Sony CDX-GT420U review

Using a combination of these three buttons, drivers can quickly navigate to and get information on exactly what they want to hear--a vast improvement on the digital-audio interface we saw on the more expensive Sony MEX-BT5100. For those who prefer a more leisurely approach to listening to their digital audio tracks, the CDX-GT410U has a very useful shuffle feature. The CDX-GT410U can be expanded with the aid of a variety of add-on modules for iPod, and XM or Sirius Satellite radio.

The CDX-GT410U's built-in amp produces 4x17 Watts (RMS) of output, and a number of methods for tweaking the audio, including a three-band equalizer with seven presets. Drivers can also create their own custom EQ curve by adjusting the decibel settings for low-, mid-, and high-range output.

The Custom EQ setting allows drivers to tweak the three-band equalizer to their liking.

While the CDX-GT410U advertises the fact that it is capable of "100dB+", in our experience, the audio output--especially at the low end--became distorted at any level above half volume when playing compressed digital audio sources. To improve the quality of compressed audio sources, the stereo features a digital media plus (DM+) function that is designed to improve digitally compressed sound, such as MP3s, by restoring lost samples. While there was a notable improvement between the sound of compressed digital-audio sources with the DM feature activated compared with playback with it off, we noticed the same difference when playing regular CDs. This leads us to believe that the DM function may be less of a "restoring" feature and more of an EQ manipulation setting. Unsurprisingly, sound quality when playing Red Book CDs is better than with MP3 discs or audio from USB drives, but we were underwhelmed with the system's dynamic range, particularly at the high end.

In sum
Propping up Sony's 2008 range of single-DIN car stereos, the CDX-GT420U retails for about $130. For that very reasonable price, drivers get a system with a good range of features including a USB interface, support for digital audio discs, and a useful navigation feature for browsing large libraries. On the downside, audio quality, while loud, is nothing special, and the system's two luminous color schemes may induce some buyers to go for something a bit more understated.