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CNET editors' rating:
3.5 stars
Very good
Detailed editors' rating - Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 7 reviews
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Product summary
The good: The Sony MEX-BT2500 features a clean, easy-to-use faceplate design and intuitive programming controls for hands-free calling and Bluetooth audio streaming. We also like its bright, uncluttered display and its front-mounted auxiliary input jack.
The bad: While it's easy to pair phones and receive calls, the MEX BT-2500 cannot be used to dial outgoing calls, and sound quality via its built-in microphone is subpar.
The bottom line: The Sony MEX BT-2500 is a good option for those looking to spend no more than $200 on a Bluetooth-enabled in-car stereo. Its straightforward design and intuitive controls make it easy to use, but its limited calling capabilities and poor outgoing sound quality let it down.
Specifications: Audio system car audio type: Radio / CD / MP3 player; Tuner bands type: Radio tuner; CD system type: CD / MP3 player; See full specs
Price range: $99.01 - $179.95
CNET editors' review
- Reviewed on: 06/07/2007
- Released on: 03/10/2007
The MEX-BT2500 is Sony's second Bluetooth-enabled in-car stereo, following in the footsteps of the MEX-BT5000, which we reviewed last year. Like the BT-5000, the MEX-BT2500 features Bluetooth hands-free calling and audio streaming capabilities, however, its plainer display, and more-limited audio processing and output features make it the entry-level model for those looking for a wireless communications and entertainment device.
Design
The Sony MEX-BT2500 features a simple, single-DIN-size faceplate with an open CD slot and a standard arrangement of hard buttons along the bottom of the bezel. To the left of the unit's white-on-black monochrome display, the rotary volume knob doubles as a start/end call control, while six hard buttons surrounding it constitute the main control selections. While it is a member of Sony's Xplod in-car audio range, the MEX-BT2500 does not have the prominent X-themed styling of its higher-end MEX-BT5000 sibling, and instead features a tasteful blue backlighting for the volume dial and the Source and Mode buttons.
The MEX-BT2500's intuitive design leads to straightforward music and call control when on the road. Pressing the Source button scrolls through the system's major functions (CD, auxiliary input, Bluetooth audio, Bluetooth phone, tuner), while the Mode button enables drivers to configure the display to show different categories of ID3 tag information when playing back digital audio discs.
Bluetooth calling
As the Bluetooth functionality is the main selling point of the MEX-BT2500, ease of pairing and strength of Bluetooth connection are key factors in its performance. We had no difficulty in pairing our Nokia 5700 music phone to the system. To pair a phone, users have to set the MEX-BT2500 to Off mode with the digital clock showing, then hold down the Bluetooth button until the Bluetooth logo starts to flash on the stereo's LCD display. The rest of the pairing procedure is conducted using the phone itself by searching for the stereo. The system can be paired with as many as five cell phones simultaneously. One of the limitations of the MEX-BT2500's hands-free calling interface is that it cannot be used to place outgoing calls other than redialing a connected cell phone's last number.
The principle purpose of the system, therefore, is to accept incoming calls. When a connected cell phone is called, the MEX-BT2500 sounds a trilling ringtone through the car's speakers.
Audio
We like the fact that you have only to pair a phone once to the MEX-BT2500 to be able to receive hands-free calls and to stream audio. As the two functions involve different Bluetooth protocols, some car stereos require two separate pairing procedures. With a Bluetooth audio device paired, the MEX-BT2500 is ready to receive streamed audio via A2DP. The source music player/phone must be used to start playback of a track or a playlist, but once started, the controls on the stereo can be used to skip forward and back, pause and restart tracks, and control volume level.
Unlike the system in the higher-end MEX-BT5000, users can also control audio volume for tracks playing through the car's speakers by using the volume control on the phone/music player itself. During Bluetooth audio playback, no track information is transferred to the stereo's display, so drivers will have to either refer to the phone display for track information or select tunes by ear when on the road.
The MEX-BT2500 can play regular Red Book CDs as well as MP3/WMA digital audio discs. For the latter, the system's bright LCD display shows eight ID3 tag characters, which automatically scroll across the screen. In a nice design feature, drivers can switch between different tag categories (such as album, track, or song title) by pressing the DSPL button.
The Sony MEX-BT2500 is a value-for-money car stereo for those looking for decent audio features and sound quality with Bluetooth calling and audio streaming capabilities. If you can live with the muddy call quality that the system's built-in microphone delivers, then the stylish and intuitive MEX-BT2500 is a good entry-level option.
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User reviews
- Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 7 reviews
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Where to buy
Sony MEX-BT2500:
$99.01 - $179.95
| store | price | in stock? | rating |
|---|---|---|---|
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$109.00 | Yes |
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$179.95 | No |
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Etronics.com
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$99.01 | Yes |
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$139.99 | Yes |
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Amazon.com
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$109.99 | Yes |
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