Reviews for Sony XAV-AX5500 Media Receiver
Works with CarPlay
Installed myself and I have zero experience working on car audio. Did have to cut the frame around the receiver as detailed in the instructions - easy work for a novice. The recommended Quadratec installation kit worked well. The factory microphone does not work with this kit (instructions mention this), so you have to use the included microphone. Very easy to install. Only difficulty is surprisingly not cutting the metal frame, but getting the center window control panel to detach so you can remove the central dash covering the receiver. I use Apple's CarPlay and it works perfectly. Overall, good product.
Works well, pre-built hardness from Quadratec was pretty much plug-and-play for someone like me who's installed about a half dozen head units in my life. I really wanted Apple Car Play and it didn't disappoint there -- navigation and streaming through my phone work great. To hook up the USB in the center console, I needed a USB extension that I ran down the the UConnect, which wasn't too tough with the help of YouTube.
Also ended up installing a backup camera a few months later. Fortunately the wire on the harness was labeled correctly so I was able to connect to that and now the video automatically pops up when I go into reverse just like with a factory system.
The only complaint I would have would be the responsiveness of some of the steering wheel controls. Volume pretty much always works instantly, but if you're either in CarPlay or Bluetooth mode, responsiveness to changing the channel or skipping a song can be sluggish or non-existent. I would also greatly prefer if the channel up/down control (left hand side on the steering wheel) went through presets; the center button will go up to the next preset but that also tends to be sluggish or non-responsive, even in the unit's built-in SiriusXM mode.
Love it. Easy install. Wish you could tap into stock microphone instead of their visor mounted one. Other than that, it’s great.
Looks and sounds very good. I had to play with the sound settings for a while to get it to sound correct but in the end it works great. Install was fairly easy with the installation kit. Make sure you read the directions and connect the black wires to get the backup camera to work as well as connect the AV bypass. Also the installation kit does not include the piece to make the factory USB in the handrest work, you would need to order that separately.
Install could use some better documentation, especially when trying to ground and trying to connect to stock center console USB. Very good sound, love the interface with android auto, wish the unit was a little better protected to weather especially if it starts raining with your top down, you might fry the whole thing. Steering wheel controls are not 100% match/functional so be aware but the sound and channel controls work. You may want to order a separate mic the one included does not mount well anywhere and the "hook" snapped shortly after i fit on the visor. Overall happy with the purchase just wish I knew a little more of the problems with install I was going to have, maybe would have avoided if professionally installed to be fair.
I purchased the Sony XAV-AX5000 through Quadratec along with their JEEP JK wiring harness kit. Based on Quadratec's installation video for the Sony, I was led to believe this was all plug and play. The harness kit did not come with the USB adapter they showed off in the video which is supposed to keep my existing center console USB connected to the radio to allow android auto to function with my phone. I ran both USB's to the glove-box instead. I was also disappointed the kit wasn't set up to use my stock hands free microphone.
I installed the Brandmotion 9002-8848 backup camera kit at the same time. The backup-camera works perfectly after getting the harness options figured out...
The harness several spare wires for different options that go with the Sony. The instructions regarding these wires are not real helpful. Some wiring diagrams would help. I did figure it out after burning a couple brain cells.
After getting it all put together I ran through all the basic function. Most things work as expected and the sound is terrific. Better than the stock stereo in my JEEP. However the Android Auto feature does not work. We have the LG-G7 which is one of the phones that is supposed to work with Android Auto so I think it's the Sony. I have read a few other reviews stating they too had trouble with this feature on the Sony. This may also be related to the vague instructions that come with the harness kit.
For me apple car play works and everything is very good just 1 detail, it improves sound volume sounds powerful but that’s only the front speaker my speakers in the middle and subwoofer lost power now I need to buy amps like a least 2 to get the power I lost and to make sound clear
Well...I paid a grand for what was supposed to be one of the better Android Auto compatible stereos on the market for my 08 JK.
PROS: Fast, Easy Install. No brainer work.
Plug and play installation.
Looks clean and sounds great. Functions work good 95% of the time .
CONS: Android Auto will drive you insane. No matter the cable length, brand, or style of the cable Android Auto is borderline useless on this device. I bought a dozen different cables all 3ft or less and after replacing a cable the slightest jiggle or movement during use it will disconnect, reboot the device, or freeze, or some days when you really need it like I the middle of NYC trying to navigate traffic it does all at the same time.
Been waiting for Sony to fix this issue seeing many have complained...but Sony seems to not care they ripped off the honest people who trust their product. Thanks for the glitchy $1000 music box I got 3 more months to pay for.
Absolutely terrible. Does not fit a 2016 JK without a million adapters. Will be returned for sure.