Sony MEX-BT2500 (03/14/2007)

Content [Hide]

1. Manufacturer's description
2. Product summary
3. Editors' review
4. Users' opinions
5. Blogs

Manufacturer description

MEX-BT2500, Sony's new AM/FM CD receiver for the car with Bluetooth technology, multi-tasks as both a CD player and a wireless streaming device. Drivers can make safe, hands-free phone calls, listen to MP3 formatted CDs or wirelessly connect to Bluetooth-compatible digital music players on the road. The MEX-BT2500 head unit, the company's second audio-streaming AM/FM CD receiver with wireless Bluetooth technology, is easily paired with compatible Bluetooth enabled cellular phones. Up to five different phones can be linked to the receiver so the whole family can enjoy connectivity. An integrated microphone behind the faceplate eliminates the need for additional wiring, so the installation process is as quick and easy as an ordinary car stereo. Additionally, noise cancellation and echo reduction technology serve to enhance phone call clarity. Music-storing phones with Bluetooth technology supporting A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile), including some Sony Ericsson Walkman phones, will allow audio streaming from the handset to the MEX-BT2500 head unit. For drivers who carry their music libraries on Bluetooth-enabled digital music players, the MEX-BT2500 unit supports both wired and wireless playback. Using Bluetooth technology, it's easy to play, pause, skip, fast-forward or back up songs. Key information including album, artist and track appears on the display through the wireless connection. For non-Bluetooth digital music players, you can connect through the front auxiliary input on the front of the car stereo with an audio cable (not included). The CD player supports multiple codecs, including MP3 and WMA. The MEX-BT2500 car stereo delivers 52 watts across four channels to help ensure rich, clear sound. Blue key illumination looks good in nearly any dashboard, while the detachable faceplate provides an added measure of security.

Product summary

Editors' review

• Editors' Choice: No
• Reviewed on: 06/07/2007

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.

To answer the call, the driver simply pushes in the large volume knob, the same action used to end a call. We like the fact that there is a single, large interface for accepting and hanging up calls--one of our criticisms of the MEX-BT5000 was the dislocation of the start and end call buttons, and their relatively small size. For incoming calls, the sound quality thorough the car's speakers is clear and intelligible; however, the same is not true from the other end of the line. The MEX-BT2500 makes use of a built-in microphone, and, while we like the convenience and design economy that this affords, its performance leaves a lot to be desired: call quality from the other end of the line is distant, intermittent, and echoey, and in our test, we found ourselves having to ask the person on the other end of the line to repeat what was said. On another mildly negative note, there is no way to transfer one's cell phone contact book to the MEX-BT2500. Although for a system this price, that is not such a surprise.

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.

We also like the front-mounted auxiliary input jack, which can be used to play audio from portable non-A2DP-enabled music players such as iPods. Audio-tweaking functions on the MEX-BT2500 are limited to a number of preset EQ configurations and a custom setting that enables the driver to set high and low outputs. Like the MEX-BT5000, the MEX-BT2500 kicks out 52W (max) through four channels via a digital-to-analog converter. However, the entry-level unit lacks a number of the MEX-BT5000's more advanced audio capabilities, such as its EQ3 parametric leveler, and its BBE MP signal processing, which restores some of the sound quality lost through the compression of digital audio files by reamplifying acoustic details or "harmonics" that were reduced in the compression process.

In sum
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.

User opinions

Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

About CNET Archive

Welcome to the CNET Archive, a library of product reviews, user opinions, videos, specifications, and manufacturer descriptions for products no longer offered by the manufacturer or most retailers. Here you will find information on replacement parts and replacement ink cartridges. Read what others had to say about that used laptop you are considering buying. Take a trip down memory lane as you browse and reminisce about your favorite old video game or that first digital camera.

Search Archive

Sony MEX-BT2500 specifications

• General
• Product Type Radio / CD / MP3 player
• Series Xplod
• Recommended Use Car
• Form Factor Full-DIN - In-dash unit
• Width 7.0 in
• Depth 7.0 in
• Height 2.0 in
• Weight 2.6 lbs
• Faceplate Type Detachable
• Equalizer
• Equalizer type Parametric
• Equalizer band qty 3 bands
• Audio System
• Sound Output Mode Stereo
• Sound Effects DRIVE-S , Dynamic Soundstage Organizer II (DSO II)
• Equalizer Yes
• Controls Attenuate , Balance , Fader , Treble , Volume , Bass , Loudness
• Max Output Power / Channel Qty 52 Watts x 4
• Continuous Power / Channel Qty 27 Watts x 4
• Built-in Display Fluorescent
• Display Illumination Color Bluish white , Blue
• Button Backlight Color Blue
• Clock Yes (digital)
• Additional Features CD Text capable , Bluetooth hands-free for cellular phone , Title scroll , Telephone mute , ID3 tags support
• Radio
• Type Radio tuner - AM/FM
• Tuning Display Fluorescent display
• Preset Station Qty 30.0
• AM Preset Station Qty 12.0
• FM Preset Station Qty 18.0
• Response Bandwidth -14970.0 Hz
• Signal-To-Noise Ratio 69.0 dB
• Additional Features Preset buttons , Best stations memory , SSIR-EXA
• CD System
• CD system type CD / MP3 player
• CD system form factor In-dash unit
• Media load type Slot-load
• Playback modes One track repeat , Random play / shuffle
• Digital audio standards supported WMA , ATRAC3 , MP3 , ATRAC3plus
• CD system response bandwidth -19990.0 Hz
• Signal-to-noise ratio 120.0 dB
• CD-R compatible Yes
• CD-RW compatible Yes
• Connections
• Connector Type 1.0 x Audio line-in ( Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm )
• Miscellaneous
• Included Accessories Mounting hardware
• Remote Control
• Remote control type Remote control
• Remote control technology Infrared