With an iPod connected via the as-standard full-speed cable, all controls of the player are transferred to the stereo faceplate, and drivers can view information for track name, album name, and artist on the monochrome display. The CDX-GT420IP provides drivers with a useful means of browsing iPod songs: pressing the Mode button cycles through the familiar iPod categories of album, artist, and playlist. With one of these categories selected, drivers can use the 1 and 2 preset buttons to scroll through an alphabetized list of entries.
Holding the preset buttons down will scroll through the list at the rate of one per second. For those not interested in the effort of searching for specific songs, a Shuffle button on the faceplate turns the CDX-GT420IP into a handy one-touch iPod jukebox with options for albums, artists, playlists, or all tracks. The shuffle function is also available in disc mode, with options to shuffle between songs (on standard Red Book discs) or albums (on a multi-album MP3 or WMA discs).
With its powerful internal amplifier producing 17 watts (RMS) per channel and its wide range of audio customization features, the CDX-GT420IP delivers decent--albeit bass-heavy--audio quality up to high volumes. A graphic on the front of the faceplate advertises that the stereo is capable of "100dB+", and based on installation in our test car, we can vouch for its accuracy.
In sum
We like the functionality of the Sony CDX-GT420IP. With a price tag of less than $150, it provides an affordable and user-friendly means of playing digital audio from a variety of media, including iPods, other portable audio players, and compressed disc-based formats. Despite its simple design, the CDX-GT420IP does a good job of giving drivers access to their iPod libraries on the road and delivering robust, tweakable audio output.
What You'll Pay
- Set Price Alert
