and are in silver featuring a small screen with the ability to show rudimentary systems info. The buttons and controls are highlighted in red. At night, when the panel is open, its not bad to look at when dimmed. When fully lit at night it can be distracting. I am really not sure what I prefer more at night open or closed. Apparently, most folks have yet to see this technology (ABP) at night, so it can be a decent conversation piece.

The only thing I have to say about the ABP when closed is that the material that makes up the screen (polycarbonate?) is quite soft and is easily scratched. Now, this face is not detachable so its not like you will have to care for it that way, but the fact exists. I found out the hard way by scratching (rather deeply) the left side of the ABP screen. Fortunately, I was able to buff it out successfully, but most folks don't commonly have the chemicals I have under my sink, so keep that in mind.


Functions and Functionality


There is a lot of functionality built into the little champ! It has all the things one comes to expect from a high end tape deck, but more. AMS (Automatic Music Search) is still a little lacking, the space between songs has to be about 3-4 seconds for the system to recognize it. I have complained about this before, but lets face it, if its your own recording this may not too much of an issue. None the less, one would think Sony could have improved this in the past 10 years. FF and REW are acceptably fast, and eject seems strong though quiet, not clunky or clicky. This deck only features Dolby B noise reduction, but for most people, this is plenty, and it sounds very good on studio and well made home recording.

The tuner has 30 presets available to the user, two sets of 6 AM and three sets of 6 FM. This has been the case with almost all Sony units, ES and regular line, for some years now. This seems more than ever could be necessary for the average individual, but if you commute, I could see this being a life saver. All of these presets can be named as well, to 8 or 9 characters. There is a neat little feature (BTM) which will arrange stations by signal strength. I have this on my stereo as well (though mine was produced in 1996) and I have never found it to entirely work. The same is true for this unit. Minor variances in signal strength can "fool" the system. Reception is outstanding though, it can pick up VERY weak stations very clearly.

The remote is the wireless variety. I am not fond of it simply because sometimes it can defeat the whole reason you have a remote, i.e., not having to look at the units face. Sometimes it doesn't seem to work and you have to move the remote around. I actually strongly prefer the wired model. The wireless has buttons located uniquely, but it can be confusing. The wired remote I recommend is the Sony RM-X2S or RM-X4S. The X2S is an older model that is IDENTICAL to the X4S, but cheaper. The only difference is one says mute (X2S) and one says ATT (attenuate, X4S), but they are both ATT function buttons.

Sound shaping is not available though one does have the ability to adjust bass, treble, and sub levels. This unit does have an auto tape EQ, meaning that is chooses the appropriate bias choice for tapes. It also has setting memory that remembers the last bass and treble setting for a given source, whether tuner, tape, CD, MD, or TV/DVD. It does have a bass boost, but I don't see it being useful. The frequency it boosts is too low, and with the use of a good sub, it is useless.

Power is very good for a self-powered head unit, it rates as 19 watts RMS x 4 channels and peaks at 50 watts x 4 channels. This is about the norm for the price paid. With the exceptions of heavy duty rap or bass-ridden rock, the power this unit puts out should be fine for the average user. One thing to keep in mind is the harder you push this stereo, the more chance you run into clipping which can damage speakers. You want to be loud as all hell? Get an external amp.


Connectivity


This unit can drive virtually anything you need it too. It has the ability to run a CD changer along with the tape and tuner sources, but with an additional piece, it will also run an MD changer in addition to the CD changer. This may seem excessive, but I am a strong supporter of the MD format and feel like this is a very useful feature for those that want the ultimate in source choice. With a little creative wiring and a few extra parts, one can also run a DVD/VCR/TV as well.

This unit features 3 sets of strong 4 volt pre-outs. One set is for the front speakers (component or not), one set for the rear, and one dedicated to the subwoofer. All outputs have defeatable filters at 78hz and 125hz to help tune the system as a whole, an especially desirable feature for those using external amps.

Folks who go the heavy multi media route will not have a problem with the extra wiring, because it will already be an understood before the install begins, or at least it should be. Any car can be set up this way, but don't rely on the head unit to do it all regardless of how nice it is. Good installs will always feature off board processors and sometimes routers. For the average consumer, this deck will offer more than what's needed.


The Straight Poop


If you want a very good cassette deck for your car that performs and looks great, this is a very good option to consider. Its power is good, its fidelity is excellent, but really shines with a good metal tape, and it has a very unique and distinctive look. It is an ES, which is the Sony high line, with an appropriate 2 year warranty, though you will have it much longer I would hope. It has the connectivity you need to add other media types if you choose, and even if you don't it will give you very good quality sound with the two sources available to you, tape and radio. This unit doesn't feature RDS labeling, a radio feature with displays the radioname for you w/o programming.

I want to say a few things about the final quality of this unit. I have mentioned more than once recently that I don't like where Sony has been going with their new head unit offerings. They don't seem to be manufactured as well or with as high quality parts and materials. This unit is no exception, but it still has a great fit and finish, it just seems a little flimsy still. The face being down like that isn't so much my concern, its how much the whole unit flexes when the face is down and you are scrolling through names or functions. I am not saying its cheaply done, but for the money you are spending one would expect more exterior metal and stronger (looking) load bearing members, specifically, the little arms that lower the face.

Overall, I do feel this is a good unit, but if you can find an ES XR-C900 or ES XR-C9100, I think you will be more happy, unless this units looks are why you are buying it, which is certainly a valid reason. The playback is excellent, the unit itself seems solid, except for what I have mentioned, and the tuner is outstanding. This unit was purchased for $249.99 on the net, it may still be as high as $319.99 in stores, but this was a short run unit. Just search google or yahoo and you will find 10,000 retailers in about 2 seconds.



Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 249.99 + tax